With deep regret we announce the passing of Dr Alan K Huggins RDP (1936-2025) who had been unwell for some time. Alan made many contributions to philately in the UK and the world over many years, especially through his ground-breaking work on postal stationery. He also filled many positions in philatelic organisations including the Presidency of the Royal Philatelic Society London and Chairmanship of the FIP Postal Stationery Commission. His knowledge and wisdom were widely admired and he received many high honours. He set a high standard of scholarship and excellence that has provided an outstanding example for others to follow.
His far-sighted belief in the importance of international cooperation led him in the 1980s to become a leading advocate for setting up a European Federation of philatelic associations to promote closer cooperation between national philatelic organisations. In 1989 this resulted in the foundation of FEPA with Alan as its first President. He served as President until 1993, by which time FEPA was firmly established with a growing membership. He was then appointed to be the first Honorary President of FEPA and to this day we are indebted to him for the clarity and determination that he brought to the foundation of FEPA. We remain committed to the objectives that he outlined at that time.
FEPA sends its deepest condolences to Alan’s family as well as its gratitude for his many achievements. May he rest in peace.
Bill Hedley
Photo: Queen Elizabeth II with Dr Alan Huggins at the Royal Philatelic Society London (RPSL) in 2019.
[photo credit: RPSL]
A special separate exhibition is being featured at BOSTON 2026 World Expo known as a Polar Salon, five times having formerly been held in Europe but not so in the western hemisphere. It will have up to 250 frames of competitive exhibits, from 1 to 10 frames each exhibited by members of the universal polar philatelic community. They are prominent collectors of stamps, covers and associated documents dealing with exploration and other activities in the Arctic and Antarctic regions, their stamp issuing entities and related topics.
International juror experts for the Salon exhibits have been chosen. They are: Hal Vogel, Chief Judge, of Willingboro, NJ, USA, Alain Israël of Nesles la Vallée, France, Serge Kahn of Margencel, France, and Alan Warren of Exton, PA, USA.
The panel will select the Salon’s multi-frame grand, reserve grand and single frame grand winners and award donated special prizes. All competitors receive an official Boston 2026 show medal. Entrants additionally have the option to be judged by an FIP panel and qualify for overall show awards.
The Polar Pavilion will be in a place of honor on the show floor made possible in part through the generous support of Jiří Kraus of the Czech Republic. Postal administrations and philatelic societies specializing in these areas will also be found with the exhibits in the enclosed rotunda, along with museum-quality artifacts and ephemera displays to give visitors a true feel for the historical significance of these regions. A Court of Honor will highlight polar philatelic gems.
Prospective exhibitors in this specialized competition are encouraged to apply as soon as possible directly on the Boston 2026 web site at Boston2026.org. The application deadline is September 30.
Boston 2026 World Expo takes place May 23-30, 2026, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Full show details may be found at Boston2026.org and on Twitter and Facebook. Sign up to be added to the Boston 2026 email list and receive updates when available.
https://fepanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/boston-hotels-800.jpg800800Costas Chazapishttps://fepanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/fepanews_logo-107x138-1.pngCostas Chazapis2025-06-24 13:47:512025-06-24 13:47:51BOSTON 2026 Polar Salon Jury Named
As announced by the German Philatelic Federation (BDPh):
Postal History Live 2025 in Ulm: The hunt for the post horns is on! From 23 to 25 October 2025, Ulm will once again become the centre of the international postal history scene, with the renowned Postal History Live exhibition as part of the International Stamp Fair.
What’s up for grabs? The coveted Gold, Silver and Bronze Post Horns, awarded by an experienced jury for outstanding exhibits and literature contributions relating to postal history.
Good to know: Everyone can take part; no BDPh exhibit pass required!
Frame size: 16 sheets; for multi-frame exhibits, the number is freely selectable. Previously awarded exhibits may be submitted again—if you’ve won Bronze or Silver, now’s your chance to aim for Gold!
Guest of Honour 2025: Sweden! Look forward to Nordic perspectives and personal contributions from the far north—many Swedish philatelists have already confirmed their participation!
Save the date: 24 October 2025, Postal History Symposium with three fascinating lectures!
https://fepanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ulm2025-800.jpg800800Costas Chazapishttps://fepanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/fepanews_logo-107x138-1.pngCostas Chazapis2025-06-23 11:07:122025-06-28 18:33:33Postal History Live 2025 in Ulm
Alan Huggins RDP (1936-2025)
With deep regret we announce the passing of Dr Alan K Huggins RDP (1936-2025) who had been unwell for some time. Alan made many contributions to philately in the UK and the world over many years, especially through his ground-breaking work on postal stationery. He also filled many positions in philatelic organisations including the Presidency of the Royal Philatelic Society London and Chairmanship of the FIP Postal Stationery Commission. His knowledge and wisdom were widely admired and he received many high honours. He set a high standard of scholarship and excellence that has provided an outstanding example for others to follow.
His far-sighted belief in the importance of international cooperation led him in the 1980s to become a leading advocate for setting up a European Federation of philatelic associations to promote closer cooperation between national philatelic organisations. In 1989 this resulted in the foundation of FEPA with Alan as its first President. He served as President until 1993, by which time FEPA was firmly established with a growing membership. He was then appointed to be the first Honorary President of FEPA and to this day we are indebted to him for the clarity and determination that he brought to the foundation of FEPA. We remain committed to the objectives that he outlined at that time.
FEPA sends its deepest condolences to Alan’s family as well as its gratitude for his many achievements. May he rest in peace.
Bill Hedley
Photo: Queen Elizabeth II with Dr Alan Huggins at the Royal Philatelic Society London (RPSL) in 2019.
[photo credit: RPSL]
BOSTON 2026 Polar Salon Jury Named
The latest from BOSTON 2026:
A special separate exhibition is being featured at BOSTON 2026 World Expo known as a Polar Salon, five times having formerly been held in Europe but not so in the western hemisphere. It will have up to 250 frames of competitive exhibits, from 1 to 10 frames each exhibited by members of the universal polar philatelic community. They are prominent collectors of stamps, covers and associated documents dealing with exploration and other activities in the Arctic and Antarctic regions, their stamp issuing entities and related topics.
International juror experts for the Salon exhibits have been chosen. They are: Hal Vogel, Chief Judge, of Willingboro, NJ, USA, Alain Israël of Nesles la Vallée, France, Serge Kahn of Margencel, France, and Alan Warren of Exton, PA, USA.
The panel will select the Salon’s multi-frame grand, reserve grand and single frame grand winners and award donated special prizes. All competitors receive an official Boston 2026 show medal. Entrants additionally have the option to be judged by an FIP panel and qualify for overall show awards.
The Polar Pavilion will be in a place of honor on the show floor made possible in part through the generous support of Jiří Kraus of the Czech Republic. Postal administrations and philatelic societies specializing in these areas will also be found with the exhibits in the enclosed rotunda, along with museum-quality artifacts and ephemera displays to give visitors a true feel for the historical significance of these regions. A Court of Honor will highlight polar philatelic gems.
Prospective exhibitors in this specialized competition are encouraged to apply as soon as possible directly on the Boston 2026 web site at Boston2026.org. The application deadline is September 30.
Boston 2026 World Expo takes place May 23-30, 2026, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Full show details may be found at Boston2026.org and on Twitter and Facebook. Sign up to be added to the Boston 2026 email list and receive updates when available.
Thomas M. Fortunato
Boston 2026 Public Relations Chair
Tom.Fortunato@Boston2026.org
Read the press release here: https://fepanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/PR-2025-06-20-Polar-Salon-Jury-Named.pdf
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Postal History Live 2025 in Ulm
As announced by the German Philatelic Federation (BDPh):
Postal History Live 2025 in Ulm: The hunt for the post horns is on! From 23 to 25 October 2025, Ulm will once again become the centre of the international postal history scene, with the renowned Postal History Live exhibition as part of the International Stamp Fair.
What’s up for grabs? The coveted Gold, Silver and Bronze Post Horns, awarded by an experienced jury for outstanding exhibits and literature contributions relating to postal history.
Good to know: Everyone can take part; no BDPh exhibit pass required!
Frame size: 16 sheets; for multi-frame exhibits, the number is freely selectable. Previously awarded exhibits may be submitted again—if you’ve won Bronze or Silver, now’s your chance to aim for Gold!
Guest of Honour 2025: Sweden! Look forward to Nordic perspectives and personal contributions from the far north—many Swedish philatelists have already confirmed their participation!
Save the date: 24 October 2025, Postal History Symposium with three fascinating lectures!
Register by 15 July 2025; info & forms available at www.dasv-postgeschichte.de or https://briefmarken-messe.de
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