Some Useful Links
In addition to the links to various organisations and societies associated with philately listed below, Kelly, from the Kingston-upon-Thames Library Services, has brought the following link to our attention:
https://wyomingllcattorney.com/Wyoming-Virtual-Office/US-Postal-System-Business
The library research staff staff under Lily Stevens are currently working on a "Postal Service History" guide for the library's American History series.
This link provides an excellent overview of the history behind the US Postal System, covering the Fairbanks Tavern (the 1st post office), the Hutchinson Affair, and how the evolution of technology led to the modern postal system in use today.
Well worth a look and a big thank you to Kingston Library Services!
Federation of Surrey Philatelic Societies: https://www.surreyphilately.org.uk
Association of British Philatelic Societies. http://www.abps.org.uk
The Royal Philatelic Society Library: http://www.rpsl.org.uk/library.asp
Great Britain Philatelic Society: http://www.gbps.org.uk/
The British Library: https://www.bl.uk/subjects/philately
British Thematic Association: https://www.britishthematic.org.uk/
Stamp Active: https://www.stampactive.co.uk/
France & Colonies Philatelic Society: https://www.fcps.org.uk
David Feldman https://davidfeldman.com/
https://www.swagbucks.com/shop/guide-stamp-collecting
This site is a great resource for those starting out in the hobby.
Suggestions of additional sites welcome
Suggestions of additional sites are welcome.
Some further sites are listed below:
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Our sister society with whom we have joint auctions has used the lockdown to create a very innovative web-site with virtual displays and a magazine providing interest for Members whilst actual meetings are still prohibited.
Their site is well worth a look.
Slightly further away from us but still a 'neighbour society' is Bookham.
They have also been experimenting in putting short presentations on their web-site: and these are worth a look.
They have also created a limited trading platform which is restricted to Members only.
A LOVELY WEB-SITE FROM CANADA
A sociable club for stamp collectors in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
A site worth exploring, and a reaffirmation of the pleasure afforded by collecting stamps!
A link also inspired by the superb presentation of "early Canadian stamps" made to the Kingston & District Society by Graham Searle in April 2021 (see home page for a summary).
"I love stamp packets, mixtures and box lots. I love the process of taking a mish mash of chaos and slowly figuring out what I have and putting them in order.
From a random pile of postage stamps to individual envelopes for each country of issue.
Then pulling out my sorting grid and, with the help of my stamp catalogues, sorting an envelope’s contents by year of issue.
Finally, taking each year and either filling spaces in my stamp album or making a new album page.
I’m a general worldwide collector, so there aren’t many valid postage stamps that I won’t include in my collection. But even specialized or thematic collectors have to sort through new material and figure out what to add to their collection. We all get to have this fun."
"IN CONVERSATION WITH...."
During this pandemic many collectors have been captivated by the podcasts of Michael Cortese of NobleSpirit and Charles Epting of Harmer in which they discuss the hobby with guests from across the philatelic spectrum.
Charles and Michael have now added to these podcasts with a series of "conversations with philatelists" in the Stamp Collector Magazine.
YOU TUBE
EXPLORING STAMPS
"Stamp Collecting is still the most popular hobby in the world. Learn about the world through sorting postage stamps. The current series takes just one postage stamp per episode and in a short few minutes, will take you on a journey of discovery."
EXPLORING STAMPS – Exploring our Fascinating World through Stamp Collecting (wordpress.com)
THE HISTORY & FUTURE OF STAMP COLLECTING
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mZYZJxgDME
An interesting overview of how stamp collecting developed, and some thoughts about the future.
NEW UK POSTAL RATES; EFFECTIVE FROM 1 January 2021
There was little publicity about these rates; presumably because the news was overshadowed by the pandemic.