These societies are only a sample of the many specialized groups in the world of stamp collecting. Many of our club members are also members of one or more of those listed here. The societies’ sites are often very rich in knowledge – digital copies of their journals and publications, files that contain exhibits of stamps and postal history, online articles, pictures and more. We encourage you to explore!
GENERAL COLLECTING AND EXHIBITING
American Philatelic Society
The national stamp collecting organization. Garfield-Perry is the 3rd Life Chapter
List of Worldwide Philatelic Societies
An unofficial links to the most popular philatelic societies
American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors
If you exhibit your stamps (or want to know what exhibiting is about), you should visit this site
Fédération Internationale de Philatélie
Great source of information about international exhibitions
U.S. PHILATELIC RESEARCH LIBRARIES
American Philatelic Research Library
Collectors Club of Chicago Library
Collectors Club of New York Library
Global Philatelic Library
The Global Philatelic Library is an initiative to provide a consolidated listing of philatelic publications, archives, museum items etc. held by libraries. So far 27 libraries have contributed their listings.
National Postal Museum Library
Northern Philatelic Society Research Library
Peggy J. Slusser Memorial Philatelic Library
Rocky Mountain Philatelic Library [RMPL]
Spellman Museum of Stamps and Postal History Library
The Wineburgh Philatelic Research Library at the University of Texas – Dallas
U.S. STAMPS AND POSTAL HISTORY
American First Day Cover Society
Devoted to the advancement and collecting of first day covers
(U.S.) Plate Number Coil Collectors Club
Ever see those teeny numbers at the bottom of a coil stamp? This is the group that studies them and much more
United States Stamp Society
This group studies United States stamps and related topics
The U.S. Philatelic Classics Society
A group devoted to the study of older U.S. postage stamps and postal history
COUNTRY SOCIETIES
British Empire Study Group
Dedicated to the study of philately of the British Empire
Royal Philatelic Society of Canada
Canada’s National Stamp Club since 1887
France and Colonies Philatelic Society
For students of French area stamps and postal history
Germany and Colonies Philatelic Society
Just as it says, these specialists enjoy collecting stamps and postal history of Germany and its former colonies
Society of Indo-China Philatelists
For collectors of Indo-China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and related areas
Society of Israel Philatelists
Not just Israel, but also stamps and postal history of the Holy Land before it became Israel
Mexico – Elmhurst Philatelic Society
The only stamp society devoted to Mexico, its stamps and postal history
Polonus Polish Philatelic Society
For students of Polish stamps and postal history
Rossica Society of Russian Philately
A world-wide society devoted to all aspects of Russian philately
Helvetia Philatelic Society
For collectors and students of Switzerland stamps and postal history
SPECIALIZED SOCIETIES
American Airmail Society
Devotees of mail carried by planes, rockets, balloons, share their interests in this group
American Revenue Association
Did you know that many stamps are used to collect taxes? That’s what this group studies
American Topical Association
Do you collect stamps based on their subject rather than country? Then this is the group for you!
Carriers and Locals Society
This society studies the stamps issued by local postmasters and private mail services, an interesting subset of stamp collecting
The Christmas Seal and Charity Stamp Society
Formed in 1931 to attract people of all ages to the hobby of Christmas Seal collecting
Cinderella Stamp Club
An association of philatelists, amateur and professional, whose interests lie in local stamps, telegraph stamps, railway stamps, revenues, fiscals, forgeries, bogus and phantom issues, Christmas, Red Cross, TB and other charity seals, registration labels, advertisement and exhibition labels and many other items
Errors, Freaks and Oddities Collectors’ Club
These folks collet and study all the things that have gone wrong in the stamp printing process
First Issues Collectors Club (FICC)
Promoting the collection of and research on the first postage stamp issued by any nation, province, city, army, or other entity.
International Machine Cancel Society
These collectors are dedicated to the study of postage machines, their makers, their cancels and more
Meter Stamp Society
Yes, these collectors are interested in the non-stamp ways to pay postage – postage meters, digital postage and more
Mobile Post Office Society
Since 1925 these collectors have been fascinated by postal markings applied by railroads, street cars, highway post offices and more
Post Mark Collectors Club
Enthusiasts of postmarks postal history and post office history
Scouts on Stamps Society International
This worldwide group enjoys collecting and studying stamps relating to Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts
Universal Ship Cancellation Society
Dedicated to collection and study of mail and postmarks from ships—all kinds of ships, military and civilian, from all over the world
A more expansive online listing of GENERAL AND SPECIALTY PHILATELIC SOCIETIES, AND PHILATELIC LIBRARIES is available through the Collectors Club of Chicago. More expansive printed lists are found in the INTRODUCTION section of the Scott Catalogs published by Amos Media, often available through your local library.