Percy de Worms
Encyclopedia
Percy George de Worms was an eminent British philatelist who was admitted to the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists
in 1928.
De Worms was an expert in the stamps of Ceylon, to which Sir John Wilson
said every philatelic conversation with him eventually led.de Worms, Percy. Perkins Bacon Records, Royal Philatelic Society London, 1953, Foreword by Sir John Wilson p.x. The De Worms family had interests in coffee estates in Ceylon.
In 1927 de Worms won the society's Tapling Medal for his paper "The Local Surcharges of Ceylon 1885" published in The London Philatelist
which was judged the best of the year.
His brother Baron Anthony Denis Maurice George de Worms (1869–1938) was also a distinguished philatelist.
and Thomas Allen. The records were subsequently transferred to the Royal Philatelic Society London and in January 1936 around fifty packing cases of records were delivered to the Royal. De Worms was given the task of reviewing the records to ascertain their philatelic value. This was completed by 1937 and a decision was taken to publish the records of the nineteenth century by 1940. The detailed nature of the records, the Second World War and de Worm's death in 1941 all conspired to prevent this and it was not until 1953 that the records were eventually published in an authoritative two-volume work of over 900 pages.
The work de Worms compiled was one of meticulous philatelic scholarship and in the foreword to the published edition, Sir John Wilson commented that "Possibly nobody but de Worms would have had the courage to attempt it..." .de Worms, Percy. Perkins Bacon Records, Royal Philatelic Society London, 1953, Foreword by Sir John Wilson p.ix.
family. His great-grandfather was created Baron de Worms by Emperor Franz Joseph in 1871 and the title descended to Percy and his siblings, although he did not use it in later life.
He married Nora, only daughter of Sir Harry Simeon Samuel MP on 25 July 1900.
De Worms was a Barrister
by profession.
Roll of Distinguished Philatelists
The Roll of Distinguished Philatelists is a philatelic award of international scale, created by the Philatelic Congress of Great Britain in 1921...
in 1928.
Philatelic life
He was prominent in the Royal Philatelic Society London where he was a member of the Council and the Expert Committee. He also served as the Honorary Librarian there between 1935 and 1941.De Worms was an expert in the stamps of Ceylon, to which Sir John Wilson
John Wilson (philatelist)
John Mitchell Harvey Wilson was a British philatelist, Keeper of the Royal Philatelic Collection from 1938 to 1969...
said every philatelic conversation with him eventually led.de Worms, Percy. Perkins Bacon Records, Royal Philatelic Society London, 1953, Foreword by Sir John Wilson p.x. The De Worms family had interests in coffee estates in Ceylon.
In 1927 de Worms won the society's Tapling Medal for his paper "The Local Surcharges of Ceylon 1885" published in The London Philatelist
The London Philatelist
The London Philatelist was first published in January 1892 and is the journal of the Royal Philatelic Society London.It is published ten times annually and includes coverage of worldwide philatelic and postal history topics...
which was judged the best of the year.
His brother Baron Anthony Denis Maurice George de Worms (1869–1938) was also a distinguished philatelist.
Masterwork
In 1935 the original firm of Perkins Bacon went out of business and its records were acquired by Charles and Harry NissenCharles Nissen
Charles Nissen was a philatelist, and stamp dealer who discovered the famous stock exchange forgery and wrote, with Bertram McGowan, the definitive book on the plating of the Penny Black.-The Royal Philatelic Collection:...
and Thomas Allen. The records were subsequently transferred to the Royal Philatelic Society London and in January 1936 around fifty packing cases of records were delivered to the Royal. De Worms was given the task of reviewing the records to ascertain their philatelic value. This was completed by 1937 and a decision was taken to publish the records of the nineteenth century by 1940. The detailed nature of the records, the Second World War and de Worm's death in 1941 all conspired to prevent this and it was not until 1953 that the records were eventually published in an authoritative two-volume work of over 900 pages.
The work de Worms compiled was one of meticulous philatelic scholarship and in the foreword to the published edition, Sir John Wilson commented that "Possibly nobody but de Worms would have had the courage to attempt it..." .de Worms, Percy. Perkins Bacon Records, Royal Philatelic Society London, 1953, Foreword by Sir John Wilson p.ix.
Outside philately
De Worms came from a noble AustrianAustrians
Austrians are a nation and ethnic group, consisting of the population of the Republic of Austria and its historical predecessor states who share a common Austrian culture and Austrian descent....
family. His great-grandfather was created Baron de Worms by Emperor Franz Joseph in 1871 and the title descended to Percy and his siblings, although he did not use it in later life.
He married Nora, only daughter of Sir Harry Simeon Samuel MP on 25 July 1900.
De Worms was a Barrister
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
by profession.
Publications
- The Royal Philatelic Society, London: 1869 - April 10, 1919, Royal Philatelic Society London, 1919.
- "The Foreign Bill Stamps Produced by Messrs. Perkins, Bacon & Co." in The Bulletin, Fiscal Philatelic SocietyFiscal Philatelic SocietyThe Fiscal Philatelic Society was an early twentieth century philatelic society that is seen as a predecessor to today's Cinderella Stamp Club and The Revenue Society...
, Vol.II, No.8, December 1925. - "The Local Surcharges of Ceylon 1885" in The London Philatelist, 1927.
- "Ceylon" in the Regent Stamp Catalogue, Robson LoweRobson LoweJohn Harry Robson Lowe , Robbie to his friends, was an English professional philatelist, stamp dealer and stamp auctioneer.- Life and career :...
, London. (Editor) - Perkins Bacon Records, Royal Philatelic Society London, 1953. (Two volumes published posthumously. Edited by John EastonJohn EastonJohn Easton was a political leader in the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, devoting decades to public service before eventually becoming Governor of the colony. Born in Hampshire, England, he sailed to New England with his widowed father and older brother, settling in Ipswich...
and Arnold Strange)