Hardly any Edition d’Or volumes have devoted 25 pages to the biography of this exceptional collector alone, and of course they are lavishly illustrated. Gough is a unique influencer whose approach to collecting set new standards. For example, using the UPU theme, it takes around 290 pages from the collection to prove this. These pages are not documented in the usual DIN A4 format or slightly larger, but in an unusual square paper and book format measuring almost 34 x 34 cm. His professional career is as fascinating to read about as his philatelic one. Four pages are devoted to describing both in brief, highlighting the wide range of his interests and activities. These range from various banking and investment companies to the World Bank and his own consulting firm on the one hand, and British and Irish philately on the other – there is even a thematic object relating to the USA in space.
Two pages are dedicated to the topic of ‘Senator for California’, demonstrating his social commitment, even in challenging times. His striking message is as follows: ‘I want a California where there are no limits to human potential, where everyone — regardless of skin colour, creed, or social status — has the opportunity to achieve whatever they wish and fulfil their God-given potential.’
However, this book focuses on philately itself. It begins with some of his earlier specialist articles, such as Die Entwicklung zum Aussteller (or “The Development of an Exhibitor”), which are well worth reading, followed by articles on the “technology” of exhibit design and much more. Gough’s motto is ‘learning from the best’, and he has made no secret of the fact that achieving a perfect layout and attractive design for an exhibit is not rocket science at top events in the ‘Philatelic Summit’ series in previous years. Pay attention to the important points he lists here.
From page 47 onwards, the reader will find themselves becoming increasingly impatient! From page 47 to page 339, the author captivates the reader by taking them on a journey alongside his exhibits from the first congresses of the Universal Postal Union to the 1939 congress in Buenos Aires. He documents the changes from congress to congress using excellently preserved and unusual philatelic material, mainly letters, which include postage rates, routes, transnational arrangements, new services and much more. Thanks to the wealth of information provided by the detailed descriptions, as well as the beauty and rarity of the material, there is probably no other exhibition that can compare. This is proven by the fact that it has been honoured with several Grand Gold and Grand Prix awards.
It is and always will be an extraordinary work, created by a philatelist who defies categorisation. Preserving it in literary form and elevating it to the philatelic ‘Hall of Fame’ was an obvious step and more than deserved.
Brief information: Format: 33.5 x 33.5 cm. Pages: 339. Paper: art. Illustrations: colour. Binding: hardcover with gold-embossed title and spine, plus additional dust jacket. Retail price: £119 plus shipping costs. Available from Heinrich Köhler Auktionshaus GmbH & Co. KG, Hasengartenstraße 25, 65189 Wiesbaden, Germany. Tel: +49 (0) 611 34 14 90; email: info@heinrich-koehler.de.
Translated with DeepL (www.deepl.com)
