About Us

Philately (derived from Philos meaning loving and ateles meaning franked) is the collection of all aspects of postage stamps and postal history encompassing a large and varied range of collecting. There is far more to the hobby than simple “stamp collecting” that some may recall from their school days.

One of the UK’s longest-running philatelic societies, the Caledonian Philatelic Society was founded on 14 February 1906, when a group of stamp collectors met on the premises of Douglas, Cook & Co Stamp Dealers on Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, and made the decision to form a philatelic society. The group was initially known as the Junior Philatelic Society of Scotland, changing to its current name in 1930.

The first meeting of the Glasgow Philatelic Society was held on Monday 15th March 1920 in the Christian Institute (YMCA) on Bothwell Street.

Both of the societies have met at several Glasgow venues over the decades and for the 2026/2027 session the Glasgow Caledonian Philatelic Society will meet at new premises in West Nile Street in Glasgow co-located with the Glasgow Stamp Shop.

A typical Society meeting would involve a display and talk from one or more members of the Society, visits from other philatelic societies or by an invited guest or guests. The current syllabus can be found on the “Meetings” page.

Displays can either be a collection of stamps, postal history, covers or on a theme illustrated and developed using what is printed on the stamps with other associated ephemera. Displays may also include other material related to stamps and their uses – such as revenue and tax stamps - or other similar items such as Cinderella stamps – for instance Christmas Tb Seals. Postcard collecting is now very popular and there are often displays based on postcards. Displays do not need to be of a high standard and displays from members who have not displayed before are encouraged.

The 2500th meeting of the Caledonian Philatelic Society was held on 13 October 2016. The 1500th meeting of the Glasgow Philatelic Society was held on 14th March 1995. The centenary of Glasgow Philatelic Society was was celebrated with a lunch in the Glasgow Grosvenor in June 2022 - delayed by the restrictions imposed by the COVID19 pandemic.

Both Societies having had a long and illustrious history.

There is also an Advisory Committee to give advice to the relatives of deceased members or members in failing health about selling their philatelic properties.

Falling numbers and fears of meeting in closed spaces plus more unwillingness to travel at night has meant that the Social Evenings have ceased. These difficulties have had a knock on effect on meeting attendances as well. With an ageing demographic this problem will only persist and increase.

New members are very welcome and the current annual subscription is £15, with the option to enrol on an ‘out of town’ membership rate if you live away from Glasgow. For details, or to join, contact with the Society can be made by e-mail to :caledonianphilatelic.org.uk@domainsbyproxy.com