Wildlife Philatelic Society

Wildlife Philatelic Society
Name	Wildlife Philatelic Society
Type	Nonprofit organization
Founded	1960s
Focus	Philately, wildlife conservation, natural history
Headquarters	Global network

Contents

Wildlife Philatelic Society is an international association of collectors and researchers focused on postage stamps, postal history, and thematic philately related to fauna and natural habitats. The society connects enthusiasts, curators, and scholars across institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution, British Museum, Natural History Museum, London, American Museum of Natural History and coordinates with organizations like the World Wildlife Fund, IUCN, BirdLife International and Conservation International to promote wildlife awareness through philatelic materials. Its activities intersect with postal administrations including Royal Mail, United States Postal Service, Canada Post, Australia Post and the European Postal Union while engaging philatelic bodies such as the Royal Philatelic Society London, American Philatelic Society, Fédération Internationale de Philatélie and regional clubs.

History

The society was formed in the 1960s amid growing thematic collecting movements influenced by exhibitions like London International Stamp Exhibition 1960 and institutions such as the British Museum and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Founding members included curators and collectors with ties to the Natural History Museum, London, Smithsonian Institution and the American Museum of Natural History, drawing inspiration from thematic specialists who had studied issues from postal services such as Royal Mail and Deutsche Post. Over decades the group expanded through alliances with national philatelic federations like the American Philatelic Society and event hosts including the Paris International Stamp Exhibition and the World Stamp Exhibition. Key milestones involved collaborative displays at venues like the Victoria and Albert Museum, partnerships with conservation NGOs such as World Wildlife Fund and participation in global initiatives connected to the United Nations Environment Programme.

The society’s stated mission aligns thematic philately with biodiversity advocacy, linking stamp design and issuance by postal authorities such as United States Postal Service, India Post, China Post and Royal Mail to conservation aims championed by IUCN and BirdLife International. Activities include research projects referencing collections at the Natural History Museum, London, Smithsonian Institution and regional museums like the Australian Museum and Canadian Museum of Nature. The society catalogs issues featuring taxa celebrated by institutions such as the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and conservation programs run by Conservation International and World Wildlife Fund, while liaising with philatelic organizations like the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie and national societies including the Royal Philatelic Society London.

Membership attracts curators from museums such as the American Museum of Natural History, academics affiliated with universities like Cambridge University, Harvard University, Oxford University and regional collectors organized into chapters mirroring structures of bodies such as the British Philatelic Association and the American Philatelic Society. Chapters exist in countries served by postal administrations including Australia Post, Japan Post, Canada Post and Deutsche Post, and collaborate with local institutions like the Australian Museum, Tokyo National Museum and the Canadian Museum of Nature. Affiliate relationships extend to learned societies such as the Linnean Society of London and museums like the Natural History Museum, London.

The society publishes a peer-reviewed journal and thematic bulletins drawing on research traditions exemplified by publications from the Smithsonian Institution, Natural History Museum, London, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the American Museum of Natural History. Articles often analyze stamp issues from postal administrations including United States Postal Service, Royal Mail, India Post and China Post and reference catalogues by entities like the Stanley Gibbons and Scott Catalogue as well as exhibition reports from events such as the World Stamp Exhibition and the London International Stamp Exhibition 1960.

The society organizes seminars and exhibits at international fairs including the World Stamp Exhibition, International Philatelic Exhibitions and national shows run by the American Philatelic Society and Royal Philatelic Society London. Collaborative exhibits have appeared in museums including the Natural History Museum, London, Smithsonian Institution and the Victoria and Albert Museum, and at conservation conferences held by IUCN, BirdLife International and World Wildlife Fund. The society also participates in themed panels alongside institutions like the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and universities such as Oxford University.

Educational outreach partners include World Wildlife Fund, IUCN, BirdLife International and Conservation International, using stamps and postal history to highlight species listed by the IUCN Red List and curated by museums like the American Museum of Natural History and the Natural History Museum, London. Programs emulate public engagement models used by the Smithsonian Institution and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, offering classroom materials, workshops at venues such as the Victoria and Albert Museum and collaborative campaigns with postal administrations including United States Postal Service and Royal Mail to mark conservation days promoted by the United Nations Environment Programme.

The society recognizes excellence with awards modeled after honors granted by bodies such as the Royal Philatelic Society London, Fédération Internationale de Philatélie and national federations like the American Philatelic Society. Past recipients include exhibiters and scholars whose work intersects with museums and institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution, Natural History Museum, London and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and whose displays have been featured at international exhibitions like the World Stamp Exhibition.

Category:Philatelic organizations Category:Wildlife conservation organizations