Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum Presents Maynard Sundman Lecture
The National Postal Museum presents the third annual Maynard Sundman Lecture featuring Michael Sefi, keeper of the Royal Philatelic Collection, Oct. 16 from 2 to 3 p.m.
The collection was begun by Queen Elizabeth II’s grandfather King George V and is now considered the finest and most comprehensive holding of British and Commonwealth stamps in the world. Materials from the collection, including the world’s very first postage stamps, are currently on view through Jan. 11, 2005 in the National Postal Museum’s exhibit “The Queen’s Own: Stamps That Changed the World.”
In his lecture entitled “The Royal Philatelic Collection: An Insider’s View,” Sefi will discuss his experiences working with the collection and illustrate some of the objects not on display in the National Postal Museum exhibit. He will also comment on King George V’s collecting objectives and describe current issues facing the collection. King George V desired to have “the best collection in England, not one of the best” and reportedly spent three afternoons a week working on his collection whenever he was in London.
Michael Sefi was named Keeper of the Royal Philatelic Collection in January 2003. Prior to his appointment as keeper, Sefi served as deputy keeper of the collection. Sefi specializes in early stamps of the reign of King George V, particularly those of Great Britain.
The Maynard Sundman Lecture series was established by David Sundman, president of Littleton Coin Company, and his brother Donald Sundman, president of Mystic Stamp Company, to honor their father Maynard Sundman. Scheduled on or around Maynard Sundman’s birthday, the lectures are designed to explore and interpret recent philatelic research. Maynard Sundman founded Littleton Coin Company, formerly Littleton Stamp & Coin, and the family actively supports educational events that promote understanding and appreciation of philately, the collection and study of postage stamps, and numismatics, the study and collecting of coins, medals and paper money.
The lecture is free and open to the public. Reservations are not required.
The National Postal Museum is devoted to the colorful and engaging history of the nation’s mail service and showcasing the largest and most comprehensive collection of stamps and philatelic material in the world. It is located at 2 Massachusetts Ave. N.E., in the Old City Post Office Building across from Union Station. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more information visit the museum’s Web site at postalmuseum.si.edu.
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