We extend a warm welcome to new members so if you are interested in joining the society, please use the contact form on our website.
The current subscription rates to the PPSI are US$25 for North America and US$40 for all other parts of the world, when magazine copies are sent by post. However, a special discounted worldwide internet rate is also available at US$20; in this case the copies of The Petro-Philatelist are provided by email.
The Petroleum Philatelic Society International (PPSI) was organized late in 1974 for the purpose of advancing the philately of the oil, natural gas and petrochemical industries. Since that time more than 600 members from approximately 40 countries all around the globe have joined our organization. Even though our membership has aged over time we are still a very viable group. The far-flung global operations of the petroleum industry, plus its diversity and complexity, make it an ideal and extraordinary subject for the collector. Political and economic events in the late 1970's brought a new awareness of the industry to all the people of the world.
From the beginning we have been associated with Les Amis du Pétrole (The Friends of Petroleum), an international organization headquartered in Paris, France which is interested in collecting memorabilia of the petroleum industry besides stamps and other postal material. We are also a study unit of the American Topical Association, and are Affiliate 170 of the American Philatelic Society.
As long ago as 1960, although more than 36 countries were known to have issued petro-stamps, only about 400 varieties of stamps had been recognized as having a relationship to the industry. Today almost all nations have produced at least one of the more than 7,000 petroleum related stamps, and the number is growing rapidly. All phases of the oil, natural gas and petrochemical industries are represented on world postage and revenue issues: exploration, production, refining, transportation, research, marketing and end-use. The last few year's issues have stressed environmental concerns and energy conservation. In addition, we concern ourselves with the stamps honoring people who have made key contributions to the petroleum industry. The petro-stamp certainly does not have to display a derrick or a refinery in order to qualify.
