Methodist Philatelic Society

The Society was founded in September 1970 for the study and encouragement of philately associated with Methodism and the Methodist contribution to United Churches and ecumenical activities worldwide. We collect stamps, covers, postcards and miscellaneous Methodist postal history. Membership is currently £10 or US$20 per year and members receive four illustrated newsletters annually. For more information contact the Membership Secretary or for details of covers for sale contact the Cover Service Secretary.

Sunday, May 04, 2008

Methodist Poster Stamp from Korea

Poster stamps can be defined as any stamp (non-denominated) created to advertise or commemorate a product or event. The evolution of the poster stamp is that it was originally a miniature version of a poster issued to advertise or commemorate a product or event.

This particular poster stamp (click on the picture to see it full size) was issued in Korea in 1934 and marked the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of Methodism in that country. Methodism has continued to thrive in Korea with the autonomous Korean Methodist Church now claiming 1.5 million members.

posted by David Spender # 9:52 PM 0 comments

Saturday, January 05, 2008

GB "Wesley" Christmas Mini-sheet update!

Here's a funny thing. Last year this website featured a short article about the "Hark the Herald Angels" GB Christmas miniature sheet, with its reference to Charles Wesley. It's now been brought to my notice that the illustration in that piece, used in Royal Mail pre-issue publicity, was wrong. If you look at the FDC pictured here, you'll see that the 69p value at the top right was replaced in the issued sheet with a 78p stamp. An example of very fast inflation in stamp prices?

posted by David Spender # 12:18 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Bahamas Charles Wesley Tercentenary issue

Another new issue for Charles' 300th Anniversary, this time from the Bahamas. More information about these stamps soon.

posted by David Spender # 12:04 PM 0 comments

Montserrat Charles Wesley FDC

posted by David Spender # 11:54 AM 0 comments

Saturday, December 01, 2007

New Charles Wesley Issue from Montserrat

Another new issue for Charles Wesley, this time from a British overseas territory, the Caribbean island of Montserrat.

The Montserrat Post Office will issue a miniature sheet on 18th December to mark the 300th Anniversary of the birth of Charles Wesley. The sheet features four $2.50 stamps, three of which show portraits of Charles. The fourth stamp portrays Bethany Methodist Church on the island.

Montserrat's Georgian-era capital city of Plymouth was destroyed and two-thirds of the island's population forced to flee abroad by an eruption of the previously dormant Soufriere Hills volcano that began on 18 July 1995. The eruption continues today on a much reduced scale, the damage being confined to the areas around Plymouth including its docking facilities and the former W.H. Bramble Airport.

posted by David Spender # 9:22 AM 0 comments

Saturday, November 17, 2007

New Charles Wesley stamp from Ireland

The following details come from the Irish Stamps website:

300th Anniversary of the Birth of Charles Wesley
Charles Wesley (1707-1788) and his brother John were instrumental in the birth of the Methodist tradition. Their teachings and practices earned the name 'Methodist' because of their strict adherence to the Book of Common Prayer. Charles Wesley is also remembered for his achievements in lyrical composition. Over the course of his lifetime, he published the words of more than five and a half thousand hymns, and composed the words for a further two thousand. Among these are a number of timeless classics, including Hark! The Herald-Angels Sing. The stamp was designed by Steve Simpson, based on a painting entitled The Lily Portrait-which is reproduced courtesy of the Methodist Studies Unit, Oxford Brookes University, England. The First Day Cover, also designed by Steve Simpson, features a church organ from Saint John's in the Wood Church, Dartry, Co. Monaghan.

Technical Details
Date of Issue: 15 November, 2007
Value & Quantity: 78c (.28m) - This is the rate for international letters up to 100g.
Design: Steve Simpson
Stamp Size: 29.79mm x 40.64mm
Colour: Multicolour with phosphor tagging
Make-up: Sheetlets of 16
Perforations: 14 x 15
Printing Process: Lithography
Printer: Irish Security Stamp Printing Ltd

posted by David Spender # 8:36 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

A Methodist cover from Switzerland

An interesting 1927 "printed matter" cover and contents from an American Methodist charity "Methodist Child Welfare" based in Zurich. Click on the pictures to view them full size.

posted by David Spender # 9:04 AM 0 comments

Saturday, September 29, 2007

Methodist Philatelic Society AGM in pictures!

A good turnout for today's AGM at Keynsham Methodist Church and congratulations to Roger Lee on his election as Society Chairman. Here are some pics of the occasion: