The Philatelic Traders' Society Ltd. (PTS) is a trade association for stamp dealers and philatelic traders which was established in Britain in 1929 and continues to this day.
7-397: The Society acts as a trade association on behalf of philatelic dealers, providing a Code of Conduct, an Arbitration Scheme, a trade directory, a special insurance scheme and similar services. The Society has stated that it represents members who trade in philatelic material and who provide professional expertise only and that investment advice and encouraging philatelic investment is outside
14-423: Is an exhibition of stamps and postal history where stamp collectors ( philatelists ) compete for medals. The displays are shown in glass frames, and the exhibition is normally accompanied by stamp dealer bourses and post office stands where stamps and other philatelic items may be purchased. Many philatelic exhibitions are regular events, held annually or at some other frequency and they are important events in
21-493: Is registered at Companies House in Cardiff as company number 419382. The first Chairman was Albert H. Harris and the first Secretary was Vera Trinder. The current Chair is Simon Carson (2021-) and the current Managing Director is Suzanne Rae. The current, active PTS Council is available on the society website. Names of the current PTS Directors can be found at Companies House. Stamp exhibition A philatelic exhibition
28-468: The developing world. Exhibits are shown in different classes. Normally the classes are similar to those of the FIP Commissions: Not all classes are shown at every exhibition as exhibits and jurors may not be available. In addition, exhibitions not endorsed by FIP may have different classes. Philatelic judging is done according to agreed criteria, and in the case of international exhibitions
35-547: The philatelic calendar. Exhibitions are normally of international, national, regional or local scope. They may also be for specific collecting interests, for instance the Eurothema exhibition for thematic collecting. The most prestigious international exhibitions are those for which Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP) patronage is granted, although the increasing cost of complying with FIP requirements has caused concern with some exhibition organisers, particularly in
42-483: The rules of the FIP are normally used. Judges need to be accredited by the FIP in order to be qualified to judge at FIP endorsed exhibitions. Judging is a skill in its own right for which training is required. The judges award a variety of prizes, including gold, vermeil and silver medals and other prizes as determined by the exhibition officials. It is common for commemorative covers and souvenir sheets to be produced for
49-619: The scope of the Society. Through its company PTS Stamp and Coin Exhibitions Ltd it organises the long-running British stamp exhibition Stampex International . The majority of the Society's members are based in the United Kingdom but there are also a number of international philatelic dealers in the membership. The society was formed in 1929 and was incorporated as The Philatelic Traders' Society Limited on 14 September 1946. The company
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