Partner Showcase: The Royal Philatelic Society London

'The Royal', as it is known, has over 1,150 overseas members, almost 900 members in the United Kingdom, and the libraries, collections and archives go back to the beginning of the postage stamp and beyond.

The Royal Philatelic Society London (RPSL), the oldest philatelic society in the world, was established in 1869 as The Philatelic Society, London. In 1896 HRH The Duke of York, son of King Edward VII, became President of the Society, an office he continued to hold until his accession to the throne as HM King George V in 1910.

Permission to use the prefix 'Royal' was granted by His Majesty King Edward VII in 1906. Following his accession King George V acted 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 Philatelic Collection to be displayed at the Society's opening meeting each season.

HM The Queen recently visited The Royal's new headquarters in Abchurch Lane - read more about the special event here.

The Royal's Mission Statement (available to read in multiple languages on the Society website) includes the following objects:

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 details of membership visit: www.rpsl.org.uk/The-Society/Membership

With thanks to everyone at The Royal, including Chris King RDP FRPSL, Frank Walton RDP FRPSL, and Nicola Davies, Head of Collections.