Frederick Brian John Sole was a leading figure in British thematic philately, whose lifelong dedication shaped the hobby nationally and internationally. A Fellow of the Royal Philatelic Society of London, he served as Secretary of Kingston Upon Thames Philatelic Society and President of the Federation of Surrey Philatelic Societies, receiving the Congress Medal at the Philatelic Congress of Great Britain in 2002.
A passionate thematic exhibitor, his acclaimed cycling exhibit Go by Cycle! won Gold at Singapore 2002, and he later earned another Gold at Autumn Stampex (2021) for his postcard display Cycle Past. President of the Bicycle Stamp Club (2002–2016), he was also a qualified thematic judge in the UK and at European level.
A founder member, Secretary, Chairman and later President of the British Thematic Association, Brian worked tirelessly to promote thematic collecting, co-translating the Handbook of Thematic Philately and supporting exhibitions, education and international collaboration. He is remembered for his scholarship, diplomacy and generosity.
https://fepanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Brian-Sole-800.jpg800800Costas Chazapishttps://fepanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/fepanews_logo-107x138-1.pngCostas Chazapis2026-03-05 15:34:422026-03-06 18:07:24Frederick Brian John Sole (1938–2026)
The Spanish thematic exhibition FILATEM 2026 will be held at the Municipal Building of A Guarda from 8 to 12 October 2026, organised by the Federación Española de Sociedades Filatélicas and the Sociedade Filatélica e Numismática Guardesa.
The special regulations for the exhibition, as well as the entry form, have already been approved. Entries will be accepted until 10 May 2026. The entry fee will be €15 per frame and €25 for one-frame exhibits. All thematic philately collectors are encouraged to take part, as this exhibition has not been held since 2008.
A website providing updates and news relating to the exhibition will be launched shortly.
The American Philatelic Society is pleased to announce the 2026 APS and APRL Awards and Honors.
This year we are recognizing three new Luff Award winners for distinguished research, service to the hobby, and contributions to the APS; the Kehr Award for contributions that guarantee the hobby’s future; five new members of the APS Hall of Fame; the national and local Carter volunteer recognition awards; the John Walter Scott Dealer Award; the USSS/Barbara Mueller Award for best article of the year in The American Philatelist; the Peterson Philatelic Life Achievement Award; and the Allen Award for best article of the year in the Philatelic Literature Review. Join us in congratulating our 2026 award winners.
Frederick Brian John Sole (1938–2026)
Frederick Brian John Sole was a leading figure in British thematic philately, whose lifelong dedication shaped the hobby nationally and internationally. A Fellow of the Royal Philatelic Society of London, he served as Secretary of Kingston Upon Thames Philatelic Society and President of the Federation of Surrey Philatelic Societies, receiving the Congress Medal at the Philatelic Congress of Great Britain in 2002.
A passionate thematic exhibitor, his acclaimed cycling exhibit Go by Cycle! won Gold at Singapore 2002, and he later earned another Gold at Autumn Stampex (2021) for his postcard display Cycle Past. President of the Bicycle Stamp Club (2002–2016), he was also a qualified thematic judge in the UK and at European level.
A founder member, Secretary, Chairman and later President of the British Thematic Association, Brian worked tirelessly to promote thematic collecting, co-translating the Handbook of Thematic Philately and supporting exhibitions, education and international collaboration. He is remembered for his scholarship, diplomacy and generosity.
FILATEM 2026 Spanish Thematic Exhibition
The Spanish thematic exhibition FILATEM 2026 will be held at the Municipal Building of A Guarda from 8 to 12 October 2026, organised by the Federación Española de Sociedades Filatélicas and the Sociedade Filatélica e Numismática Guardesa.
The special regulations for the exhibition, as well as the entry form, have already been approved. Entries will be accepted until 10 May 2026. The entry fee will be €15 per frame and €25 for one-frame exhibits. All thematic philately collectors are encouraged to take part, as this exhibition has not been held since 2008.
A website providing updates and news relating to the exhibition will be launched shortly.
…
2026 APS and APRL Awards and Honors
The American Philatelic Society is pleased to announce the 2026 APS and APRL Awards and Honors.
This year we are recognizing three new Luff Award winners for distinguished research, service to the hobby, and contributions to the APS; the Kehr Award for contributions that guarantee the hobby’s future; five new members of the APS Hall of Fame; the national and local Carter volunteer recognition awards; the John Walter Scott Dealer Award; the USSS/Barbara Mueller Award for best article of the year in The American Philatelist; the Peterson Philatelic Life Achievement Award; and the Allen Award for best article of the year in the Philatelic Literature Review. Join us in congratulating our 2026 award winners.
The recipients: https://stamps.org/news/2026-aps-and-aprl-awards-and-honors
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