A RETIRED stamp collector is to have his 1948 Olympic stamps put on show at a prestigious venue.

Alan Sabey, 70, a member of the Wembley History Society, said he is honoured to have been asked to display his collection at The British Library in Euston Road.

Mr Sabey has lent the library 111 sheets of stamps and other postal memorabilia from the 1948 Olympics, which were based in Wembley.

Mr Sabey said: “As well as the Wembley History Society, I am also a member of the Society of Olympic Collectors and I heard about this through them. I am so honoured to be displaying my stamps at the library, I am so pleased to be able to share this with the public.”

Staff from the library have already collected the precious collectors’ items from his home and transported them to the building ahead of the exhibition, which will run from July 25 to September 9.

All 111 pages of stamps will be scanned into a system so people can use a touch screen facility at the library to take a closer look.

The collector also worked with staff to choose more than 60 pages to be displayed to allow visitors to also see the real stamps.

He is one of just three collectors in the country who have been invited to lend their collections for the special exhibition.

As well as stamps, Mr Sabey has lent some special postcards and airmail stationery produced to celebrate the 1948 Olympics.

The free exhibition is being put on by The International Olympic Committee in partnership with The British Library.

Olympex 2012 includes some 2,500 stamps and postal items and intriguing pieces of related Olympic memorabilia.

A British Library listing says: “Each stamp, postcard and letter on display tells a story. They do this through the subject matter featured on them and the design treatment applied to that subject. Understanding who sent them, and to whom, also gives very personal insights to historical events.”

The Olympics will return to Wembley this summer, when the rhythmic gymnastics and badminton events are held at the Arena and the football tournaments at Wembley Stadium.