About Us

Civil Service Philatelic Society

Site last updated
21 March 2012

OBJECTS OF THE SOCIETY

To stimulate the collection of postage stamps, postcards, postal history etc and the study of these in the widest sense. To provide a link between philatelists throughout the Civil Service. The C S Philatelic Society is not a Federation nor is it in any sense, a rival of any society flourishing in many C S Departments. Membership includes specialists, general collectors and beginners, but the atmosphere is so friendly and informal that no one could feel out of place.

MEMBERSHIP
Full membership is open to members or retired members of Her Majesty`s Civil Establishments and certain other analogous establishments, e g Post Office (Consignia), British Telecom. Associate membership is open to members of H M Armed Forces while serving in H M Civil Establishments and also to such persons temporarily attached to such establishments.

SUBSCRIPTIONS
Full life membership is £10-00. Associate membership is £6-00. Application forms are available from the Membership Secretary:

NEW MEMBERS
New members joining the Exchange Branch are included in the circulation lists as quickly as possible but it may be a month or two before the first packet is received. If however the first packet is not received after 3 months the member should contact one of the Exchange Branch Superintendents. Membership Card gives names and contact numbers of all the Officers of the Society.

To find out more about joining please <click here>.

AUCTIONS
POSTAL AUCTION – normally takes place once a year run by the Societies Postal Auctioneer and is done entirely by post with lists normally going out with the January/February Bulletin.

MEETING AUCTIONS – an auction of members items usually takes place at every meeting where lots may be submitted and are auctioned after the talk or display. Exception is December where we have a Grand Auction which takes over the whole of the evening.

Forms are available at the meeting to give details of the lots and must be made out in duplicate.

A proportion of the selling price, usually 10%, is deducted for commission.

EXCHANGE BRANCH
There is a flourishing Exchange Branch open to all members. There are four circuits each controlled by an Exchange Branch Superintendent. These cover:- British Colonials, Foreign and "Space Fillers" (includes mixed books).

Vendors find that good material reasonably priced sells readily; commission at the present time is charged at the rate of 7.5% plus a proportion (1%) for insurance. For Exchange Branch purposes London members may be allocated to Groups on a Departmental or other convenient geographical basis so that packets can be passed on by hand. There are also Groups in the provinces and these are of particular value to provincial members and those in the same geographical area as it reduces postal charges. In some areas a pass on by hand system is available for retired members.

There is a separate Application Form for membership of the Exchange Branch.

LIBRARY
A philatelic library, based at Somerset House, funded on a donation from the C S Sports Council, has been formed. Books and information folders may be borrowed at any meeting but are normally subject to a one months borrowing period. Library Lists are available from the Librarian.

PHILATELIC EQUIPMENT
Two ultra-violet lamps are held by the Secretary and are available for loan on application to the Secretary.

BOOKS FOR INCLUSION IN PACKETS
Books for inclusion in packets may be handed to any of the Exchange Branch Superintendents (EBS) at the meetings (or by post if more convenient).

Blank books specially prepared may be bought from the EBS or members may use their own books provided they do not exceed 20 x 12.5 cms (8"x5") and conform to the general standard of the books sold by the Society. Books can be purchased at the meetings (present price 14p each).

Good material at a reasonable price is always welcomed by the EBS`s but each stamp must be adequately mounted with new mounts and the price clearly marked above in ink. Pages in books should be numbered and a summary of total values of each page given on the inside front or rear cover. Unmounted mint stamps may be enclosed in envelopes securely mounted but AT OWNERS` RISK.

BULLETIN
A Bulletin is published twice a year, usually in January/February and July. Non-receipt should be reported to your Group Leader or if not in a Group direct to the Membership Secretary.

PHILATELIC EQUIPMENT
Two ultra-violet lamps are held by the Secretary and are available for loan on application to the Secretary.

PROGRAMME CARDS
Programme Cards are sent out to members with the July Bulletin and A G M minutes and includes the programme for the year September to July and the Officers of the Society.

SOCIETY'S WEB SITE
Information on the Society is available on the worldwide web:

http://www.mynetservices.co.uk/csps

CSPS Hon Secretary: Margaret Emerson <email>.