About Us

Pretoria Philatelic Society (PPS) was formed on 16 February 1898, at the time the fourth one in South Africa and the second in the then Transvaal. Of the four, only two are still existing with the other one the Port Elizabeth Society that was formed in 1890.

At a meeting on 2 March 1898 proposed rules for the Society were formally adopted and membership cards were immediately issued.

The first Annual General meeting was held on 15 March 1899 and the Anglo Boer War (1899 – 1902) compelled the Society to suspend its activities.

In November 1902 the Society was “re-established” at a meeting that became known as the “first revival” and meetings resumed. A veteran philatelist at the time, Emil Tamsen (RDPSA) who joined PPS as early as April 1898, was elected Honorary Life Member in 1902.

Although the first Stampshow was held during this time, the activities dwindled.

A prominent philatelist, Saul Klagsbrun (RDPSA), was responsible for the “second revival” in May 1905.

The first Annual Year Book appeared in 1928 and in 1929 women could join PPS for the first time

PPS has yielded twenty-three Roll of Distinguished Philatelists of South Africa (RDPSA) and is fortunate to currently have five RDPSA’s in their midst namely Cedric Rochè, Gerhard Kamffer, Alex Visser, Paul van Zeyl and André du Plessis.

In 1928 PPS played a leading role in the formation of the first Philatelic Congress of South Africa, the forerunner of the present-day Philatelic Federation of South Africa (PFSA).

When the Philatelic Congress in its meeting in October 1932 decided to acquire The South African Philatelist, from Mr J Robertson to serve as a philatelic magazine another prominent member from PPS, Albert Basden (RDPSA), was appointed as the first honorary editor.

In 1948 PPS commemorated its Golden Jubilee with a Gala Dinner at the Union Hotel in Pretoria that was attended by all the who’s who in South African Philately.

Through the years PPS entered the limelight of organized philately in SA with confidence and pride.