Home of stamps has moved

British Philatelic Bureau moved to Edinburgh

The British Philatelic Bureau has marked the 35th anniversary of its relocation to Scotland with a move to a new base in Edinburgh.

David Gentleman opened new building

Renowned artist David Gentleman, whose designs have appeared on 100 special stamps, officially opened the new building, Tallents House, at South Gyle business park.
Part of Royal Mail's stamps and collectibles unit, the bureau's state-of-the-art operation handles 10.5 million mailings a year – catering for around 500,000 collectors, stamp dealers, retailers and businesses in 130 countries world wide – and generates £20 million of philatelic business annually.

Established on a small scale in 1963

The bureau was first established on a small scale in 1963 in the old Telegraph Office in St. Martins le Grand, London, as an operation for individual customers. In the first month it dealt with around 200 callers. In 1966, the bureau moved to Edinburgh. For the past 20 years, it had been based at premises in Brandon Street and has achieved international recognition as a centre of philatelic excellence.