Talk:Gordon Smith (philatelist)

Text of obituary

This is the full text of the obituary that appeared in the London Philatelist in 1905:

"IT is with the gravest regret that we are called upon to announce to the philatelic world the unlooked-for and premature death of Mr. Gordon Smith. It has been evident to those who were in frequent contact with Mr. Smith that for the past two or three years he had not enjoyed his normal health, that he had become much thinner, and had aged considerably. The cause assigned for this was not ascribed to anything more serious than chronic indigestion, and latterly, under a new regime, and after a cruise to warmer climes, he had apparently in part regained his health. It appears, however, that the cause of his illness was of a more malign nature.

We are indebted (during absence abroad) to the courtesy of Messrs. Stanley Gibbons, Ltd., for the information in the following and other paragraphs, being advance proofs of an article in No. 7 of Gibbons Stamp Weekly:-

"On Wednesday, January 25th, Mr. Smith fainted during dinner, and was attended by his regular doctor during the evening. At the end of the week a specialist was called in, and it was then found that an operation was immediately necessary to remove an ulcer in the stomach.

" The operation, performed by Mr. Keetley, one of the cleverest surgeons in London and a specialist in abdominal diseases, was successful, but the next day (the 29th), however, severe vomiting set in, resulting finally in heart failure.

"Gordon Smith was born on January I5th, 1856, and had therefore just attained his forty-ninth year. He was educated at King's College School, Strand, and having obtained a Mathematical Scholarship in 1874, from thence matriculated at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, in 1875.

"At the University Mr. Smith was very successful, taking his degree in the Mathematical Tripos of 1879 with Honours, being igth Wrangler, graduating M.A. in due course.

"After his college career, Gordon Smith was for some time Mathematical Master at Truro College, but gave this up to study law, and was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn in 1882. He was in chambers with the late Mr. James Aspinall, K.C., and with Mr. Butler Aspinall, the present leader of the Admiralty Bar. During this period of his career he edited and assisted in the compilation of several legal works.

"Gordon Smith made a great reputation at the University as an oarsman, and after leaving college he became a member of the Thames Rowing Club, was stroke of the Grand Challenge Eight at Henley, and during the height of his rowing career stroked his crew to victory in many races; and, in fact, he was well known in the lower reaches of the Thames as an oarsman of exceptional promise.

"Gordon Smith also took deep interest in Freemasonry, and was connected with many of its organisations. In Craft Masonry he was initiated in the Tuscan Lodge, No. 14, on March 25th, 1879, and after serving the various offices, including that of W.M. in 1889, acted as Secretary of the Lodge, which office he held until his death. He was also P.M. of the West Kent Volunteer Lodge, No. 2041, and of the Argonaut's Lodge, No. 2243. He served the office of Grand Steward in 1888, and in 1897 ne was appointed Grand Sword-Bearer of England. In Arch Masonry he was a member of several Chapters, of which he occupied the Chair and obtained Grand Rank both in the Grand Chapter and the Provincial Grand Chapter of Surrey. He also took keen interest in several other Degrees connected with Masonry, was recently admitted to the high honour of the Thirty-first Degree, and was a generous supporter of the three great Charitable Institutions.

"Gordon Smith took great interest in volunteering, being a volunteer of more than twenty-five years' standing, holding the rank of Major in the Queen's Own Battalion of West Kent Volunteers."

Like most of us Gordon Smith had a boyish predilection for stamps, but it was not until 1885 that he turned seriously to them; but so strong was the hold upon him that he ultimately forsook the law-where his great abilities held out a splendid promise of success-and devoted the rest of his days to Philately. As a collector Gordon Smith's principal claims to fame will rest upon his celebrated collection of South Australia, now acquired by Mr. L. L. R. Hausburg. This was probably-and assuredly now is-the most perfect and complete unused collection existing of these stamps, and in it was embodied Gordon Smith's intimate and extensive knowledge of all that appertains to the stamps of South Australia. Other countries collected by him at different periods were Great Britain (unused)-of which he had a fine lot-Luxemburg, Portugal, and the stamps of the English Private Telegraph Companies.

It is, however, rather upon his skill as a writer and expert on stamps that Gordon Smith's fame will repose. The book on the stamps of South Australia, written by him in conjunction with Lieut. F. H. Napier, was in the nature of a revelation, as it cleared up all the mysteries and intricacies of these stamps, and was at once universally accepted as a standard work. Gordon Smith's general contributions to philatelic literature were very extensive. Many papers from his able pen have appeared in the journals, or have been read before the Philatelic Society of London. It was reserved for him, however, to do his greatest work in connection with Messrs. Stanley Gibbons, Ltd., and it is divulging no secret to say that a very large measure of the universally accepted philatelic excellence and accuracy of their catalogues, albums, and publications was due to Gordon Smith's remarkable ability. He was associated with Messrs. Gibbons for nearly twelve years, and had been a director of the firm since 1898.

Gordon Smith was elected a member of the London Philatelic Society on December 3Oth, 1892, and was chosen as a member of the Council on May 21st, 1897. He also served on very many of the committees, and on such important ones as the Publishing and Expert Committees his services and abilities were so valuable that it will be difficult indeed to fill his place. His indefatigable labours in connection with the London Philatelic Exhibition of 1897 will be well remembered, and many of us will remember the little dinner at which, as a slight recognition of his services, a gold watch and chain were presented to him. In Gordon Smith the London Philatelic Society loses one of the very ablest and most brilliant philatelists that it has ever elected; it loses, further, a member whose good nature and charming manner had endeared him to everyone, and there can but be one universal feeling of deep sorrow that Gordon Smith's membership should have passed away, and that his philatelic friends can no longer look upon his kindly face.

"The funeral took place at Golder's Green Crematorium on the 2nd of February, and amongst those who attended were Major E. B. Evans, Messrs. C. J. Phillips, G. Hamilton Smith, S. E. Gwyer, W. P. Barnsdall, T. F. Fullard, W. H. Hiscox, all colleagues of his in the firm of Stanley Gibbons, Ltd., and the following representatives of the Philatelic Society: Messrs. C. N. Biggs, E. D. Bacon, T. Maycock, E. J. Nankivell, R. Ehrenbach, R. B. Yard-ley ; and amongst other friends, Messrs. Ridsdale, W. H. Peckitt, J. W. Jones, E. St. Clair, representing the Grand Lodge of England; Col. Hewitt and Mr. Frigont, of his Volunteer Regiment; G. P. Parker, W, J. Dyer, and H. R. Sadler, of the Tuscan Lodge ; C. Von Buch, A. E. Young, and W. J. Fisher, representing other Masonic bodies. A large number of beautiful wreaths were laid on the coffin." Philafrenzy (talk) 16:33, 6 April 2014 (UTC)