Conditions Governing Use:

Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

Conditions Governing Access:

Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Preferred Citation:

The Commonwealth Collection of Silver Jubilee First Day Covers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Acquisition Information:

Gift via Clifford Curry.

Processing Information:

Collection accessioned and processed by Anne Johnson in August 2010.

Historical Note:

The Royal Commonwealth Society is an international education charity. With a remit to promote international understanding across the Commonwealth, especially among young people, the RCS has an impressive portfolio of charitable activities. Further information about this individual or organization may be available in the Special Collections Research Center Wiki: .

Scope and Contents

Scrapbook entitled "The Commonwealth Collection of Silver Jubilee First Day Covers, Commissioned by the Royal Commonwealth Society in Honour of the 25th Anniversary of the Accession of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II."

Each page in the scrapbook contains an envelope with an official first day of issue cancellation of a stamp applied by the the designated Post Office of the country of issue. Fifty-two countries are represented, beginning with Ascension Island and ending with Western Somoa. All envelopes are addressed to Arthur Henry Hudgins Roach. Fifteen loose Silver Jubilee envelopes and a certificate of authenticity are included with collection.

Arrangement of Materials:

Alphabetical by name of country, though there are some exceptions.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Elizabeth II, Queen of Great Britain, 1926--Anniversaries, etc.
• Postage stamps