Gwen Prout Stamp Collection

The following is an interim description that may change once detailed cataloguing takes place in the future. The Gwen Prout Medical Stamp Collection consists of 191 volumes organised thematically, including stamps, first day covers, postcards, bank notes, seals for tuberculosis, and handwritten notes. It is accompanied by a box of related materials, including articles written by Dr Prout, a "personal reflection on my collection" and "explanation re the principles used" (some of which are printed and some digital).

1938-2016

1 archive box and 191 volumes

The collection was created by Dr Gwen Prout, who became interested in stamps in the 1940's, after receiving a small book of stamps as a gift. She began collecting stamps on medicine and science, joining philatelic organisations in the USA, UK, Germany and Sweden, and corresponding with many physicians who collect stamps on a similar theme. Some stamps were purchased during travel abroad. On retirement, Dr Prout had time to organise and annotate the collection. Using the collection, she has written various articles on medical philately, as well as a book, "The Nobel prize in physiology or medicine: 100 years (1901-2000): a philatelic odyssey".

At Wellcome Collection: Dr Prout's book, "The Nobel prize in physiology or medicine : 100 years (1901-2000) : a philatelic odyssey"

This collection is currently uncatalogued and cannot be ordered online. Requests to view uncatalogued material are considered on a case by case basis. Please contact collections@wellcomecollection.org for more details.

Dr Prout asked her former classmate, Dr William D. Robertson, who also helped with the arrangement of the collection, to act as guardian of her stamp collection and to find a home for it, ideally in a research library which would enable access for researchers. In June 2016, Dr Robertson visited Wellcome, bringing a sample volume. In July 2016, the Wellcome Library accepted the gift; the volumes were received in August 2016.