14 Oct 25 – President’s Newsletter
The 2025/26 season has got off to a splendid start, over 100 members and guests were present for the German members group display and Abchurch Lane had a real ‘buzz’ to it. Then last week we were treated to a magnificent display of classic Mexico by Joseph Hackmey RDP, which must be the finest collection of these issues in existence. Freshly written up for the RPSL and with an accompanying Edition d’Or in the Hackmey/GPN ‘White Line Series’, members had a wonderful afternoon.
A Great Philatelic Week this month
Next week sees two of Europe’s biggest annual philatelic exhibitions – Stampex at the Business Design Centre in Islington, organised by the PTS, and just three stops from Abchurch Lane on the northern line. This will run from Wednesday 22nd October to Saturday 25th October. Then in Ulm there is the annual German Masters of Postal History event where there will be a substantial number of (different) dealers; this runs from Thursday 23rd October to Saturday 25th October. So, you will have to choose where to spend your money.
The Royal Philatelic Society London has been working behind the scenes to ensure this clash does not recur in 2026 and are very pleased to say that Royal members have been invited to participate in Ulm 2026 – the event is solely for competitive postal history entries and further details of how to register your interest will be coming out shortly.
In 2025 the Royal will be running a number of events to compliment Stampex and make sure visitors have a great philatelic week:
Wednesday 22nd President’s Dinner – Stationers’ Hall
This really is the final call to get your tickets for the President’s Dinner on Wednesday 22nd October 2025 at Stationers’ Hall. Please do see the website https://members.rpsl.org.uk/Shop/product/292 – but do act today.
Thursday 23rd RPSL Meeting Day
Ian Greig FRPSL will be showing us material from the Port Phillip District and the Colony of Victoria 1842-1864, this is a traditional 1:00 display.
Thursday 23rd RPSL Meeting Day
Ian Greig FRPSL will be showing us material from the Port Phillip District and the Colony of Victoria 1842-1864, this is a traditional 1:00 display.
Friday 24th RPSL Meeting Day
Steve McGill will display three of his collections of Great Britain material at Abchurch Lane including his Machin collection that won the Grand Prix National at Europhilex. This will be accompanied by a powerpoint presentation at 14:00 please register on Eventbrite as places are limited https://GB-Machin-Definitive-Series.eventbrite.co.uk
2025/26 programme
November will see both digital and physical events. On Tuesday 4th November our regular 15.00 ‘Zoom’ meeting will feature Wayne Menuz who will talk to us about ‘Creating the New Catalogue: British East Asia Postal Stationery’.
Then on Thursday 6th November we will be treated another award winning display by Lars Jorgensen who will be showing Zui Afrikaansche Republik / Transvaal. This will be accompanied by a powerpoint presentation at 16:00.
Africa will again be the theme on 24th November when the West Africa Study Circle members will be celebrating their 75th Anniversary with a display at Abchurch Lane.
Regional and International Meetings
Full details of these and our regional meetings can be found on the website https://www.rpsl.org.uk/News-Events-Meetings/Regional-Meetings. Do encourage non-members to attend as your guest. With fewer local Societies these days it is an opportunity for all and an opportunity to recruit new members.
I will be in Paris for the Salon D’Automne in the first week of November and it would be great to restart Royal regional meetings in France next year, which will be my first encounter with the new EU border control system. A regional meeting is planned for India on 21st December, which I will be attending.
Yours sincerely,
Simon.
Simon Richards RDP FRPSL
President of The Royal Philatelic Society London
