ABOUT US

 

Rhode Islanders have had a wonderful place to go and 'talk stamps' and have fun for 135+ years! Today's Rhode Island Philatelic Society enjoys over 75 active members and continues to meet once a month throughout the year. Each meeting features an interesting speaker or presentation, along with a stamp dealer or member selling or exchanging stamps.

 

Visitors are warmly welcomed at each session, and of course a door prize drawing is always a welcome highlight. During each year the club holds several member and club auctions, allowing folks to expand their collections, start a new collection, or move some of their duplicates to a good home! The club also holds an annual stamp show and bourse, the largest annual event of its kind in Rhode Island. The society also publishes its informative newsletter.

 

Why not check our meetings page now and plan to attend the next meeting or auction? You can also apply for membership in the Society on-line by emailing us at the address on our home page. Dues for members are $10 per year for a membership. Donations to help cover the rising costs of newsletter publications are always encouraged as well.

 

On February 2, 2010 the members of the Rhode Island Philatelic Society held its regular monthly meeting exactly 125 years to the day since it was originally charted in 1885. The American Philatelic Society lists the society as the longest, active philatelic organization in the United States.

 

The Rhode Island Philatelic Society’s celebration began in January with a library exhibit on stamps and the society’s history which traveled throughout the state during the year. On February 2, 2010 RIPS initiated two events at the John Hay Library at Brown University in Providence. A special commemorative cancellation and cover was available in the foyer of the library with a temporary US postal station providing the service. During the evening the society held its regular membership meeting and hosted an open reception on the third floor of the John Hay Library building where a major portion of the University’s extensive philatelic collection is stored. For over 30 years members of the Rhode Island Philatelic Society have volunteered to catalogue, update and prepare exhibits for several world class philatelic collections given to the University by alumni. The plate block, revenue and error collection of Webster Knight, the George S. Champlin international collection and the Peltz and Morriss collections of special delivery stamps each offer great research potential for local collectors. This close bond between Brown University and the RIPS made the John Hay Library a natural choice for both entities to celebrate the 125 year legacy provided by the Rhode Island Philatelic Society.