Maitland Burnett

At the age of 15, Burnett was sent to Frankfurt to complete his education and it was there that he began to collect stamps.

On his return to Scotland he gave his collection to his sister before beginning his legal training.

His sister did not add to the collection and subsequently Burnett decided to renew his interest in stamps.

According to Brian Birch, Burnett fell on hard times in 1887 following the crash of his business interests in the West Indies and ceased his subscription to the Royal Philatelic Society London.

[4] He left England in 1885 and disposed of his collection, part of which passed to Thomas Tapling.