January 2026
Happy New Year
I hope that you all enjoyed the break and are looking forward to an excellent philatelic year. It certainly shows every prospect of being a most exciting one philatelically, with no less than four FIP patronage shows around the world, the annual Postal History Masters in Ulm, at which the Royal is the lead Society (see below) and culminating in Monaco in December.
The programme of meetings at Abchurch Lane has been tailored to fit around almost all these events and so I hope to meet as many members as possible somewhere in the world this year.
RPSL Dinner Boston – Wednesday 27th May 2026
The United States is home to more members than any other country than the UK and the RPSL will be holding a dinner at the Exchange on Boston’s Historic Waterfront. It was the home of Boston’s fishing industry and so seafood is the theme. Tickets are now available in the website shop priced at £190 each. This event was very popular in New York in 2016 and capacity is strictly limited so don’t delay. Please note you do need to be logged into the RPSL website to be able to purchase.
Austrian Maritime Rivals
And whilst you are in the shop why not take advantage of your members discount and buy a copy of the latest RPSL publication by US member Chris Smith FRPSL titled Austrian Maritime Rivals. Telling the story of rivalry between Austrian Lloyd and the Danube Steam Navigation Company. The retail price is £65 before members discount.
Jane Moubray RDP, Hon. FRSPL
Sadly, at the end of 2025 saw the passing of the only Lady to have been President of the Society, Jane Moubray RDP, Hon. FPRSL whose magnificent work on ‘British Letter Mail to Overseas Destinations: 1840-UPU’ will grace many of your bookshelves. Jane was a long-standing member of the RPSL Expert Committee and a full obituary and appreciation will appear in the London Philatelist.
A new editor for The London Philatelist
As you will have read in your December edition of the London Philatelist, Tony Bard FRPSL has decided to move on after six years in the Editor’s hot seat, and we are most grateful to him for all the work that he has done for the Society.
We are delighted to have appointed Nina Jaaskelainen as our new Editor (please see below). Nina is a professional journalist, based in Finland with experience of publishing philatelic journals and is well known to Tony’s predecessor as Editor. The LPEditor@rpsl.org.uk e-mail address will now go to Nina and I’m sure you will all wish her well in the job. Please do keep those contributions coming in.
2025/26 programme
Thursday 15th January RPSL Meeting Day
What better way to open 2026 than with a ‘Homage to Stamp Collecting’ by Andrew Nixon, which will focus on Commonwealth material from 1930-1960. Material we will all have but this promises to be a novel and entertaining take to lift the spirits in the January gloom.
Thursday 29th January RPSL Meeting Day
Past-President Chris King RDP, Hon. FRPSL will be presenting ‘Denmark, the United Kingdom and Mail across the North Sea’. Chris is aiming to both fill the frames and give a PowerPoint at 4pm and this format may catch on, so do come and see.
Tuesday 10th February RPSL Zoom Meeting
Ian Gibson-Smith FRPSL will entertain us with material from his fabulous collection of Hong Kong China overprints. Do remember to register on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hong-kong-china-overprints-by-ian-gibson-smith-tickets-1262822559269 Please note that this is a week later than advertised in the programme card, as the Senior Vice-President and I will be in Dubai for the FIP show there.
My congratulations to Vice-President Simon Martin-Redman FRPSL on winning the PTS ‘Philatelic Ambassador of the Year’ for 2025, well deserved.
Changes to the Programme & Devonshire Bowl
Looking a little further ahead, Matt Kewriga is unable to be with us on 26th March and I am pleased to advise that Andy Taylor FRPSL has agreed to step in to the gap and show us his amazing collection of ‘Newspapers and the Austrian Post’.
The other change is the date for the Devonshire Bowl. This has been put back a week to avoid a clash with the FIP Congress in Macao and will now take place on 9th July 2026.
Regional and International Meetings
My wife and I enjoyed a highly professional regional meeting in Mumbai on the Sunday before Christmas. My congratulations to our India representatives, particularly Markand Dave FRPSL and Kapil Gogri FRPSL. The format of four PowerPoint lectures across the day with plenty of chance to socialise attracted a good audience and may be a template for other regions to look at. A full report will appear in the LP.
Full details of these and our regional meetings can be found on the website. 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. The first one of 2026 will be in Macclesfield on 8th March and I hope to see some of you there.
Ulm 22nd October 2026 – RPSL invited to display
Looking further ahead, and in case you missed it before Christmas, the Annual Postal History Masters will take place in Ulm in October 2026. RPSL members have been invited to take the leading role in competing for the famous Gold, Silver and Bronze Posthorns. There are six categories, plus literature so 21 Posthorns are available. The exhibition is open from 22-24 October and I’m sure there will be a great response from members. Chris King RDP, Hon. FRPSL has agreed to co-ordinate the RPSL participation and there will be at least one London based commissioner. Please do let Chris know if you would like to take part via email: chris.king@postalhistory.net, more details are in your December edition of the London Philatelist on page 560 and the entry form can be found on the RPSL website: https://www.rpsl.org.uk/Portals/0/RPSL/News_Events_Meetings/IBB_Ulm_Anmeldeunterlagen_2026_PGL_dyn.pdf.
This opportunity is open to members worldwide and we hope to have a broad participation, but you do need to get your entry either to Abchurch Lane or directly to Ulm. Frames take 16 pages each and there is an entry fee of 45 euros per frame for 1-3 frames and 35 euros per frame for larger exhibits – seemingly plus VAT! Please let Chris know if you want to participate by 28th February 2026.
Yours sincerely,
Simon
Simon Richards RDP FRPSL
President of The Royal Philatelic Society London
