Royal Philatelic Society
Encyclopedia
The Royal Philatelic Society London is the oldest philatelic
society in the world. It was founded in 1869 as The Philatelic Society, London.
in 1906. The current patron is Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
. Every September, at a special meeting of the Society, part of the Royal Philatelic Collection
is displayed by its Keeper. Queen Elizabeth is not known to be a philatelist herself, but the royal family has maintained and added to the collection passed down by Edward VII.
, which includes articles, book reviews, society news, advertisements, and other items.
1. To promote, encourage and contribute to the advancement of the science and practice of philately
.
2. To inform members of the Society on all matters affecting any of its objects by meetings, discussions, displays, lectures, correspondence or otherwise; to assist and carry out philatelic research, and to print, publish and issue such papers, periodicals, books, circulars or other literary matters in support of these objects.
3. To hold, either alone or jointly with others, promote, or subscribe, or assist with international or other philatelic exhibitions in the UK or elsewhere, and to offer and award prizes, medals or other recognition in connection with such exhibitions or for any literary work connected with philately.
4. To establish and maintain a library and collections of stamps
, designs, proofs, essays and other articles of interest relating to any of the objects of the Society.
for the most valuable and original contribution to the study and knowledge of philately published in book form during the two years preceding the award.
The society also awards these silver medals:
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...
society in the world. It was founded in 1869 as The Philatelic Society, London.
Royal connections
Permission to use the prefix "Royal" was granted by King Edward VIIEdward VII of the United Kingdom
Edward VII was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India from 22 January 1901 until his death in 1910...
in 1906. The current patron is Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
. Every September, at a special meeting of the Society, part of the Royal Philatelic Collection
Royal Philatelic Collection
The Royal Philatelic Collection is the postage stamp collection of the British Royal Family. It is the most comprehensive collection of items related to the philately of the United Kingdom and the British Commonwealth, with many unique pieces.- Early history :...
is displayed by its Keeper. Queen Elizabeth is not known to be a philatelist herself, but the royal family has maintained and added to the collection passed down by Edward VII.
Membership
"The Royal," as it is known, has members in dozens of countries, with the highest numbers of members in the United Kingdom and the United States. Members are in two classes, Fellows and Members. Fellows are elected from among Members based on service to the Royal. The Society publishes a journal, The London PhilatelistThe London Philatelist
The London Philatelist was first published in January 1892 and is the journal of the Royal Philatelic Society London.It is published ten times annually and includes coverage of worldwide philatelic and postal history topics...
, which includes articles, book reviews, society news, advertisements, and other items.
Objects
The principal objects of the Society are:1. To promote, encourage and contribute to the advancement of the science and practice of philately
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...
.
2. To inform members of the Society on all matters affecting any of its objects by meetings, discussions, displays, lectures, correspondence or otherwise; to assist and carry out philatelic research, and to print, publish and issue such papers, periodicals, books, circulars or other literary matters in support of these objects.
3. To hold, either alone or jointly with others, promote, or subscribe, or assist with international or other philatelic exhibitions in the UK or elsewhere, and to offer and award prizes, medals or other recognition in connection with such exhibitions or for any literary work connected with philately.
4. To establish and maintain a library and collections of stamps
Postage stamp
A postage stamp is a small piece of paper that is purchased and displayed on an item of mail as evidence of payment of postage. Typically, stamps are made from special paper, with a national designation and denomination on the face, and a gum adhesive on the reverse side...
, designs, proofs, essays and other articles of interest relating to any of the objects of the Society.
Awards and medals
The society awards the Crawford MedalCrawford Medal
The Crawford Medal is a vermeil medal awarded by the Royal Philatelic Society London for the most valuable and original contribution to the study and knowledge of philately published in book form during the relevant period....
for the most valuable and original contribution to the study and knowledge of philately published in book form during the two years preceding the award.
The society also awards these silver medals:
- The TilleardJohn Alexander TilleardJohn Alexander Tilleard was a British solicitor and the philatelist who helped King George V to constitute his collection, known as the Royal Philatelic Collection.- Biography :...
Medal for the best large display of any aspect of philately given by one, or not more than two, Fellows or Members during the relevant period.
- The Lee Medal for the best paper dealing with any aspect of philately given by one Fellow or Member during the relevant period.
- The TaplingThomas TaplingThomas Keay Tapling was an English businessman and politician. He played first class cricket and was also an eminent philatelist who formed one of the greatest stamp collections of his era.- Early life :...
Medal for the best paper written by a Fellow or Member and published in The London Philatelist during the relevant period.