About
ABPS (Association of British Philatelic Societies) is the central national body for philately in the United Kingdom, serving collectors, local societies, federations, and specialist organisations. Through its comprehensive web platform, ABPS acts as a hub for the hobby — publishing the quarterly ABPS News journal, maintaining an events calendar covering local, regional, national, and international exhibitions, and coordinating major showcases such as STAMPEX. The association supports its member societies through a small grants scheme, a speakers list, workshops, and seminars covering various aspects of stamp collecting. It also manages competitive philately, including inter-federation competitions, one-frame competitions, and youth displays, with detailed rules, guidelines, and a palmares register. ABPS works in collaboration with international philatelic bodies such as FEPA (Federation of European Philatelic Associations) to uphold standards for competitive entries. The site serves as a compendium of information useful to society secretaries, exhibitors, and collectors, covering topics from judging seminars to online exhibits. Membership categories include Federations, Specialist Societies, National and Local Societies, Overseas Societies, and a Friends and Patrons tier. Awards such as the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists, Congress Medal, and Awards of Merit recognise outstanding contributions to the hobby. ABPS is operated entirely by volunteers and structured as a company limited by guarantee.
Key Features
- News & Publications: Quarterly ABPS News journal plus an online news feed covering philatelic developments at local, national, and international levels.
- Exhibition & Competition Management: Listings for forthcoming exhibitions, online exhibits, inter-federation competitions, one-frame competitions, and a palmares register for results.
- Society & Federation Directory: Comprehensive directory of member federations, national, specialist, local, and overseas philatelic societies.
- Events Calendar: Full calendar of local, regional, national, and international philatelic events including the annual ABPS Congress.
- Educational Resources & Awards: Workshops, seminars, speakers list, small grants scheme, and prestigious awards such as the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists and Congress Medal.
Use Cases
- Stamp collectors discovering local society meetings, regional events, and national exhibitions near them.
- Society secretaries accessing resources, submitting news articles, and applying for the small grants scheme.
- Competitive exhibitors registering displays, reviewing judging guidelines, and tracking results via the palmares register.
- Young collectors learning about philately through youth displays and educational resources provided by ABPS.
- International philatelic enthusiasts staying informed about British and European philatelic standards and FEPA news.
Pros
- Comprehensive National Coverage: Serves as the single authoritative hub for British philately, covering news, societies, events, and competitions all in one place.
- Free Access to Resources: The website and many resources are freely accessible, lowering the barrier for new and existing collectors.
- International Connections: Active collaboration with FEPA and other international bodies keeps members informed about global philatelic standards and competitions.
Cons
- Niche Audience: Content and resources are highly specialised for philately enthusiasts, limiting broad appeal beyond stamp collecting communities.
- Volunteer-Operated Limitations: As a volunteer-run organisation, updates and event listings may not always be published in real time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ABPS?
ABPS (Association of British Philatelic Societies) is the national organisation representing stamp collectors, local societies, federations, and specialist philatelic groups across the United Kingdom.
How can I join ABPS?
Membership is open to Federations, National and Specialist Societies, Local Societies, and Overseas Societies. There is also a Friends and Patrons category for individual supporters. You can join through the ABPS website.
What events does ABPS organise?
ABPS organises and promotes local, regional, national, and international philatelic events, including STAMPEX, inter-federation competitions, youth displays, and the annual ABPS Congress.
What publications does ABPS produce?
ABPS publishes the ABPS News journal at least four times a year, covering society news, exhibitions, and philatelic developments. It also produces leaflets and maintains a list of non-ABPS publications.
What awards does ABPS offer?
ABPS administers several prestigious awards including the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists, the Congress Medal, and Awards of Merit, recognising outstanding contributions to philately.
