INTRODUCING THE GBPS ...

The GBPS was founded in 1955 by a small but enthusiastic group of collectors in order to promote, encourage, and contribute to the advancement of the philately of Great Britain. Since then it has grown steadily, and now has more than 700 members in the UK and abroad. The Society deals with all aspects of GB philately, and has contributed much to the field - and this is certain to continue as new members with fresh ideas join.

Please note: the Society itself does not purchase or sell stamps, covers etc, nor do we provide valuations - for this you may care to consult our dealer members.

News, Updates, and Events

A selection of the more important recent site updates and general GBPS developments.

New Book - Ocean Penny Postage

GBPS Diamond Jubilee Festival 2015
A major new study by David Duncan Turner explores the history of Elihu Burrit's campaign for an Ocean Penny Postage, and illustrates and catalogues the known envelopes (£70). Details here.

(9 Feb 2015)

 ocean-penny-postage.jpg Details of the events and displays for the GBPS Festival in connection with Spring Stampex 2015 are now listed on the site. Details here.

(21 Dec 2014)

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Library Updates

GBPS RSS Feed
Two significant new books added to the GBPS library are Great Britain: Failed Free Handstamps of the Franking System by Robert Galland and John Colton, and Perkins Bacon Archive No.4 Printing Account Books Books 1840-1846, edited by Frank Walton.

(15 Nov 2014)

 If you're using a feed reader to keep up to date with sites, you can now add one for the GBPS via our RSS feed, with the most recent news items, website updates, and new discussion board threads, and a notice of meetings coming up.

(11 Sep 2014)

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Library Updates

iCalendar File
New books have been added to the GBPS library, including Line Engraved Security Printing: the Methods of Perkins Bacon 1790-1935. Banknotes and Postage Stamps by Gary Granzow, The £5 Orange by Dr John Horsey, and Perkins Bacon Archive No.3 Engraving Books 1840-1845, edited by Frank Walton.

(4 Aug 2014)

 A list of forthcoming meetings can now be downloaded in iCalendar format (suitable for importing into Outlook and other calendar software).

(3 Aug 2014)

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New GBPS President

Site Updates
At the AGM Bob Galland took over from Michael Sefi as the new GBPS President, with John Davies taking over in Bob's old Vice-Presidential role.

(14 Jun 2014)

 galland.jpg Recent additions include downloads of handouts from meetings , the full GBPS rules, and an expanded links section.

(28 May 2014)

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GBPS History

New GBPS Newsletter Editor
We have added some historic information for interest and reference -- the past Society officers, the competition award winners, and GBPS programmes from the 2001-2 season on.

(26 Mar 2014)

 gbps-programmes.jpg Paul Ramsay from sunny California is the new editor of the GBPS Newsletter, taking over from Howard Hughes (who is organising the Diamond Jubilee event). So make sure he gets plenty of articles ...

(1 Mar 2014)

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Library Updates

The Plating of the Penny
New books have been added to the GBPS library, including Perkins Bacon Archive No.1 General Account of Postage Labels 1840 and Perkins Bacon Archive No.2 Postage Stamp Warrants 1840-1845 edited by Frank Walton, Great Britain: The 1840 Prepaid Parliamentary Envelopes by Alan Huggins and Edward Klempka, and a number of recent GBPS publications.

(13 Feb 2014)

 John McCulloch's superb online tool for plating 1d Reds using the Fisher-Brown system is now hosted on the GBPS site (including the "E-Gauge" for measuring). Details here

(25 Jan 2014)

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GB Journal and Newsletter Downloads

Library Updates
Back copies of the GB Journal and the GBPS Newsletter from 2000 onwards in PDF format can now be downloaded by members.

(4 Jan 2014)

 gbj-downloads.jpg New books have been added to the GBPS library, including Rates to Reform - A Guide to the High Postage Rates in Great Britain and their Reform 1812-1840 by Rex Clark, Predecimal Machins - The Foundation of an Iconic Series by Tony Walker, and a range of society journals on CD or DVD.

(17 Nov 2013)

New Programme Secretary

GBPS Email Addresses
Andy Donaldson has taken on the important job of organising the programme of GBPS meetings and obtaining speakers for them! For the current results see here.

(15 Nov 2013)

 donaldson.jpg The GBPS officers and consultants now all have "@gbps" email addresses (e.g. website@gbps.org.uk).These will remain the same when new officeholders take over and hopefully ensure that messages go to the right person! List here.

(1 Nov 2013)

New Librarians

Downey Head Plating Studies
The GBPS Library is now in the capable hands of Cheryl and Matthew Toomey, who have been working diligently on an updated listing of what is available -- including a number of new additions.

(7 Oct 2013)

 toomeys.jpg A selection of Mike Jackson's plating studies of the Downey Heads are now available in the Displays section.

(23 Sep 2013)

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New Discussion Boards

New Book - The Dollis Hill Find
The GBPS Discussion Boards have been transferred to a new phpBB platform which offers us much greater speed and many more options. Please take a look!

(8 Sep 2013)

 discussion-boards.jpg A new book by Edward Klempka is a record of the 1958-72 Wilding phosphor trial stamps from the Forster archive, including previously unknown varieties (£20). Details here.

(5 Sep 2013)

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