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The British Matchbox Label
&
Booklet Society

Patrons:

To view specific information about the BML & BS,
Please click on the appropriate link above.

The British Matchbox Label & Booklet Society was founded in 1945 after a small core of devoted collectors decided to set up a Society to promote the hobby. From that day with a only a few minor setbacks, it has gone from strength to strength until today it is recognised as the foremost Society for Phillumeny in the United Kingdom and the largest of it's kind in the world.

It is nonprofit making and all it's income is used to provide facilities for the benefit of it's members. It is run by collectors for collectors. Whether you are a collector with many years experience or a complete beginner, you will find it worthwhile to join. Annual Membership is currently £12.00 (sterling) per annum. For further details click on the BML & BS Application Form icon above centre.

Benefits available to members are quite extensive and full details of these can be found by clicking the BML & BS Benefits icon above Top.

The Society organises a number of meetings each year, usually in the London area and usually on a Sunday when the hustle and bustle of the City is quieter.

These 4 Swedish labels are part of a set of 20 issued c1903

It has Honorary Society Officials and Committee Members who are elected annually at the Annual General Meeting which is held in April of each year. Each year four members stand down having completed their 3 year term and the members of the Society vote another four members into office. Committee Members standing down can be re-elected onto the committee if they are unopposed or by ballot if there are more nominations than positions vacant. Committee Members are required to have been members of the Society for at least two years prior to being nominated.

Every so often, The Society organises spectacular shows to mark special occasions, two of which were "The Societies Golden Jubilee in 1995" and, "The Millennium Exhibition in 2000". Both these exhibitions were held at the Fairfield Halls in Croydon, Surrey. The latest major exhibition, "The Diamond Jubilee" was held on Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th October 2005 to celebrate the 60th birthday of the society (1945 to 2005). The location was once again The Fairfield Halls in Croydon, Surrey. A full report on this exhibition will be displayed in Featured Articles.

Membership to the Society is open to anyone who has an interest in the hobby and everyone is actively encouraged to join with additional emphasis on younger collectors so that the hobby can continue to flourish.

The Society produces a bimonthly magazine called the Matchbox Label News in February, April, June, August, October and December of each year and sample front covers of these magazines can be seen by selecting the BML & BS Sample Magazine menu button above.

There is a wealth of information in every issue which on average runs to about 44 pages of which quite a number are now in colour. The Society sells hardback covers to hold the magazines and these can be obtained from The Secretary.

The society has it's own presence on the web and it is listed in Phillumeny Links which is accessed via the menu buttons on the left.

Forthcoming events of The BML & BS are listed in Forthcoming Events which is accessed via the menu buttons on the left.

The Society hosts a number of Postal Auctions over the year and details of any current auctions are sent to members with their copies of Match Label News. Bids can be made in writing by snail mail or by e-mail to the Postal Auction Organiser.  In addition, when sufficient time permits, details of any auctions can also be found on this site in Auctions, see the Auctions Menu Button above left.

Society Membership

Membership of the Society is simple and straightforward.  You can join the Society by printing off the Application Form available on the Societies Web Site. Once completed you just have to send it with a cheque or Money Order drawn on a British Bank or a British Postal Order for £12, to....

The Membership Secretary
Mr Arthur Alderton
BML & BS
122 High Street
Melbourn
Cambs
SG8 6AL

Please note that The Society does not accept cheques drawn in foreign currencies including € cheques. US$, GB£ and € notes are acceptable but should be securely packaged as the Society cannot take responsibility for any loss in transit.

Page History:
Original page prepared 17th October 2002
Updated 2nd November 2005, 5th February 2008
and 3rd September 2009

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