'Passed by British Philatelic Association'

Introduction

Early in World War II, exchange controls on the export of capital and capital assets were set up by the Government to ensure that exports were paid for with hard currency or a barter agreement, and imports paid for via the proper currency channels. Valuable small items like stamps had potential for evading the controls by being sent out of the country in the post to be sold abroad. Although censors could be expected to realise the value of items such as jewels, spotting a rare stamp among a packet of common material took expertise.

In order to trade, permission from the Foreign Exchange Control Department of the Bank of England was required. When the "Phoney War" ended in May 1940 the rules were tightened up. From 1st July, export of stamps was prohibited except under licence. The stamp trade was hardly vital to the war effort, but as a net exporter it brought in valuable foreign currency.

A meeting of stamp dealers agreed that the British Philatelic Association (BPA) would operate a "Philatelic Import and Export Control", under a committee of leading figures in the trade. This proposal was readily accepted by the Government departments concerned, and full details were published in Stamp Collecting's July 20th issue. Anyone wishing to trade in stamps overseas had to obtain a permit from the BPA, who acted as agents for the Board of Trade and the censor, assuming responsibility for the bona fides of the sender and also for payment of the sum due.

Packages for export had to be sent to the Central Clearing House in the BPA offices at 3, Berners Street, W1, to be checked. Dealers had to inform overseas correspondents to address stamps sent to Britain c/o the BPA, who opened them to ensure that invoice and contents matched, recording the sender and value of all packets. An enclosed prepaid envelope addressed to the customer was required, normally for registered post -- although most dealers in Central London preferred to make their own arrangements for collection and delivery at Berners Street.

This self-regulatory system applied to all stamp sales and exchanges, by dealers, exchange clubs, and private collectors. There was no fee for the service, even for non-members of the BPA. Currency restrictions remained after the war, however, and although regulations were relaxed for the "sterling area" shortly after VE Day, the BPA continued to act as a middleman for other stamp imports and exports until 30th June 1953, having performed a crucial role in keeping the stamp trade going during difficult times.

This exhibit gives a broad overview of the BPA Control, showing cachets, postal arrangements, forms, and general workings of the system, as well as some related matters such as the treatment of certain items of philatelic mail by the censor.

The display is broken down as follows:

  • Page 1 -- Introduction
  • Pages 2-6 -- Pre-Control philatelic mail
  • Pages 7-24 -- The BPA Control during the war
  • Pages 25-36 -- Censorship of philatelic mail
  • Pages 37-46 -- The BPA Control after the war
  • Pages 47-48 -- Post-Control philatelic mail


Frame 1

  1. Introduction
  2. Philatelic Letter in Transit to USA at Outbreak of War
  3. Application for a Permit to Export Stamps (1)
  4. Application for a Permit to Export Stamps (2)
  5. Philatelic Letter Sent During ‘Phoney War’ Period
  6. Censored Philatelic Letter Sent During ‘Phoney War’ Period
  7. Letter from Winifred Worsell Describing the BPA Control
  8. Letters Sent via the Control
  9. Application Form for Stamp Import Permit via BPA (1)
  10. Application Form for Stamp Import Permit via BPA (2)
  11. BPA Control Registration ‘Sub-Office’ Number
  12. Trade Permit Censor Mark
  13. Changed Addressing Arrangements for Dealers
  14. Approval Selection with Exchange Rules Noted
  15. Makeup of Registered Packets
  16. Non-Registered Letters Sent via the Control

Frame 2

  1. Censorship Regulations for Stamps Sent to Northern Ireland
  2. Form BPA/1 For Export of Stamps (1)
  3. Form BPA/1 For Export of Stamps (2)
  4. Cachet Signed by S.E.Murphy
  5. Incoming Philatelic Mail via the BPA
  6. Unregistered Mail to Dealers Checked and Forwarded by the BPA
  7. Letter to Famous US Dealer with Permit Number Marked
  8. Stamp Collecting - A Patriotic Act?
  9. PC82 Censor’s Memorandum - Sending Postage Stamps Abroad
  10. Private Stamp Exchanges Stopped by the Censors
  11. Letter to Collector from the BPA
  12. Treatment of Letters Containing Stamps Sent Without Licence
  13. Return of Letters Found to Contain Stamps (1)
  14. Return of Letters Found to Contain Stamps (2)
  15. See sheet 30
  16. Stamps Missing When Letter Opened for Censorship

Frame 3

  1. Stamps Sent by Exile Governments
  2. Condemned Philatelic Mail (1)
  3. Condemned Philatelic Mail (2)
  4. Supply of Stamps to Dealers
  5. Post-War Stamp Exchanges
  6. Post-War Export of Stamps by Private Collector Refused
  7. Collector Referred Back to the British Philatelic Association
  8. The Second Type BPA Control Cachet
  9. The Third Type BPA Control Cachet
  10. The Fourth Type BPA Control Cachet
  11. Use of Western District Office for BPA Registered Postings
  12. Non-Registered Letters with Type 2 Cachets
  13. Letters Sent Via the Control with Customs ‘Green Label’
  14. Promotional Item Sent Via the BPA Control
  15. Stamp Exports Under £10
  16. Stamp Exports Under £25