About the Society

The Royal Philatelic Society London, the oldest philatelic society in the world, was established in 1869 as The Philatelic Society, London. Permission to use the prefix 'Royal' was granted by His Majesty King Edward VII in 1906. It was ten years earlier that his son, HRH The Duke of York, became President of the Society, an office he continued to hold until his accession to the throne as HM King George V in 1910. Thereafter His Majesty continued to act as its Patron, and in 1924 granted the Society permission to use the Royal Arms on its stationery and publications.

The Royal philatelic tradition has been maintained and today the Society is honoured by the Patronage of Her Majesty The Queen. Her Majesty graciously allows a selection from The Royal Collection to be displayed at the Society's opening meeting each season.

The Society's Aims

The principal objects of the Society are:

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.

The Society's Premises

The Society purchased its present headquarters at 41 Devonshire Place, London W1 in 1925. In addition to a large meeting room, there are members' and council rooms, a library, a museum and self-contained accommodation for the staff.

Society Meetings

Meetings are held from September to June, normally on alternate Thursdays. They are of two types: the first is of a formal nature, at which one or more papers are read accompanied by displays by individual members, and usually starts at 5pm; the second consists of a display of stamps, postal history etc. in the frames contributed by one or more members, with or without a written paper. This meeting is open from 1pm to 6pm. Tea is served to members and their guests at all meetings.

The Library

The Library comprises a magnificent collection of several thousand philatelic works, handbooks, monographs and sets of journals and periodicals. These are available for consultation by members, and those resident in the UK may borrow up to three books at a time for up to six weeks.

The Expert Committee

One of the most valued contributions to philately is made by the Expert Committee of the Society which has been operating without a break for nearly 100 years. Stamps and covers may be submitted to the committee who will give an opinion as to its genuineness or otherwise, and will issue a certificate accordingly. As part of its own reference material, the committee maintains a comprehensive collection of forgeries and fakes.

The Museum

The Philatelic Museum contains many original dies, printing plates, obliterators and other philatelic materials displayed in cabinets.

The London Philatelist

The Society has published its own journal, The London Philatelist, since January 1892. This has a worldwide reputation and is sent free to members ten times a year, as well as to a large number of other organisations at home and overseas.

The Society's Publications

As early as 1873 the Society issued its first separate monograph on a specialised philatelic subject and since then has continued to publish major books at the rate of one or two annually. Society publications are available to the general public and at special discount to Society Members.

The Society's Medals

Each year the Society offers four medals named after famous philatelists who were members:

The Crawford Medal - in silver gilt is awarded for the most valuable and original contribution to the study and knowledge of philately published in book form during the relative period.

The Tilleard Medal - in silver is awarded for the best large display of any aspect of philately given by one, or not more than two, Fellow or Member during the relevant period.

The Lee Medal - in silver is awarded for the best paper dealing with any aspect of philately given by one Fellow or Member during the relevant period.

The Tapling Medal - in silver is awarded for the best paper written by a Fellow or Member and published in The London Philatelist during the relevant period.

International Exhibitions

The Society is represented at all major International Exhibitions.