Welcome to our website!
In 1949, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the first French postage stamp, a group of British philatelists set up a pioneering specialist philatelic society devoted to the study of the stamps of France and the then French Empire. From small beginnings, the France and Colonies Philatelic Society now unites over 300 collectors in Britain and overseas in the many and varied delights of the stamps and postal history of la Francophonie.
The Society provides an extensive programme of meetings in several locations, holds an annual Philatelic Weekend, publishes a well regarded and authoritative Journal and series of monographs as well as several more extensive specialist philatelic books, operates a magazine circuit, two thriving exchange packets and three postal Auctions a year. It is a friendly and informal group to which non-members are welcome to attend any of our meetings.
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The Packet circuits are now again available to those wishing to enjoy the receipt of packets.
Please let the packet secretaries know if you now wish to receive packets.
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A NOTE FROM CHRIS HITCHEN, PRESIDENT FCPS
MEETINGS IN 2020
• Regional organisers will make their own decisions on these in the light of circumstance prevailing at the time.
• Members intending to participate should be quite sure that the meeting is still going ahead and should check with the convenor if unsure.
POINTS TO NOTE
• Social distancing will be difficult even with small numbers below 10.
• Travel by car should be safe but use of trains and buses will carry risks.
• Most meetings rely on a pub for lunch. Whether any will open in the autumn is not yet known but looks unlikely.
• Most who attend are in vulnerable categories so individuals need to make their own decisions bearing that in mind.
I hope that we can resume meetings at some point but whether it will be this year looks rather doubtful.
The safety of all of us must be paramount.
Further information will be posted on the website if and when it comes available.
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JOURNAL 292
The first Journal of the 2020s has now been printed. Hopefully the postal services will keep active so you get to receive it. Those of you who receive the Journal by email - it was sent on the 25th March, if you haven't as yet received your copy please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. As your new editor, I hope and intend to continue the standard that Maurice Tyler achieved with the Journal. It takes a team to produce excellence, from the well researched articles to sharp-eyed proofreaders, to caring printers, they all play a part. I especially thank Mick Bister for making the transition very easy for me over the last two months and I again thank Maurice for leaving an excellent blueprint to work from. What the Journal needs however, is more articles, large or small and, if we are going to be isolated in the coming weeks, now more than ever is a time to share that research or your favourites for us all to enjoy. The other place for you to share your items is the Forum, it is not restricted to members of the Society, and questions and discussions are welcomed.
The April edition of the 56 page Journal includes four in-depth articles:
• Post-independence postmarks of the Central African Republic - Part 1
• Senegal: Rare Destination of a Post Office
• French Mandates of Syria and Lebanon - Part 3
• Grenoble Winter Olympics: 6 - 18 February 1968
Eight shorter articles, book reviews, details of the Wessex meeting and an comprehensive write up of Foreign mail 1580 to 1940 which was shown at the London meeting. All articles are richly illustrated with examples of covers or stamps a selection of which is shown in the rotating gallery. Jan Gane
The Journal, produced three times a year is available to members only - an application for membership can be downloaded here. Back issues of the Journal from 2003 - 2015 may be viewed here.
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TWO EXCELLENT REVIEWS;
The Postal Message Scheme of the French Red Cross in France and its African Colonies in World War 2' by David Trapnell and The Dr Edward Grabowski Postal History Collection of French Colonies (Spink, November 2019) are detailed on pages 51 and 52
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TWO URGENT APPEALS
AN URGENT APPEAL FOR JOURNAL ARTICLES
Yet again I have had minimal response to my last appeal for articles and this failure will be at the heart of my report presented at the 2020 AGM. The Journal will not survive unless I receive more contributions than I am doing. At the moment I hold just enough material for the August Journal which I am about to embark on but I have very little for the December edition and only the final parts of a continuing series for next year.
It really is everyone's responsibility and in everybody's interest to contribute to the Journal. Such a responsibility cannot be left to the same few members. There are, at the time of writing, 265 members in the Society yet I can only rely on a dozen or so to support the Journal. To these members I extend my heartfelt gratitude and thanks. As for the rest of the membership, PLEASE think hard about how you can share your knowledge, interests and discoveries with other members of our Society and send me an article, of any length and on any topic, so that I can be assured of material for future editions.
Type your text in Word, add any images, scanned at 300dpi, as separate jpeg attachments and email them to me, Mick Bister.
The success, or failure, of the Journal depends on you. Thank you. Mick Bister
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EXAMINER TO THE ACCOUNTS REQUIRED
Due to committee changes a new examiner for the society's accounts is required. The position would be suited to someone who has experience as an accountant or has familiarity with audits.
The year accounts are competed by the treasurer towards the end of January each year and then submitted for examination. As the AGM is now usually held in mid-March each year that allows around one month in February to complete the process.
Any person willing to undertake this essential task should get in touch with the current treasurer, who can provide further guidance and detail if needed.
Chris Hitchen This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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AUTUMN STAMPEX POSTPONED - BUT A VIRTUAL SPAMPEX WILL GO AHEAD
The decision has been made following a full assessment of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and factors affecting the show, including safety and financial implications for visitors and stakeholders. The show will be replaced with a Virtual Stampex event to be held online where you can still meet PTS members, shop for stamps, attend Stampex Talks and get special Stampex offers. For more information sign up to the Stampex Newsletter to keep up with the latest news and Virtual Stampex offers: Website
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JOIN OUR PHILATELIC FORUM
You can join our Forum without being a member of the Society - just contact the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.with your name and preferred password and you will be supplied with a username - you don't have to be a member!.
