BENEFITS

Membership benefits

When you join the BSRP you become a member of a world-wide community of philatelists who collect and study the stamps and postal history of the Russian philatelic area. Whether you are a general stamp collector or an enthusiast with a specific interest in any of the of specialist fields, you will find the Society invaluable, both as a resource for seeking information and a platform for contact with like-minded collectors.

The Russian philatelic area

The "Russian philatelic area" is a vast political/geographic/historic field including:

  • Imperial Russia - From the pre-stamp era through to the Civil War. 
  • Civil War period, the RSFSR, 
  • Ukraine and the Transcaucasian Republics 1918 - 1923. 
  • USSR - 1923-1990 
  • The "New Republics" of the former Soviet Union from 1990 to the present.

  • The Kingdom of Poland 
  • The Grand Duchy of Finland 
  • The Baltic states: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania. 
  • Wenden 
  • The Zemstvo Posts

  • Russia used abroad: China, Levant, Crete 
  • Occupation Issues: WW1 and WW2 
  • Military philately: from the Napoleonic campaign through to the present day 
  • Social philately 
  • Thematics 
  • Revenues 
  • Cinderella Material

The British Journal of Russian Philately

The British Journal of Russian Philately has been published continuously since 1946 and is essential reading for philatelists interested in the Russian area. The Society aims to publish two issues per year which are mailed out to all members across the world. In its early days, the Journal was largely responsible for pioneering Russian philatelic research and knowledge in the English speaking world. Today the ongoing editorial quality and attractive physical presentation of the Journal is second to none.  The contents of the current Journal.

London and Provincial Meetings.

Generally, two meetings are held each year at the Union Jack Club, next to London's Waterloo station: one on a Saturday in April/May, which includes the AGM, and another over a weekend in October/November.

Annual Regional meetings are also held at Manchester and Portishead (Somerset). These events usually cover a specific aspect of Russian Philately and include several frames of related displays. Members are positively encouraged to show their own material and to enter into the spirit of informal discussion. A bourse is held at each meeting and members are invited to bring and buy material. One of the meetings features the Annual Competitions for the Society's trophies. The committee try to ensure that everyone, from the raw beginner to the advanced specialist will benefit from both the organised programme and from the opportunity to socialise with colleagues and friends.

Annual competitions

Trophies to be won:

  • THE BOJANOWICZ TROPHY Nine sheets of any material from the Russia group from any period up to February 1917.
  • THE HENRY MYERS SALVER Nine sheets of any material from the Russia group from March 1917 to December 1992.
  • THE BUCHANAN CUP Nine sheets of any material from the Russia group from January 1993 onwards.
  • THE STIBBE ROSE BOWL Up to eighteen sheets of any material from the Russia group accompanied by a written paper of c 500 words embodying original research.
  • THE LITERARY TROPHY For the best contribution to the past year's issues of the British Journal of Russian Philately.
  • THE KNIGHTON TROPHY Awarded annually to any member in recognition of outstanding services to the Society.

Research Facilities. 

The BSRP Library is the biggest collection of bibliographic material on Russian philately in the UK. Its substantial stock includes rare books, monograms, maps and journals. The Hon. Librarian is always happy to advise and assist members with information including the provision of relevant photocopies. All UK members are entitled to borrow items on request. The Society has recently started a special co-operation with the Popov Museum in St. Petersburg and members conducting serious research have the possibility of benefiting from their vast philatelic resources.

Expertisation Service. 

UK members may submit their own material to the Expert Committee for certification or for an opinion. Two free submissions are allowed each year with a nominal charge levied for subsequent items.

Annual Auction. 

The BSRP Auction is one of our major philatelic events . All members receive the catalogue and can participate either from the floor, postally, or via e-mail. There is no buyer's premium. A thousand or so lots are usually knocked down at prices ranging from £10 up to several hundreds. A photocopy service is also offered and many lots can be viewed on this website. Members are welcome to consign their unwanted or duplicate material for sale.

Exchange packet. 

This is available to all UK members who wish to view and select low priced material in the comfort of their own homes. Several circuits are always in operation for stamps and for postal history. The exchange packet is an excellent way to dispose of duplicate material priced from a few pennies up to a few pounds.

© 2002 the BSRP