Joining The Royal Philatelic Society London
Curious to learn more about postage stamps, mail (postal history), and how the postal systems connect to history, printing, and culture?
Want to meet other lifelong learners to expand your knowledge? Philately (the collecting and study of postage stamps and mail) allows you to be creative, select the scope of interest, and share your findings in various channels in print, in person, and online.
The RPSL is London’s local prestigious society, the UK’s national club, and the worldwide leader in uniting and representing philatelic collectors and scholars. We welcome collectors of all ages and interests. Join the fun, and experience the expansion of your imagination! You can read more about the Society here.
Full Membership
Please click here to use our online Membership Application Form. Alternatively for those wishing to complete an application form by hand and send it in to The Royal Philatelic Society London by mail, click here to download a Microsoft Word document or PDF version to print.
Currently a new member can select to pay for 1-year membership, 3-year membership (at the subscription rate at the time of payment), or for life membership.
Any full-time student aged 14 or over can apply for Associate Membership. You can click here for more details.
Membership Subscription Rates for 2027
| Membership Type | Criteria | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| UK Town | Less Than 40 Miles from Charing Cross | £ 310 |
| UK Country | Rest Of The UK | £ 200 |
| Overseas | Outside The UK | £ 190 |
The membership year follows the calendar year. The rate is announced in the October edition of The London Philatelist. If payment is not received by 31st March 2027 an additional £20 will be due.
Benefits of Membership
The main benefits of membership are:
- Use of the premises at 15 Abchurch Lane and the opportunity of attending regular meetings, inspecting many of the finest collections of stamps in existence and meeting prominent collectors.
- Access to one of the most comprehensive libraries of philatelic literature in the world, as well as the latest catalogues and periodicals.
- The right to submit stamps to the Expert Committee of the Society at fees lower than those payable by non-members.
- The receipt of The London Philatelist ten times a year.
- By the terms of the Society’s constitution the Council may, at its discretion, designate certain members as ‘Fellows’ of the Society, and such Fellows shall have the right to place the letters FRPSL after their names.
- Wider access to online information through the members’ section of this website.
Click here for A Brief Outline of Member Benefits
Click here for Terms and Conditions of Membership
| Membership Type | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Associate | Age 14 or over / Still a full-time Student |
| UK Town | Less than 40 miles from Charing Cross |
| UK Country | Rest of the UK |
| Overseas | outside the UK |
| Benefit | Guest | Associate / Full |
|---|---|---|
| London Philatelist (plus digital) | ✔️ | |
| Web Site Access | Public + Events | Full |
| Zoom Meetings | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| London Meetings | 1pm / 5pm | |
| Regional Meetings | ✔️ | |
| International Meetings | ✔️ | |
| Access to the Library | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Museum Archives | by arrangement | |
| Online Catalogue | Public Areas | 250,000 entries |
| Dedicated Librarian Assistance | ✔️ | |
| Internet Access and Study Area | ✔️ | |
| Book Sales | % Discount | |
| Meeting Rooms | % Discount | |
| Expertising | % Discount |
Associate Membership
Any full-time student of the age of 14 or over interested in philately, and in the furtherance of the Objects of the Society, is eligible to apply to become an Associate Member. Associate membership has no upper age limit and can be applied for so long as the Associate Member is a full-time student.
How to Apply
Please click here to use our online Associate Membership Application Form. Alternatively for those wishing to complete an application form by hand and send it in to the The Royal Philatelic Society London by mail, click here to download a Microsoft Word document or PDF version to print.
The Society’s Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy notes that
“An Associate Member who has not attained the age of 18 years must be accompanied by a parent or guardian while attending a meeting of the Society. In this context ‘guardian’ means a legally appointed guardian or a person who has attained the age of 18 years standing in the place of a parent who takes responsibility for the Associate Member”.
Benefits of Associate Membership
The benefits of being an Associate Member are:
- Wider access to online information through the members’ section of this website.
- Use of the premises at Abchurch Lane and the opportunity of attending meetings.
- Access to the Society’s comprehensive library of philatelic literature, as well as the latest catalogues and periodicals.
- Associate Members receive The London Philatelist, and news and information about the Society, by electronic communication.
- The opportunity to inspect fine collections, and meet prominent collectors, experts and enthusiasts for philately from both the United Kingdom and overseas.
Fees
An Associate Member shall not be liable to pay a joining fee.
The annual Associate Membership fee is £10