Amazing Afghanistan

The superlatives were fully justified when Richard Berry FRPSL presented an incredible collection, immaculately written up, of Classic Afghanistan to the Royal Philatelic Society London on 7 December 2023. Camellia Plc, a global family of companies focused on agriculture, with its headquarters in the United Kingdom, owns the collection. It was first created some decades ago
by the then Chairman, who continues to take a keen interest in the collection.

Richard Berry is the current Curator of the collection, one of a number owned by the company embracing fine art, furniture, manuscripts and philately. The collection of Classic Afghanistan covers the First Afghan War of 1839 to 1842, the classic stamps of Afghanistan, and the Second Afghan War of 1878 to 1880.

Giving the Vote of Thanks, Mark Bailey FRPSL, praised the ‘amazing, exceptional display’, wondering if members will ever see such incredibly rare material again. Reading some of the letters shown had provided a unique personal insight into the lives of those who fought in the wars. In particular, Mark paid tribute to Max Smith whose work has ensured the collection is ‘brilliantly written up and beautifully presented’.

Michael Roberts FRPSL, President of the Royal Philatelic Society London, added his own thanks for an ‘absolutely wonderful and very unusual’ display.