Fédération Internationale de Philatélie

Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (F.I.P.), founded on June 18 1926, is the world federation for philately based in Zürich, Switzerland. The philatelic organisation comprises more than 80 national federations. FIP's primary aims are to promote stamp collecting and philately.

Organisation

Since its inception in 1926, when a small number of European federations came together to found a worldwide organisation, it has promoted the hobby that is sometimes called "The King of the Hobbies and the Hobby of Kings." FIP promotes the hobby in developing countries, in Asia and in the industrialised countries, where it appears to be stagnating.cite web | title = F.I.P . Today and Tomorrow | work = | publisher = Fédération Internationale de Philatélie | url = http://www.f-i-p.ch/fip_org/presentation.htm | accessdate = 2008-02-07 ] It coordinates contact between the philatelic organisations in different countries. [cite book | last = Horning | first = Otto | title = The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Stamp Collecting | publisher = The Hamlyn Publishing Group | date = 1970 | location = Feltham, English | pages = p. 63 | isbn = 0-6000-1797-4 ]

Commissions

Eleven FIP commissions cover these aspects of philately: Aerophilately, Astrophilately, Fight against Forgeries, Maximaphily, Philatelic literature, Postal history, Postal stationery, Thematic philately, Traditional Philately, Revenue stamps and Youth philately. [cite web | title = FIP Commissions/Sections| work = | publisher = Fédération Internationale de Philatélie | url = http://www.f-i-p.ch/fip_org/commissions.htm | accessdate = 2008-02-07 ]

Illegal stamps

The World Association for the Development of Philately, WADP Numbering System (WNS), introduced on 1 January 2002, is a cooperative project between FIP and the Universal Postal Union. The cooperative venture produces a database of authentic postage stamps issued by UPU member countries. The intention is to combat illegally issued stamps. [cite web | title = About the WADP Numbering System | publisher = World Association for the Development of Philately | url = http://www.wnsstamps.ch/en/about/ | accessdate = 2008-02-07 ]

FIP exhibitions

The main platform where the public sees the function of FIP is at its international philatelic exhibitions. The annual FIP Congress takes place annually during one of the international exhibitions. For the major exhibitions of 2008, FIP selected Tel Aviv, Paris, Bucharest, Prague, and Vienna. [cite web | title = FIP Exhibitions | work = | publisher = Fédération Internationale de Philatélie | url = http://www.f-i-p.ch/exhibitions/pdfs/Exhibitions.pdf | format = PDF | accessdate = 2008-02-08 ] In 2004, FIP ran its first "World Stamp Competition" in Singapore and selected Tel Aviv for the second competition in 2008. The competitions involved national teams and philatelic jurors.

References

External links

* [http://www.f-i-p.ch/ Official website]
* [http://www.wnsstamps.ch/en/ WADP Numbering System]