FEPA Certificate of Appreciation 2025
West Riding Stamp Club (United Kingdom)
The Club was set up as an informal club to encourage collectors with modest collections and newly retired collectors to meet together. The founder acted as Chairperson/Secretary/Joint Auctioneer and Programme Officer. When he died two collectors took over his roles and the Club continues to flourish with the same aims.
When a philatelic society in the area closed its members either joined the West Riding Club or the Huddersfield Philatelic Society. Now the two societies hold their separate meetings at the same premises on the same day and time on an alternating fortnightly basis from September to May. The membership is much the same and they use the same display boards.
The Club holds two auctions a year with around 300-400 lots each time, submitted by collectors, the public and local businesses in the region. It is primarily a collector-to-collector auction. Electronic catalogues are distributed to all secretaries in the National Federation with the request that they are distributed to their members. Prior email, telephone and written bidding is offered. About half the membership of the Club form the team on the auction day. Vendors are charged 10% commission unless the proceeds are to go to charity. Between 40 to 50% of the lots sell. The net commission, after expenses, is split equally between both the Club and the Huddersfield Philatelic Society and this pays for their operating costs.
The initial idea of helping modest lone collectors, who would never have felt qualified to join a formal philatelic society, are able to learn from the members of the philatelic society and enjoy displays from more advanced collectors. This has encouraged them to improve their own collections and enjoy each other’s company.