The 25th Anniversary of the FIP Section for Astrophilately.
1985 FIP Section for Astrophilately.
At the FIP Congress in Rome November 1985, on the occasion of ITALIA’85, a motion of the FIP Board to create a Section for Astrophilately within the Commission for Aerophilately was approved by the Congress.
The Special Regulations (SREVs) for Astrophilately was also approved.
Mrs. Beatrice Bachmann was appointed by the FIP Board as Leader of the Section.
At a preceding FIP Board and Commission Presidents’ Meeting in Zürich she was invited by the FIP President Ladislav Dvoracek to answer questions on the necessity of founding an independent Astrophilately Section with Special Regulations and Guidelines in accordance with the philatelic material to prove her capacity as Leader of the FIP Section.
FIP Board member Dr. Teddy Dahinden, Aero-and Astrophilately Juror and Coordinator of the Commission for Aerophilately became also Coordinator of the Section for Astrophilately.
1986 The new created FIP Section for Astrophilately was a test project.
The Section "Leader”, instead of Commission "President”, had to provide the President of the Aerophilately Commission, Mr. Francisco Lemos da Silveira from Portugal, with all official paper and information of the Section for approval before forwarding to delegates.
Not more than 4 members to be elected in the so called "Working Committee” instead of Commission "Bureau”.
Inquiry for Members in the Working Committee and Delegates.
The first task of Beatrice Bachmann was to ask National Philatelic Federations for appointing a Delegate or a Member of the Working Committee to the Section for Astrophilately up to the first official elections.
Nominations for Working Committee received:
George Lauwers, Belgium, President of the Belgium Phil. Society "Cosmos”
Peter Wilhelm, Germany, President of the German "Space Philatelic Society”
Dr. Reuben Ramkissoon, USA, President of the US "Space Unit” Phil. Society
Purnendu Gupta, India, President of the Philatelic Congress of India.
First Meeting of the Working Committee took place in Zürich 25th and 27th Oct. 1986. (Flash 18/December 1986)
1987 FIP Congress and Delegate’s Meeting at HAFNIA’87 in Oslo.
The Leader informed the Delegates at the Meeting about approval of the Guidelines for Astrophilately by the FIP Board.
Hafnia'87 First FIP Delegate's Meeting of the Section : from left to right Dr. Reuben "Ben" Ramkissoon, Beatrice Bachmann, George Lauwers, standing behind Peter Wilhelm missing on the Foto Purnendu Gupta (photo from B.Bachmann collection).
Hafnia'87 Palmares from left to right George Lauwers, Jackie Lauwers, FIP Board Director Dr. Teddy Dahinden, Co-ordinator to the Section, Beatrice Bachmann, Peter Wilhelm (B.Bachmann's photo)
The SREVs for Astrophilately were translated into German, French and Spanish.
Articles on the particulars of Astrophilately.
On request of National Delegates and Federations to inform about this special philatelic field and its particulars she wrote two articles "Astrophilately” and "A Definition of the Criteria of an Astrophilatelic Exhibit in Comparison with those of Thematic and Aerophilately” to clarify this matter.
Both articles were published in FIP FLASH issues 1987-89.
The FIP Congress and the Delegate Meetings of the Commissions & Section took place every year on the occasion of a Philatelic World Exhibition.
1988 First Delegate’s Meeting with Elections on the occasion of PRAHA’88.
Confirmation by the Delegates of the Section for Astrophilately of:
Members of the Working Committee:
George Lauwers, Belgium
Peter Wilhelm, Germany
Purnendu Gupta, India
Leader: Beatrice Bachmann, Switzerland
The elections were approved by the President of the Aerophilately Commission, Francisco Lemos da Silveira, and FIP Coordinator Dr. Teddy Dahinden.
Leader Beatrice Bachmann was confirmed by the FIP Board at the Congress.
Aero-and Astrophilately Delegates appointed to the Section: 17
First FIP Seminar on the SREVs and Guidelines for Astrophilately held by the Leader with presence of Aero and Astrophilately Delegates. FIP Board observer Teddy Dahinden.
1989 Meetings of the Section on the occasion of BULGARIA’89 in Sofia.
Since 1988 a number of National Aero and Astrophilately exhibitions with international participation were organized by philatelic societies in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Rumania, Spain etc and so more and more astrophilatelic exhibits were developed.
The Leader reported on Ad Astra’89 National Aero and Astrophilately exhibition with international participation in Zurich/Switzerland with 31 astrophilatelic exhibits from 12 countries, with, for the first time, three exhibits from the USSR.
It was the result of an excellent work on national level and a demonstration of an efficient cooperation between the Members of the Working Committee and the Delegates in promoting Astrophilately in their countries.
Bulgaria’89 World Exhibition organized a slide lecture on Astrophilately for public held by Beatrice Bachmann who also received an invitation from Radio Bulgaria for a talk about Astrophilately which met with great interest.
1990 FIP Congress on the occasion of Stamp World London’90.
At the Congress Beatrice Bachmann reported on a Seminar paper "Advice on Judging and Exhibiting Astrophilatelic Exhibits” with additional part of illustrations to the Guidelines, she prepared on request of the Implementation Committee.
It was approved by the FIP Board and valid from 1st May 1991.
1991 FIP Congress on the occasion of PHILANIPPON’91 in Tokyo.
FIP Class for Astrophilately!
A very special highlight was the approval by the Congress of a motion of the FIP Board for a separate Class for Astrophilately at FIP exhibitions.
Before Astrophilately exhibits were admitted as a part of the Aerophilately Class.
Delegate’s Meeting of the Section. The Leader informed the attendees that her inquiry for change of "Working Committee” in Bureau of the Section and that the Leader may write independently to the Delegates and Federations for all matters concerning their Section, with copy to the President of the Aerophilately Commission has been approved by the FIP Board.
At Lilienthal’91 in Dresden, Germany, a European Aero and Astrophilately exhibition under FIP auspices, 21 astrophilatelic exhibits were on display. The International Jury awarded 2 G, 1 LV and 7 V medals.
1992 Delegate and Bureau Meetings at ESPANA’92 in Granada. (Flash 41/Sept. 1992)
Elections in the Bureau of the Section for Astrophilately:
Peter Wilhelm, Germany, re-elected,
Dr. Reuben Ramkissoon, USA, re-elected,
Purnendu Gupta, India, re-elected,
José Grandela, Spain, new, replacing George Lauwers,
Leader: Beatrice Bachmann, Switzerland re-elected.
Total number of Delegates to the Section for Astrophilately: 25
Election observer: Dr Teddy Dahinden FIP Coordinator to the Section. The Leader expressed her regret that George Lauwers, could not stand for re-election and addressed her warmest thanks for his excellent co-operation with the hope for continuation as Belgian Delegate to the Section. She also conveyed sincere thanks to Francisco Lemos da Silveira, the retiring President of the Aerophilately Commission for the support and friendly co-operation since the foundation of the Section for Astrophilately.
Mr Egil Thomassen, Norway, was welcomed as the new elected President of the Aerophilately Commission.
The Congress in Granada approved the revised SREVs for Astrophilately as discussed at the Congress in Tokyo. (Flash 50/Dec.1994)
1993 Delegate’s and Bureau Meeting on the occasion of BANGKOK’93.
At the Delegate’s Meeting a proposal of the Leader and the Bureau Members to co-opt Francis Kiddle, Delegate of Great Britain since 1991, in the Bureau up to the next Elections in 1996 was approved by the Delegates present.
First FIP Qualifying Seminar on Astrophilately for Jurors on 4 March, 1993.
On the occasion of Eur-Apex’93, a FEPA approved European National and International Aero and Astrophilately exhibition in London, a FIP Qualifying Seminar for Jurors (with participation of exhibitors in the first part) took place on invitation of the British Philatelic Federation.
Eur-Apex'93 in London Qualifying Astrophilately Seminar : in the first row right with glasses Francis Kiddle, Secretary of the Seminar (B.Bachmann's photo).
The seminar was held by Beatrice Bachmann. Observer: Alan Huggins, FEPA Chairman and President of the Eur-Apex Jury; Secretary: Francis Kiddle.
16 International jurors and exhibitors attended the Seminar. (Report was published in the issue of FLASH 45/September 93)
1994 First Large Gold medal awarded to an Astrophilately exhibit at Philakorea’94.
Seminar on Astrophilately at Aeropex’94 in Adelaide, Australia. Invitation was received by Beatrice Bachmann as jury member at Aeropex’94 FIP supported Aero and Astrophilately exhibition in Adelaide, for holding a Seminar on this occasion. The invitation was from Nelson Eustis, President of the Exhibition.
Aeropex'94 Jury. From left to right: Anders Ericson; Sweden Ken Sanford, USA(behind); Beatrice Bachmann; Ray Todd, President of the Jury (behind); Teddy Dahinden, Switzerland; Alex Newall, Great Britain (behind half hidden); David Chiong, Phillipines; Keath Griffith, New Zealand (behind); Ray Kelly, Australia (B.Bachmann's photo).
Delegate Meeting on the occasion of Philakorea'94. The Leader expressed sincere thanks to Teddy Dahinden who for the last time attended the Delegates’ Meeting as FIP Coordinator since not standing for re-election as Vice President of the FIP Board at the hereafter Congress. His continual support and cooperation since foundation of the Section was highly appreciated.
1995 Two day FIP Qualifying Seminar on Astrophilately in April.
Thanks to the strong support of Michael Adler, President of the German Philatelic Federation, a two day FIP Qualifying Astrophilately Seminar for training of Jurors, with participation of exhibitors on the first day, took place on the occasion of ‘Garchinger Space Days’ International Space-and Astrophilately exhibition at Garching near Munich in Germany (FLASH 50/December 1994).
The Seminar was held by Beatrice Bachmann assisted by Peter Wilhelm. It was attended by 22 national and international jurors and 14 exhibitors. The Seminar paper ‘Advice on Judging and Exhibiting Astrophilatelic Exhibits’ in English and German language received by the participants.
FIP observer: Teddy Dahinden.
Approval of Jury Apprentices in the Class for Astrophilately.
Francis Kiddle, co-opted to the Bureau of the Section served as Jury apprentice at Singapore’95 World exhibition and George Lauwers, Bureau Member from 1985-92, as Jury apprentice at Aviacion y Espacio’96 FIP exhibition in the Class for Astrophilately. Both were accredited as FIP Juror for Astrophilately.
1996 Delegates’ and Bureau Meeting on the occasion of ISTANBUL’96.
Nominations of 13 Delegates received from Federations for Bureau Members.
Elections in the Bureau of the Section for Astrophilately:
Peter Wilhelm, Germany, re-elected,
Dr. Reuben Ramkissoon, USA, re-elected,
José Grandela, Spain, re-elected,
Francis Kiddle, Great Britain, new, former co-opted,
Ingolf Kapelrud, Norway, new, President of the FEPA,
Jaromir Matejka, Austria, new,
Leader: Beatrice Bachmann, Switzerland, re-elected.
Election observer: FIP Board Director Fernando Aranaz, Spain, was welcomed as new Coordinator to the Section for Astrophilately.
Mr. Gupta was thanked for his strong co-operation as Bureau member since 1985 with the hope on a further continuation as Delegate from India.
National Delegates increased to 40. (Flash 58/Dec. 1996)
At the Bureau Meeting the members agreed upon a new arrangement of responsibilities same as in the Bureau of the Commissions and voted for: Dr Reuben Ramkissoon, as Vice President and Francis Kiddle, as Secretary.
From left to right: FIP Board Director and Coordinator to the Section, Fernando Aranaz, Spain; Miri Matejka; Beatrice Bachmann; Francis Kiddle, Secretary (behind); Dr. Reuben Ramkissoon; Ingolf Kapelrud (behind); Josė Grandela (B.Bachmann's photo).
The Delegates and Bureau members have been informed by the Leader that the Congress on the occasion of PHILANIPPON’91 in Tokyo voted for: "FIP Congress should be held only every two year with even numbers”, valid as from 1996 onwards and this decision consequently also became valid for Delegate and Bureau Meetings of the Commissions and Section.
Aviacion y Espacio’96 Aero and Astrophilately FIP exhibition in Sevilla/Spain: 15 Astrophilately exhibits in the National and 19 in the International Class were on display. The level in the International Class with 1 LG, 2 G, 5 LV medals was remarkably high. A Seminar was held by Beatrice Bachmann.
1997 A Bureau Meeting was held at Pacific’97 in San Francisco on 1st June attended by Francis Kiddle, (Secretary), Reuben Ramkissoon, Vice President, and Beatrice Bachmann. The main topic was the revision of the Guidelines for Astrophilately. The new draft has been sent out for discussion at a Seminar on the occasion of Moscow’97.
Two Day Seminar on Astrophilately held at Moscow’97 World Exhibition.
The Seminar took place on 24th and 25th October 1997 in Moscow. (ref. FLASH 62/December 1997).
The Seminar started with an Excursion to Star City organized by Igor Rodin. 31 delegates, jurors and exhibitors went to visit the home and Training Center for Cosmonauts and were welcomed by Beatrice Bachmann, Leader of the Section.
Seminar on 25th October 1997was held by Beatrice Bachmann in the Congress hall of Hotel Russia in Moscow. It was attended by 47 participants from 15 countries, including cosmonauts, Viktor Afanasjev, Aleksander Poleschuk, and Georgiy Gretchko, as well as Paolo Vollmeier, President of the FIP Commission against Forgeries; Reinhold Schmidt, Member of the FIP Expert Team; Walter Hopferwieser, newly elected expert in the field of Astrophilately.
1998 Delegate’s and Bureau Meeting held on the occasion of ITALIA’98.
The Section Leader reported on: Publication of an Astrophilately article in the Journal of the UPU. Beatrice Bachmann was invited to write for general information on Astrophilately in the Universal Postal Union Magazine (issue of October/December 1998) under Philatelic Forum. The article "Tracing the Conquest of Space” in English and French was published and 3.500 copies were printed. It was also translated into Arabic, Chinese, German, Russian and Spanish and sent to Postal Administrations of 189 countries affiliated to the UPU as well as to Philatelic Federations.
A Website of the Section for Astrophilately was created by the Leader following the request of the FIP Board made to the Presidents of the Commissions and Section at the Joint Meeting on the occasion of Italia’98 in Milan. It was up and running by March 1999 and included in the FIP Website.
1999 Approval of the revised Guidelines for Astrophilately. The FIP Board approved the new Guidelines at its Meeting on the occasion of IBRA’99 and made available together with the revised SREVs on the FIP Website.
Betrice Bachmann and Peter Wilhelm at Ibra'99.Seminar on Astrophilately in France. On the initiative of Jean Louis Lafon, Delegate to the Section and Astrophilately juror from France, a Seminar on Astrophilately took place under the auspices of the French philatelic Associations at Philexfrance’99 World exhibition in Paris. 25 philatelists from France attended the Seminar. Jean Louis Lafon presented the SREV and Guidelines and Beatrice Bachmann explained how to build-up an astrophilatelic exhibit and referred to appropriate astrophilatelic material by a slide lecture.
Seminar on Astrophilately in the Czech Republic. On invitation of Dr. Lumir Brendl, President of the Czech Philatelic Federation, a Seminar on Astrophilately took place in Prague on the occasion of Cosmos’99 specialized National Thematic and Astrophilately Exhibition with International participation. It was conducted by Beatrice Bachmann, assisted by Julius Cacka, Czech Delegate to the Section, who took care of German and Czech translation. The Seminar was attended by 14 exhibitors and jurors and as special guest Mr. Ladislav Dvoracek, Past President and Honorary Member of the FIP.
In the 15 years Leadership of the Section by Beatrice Bachmann, the main important task was to make Jurors, exhibitors and collectors acquainted with this special philatelic field and what is to be considered as appropriate material when evaluating or constructing an astrophilatelic exhibit in accordance with the FIP SREV and Guidelines.
2000 Comments to Proposed Changes in the FIP Statutes.
In March 2000 the Commission Presidents and the Section Leader were requested by the FIP President Knud Mohr to give their opinion on some changes in the Statutes. As Leader of the Section for Astrophilately, Beatrice Bachmann took necessary measures to correct the omission of the "Section” in the new "Commission” structure. As positive result the FIP Board granted to correct the omission and integrate the Section wherever Commissions are mentioned in the FIP Statutes.
Delegate’s Meeting with Elections on the occasion of Espana’2000 FIP World Exhibition.
Thanks to Fernando Aranaz, President of the World exhibition ESPANA’2000, 20 exhibits of 13 countries were admitted in the Class of Astrophilately and 1 exhibit invited in the Class of Honor. The level was with 3 G, 4 LV, 4 V medals awarded gratifying high.
Attendance of Delegates, alternate Delegates and Proxies 37. Observer and Guests 6.
Special welcome was extended to the President of the Commission for Aerophilately, Egil Thomassen and FIP Vice President, Patrick Pearson, Coordinator to the Section.
Elections in the Bureau of the Section Beatrice Bachmann gave the floor to FIP Vice President, Patrick Pearson, to conduct the elections, with also thanks for the good co-operation since his appointment as Co-ordinator to the Section in 1998.
Francis Kiddle, at the invitation of Patrick Pearson, warmly thanked Beatrice Bachmann for her immense contribution to Astrophilately. She had developed the science and established the credibility of what is a very challenging discipline, from first principles. Without her enthusiasm and skills, Astrophilately would not exist, let alone being a growing area of interest within FIP. His comments were applauded and endorsed by all present.
The result of the election was:
For Leader (Chairman): José Grandela, Spain, new.
For Bureau members:
Charles Bromser, Australia new,
Jean-Louis Lafon, France new,
Prof. Riggi di Numana, Italy new,
Jaromir Matejka, Austria re-elected,
Dr. Reuben Ramkissoon re-elected,
Beatrice Bachmann gave her warmest congratulations to the new elected Leader (Chairman) with best wishes for the future and with thanks for the long time of friendly co-operation with him as Bureau member. She also congratulated the new and re-elected Bureau-members. The whole speech of Betrice Bachmann can be seen here.
Concluding the elections she expressed sincere thanks to the three Bureau members who did not stand for re-election. Ingolf Kapelrud, who had been nominated for election as President of the Thematic Commission, Francis Kiddle, who was candidate for election as President of the Commission for Literature and Peter Wilhelm who collaborated as Bureau member for 12 years.
At the FIP Congress at ESPANA’2000 Beatrice Bachmann was honoured with the FIP Medal for Service – the most prestigious recognition awarded by the FIP for exceptional continuing long-term service to organized philately at the international level.
The Administration would like to thank Mrs. Beatrice Bachmann for her great work for compiling the information placed above and for providing the information for this website.
2002 Delegates Meeting at Seoul on August 8.
Five of the seven Bureau members attended the meeting. Eighteen countries were present or represented by proxy. There was also one observer from United Arab Emirates.
Delegates meeting was held under the supervision of Mr. Fernando Aranaz, FIP Coordinator for Astrophilately. Mr. Knud Mohr, FIP President welcomed the delegates and referred to some projects of FIP. Mr. Gorbatko, USSR cosmonaut and President of the Russian Union of Philately was also present.
2003 Summary Guide for Astrophilately was prepared by Beatrice Bachmann, a Bureau member.
Exhibits in the competition class of Astrophilately admitted in the FIP World Exhibition "Bangkok’ 2003", have been awarded with three Gold Medals, one Large Vermeil, and two Large Silver.
2004 Seminar on Astrophilately at ESPAÑA 2004 (Valencia) FIP exhibition was conducted by the Chairman of the Section, Jose M. Grandela.Three Bureau members (Mrs. Beatrice Bachmann, Mr. Jean Louis Lafon, and Mr. Jose M. Grandela), plus 14 National Delegates and some exhibitors, represented a total of 19 countries at the Seminar. Soviet cosmonaut Viktor Gorbatko, President of the Union of Philatelists of Russia took part in the event.
Jose M. Grandela made a report about "New solid evidence of correspondence carried from US submarines by Regulus I and Regulus II missiles” accompanied with slides.
Igor Rodin, Vice-President of the Union of Philatelists of Russia prepared an hour lecture "Appropriate and non-appropriate material suitable in an astrophilatelic exhibit” accompanied with computed slide-show. The Seminar was held in English and translated into Spanish by Jose M. Grandela.
All the entries (11) received at ESPAÑA 2004 in the competition Class of Astrophilately were admitted by the Organizing Committee, attending the request of the Chairman of the Section with the priceless help of Mr. Fernando Aranaz., FIP Director.
Singapore’2004. World Stamp Championship 2004. Best Exhibit of the Class of Astrophilately became Igor Rodin’s exhibit "Space Mail from "Salyuts” to "Mir”.
Delegate meeting in the frames of Singapore’2004 FIP exhibition. All the six Bureau members plus twenty five FIP Members were present or represented by proxy at the event. Delegates’ meeting was held by the Chairman Jose M. Grandela under the supervision of Mr. Fernando Aranaz, FIP Coordinator for Astrophilately. Mr. Eliseo R. Otero, FIP Vice-president, and Mr. Egil Thomassen, Chairman of the FIP Commission for Aerophilately honored the meeting.
Elections in the Bureau of the Section for Astrophilately.
Chairman: Jose M. Grandela (Spain), re-elected,
Secretary: Jean Louis Lafon (France), re-elected,
Bureau Members:
Reuben A. Ramkissoon (USA), representing America, re-elected,
Charles Bromser (Australia), representing Asia/Oceania, re-elected,
Jaromir Matejka (Austria), representing Europe, re-elected.
