The American Helvetia Philatelic Society (AHPS) is an international philatelic society devoted to the study and collection of the postage stamps and postal history of Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Founded in 1975 in the United States,[1][2][3] it is the largest English-language Swiss philatelic society in the world, with over 215 members from 11 countries as of 2025.[4]
The American Helvetia Philatelic Society was formed in 1975 through the merger of the Helvetia Philatelic Society of America and the Swiss American Stamp Society.[5][6]
The society traces its roots to 1938, when the original Helvetia Society was founded and began publishing the Helvetia Bulletin (1938–1957), a journal of research on classic Swiss issues.[4] After 1957, organized activity at the U.S. national level declined until the late 1960s, when two organizations—Helvetia Philatelic Society of America (publishing Helvetia Alphorn, 1969–1974) and Swiss American Stamp Society (publishing Helvetia Herald, 1970–1974)—revived interest in Swiss philately.[4][5] The merger in 1975 created AHPS, which launched the bimonthly journal TELL, named for William Tell. TELL continues as the society’s flagship publication, and all four journals are archived and accessible digitally.[4]
Today, AHPS operates as a multinational society serving collectors worldwide, recognized as the principal English-language organization for Swiss and Liechtenstein philately.
Timeline
Year
Event
1938
Helvetia Society founded; Helvetia Bulletin begins (1938–1957)[4]
1957
Helvetia Bulletin ceases; activity becomes dormant[4]
1969
Helvetia Philatelic Society of America founded; Helvetia Alphorn begins[4]
1970
Swiss American Stamp Society founded; Helvetia Herald begins[4]
Membership is open worldwide to collectors of all experience levels. As of 2025, the society counts over 215 members from 11 countries. AHPS emphasizes inclusivity and welcomes diversity in background, nationality, and collecting experience.[4]
Member benefits include:
TELL, the bimonthly journal with research articles, literature reviews, society news, and collecting tips; archived back issues are available to members
Monthly member meetings via Zoom, featuring presentations, Show & Tell sessions, and Q&A
Access to online research archives and guides
Member-only auctions with items priced in U.S. dollars
Digital subscription to the Helvetia Philatelic Society of Great Britain newsletter
In-person participation at annual conventions and international exhibitions[7]
Collecting areas
AHPS members collect and study a diverse range of philatelic material, including:
Swiss Cantonal Issues (1843–1854)
Swiss Federal Definitives and Commemoratives
Swiss Semi-Postal (Charity) Issues
Modern Issues
Swiss Crypto stamps
Postal History and Postmarks
Revenue and Fiscal Stamps
Liechtenstein Stamps and Postal History
Topical collections (e.g., railways, landscapes, art on stamps)[4]
Publications
The American Helvetia Philatelic Society and its predecessors have maintained a continuous tradition of English-language philatelic publishing on Switzerland and Liechtenstein:
Helvetia Bulletin (1938–1957) – Journal of the original Helvetia Society, focused on classic Swiss philatelic research.
Helvetia Alphorn (1969–1974) – Published by the Helvetia Philatelic Society of America.
Helvetia Herald (1970–1974) – Published by the Swiss American Stamp Society.
TELL (1975–present) – Bimonthly journal of AHPS; includes research, translations, Q&A, literature reviews, news, and dealer ads.
Archives, tables of contents, author indexes, and full back issues of all four journals are available via the AHPS website.[4][5]
In addition to its in-house publications, AHPS members contribute to wider philatelic literature. Richard T. Hall is a frequent contributor to Linn’s Stamp News, writing on topics in Swiss philately such as folk festivals, Pro Juventute issues, and the William Tell legend.[8][9][10][11]George Struble has also published extensively in the Schweizer Briefmarken-Zeitung (SBZ), with articles ranging from SCADTA in Swiss perspective (2025) and international exhibitions such as PIPEX 2023 (2022) to multi-part studies of Swiss airmail services and postal rates to the United States (2020–2021).[12][13][14][15][16][17][18]
Auctions
AHPS conducts member-only auctions several times a year, offering Swiss and Liechtenstein philatelic material. Catalogs reference Scott and SBK numbering systems, and prices are denoted in U.S. dollars.[4]
Awards
The society sponsors several awards at exhibitions, including:
Grand Award for best member exhibit at national conventions
Swiss-themed gold, silver, and bronze medals at national-level exhibitions
AHPS maintains an active Facebook Group for sharing research, images, and news. Its official website hosts resources including TELL archives, research documents, guides, and online exhibits.[4]
↑ Richard T. Hall, "Swiss folk festivals featured on stamps," Linn’s Stamp News, May 2, 2021.
↑ Richard T. Hall, "The legend of William Tell on Switzerland’s stamps," Linn’s Stamp News, Feb 26, 2017.
↑ Richard T. Hall, "What makes Swiss Pro Juventute stamps so special?" Linn’s Stamp News, Apr 30, 2021.
↑ Richard T. Hall, "Examine the borders on Switzerland’s arms issues," Linn’s Stamp News, Jun 2, 2017.
↑ George Struble, "SCADTA — Schweizer Perspektive, Teil 1," Schweizer Briefmarken-Zeitung (SBZ), Nr. 3/2025.
↑ George Struble, "SCADTA — Schweizer Perspektive, Teil 2," Schweizer Briefmarken-Zeitung (SBZ), Nr. 4/2025.
↑ George Struble, "Around the World," Schweizer Briefmarken-Zeitung (SBZ), Nr. 1/2025.
↑ George Struble, "Einladung zur virtuellen Briefmarkenausstellung PIPEX 2023," Schweizer Briefmarken-Zeitung (SBZ), Nr. 12/2022.
↑ George Struble, "1920: Der Luftpostdienst Basel–Frankfurt (1)," Schweizer Briefmarken-Zeitung (SBZ), Nr. 5/2021.
↑ George Struble, "1920: Der Luftpostdienst Basel–Frankfurt (2)," Schweizer Briefmarken-Zeitung (SBZ), Nr. 7/2021.
↑ George Struble, "Die Tarife für Schweizer Luftpost in die Vereinigten Staaten 1924–1939 (Teil 1)," Schweizer Briefmarken-Zeitung (SBZ), Nr. 7/2020; continuing series through Nr. 12/2020, Nr. 1/2021, Nr. 3/2021, Nr. 4/2021.
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