The Society was founded in 1978 for the study of Scottish Postal History in all its aspects, from the earliest times to the present day. Our aim is to help everyone, whether an internationally renowned postal historian, a dealer, or a relative beginner, to enjoy and better understand the rich diversity of Scotland's postal services past and present. To that end we are an active society with a range of interests both social and philatelic, and with a world-wide membership. Members actively promote the hobby through local and national organisations, by providing displays to interested societies, or by publishing the results of their research. Members join for many reasons, often simply to keep in touch with events and the latest information through the award winning journal The Scottish Post. Whatever your interests or level of expertise, you will find a warm welcome in the Society.
The Society has approximately 200 Members worldwide and regular contact with all Members is maintained through the quarterly Journal, The Scottish Post. In addition, regular meetings are held throughout the year. These include Winter (February) and Autumn (October) meetings at Dunblane, where invited speakers give presentations. These meetings also include the opportunity for Members to give a short display (10-20 sheets) of some of their collecting interests. An Annual Conference and AGM Weekend is held in the early Spring, usually towards the end of March. The venue for the annual conference has been in Perth, Ayr and Crieff in recent years. It will be held in Edinburgh in 2020. Delegates usually gather on the Friday evening for an informal dinner. Saturday brings two Plenary Sessions from invited speakers, intermingled with Members displays, and a dealers and Members Bourse. The Conference Dinner is held on the Saturday evening, which is followed by social gathering. Sunday morning is the time for the Conference Auction followed by the AGM. The Afternoon session is devoted to a competition for The Jimmy Gall Trophy, a further session of Members displays, then it's the high or low roads home!
Applications for membership are welcomed. Subscriptions are currently £13 GB pounds sterling per year for residents of the United Kingdom & Europe and £18 GB pounds sterling for all other applicants. This includes 4 issues of the Scottish Post, by airmail for worldwide members and access to all auctions. European and worldwide members are encouraged to take the Journal via email due to very high postal charges. Arrangements can be made to pay through Paypal for European and worldwide members but an additional charge would be made to cover fees incurred.
As a Society we do not undertake valuations of stamp collections.
The Society's Publications Committee has embarked on a mission to publish books on Scottish Postal History. Enquires welcome from non-members. The publications list can be found by clicking the link on the menu.
The publications committee can be reached at the following email address if you wish to order any books or are thinking of publishing a book on Scottish Postal History - lyn@myreton.com
The first update to the book Additional Half 1813-1839 by I Baker, D Graham, M Sanig, and B. Shand, is available as a free download on the Society Journal & Publication List page.
We now have a new hosting package. This means we can offer all SPHS members their own email address @sphs.org.uk. If you want one of these highly desirable email accounts please contact the webmaster ( webmaster@sphs.org.uk ) with your preferred email address. Your account will usually be setup within 24 hours.
There is now a link to access your SPHS email account on the home page menu.
Thanks to Lyn Robinson we now have an index to articles published in the journal "The Scottish Post". This is available to download or view on the "Society Journal" page of this website.
Non-members are welcome to attend Society meetings but please email in advance as we need to confirm numbers for catering. There is usually a charge for tea/coffee/biscuits and lunch where available.
SPHS Auction - 30th September 2023 - catalogue now available.
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