Non PC Philately wins Johnson Literary Award

Michael Round is the winner of the Johnson Literary Award for 2025. His series on Non PC philately was voted the most popular feature, or series of features published in Stamp Lover during 2025 in a poll of readers conducted earlier this year. His series began in April 2025 and continues to the present. Michael will be presented with the award at  the July meeting. Michael  squeeked through ahead of Julian Bagwell "Christmas" (April 2025), Dr. Giorgio Migliavacca "Brtiish Virgin Islands" (December 2025) and Andrew Horn "Mafeking Relieved!" (December 2025).

Programme Change – National PS Meeting 11 July 2026 – Members’ Competitions 

Instead of the members' displays after the National PS AGM and Auction on 11 July 2026, there will be a competition, judged by members present. It is hoped that if this proves a success, then a competition judged by outside judges will be held the following year.

Stamp Lover for online Reading Room at Virtual Stampex - 6 - 8 March 2026

A “reading room” where collectors can read a worldwide range of philatelic magazines and periodicals online provides yet another  new feature for the forthcoming Virtual Stampex. The National Philatelic Society is taking part, and a copy of the February Stamp Lover has already been uploaded to the site.

Another new feature is a Philatelic Movie Night on  6 March. Freaks and Errors: A Rare Collection, is the first, independent documentary film that reveals the rarely seen, expectedly eccentric and surprisingly wide-ranging world of stamp collecting. The film is online live on Friday 6 March  at 21:00 UK Time/ 16:00 Eastern US time.

There also many talks including What is Engraving? With Martin Morck, Back to the Philatelic Future with Aileen Mooney, An Post, and “Holy Philately Batman”  with Tony Ward ,GB Stamps  and Covers. Display your way, Dealers’ booths and other old favourites of this online show will also keep collectors busy. Virtual Stampex will run from Friday 6 March to Sunday 8 March 2026.

New President for the National

At the 125th Annual General Meeting of the National Philatelic Society, held at 15 Abchurch Lane, London on Saturday 12 July 2025. the Society was pleased to elect Michael L Goodman as its new President. Michael is currently editor of Stamp Lover and succeeds Peter Mellor who took office in 2022.

 As the Society's new President, Michael Goodman (left) makes a presentation to his
predecessor at the 2025 Annual General Meeting.

Readers have voted for their favourite feature article publishedReaders have voted for their favourite feature article published  in Stamp Lover during 2024 and Mchael L Goodman was the winner with "It all started over a shop in Clapham", a history of the National Philatelic Society published in the December 2024 issue of Stamp Lover. The runners up were David P. Williams with "Combining a passion for Steam and Stamps" (published April 2024) and "Mobile Marks used in the Channel Islands" by Nicholas Stuart (published in December 2024).

As is now the custom, the traditional writing set was presented to Michael Goodman at the end of the Annual General Meeting on 12 July 2025.

 
London & Provincial Stamp Club

As  from 1 September 2023, members of the London & Provincial Stamp Club (L &P) have been welcomed to the National philatelic Society (NPS). As a result the NPS has  gained 79 new members. A further 25 L & P members were already members of the NPS. This transfer followed a vote by L & P members after the Club found itself unable to find new officers.

NPS President, Peter Mellor comments  “ As always, I am delighted to welcome new members, but in the case  of those from the L & P, I appreciate that it is always a sad moment when any club or society – philatelic or otherwise – feels that circumstances  mean it has to close its doors. Nevertheless I hope and believe that the National can add to these members’ enjoyment of the hobby in the way that the L &P did and certainly we will be the better and stronger as a result of this influx of new blood. Indeed it is good to know that Andrew Horn of the L & P is already becoming a valued member of our Packet Team., while Julia Toddhas been co-opted onto the NPS Council”.. 

The London & Provincial Stamp Club’s origins go back to 1946. In November of that year, 18 members of an international philatelic body called the International Stamp Collectors’ Association (ISCA) met together at a church hall in Paddington and agreed to form a London club.  The first meeting was held on 25th November 1946, with Robson Lowe, the eminent philatelist, as the guest speaker. His subject was "organised Philately".This small group prospered and attracted more members until in 1950 – upon the demise of the ISCA – it renamed itself and became the London & Provincial Stamp Club.

The club always had as its motto “The Friendly Club for the Average Collector”.  It welcomed all collectors, and set out to create a friendly atmosphere, foster their interests and carry out meetings in a happy and informal manner. As the name implies, the L & P drew members from across the country and for many years held Saturday bourses and auctions at the Victory Services Club.                                                      October 2023