The Royal Philatelic Society London (RPSL)

The Royal Philatelic Society London, established in 1869 as The Philatelic Society, London, is the oldest philatelic society in the world. We became 'Royal' when His Majesty King Edward VII granted the privilege in 1906, ten years after his son, HRH The Duke of York, became President of the Society.
When the Duke became King George V in 1910 he continued to act as our Patron and in 1924 granted the Society permission to use the Royal Arms on its stationery and publications such as the Society's own journal, the London Philatelist.

The Principal objectives of the Society are:
1.To promote, encourage and contribute to the advancement of the science and practice of philately.
2.To inform members of the Society on all matters by meetings, discussions, displays, lectures, correspondence or otherwise; to assist and carry out philatelic research, and to print, publish and issue such papers, periodicals, books, circulars or other literary matters in support of these objectives.
3.To hold, either alone or jointly with others, promote, or subscribe, or assist with
international or other philatelic exhibitions in the UK or elsewhere, and to offer and award prizes, medals or other recognition in connection with such exhibitions or for any literary work connected with philately.
4. To establish and maintain a library and collection of stamps, designs, proofs, essays and other articles of interest relating to the Society.

We are proud of our expertise, and we strive for excellence. We welcome philatelists from all walks of life, from the very wealthy to those of modest means. We now have over 2,300 members, with more than half living outside the United Kingdom, and the Society continues to grow.