The collecting of crests in albums, known as Albums Héraldiques, was a popular Victorian pastime from around 1862. The small colour printed crests, arms and monograms would be cut from 'crested stationery' (letterheads, notepaper and envelope flaps), which made its appearance in England after the introduction of uniform penny postage in 1840. Crests also began to be produced specifically for collectors, with series and sets on particular themes, such as army regiments and ships of the royal navy, arms and crests of peers and bishops, arms of schools, universities and city companies.
