Join the Society

Curious to learn more about postage stamps, mail (postal history), and how the postal systems connect to history, printing, and culture?

Want to meet other lifelong learners to expand your knowledge? Philately (the collecting and study of postage stamps and mail) allows you to be creative, select the scope of interest, and share your findings in various channels in print, in person, and online.

The RPSL is London’s local prestigious society, the UK’s national club, and the worldwide leader in uniting and representing philatelic collectors and scholars. We welcome collectors of all ages and interests. Join the fun, and experience the expansion of your imagination! You can read more about the Society here.

How to Apply

Please click here to use our online Membership Application Form. Alternatively for those wishing to complete an application form by hand and send it in to the The Royal Philatelic Society London by mail, click here to download a Microsoft Word document or PDF version to print.

Currently a new member can select to pay for 1-year membership, 3-year membership (at the subscription rate at the time of payment), or for life membership.

Any full-time student aged 14 or over can apply for Associate Membership. You can click here for more details.

Benefits of Membership

The main benefits of membership are:

  1. Use of the premises at 15 Abchurch Lane and the opportunity of attending regular meetings, inspecting many of the finest collections of stamps in existence and meeting prominent collectors.
  2. Access to one of the most comprehensive libraries of philatelic literature in the world, as well as the latest catalogues and periodicals.
  3. The right to submit stamps to the Expert Committee of the Society at fees lower than those payable by non-members.
  4. The receipt of The London Philatelist ten times a year.
  5. By the terms of the Society's constitution the Council may, at its discretion, designate certain members as 'Fellows' of the Society, and such Fellows shall have the right to place the letters FRPSL after their names.
  6. Wider access to online information through the members' section of this website.

Click here for A Brief Outline of Member Benefits

Click here for Terms and Conditions of Membership

Announcement of Membership Applications

The following applications have been received for membership of the Royal Philatelic Society London. All have been duly proposed and seconded as shown. If a member wishes to express an opinion on any of these applications they should be communicated to the Honorary Secretary at 15 Abchurch Lane in writing, or by email to marc@rpsl.org.uk by Wednesday 29th November 2024. The applications will thereafter be presented to the Society's Council for approval.

 Name  County/Country  Proposer  Seconder
John Auld Hertfordshire Mark Bailey Robert Shaw
Philip Barnes Switzerland Grace Davies Jack Zhang
Johannes Bornmann Germany Simon Richards Ian Harvey
Oliver Carey Hertfordshire Mike Kentzer Andrew Mortlock
Alan Harley Shropshire Simon Richards David Poynton
Husni Hassan Sri Lanka Alberic Rozario Abhishek Bhuwalka
Patrick Hayes Warwickshire Brian Stonestreet Geoff Blackwell
John Isbell Kent Grace Davies Alan Cross
Jackie Lu Greater London Mark Bailey Anthony Gilbert
Archie Mousavi Greater London John Ray John Stimson
Eric Oliver Oregon, USA Mark Bailey Brian Stonestreet
Paul Sarjeant Ontario, Canada John Stimson Kenneth Snelson
Christoph Sauerwein Greater London Tim Harrison Robert May
Geoffrey Scrutton Hampshire Robert McMillan Brian Stonestreet
Eric Stovner California, USA Yamil Kouri James Mazepa

 

Announcement of New Members as Approved by Council

The following new members, whose membership applications have been duly approved in accordance with the articles of association of the Society, have now been elected by Council. We wish them a long and enjoyable membership.

 Name  County/Country  Name  County/Country
Johnny Barkley Northern Ireland Deesha Kanabar India
Rick Golden Florida, USA Neil McGregor New Zealand
Markus Hansen New York, USA Tom Scammel Massachusetts, USA
Charlotte Harrington West Sussex Marc Schuurman The Netherlands

 

Fees

Entry/Joining Fee for New Members £30.

Subscriptions for the year 2025 (inclusive of VAT) are as follows:
UK Town* £275
If you sign up to a Direct Debit you will get a discounted subscription of £250;
 
UK Country  £190
If you sign up to a Direct Debit you will get a discounted subscription of £175;
 
Overseas £175.
 
A copy of the Direct Debit form can be downloaded here.
 
A £20 surcharge applies to subscription renewals made after 31st March 2025.

* U.K. applicants can enter their postcode to calculate the Radius Distance (i.e. the straight line distance as the Crow Flies) from Charing Cross to their residence. Less than 40 miles means U.K. Town membership, greater than that means U.K. Country membership.

Enter the postcode in the box above, then click here to get the distance