Association of British Philatelic Societies
The Association of British Philatelic Societies, commonly known as the ''ABPS'', is the British national association of philatelic societies, regional philatelic federations, and specialist philatelic societies.philatelist
Philately (; ) is the study of postage stamps and postal history. It also refers to the collection and appreciation of stamps and other philatelic products. Philately involves more than just stamp collecting or the study of postage; it is possi ...
who was one of the "Founding fathers of Philately" entered on the
Roll of Distinguished Philatelists
The Roll of Distinguished Philatelists (RDP) is a Philately, philatelic award of international scale, created by the Philatelic Congress of Great Britain in 1921. The Roll consists of five pieces of parchment to which the signatories add their n ...
in 1921. He was also editor of ''
The Philatelic Record
''The Philatelic Record'' was an important early Philatelic literature, philatelic magazine published in 36 volumes between February 1879 and 1914. It was originally published by Percival Loines Pemberton, Pemberton, Wilson and Company of London ...
'' for the first seven years of its existence from 1879.
Early life
At the age of 15, Burnett was sent to Frankfurt to complete his education and it was there that he began to collect stamps. On his return to Scotland he gave his collection to his sister before beginning his legal training. His sister did not add to the collection and subsequently Burnett decided to renew his interest in stamps.Birch, Brian J. ''Philatelic and Postal Bookplates''. 5th edition. Standish, Wigan: 2010, p. 139.
Organised philately
Burnett joined ''The Philatelic Society London'', now The Royal Philatelic Society London, in March 1877, subsequently becoming a Fellow of the society. Many early meetings of the society took place at Burnett's chambers in Gray's Inn.
Hard times
According to Brian Birch, Burnett fell on hard times in 1887 following the crash of his business interests in the West Indies and ceased his
subscription to the ''Royal Philatelic Society London''.Birch, Brian. ''Biographies of Philatelists and Dealers''. 9th edition. Standish, Wigan: 2008, p. 290.
He left England in 1885 and disposed of his collection, part of which passed to
Thomas Tapling
Thomas Keay Tapling (30 October 1855 – 11 April 1891) was an English businessman and politician. He played first-class cricket and was also an eminent philatelist who formed one of the greatest stamp collections of his era.
Early life
Taplin ...
. After 1885 he lived mainly in Belgium and Luxembourg and later in Italy. He was an expert on the Dutch language. Burnett died in Rome in 1918.
Burnett was the head of an old Scottish family from Peeblesshire where he was also a Justice of the Peace.