Having announced a five-year sponsorship deal for Congress and the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists earlier this month, members of Stanley Gibbons staff were out in force at the four-day event, held last weekend, to meet with the organisers and key players in International philately.

Amongst the treats on offer were static displays on a variety of subjects including ‘Antique Writing Instruments’, ‘Transatlantic Mail’ and ‘Steamships’ as well as displays by members of Portsmouth & District Philatelic Society, Waterlooville & District Philatelic Society and Hayling Island and District Stamp Club.

Eight speakers presented papers to their peers, with Ashley Lawrence’s talk on ‘Les Ballon Montes’ being selected as the winner of the Stanley Gibbons Congress Cup by members of the Congress Committee.

Attendees were also treated to the Kay Goodman Memorial Lecture, presented this year by Susan Oliver, asking, ‘Philatelic Federations- Have they passed their sell-by date?’ A lively discussion ensued, lasting through the Saturday night Congress Banquet and the following day!

The Signing of the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists took place on Friday 17th June at the Portsmouth Guildhall, where the UK’s Gavin Fryer, Japan’s Koichi Sato and Australia’s Raymond Todd were invited to sign the Roll, joining the ranks of just 352 philatelists from around the world who have achieved this distinction.

Other philatelists were also honoured over the weekend; John Davies, probably best known for his work with youth philately, was awarded the ABPS Congress medal for his voluntary work; and David Page of Amersham and District Philatelic Society and Stephen Parkin of the North Western Federation of Philatelic Societies were awarded the ABPS Award of Merit for their dedication to advancing philately.

“Our thanks go to the Congress Committee and representatives of ABPS for the magnificent job of organising the event and for making us all feel so very welcome” said a Stanley Gibbons spokesperson. “We all very much look forward to next year’s

Source: Stanley Gibbons

published July 19th, 2011