Surésh Dhargalkar
Encyclopedia
Surésh Dhargalkar, LVO RIBA FRPSL (b. c. 1934) was a British
architect
. He spent all his career at the service of the British monarchy
: first to maintain the royal castles, then to help manage the Royal Philatelic Collection
after 1996.
from the 1970s to the 1990s. In 1975, he fit up as an adapted "stamp room" the space inside Buckingham Palace
that was devoted to the collection since Keeper John Wilson
in the late 1930s. In 1992, he worked on the first repair after the fire in Windsor Castle.
In April 1996, he was the first person ever hired to assist the Keeper of the Royal Philatelic Collection. Not a philatelist
himself, he helped Keeper Charles Goodwyn
and his adjoint Michael Sefi
for simple tasks, such as keeping an eye on visitors consulting the collection and helping the Keeper throughout the Royal court and British government administrative lobbies.
But he was consulted on conservation
problems too. He revealed himself as a philatelic exhibition organizer. In 2002, he travelled to the British Virgin Islands
with the 1867 "Missing Virgin" error
stamp of this British territory. The same year, he created for Elizabeth II
's Golden Jubilee an exhibition which travelled in the United Kingdom
.
In January 2003, when Sefi became Keeper of the Royal Collection, Surésh Dhargalkar was promoted to adjoint of the Keeper.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
. He spent all his career at the service of the British monarchy
Monarchy of the United Kingdom
The monarchy of the United Kingdom is the constitutional monarchy of the United Kingdom and its overseas territories. The present monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, has reigned since 6 February 1952. She and her immediate family undertake various official, ceremonial and representational duties...
: first to maintain the royal castles, then to help manage the Royal Philatelic Collection
Royal Philatelic Collection
The Royal Philatelic Collection is the postage stamp collection of the British Royal Family. It is the most comprehensive collection of items related to the philately of the United Kingdom and the British Commonwealth, with many unique pieces.- Early history :...
after 1996.
Biography
Dhargalkar was the superintending architect to the Royal HouseholdRoyal Household
A Royal Household in ancient and medieval monarchies formed the basis for the general government of the country as well as providing for the needs of the sovereign and his relations....
from the 1970s to the 1990s. In 1975, he fit up as an adapted "stamp room" the space inside Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
that was devoted to the collection since Keeper John Wilson
John Wilson (philatelist)
John Mitchell Harvey Wilson was a British philatelist, Keeper of the Royal Philatelic Collection from 1938 to 1969...
in the late 1930s. In 1992, he worked on the first repair after the fire in Windsor Castle.
In April 1996, he was the first person ever hired to assist the Keeper of the Royal Philatelic Collection. Not a philatelist
Philately
Philately is the study of stamps and postal history and other related items. Philately involves more than just stamp collecting, which does not necessarily involve the study of stamps. It is possible to be a philatelist without owning any stamps...
himself, he helped Keeper Charles Goodwyn
Charles Wyndham Goodwyn
Charles Wyndham Goodwyn is a British philatelist, and was Keeper of the Royal Philatelic Collection between September 1995 and January 2003.- Biography :...
and his adjoint Michael Sefi
Michael Sefi
Michael Richard Sefi is a British philatelist, Keeper of the Royal Philatelic Collection since 1 January 2003.Born in London, Sefi worked as a chartered accountant until a partial retirement at the end of 1992. He became an associate of Deloitte & Touche in the 1980s.When a child, his grandfather...
for simple tasks, such as keeping an eye on visitors consulting the collection and helping the Keeper throughout the Royal court and British government administrative lobbies.
But he was consulted on conservation
Art conservation and restoration
Conservation-restoration, also referred to as conservation, is a profession devoted to the preservation of cultural heritage for the future. Conservation activities include examination, documentation, treatment, and preventive care...
problems too. He revealed himself as a philatelic exhibition organizer. In 2002, he travelled to the British Virgin Islands
British Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands, often called the British Virgin Islands , is a British overseas territory and overseas territory of the European Union, located in the Caribbean to the east of Puerto Rico. The islands make up part of the Virgin Islands archipelago, the remaining islands constituting the U.S...
with the 1867 "Missing Virgin" error
Errors, freaks, and oddities
In philately, "errors, freaks, and oddities" or "EFO" is a blanket term referring to all the kinds of things that can go wrong when producing postage stamps...
stamp of this British territory. The same year, he created for Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
's Golden Jubilee an exhibition which travelled in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
In January 2003, when Sefi became Keeper of the Royal Collection, Surésh Dhargalkar was promoted to adjoint of the Keeper.
Honours and awards
- Lieutenant in the Royal Victorian OrderRoyal Victorian OrderThe Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
in 1992.
- Fellow of the Royal Philatelic Society London in 2002.
Sources and references
- Courtney, Nicholas (2004). The Queen's Stamps. The Authorised History of the Royal Philatelic CollectionRoyal Philatelic CollectionThe Royal Philatelic Collection is the postage stamp collection of the British Royal Family. It is the most comprehensive collection of items related to the philately of the United Kingdom and the British Commonwealth, with many unique pieces.- Early history :...
, éd. Methuen, 2004, ISBN 0413772284.