During his Service career he spent most of his time in India, where he purchased collections and accumulations of stamps.
The Scinde Dawks and the 1854 classic issues of India [1] (both the lithographed and typographed) held special interest for him, while Hong Kong and the Treaty Ports formed a second major area of interest.
His collection included the essays of Thuiller; the 1854 lithographed issues in full sheets and large blocks; many rarities of Malacca, Penang, Singapore, Labuan and Sarawak; as well as Persian Field Force, Burmese Field Force and Abyssinian Field Force covers.
The Two annas of 1854, in the rare Blue Green shade, appeared on a Persian Field Force cover of 1857.
Robson Lowe lauded Rose-Hutchinson's "discerning taste and exceptional knowledge about one of the most complex branches of philately."