{{Short description|British association for the study of postage stamps and history}} {{Infobox organization | name = National Philatelic Society | abbreviation = NPS | nickname = The National | formation = 1899 | founder = Fred Melville | founding_location = Clapham, South London | type = Nonprofit philatelic society | purpose = | headquarters = London, United Kingdom | region_served = National (Great Britain) | publication = ''Stamp Lover'' (since 1908) | former_name = The Junior Philatelic Society (1899–1971) | key_people = Herbert "Johnny" Johnson (Co-founder) | services = Philatelic library; expertising assistance | website = {{URL|https://www.ukphilately.org.uk/nps/}} }} thumb|right|The society logo
The '''National Philatelic Society''' is one of two national philatelic societies in Great Britain. The other is the Royal Philatelic Society London.
==History== [[File:Fred Melville, Gibbons Stamp Weekly, Feb 1905, p. 108.jpg|thumbnail|right|Fred Melville, as pictured in ''Gibbons Stamp Weekly'', February 1905, at the time of the Junior Philatelic Exhibition.]] ''The National'', as it is known, was formed in 1899 by Fred Melville and the first meeting is believed to have been at a shop in Clapham, South London.<ref>Mackay, James. ''The Complete Guide to Stamps and Stamp Collecting''. London: Hermes House, 2005, p.75. {{ISBN|1-84477-726-X}}</ref> Melville had applied for membership of the ''Philatelic Society, London'', now ''The Royal Philatelic Society London'', but was rejected as he was under 18 years of age. This led to him forming ''The Junior Philatelic Society'' (now ''The National Philatelic Society'') that same year.
The society was a huge success, capitalising on pent-up demand for a philatelic society that anyone could join and the new society soon had to seek a larger meeting place. In 1906 Melville formed a Manchester branch of the society. Branches were also formed at Brighton and Liverpool.<ref name=furn>Furnell, Michael., ed. ''National Philatelic Society Centenary Handbook''. London: National Philatelic Society, 1999, pp.16-17. {{ISBN|0-906291-02-X}}</ref>
The success of the J.P.S. in its early years has been attributed to the partnership between Melville as propagandist and writer, and Herbert "Johnny" Johnson as businessman and organiser.<ref>"Herbert Johnny Johnson 1884-1966" by Michael Goodman in Furnell, Michael., ed. ''National Philatelic Society Centenary Handbook''. London: National Philatelic Society, 1999, p.11. {{ISBN|0-906291-02-X}}</ref>
==Aims== The Constitution of the society (1997) states:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukphilately.org.uk/nps/officers/constitution.htm |title=National Philatelic Society, NPS Constitution, UK Philately, Stamps and stamp collecting plus much, much more GB , one of the largest general philatelic societies in Great Britain |website=Ukphilately.org.uk |date=1997-09-13 |accessdate=2016-01-28}}</ref> right|thumb|The cover of ''Stamp Lover'', the society's magazine. ''"The Aims of the Society shall be:''
''(a) To promote, encourage and contribute to the advancement of the practice of philately in all its branches.''<br /> ''(b) To encourage and undertake the preparation and publication of books, catalogues, guides, journals and papers bearing on philately.''<br /> ''(c) To provide facilities for the practice of philately and to assist and encourage young philatelists.''<br /> ''(d) To encourage the detection and prevention of philatelic fakes, forgeries and spurious material and to give assistance in the prosecution of offenders.''<br /> ''(e) To establish and maintain a permanent centre for philately."''<br />
==Today== Today the society is still going strong, and continues to hold regular meetings and to publish its journal ''Stamp Lover'', as it has since 1908.<ref>[http://www.barnetphilatelic.org.uk/files/edwardian.html The Philately of the Edwardian Era as shown in its Literature] by David Beech, Barnet & District Philatelic Society, 2013. Retrieved 15 August 2023.</ref> The society also has an extensive philatelic library.
==See also== *List of philatelic libraries
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.ukphilately.org.uk/nps/index.htm Society website] *[http://www.ukphilately.org.uk/nps/db/database.asp NPS Library Online search page] *[http://www.postalheritage.org.uk/ The British Postal Museum & Archive] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20110815065915/http://www.ukphilately.org.uk/NPS/lover/Stamp%20Lover%20June%202010a.pdf June 2010 edition of ''Stamp Lover''.]
Category:Philatelic organisations based in the United Kingdom Category:1899 establishments in the United Kingdom