TPS Library

The TPS Philatelic Library holds a large collection of books and periodicals of interest to collectors of most countries or subjects. There are many more items than shown in the current catalogue – please ask if you are looking for something not listed. The Library is held in the TPS meeting rooms and is available to members only.

Catalogues [See all library catalogues…]

The library has most publications devoted to Tasmanian philately, a large selection of key works on the Australian States,  the Australian Commonwealth Specialist Catalogues (Brusden/White), a selection of Stanley Gibbons and Scott catalogues and many publications on specific countries.

We also hold a large run of London Philatelist, Philately from Australia and a number of other journals

Please enquire!

TPS also has two UV lamps and a watermark detector which can be used by members on meeting nights. Please inform the librarian in advance if you would like to access any of this equipment.

 

Borrowing

Most items can be borrowed for a period of one month by local members.

Access for Members not able to attend meetings

To facilitate the use of library by members who are unable to attend meetings, the librarian is prepared to scan pages from requested texts and forward same by e-mail (only). All such copies would be made subject to Australian copyright requirements; i.e. the contents must be only for private study and not exceed 10% (or one chapter) of the complete title.

This offer is subject to time availability and the discretion of the librarian. Please note that images of fragile or rare books cannot be made where the scanning procedure may damage the item.

Where copies of TPS publications are still available for sale, the librarian will not provide scans of individual articles. Please visit the Publications Page for details of Courier back issues available for purchase.

Library purchase policy

From time to time we purchase important new works, with an emphasis on Australian references.

Members are encouraged to make suggestions for new library acquisitions. Please contact the librarian.

Library News

October 2014 – Australian Commemorative Postmarks

This newly published 300-page book is a catalogue of Australian Commemorative Postmarks from 1879 to 1980. The Introduction states this is currently the only book on this subject in print. Heavily illustrated, it provides a listing by year, sorted by the event that gave rise to the postmark. The Editor, Peter Bond includes values for postmarks and shows details of ordinary and registered covers. A Bibliography gives the interested reader further references .

Aug 2014 – De La Rue Collection – new library purchase

The TPS has recently purchased the complete De La Rue archive published by the Royal London Philatelic Society earlier  in 2014. The collection contains  images and some text from the De La Rue company which  produced postage stamps for many countries – see the Index.

TPS members interested in viewing some of this material should contact the Librarian.

More recent additions include:

• Papua and New Guinea – Collectors Guide, Parr and Robinson, 2013
• Australian Commonwealth Specialist Catalogue, Kangaroos, 2013 – G Kellow
• The numeral cancellations of Victoria – Feeman and White, RPSV 20o1,