Benefits of joining the France and Colonies Philatelic Society
- Acquisition of knowledge through:
• Fellowship of like-minded collectors
• Opportunity to learn from others
• Opportunity to view world class exhibits and displays
• 3 Journals published annually
• Regional Meetings throughout the UK
• Annual Weekend Meeting - centrally located
• Regular Zoom Meetings
• French Magazine Circuit - see details below
• Website Philatelic Forum
Acquisition of material through:
• 3 Auctions annually (specifically France and Colonies items) and available exclusively to members
• French Exchange packet
• Colonies Exchange packet
Auctions
Auctions are an integral part of the Society and provide a valuable service to many of its members. They offer members the opportunity to acquire material at reasonable and, sometimes, very low prices. The auctions also offer members the opportunity to dispose of unwanted material and in so doing make room for new purchases financed from their sales.
We currently have three postal auctions a year which take place in February, June and November. There is always a wide range of material offered in the sales covering most philatelic interests. Lots are divided into the standard categories – Pre-adhesive Covers, 19th Century Stamps, Postal Stationery, Booklets and Coils etc - but occasionally, when a specialist collection is being broken up, there will be new and additional categories. To see more information, catalogue and scans of the current auction and examples of past Auctions read more here.
French Exchange Packet
Subscribers generally see one packet per month comprised of up to twelve books of stamps and covers. There is a vast range of interesting stamps from 1849 to the present day. In addition there is a good selection of carnets and miniature sheets, back of the book material, service stamps, taxe, préoblitérés, covers etc. The standard is generally very good and much material is very reasonably priced. The packets are an excellent source for those wishing to complete general collections of France or to take advantage of rarely seen and unusual material.
Currently we are able to accommodate new members and would be delighted to add you to the circuits. There is no obligation to buy and you may retire from the circuits at any point. In addition we are always looking for new material and would be pleased to hear from any (member) vendors who can supply us with books of stamps or covers for sale.
As a member, if you would like to join please get in touch with Richard Broadhurst, your France Packet Secretary, by
Colonies Exchange Packet
Like the French Packet subscribers generally see one packet per month comprised of up to twelve books of stamps and covers. All the colonies and overseas Post Offices are covered as well as Monaco. Material is reasonably priced and includes stamps from the early General Issues to the Post Independence stamps.
We too, are always looking for new material and would be pleased to hear from any (member) vendors who can supply us with books of stamps or covers for sale.
If you would like to join a circuit and see what is on offer with no obligation to buy please contact Rodney Gent the Packet Secretary, by
The Packet circuits are now again available to those wishing to enjoy the receipt of packets. Please let the packet secretaries know if you now wish to receive packets.
Magazine Circuit
The Society subscribes to two French philatelic magazines (l'Echo, Timbres), and has circuits organised for those who wish to read them. For further details contact the circuit organiser: Contact Richard Broadhurst by
Library
The Society's library encompassed an extremely wide range of French philately. Unfortunately, following the death of our Librarian and no longer having somewhere to store the books in a way that will make them accessible to members, it was decided to dispose of the whole collection. Some of our members may have a publication they may be willing to take for reference to one of the regional meetings - the Forum is an excellent way to enquire if the item is available and if the member is attending. The library of the Royal Philatelic Society London now has a large holding of French philatelic literature.
The last Library List published (2004) is available from this link for reference.