Six philatelic titles have been shortlisted for the 2026 Crawford Medal, with the winner to be revealed at the Crawford Festival in London on 17 June 2026.

Tony Lester Auctions recently reached a milestone we are genuinely proud of: forty years as a member of The Philatelic Traders' Society. We have spent over four decades working alongside some of the most respected names in global philately, operating under the code of conduct that the PTS shield represents.

A comprehensive guide to stamp fairs taking place across the UK in 2026, with advice on why they are an excellent option for collectors of all levels.

We look back at the life and remarkable philatelic career of Brian Sole, whose tireless contributions to thematic collecting left a lasting mark on the hobby.

A remarkable block of 12 Penny Black stamps, hidden in a cupboard since 1840 and rediscovered during renovations in Dublin, is up for auction with estimates of £150,000 to £200,000.

A 1,171-lot auction of rare 19th-century unused stamps from the Robert Jenkins collection, spanning British, French and Italian areas, is set to go under the hammer at Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries in New York City this March.

We take a nostalgic look at a 1979 BBC programme about stamp collecting and consider how the hobby has evolved in the decades since.

Queen Elizabeth II graced our stamps for the past 70 years, so many will be wondering when we will get new stamps, and what will happen to old stamps now that she is no longer on the throne.

Although its prominence has declined since the 1950s and 1960s when over half of all youths had a stamp collection of some kind, the increase in internet e-commerce platforms has led to a plethora of rare stamps being released in recent years.

This is a fun pastime with minimal restrictions, but it's much more than that. For many stamp collectors, collecting stamps is a means to learn about the globe, its numerous countries, its unique histories, stunning artwork, and vibrant cultures.

We are very excited to announce that we will be at this years Midpex on July 3rd. We’re really looking forward to seeing some familiar faces and being able to socialise again with old and new friends who are as excited about philately as we are!

Look and see if you can find which of the countries it is from and try to identify where it is from and the date that the stamp first originated from.

If you are a stamp collector, you may be interested in learning which stamps are considered the five rarest and most valuable stamps worldwide, with the highest bids in Philatelic Stamp history.

Stamps are a significant part of British history in particular (out of the many countries worldwide) with the first postage stamp with one of the highest estimate valuations having been introduced way back in 1840.

While stamp collectors are always hopeful of striking gold by unearthing the next treasure, there are those philatelists who are looking for something beyond the jackpot. Instead they look for stamps that also coincide with their other interests and hobbies.

The present-day Royal Mail is a vast operation supported by a highly sophisticated infrastructure – enabling it to deliver 13 billion letters and 1.3 billion parcels this year.

Postage stamps that feature famous national landmarks are an opportunity to celebrate all the iconic places - both man made and natural - that have shaped our past and continue to inform the present.

Sporting occasions are an opportunity to bring the country together in a shared passion as we all get behind a common cause.

Before coming to a conclusion, valuers need to examine certain features of the stamp, alongside rarity and current market trends.

With rarity and mint condition comes value and so the hunt is on to unearth hidden treasures that may net the owner a small fortune.