International stamp experts head to Harrogate for centenary event
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Last updated Sep 10, 2021

Stamp experts from around the world are to meet at Harrogate’s Crowne Plaza hotel this month.

Harrogate is hosting the Philatelic Congress of GB, an annual event that was first held in Manchester in 1909,

Philately is the collection, appreciation and study of postage stamps and the history of the postal system.

Leading philatelists from the UK, Sweden, Germany and Spain will take part in displays, discussions and expert talks from September 23 to 26.

Other international experts will follow the activities on zoom.

The event will mark a special Harrogate centenary.

In 1921, the town hosted the first signing of the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists — a large, decorative piece of parchment signed by the world’s leading philatelists.

The very first signature was that of King George V, who was known as the King of Philately. An invitation to sign the roll is regarded as the world’s pre-eminent philatelic honour.


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As well as the signing of the roll, the prestigious Association of British Philatelic Societies congress medal and awards of merit will be presented to recipients.

‘I’m definitely a nerd’

The event and the signing of the roll was cancelled last year due to covid so for Keith Burton, chair of the Harrogate Philatelic Society, it’s going to be even more special. He told the Stray Ferret:

“I’m slightly disappointed that covid has made life harder for us, and those who would have liked to come but for age or distance or health feel they can’t make the journey.

“I am proud that the congress is returning to Harrogate. I’m looking forward to meeting up with people again, because we haven’t done much of that recently. We don’t just talk about philatelic things, but it’s the social aspect as well.”

Mr Burton will give a presentation on local postcards at the event. For him, despite a love of philately, finding an old postcard is about more than just the stamp.

“When I get a postcard, I don’t just look at the picture and stamp. I look into the history of the people, like the messages on postcards from 1920s.

“For example when people have come to Harrogate for the cure, and they write that the weather is fine, I think ‘gosh, that’s nice for them!’ I’ll also look at where it was sent to and from.

“Philately can get into all these things or just into one or two, it’s a very individual thing. I’m definitely a nerd.”