The Baltimore Philatelic Society (BPS) is one of the oldest philatelic

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...

 societies in the United States, established in Baltimore, Maryland

Maryland

Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...

, in 1889. A history of the society was written by Herbert A. Trenchard.

Current location

The society is located in its own building at 1224 North Calvert Street

St. Paul Street-Calvert Street

St. Paul Street and Calvert Street are a one-way pair of streets in Downtown Baltimore and areas north. The streets, which are part of Maryland Route 2, are two of Baltimore's best-known streets in the downtown area.-St. Paul Street:...

 in Baltimore, Maryland, purchased in 1961, which is now named The Horace W. Harrison Philatelic Center. Membership is open to all persons interested in stamp collecting.

Publications

The society’s official journal is the Baltimore Philatelist which was first published in 1936. The journal contains current news of the society, a calendar of philatelic events, and articles related to postage stamps and postal history

Postal history

Postal history is the study of postal systems and how they operate and, or, the study of postage stamps and covers and associated material illustrating historical episodes of postal systems...

 which may be submitted by members and non-members.

BALPEX

The society holds an annual stamp exhibition called BALPEX (Baltimore Philatelic Exhibition).

Philatelic library

The Baltimore Philatelic Society houses a philatelic library whose books included many donated by leading philatelists, including H. L. Lindquist

H. L. Lindquist

H. L. Lindquist was an editor and publisher specializing in the publication of philatelic literature during the early 20th century. He operated his publishing business from New York City at 1 West 46 Street.-The Stamp Specialist:...

, Solomon Glass

Solomon Glass

Solomon Glass , of Baltimore, Maryland, was a philatelist who was recognized as a foremost expert in United States postage stamps of the 20th century.-Philatelic literature:...

 and George Townsend Turner

George Townsend Turner

George Townsend Turner , of Washington, D.C., was considered a leading philatelic bibliophile of his era, amassing a very large body of philatelic literature over his lifetime.-Collecting interests:...

. The library also houses the libraries of the Germany Philatelic Society

Germany Philatelic Society

The Germany Philatelic Society is dedicated to the documentation preservation, advancement and promotionof the stamps and postal history of Germany and its related areas through education, study, research and services.-GPS units:...

 and the Society for Czechoslovak Philately

Society for Czechoslovak Philately

Society for Czechoslovak Philately is a philatelic organization dedicated to the collection and study of the postage stamps and postal history of Czechoslovakia, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.-History:...

.