The Philatelic Literature Society (1907–1918)[1] was a short-lived society to promote the cause of philatelic literature among philatelists at a time when information about philately could be hard to obtain and philatelic books expensive.

Formation

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The first meeting of the society was on 29 October 1907 at St.Bride's Institute in London and Edward Denny Bacon, later a President of the Royal Philatelic Society London, was appointed its first President.[2] He remained in that post until 1914.[1] The founding Vice-President was B.T.K. Smith, the Hon. Secretary and Treasurer was F.J. Peplow and the ordinary members were H. Clark, Johnny Johnson, Fred Melville and H.E. Weston.[2]

Works

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One of the most important works of the Society was a catalogue of the Crawford Library, written by Bacon, titled The Catalogue of the Philatelic Library of the Earl of Crawford, K.T., a work which won a Large Gold medal at the Postwertzeichen Ausstellung stamp exhibition in Vienna in 1911.[1] A supplement to the catalogue was published in 1926 by the PLS and an addenda in the March 1938 edition of The London Philatelist, both by Bacon.

Journal

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A journal was published, titled simply the Journal of the Philatelic Literature Society. Only one hundred copies of each issue were printed.[3]

Demise

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The society was disbanded in 1918 and, despite attempts to revive it, was dissolved in 1929.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Sir Edward Denny Bacon, KCVO (1860-1938): A short biographical sketch by Ron Negus. Supplement to The London Philatelist, 1999.
  2. ^ a b "The Philatelic Literature Society" in The London Philatelist, Vol. XVI, No.191, November 1907, p.264.
  3. ^ The London Philatelist, Vol LVIII, No.674, January 1949, p13

Further reading

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  • King-Farlow, Roland. Journal of the Philatelic Literature Society cumulative index. Volumes I-XI, 1908-1918. London: Royal Philatelic Society, 1948.