Scholarship helps philatelic book research

The Julian Chapman Memorial Scholarship, administered by The Royal Philatelic Society London, has helped Ben Palmer to undertake research for his forthcoming book The Pre-UPU Mail of Queensland.

A scholarship of £2,500 was awarded to Ben and enabled him to visit the Queensland Museum where it was necessary to consult the L’Estrange Collection of Queensland Stamps and Postal History. Some 44 images of material, never before reproduced, have now been supplied for illustration in the book.

Whilst in Brisbane, he also visited the State Library of Queensland to consult Government Gazettes, Almanacs and other Post Office publications. Ben also spent one week at the Collectors Club of New York. As a member of this organisation he was able to access its holdings freely and was ably assisted by a member of staff, Irene Bromberg.

Ben said: ‘I am extremely grateful to The Julian Chapman Memorial Scholarship for its assistance in funding travel and accommodation costs to both Brisbane and New York. Whilst few researchers do so for profit it has certainly reduced the financial burden in reaching places far from London. The cost of reproducing images from the Queensland Museum in Brisbane was also reimbursed.’

The Julian Chapman Memorial Scholarship is available to philatelists, wherever resident, wishing to study Commonwealth stamps or postal history. The Scholarship is intended to assist with the costs incurred undertaking the researches, especially for travel, accommodation and subsistence costs where such research is undertaken overseas.

More details are available from the website or by writing to The Julian Chapman Memorial Scholarship, The Royal Philatelic Society London, 41 Devonshire Place, London W1G 6JY, providing an email address if possible.