Library

One of the most satisfying activities associated with stamp collecting (or philately to give our hobby its correct title), is conducting research into the how's, why's and wherefores of a particular stamp, cover or postcard.

For Example:

How was the stamp printed and, for what purpose was it issued (e.g. inland letter rate, printed matter rate, etc.)?
What route did an item of mail take on its journey from the sender's country to that of the recipient, and what are all those strange markings and handstamps (often in black, blue or red crayon) on the front and reverse of an entire or cover?
What was the political state or geographical structure of a country at the time a letter was posted? Those who collect early postal history of a European country are only too aware that the country in question probably didn't exist until the middle of the 19th century or later.

Often this level of information is not available in the standard reference books, and the collector needs to look elsewhere. This is where being a member of a specialist philatelic society can prove extremely beneficial.

The Society's Library currently holds over 500 books, periodicals and other useful reference material. These are available to Society members for a period of one month (subject to extension) on request from the Hon. Librarian. A complete list of these publications is now available online (see details below).

The Library Index

The Index is now available online and lists all publications currently
held in the Society's Library. Please click on the icon below and the
Main Index will be displayed.

Library Index

To assist with research, separate views of the Index have been created,
based on a variety of subject-types, e.g. Airmail, Fakes & Forgeries,
Postal History, Railways & TPO's, etc.

Select the view that best fits your requirements and, using the SEARCH
button and "Contains" keyword, locate specific information in the columns.

Information can also be sorted by clicking on the arrow adjacent to
each column title.

To obtain item(s) from the library, please email Derrick Slate, the Society's Hon. Librarian, at librarian@swiss-philately.co.uk, quoting either the reference number as shown in the Index, or, alternatively, the title, author and publication date.

The borrower must cover the cost of postage both ways, and include a borrowing fee to the value of a 2nd class stamp when settling payment. Items have been weighed to provide an approximate guide when estimating postal charges. To this must be added the weight of protective plastic bag and outer wrapping. Outbound postage is initially paid by the Librarian and reimbursed when the item(s) are returned. If members include their telephone number/email address during communication with the Librarian, problems in meeting their requirements should be quickly resolved.

The borrower is responsible for the safe custody, careful handling and packaging of books in their possession. When returning items, please contact the Hon. Librarian by telephone or email prior to posting, write sender's address on the back of the envelope/parcel and obtain a Certificate of Posting. This should be retained for a minimum of four weeks.

It is regretted that only UK-based members of the Society may borrow books from the library.