Alma Lee

Listen to audio.

Mrs Alma Lee (née Grundberg) was a well-respected member of the RPSL and a main collector of Switzerland, particularly of the ‘Standing Helvetica’. Her other collecting interests included France, the United Nations, Russian Zemstvos, Israel and Thematics. President of the London Swiss Philatelic Society from 1982-1991, a member of the Council for the National Philatelic Society and Secretary to the Melville Youth Committee from 1968-1975, she was proposed for membership of The Royal Philatelic Society London in 1967 by her husband, Ron Lee, and Kay Goodman. She was elected to Fellowship in 1969 and Honorary Fellowship in 1999, the most distinguished award given by the RPSL. As well as being a National judge for over 20 years and the author of ‘Introducing Thematic Philately’, she exhibited at international level winning large gold medals at Naba ’84, Stockholmia ’86, Hafnia ’87 and Finlandia ’88. Her collection was also shown in the Court of Honour at PhilexFrance ’89 and New Zealand ’90. She was awarded the RPSL London Medal in the 1980s for her time volunteering with the RPSL Library from 1972 and the Expert Committee from 1978. Speaking of her after her death, Dr Alan Huggins remarked: “Alma was very much part of the worldwide philatelic 'family'. Her outstanding contribution to the philatelic world was deservedly recognised in 1991 when she was elected to the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists and signed at the Cardiff Congress, the first lady signatory since 1976 and the very first to join her husband as an RDP. A further singular honour followed when she was elected to the Consilium Philateliae Helveticae, a very select group of Swiss specialists of which Alma was the only non-resident member. When Alma Grunberg married Ronald Lee in 1979, it created a great partnership, both personal and philatelic, and together they epitomised commitment and involvement in the hobby, not only in the UK but also at all the major events overseas. She will, however, be always remembered for her kindness and thoughtfulness for others, ever anxious to get involved and do something practical rather than sit back and let others do the work. Alma's philatelic achievements speak for themselves: she was truly a distinguished and highly respected member of the philatelic community, who gave every possible assistance to anyone who needed it.”