More Information on the British
Caribbean Philatelic Study Group
Scope and Goals.
The main goal of the British Caribbean
Philatelic Study Group is to promote interest in, and research into, the stamps
and postal history of the British Caribbean area.
Listed below are British Overseas
Territories (*) and independent countries (**) that comprise the area today:
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Anguilla*
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Antigua & Barbuda**
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Bahamas**
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Barbados**
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Belize** (formerly British
Honduras)
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Bermuda*
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British Virgin Islands*
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Cayman Islands*
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Dominica**
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Grenada**
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Guyana** (formerly British
Guiana)
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Jamaica**
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Montserrat*
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St. Kitts & Nevis**
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St. Lucia**
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St. Vincent-Grenadines**
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Trinidad & Tobago**
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Turks & Caicos Islands*
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In addition to these territories and countries, the BCPSG's area of interest includes
Maritime Mail and British Post Offices in and around the Caribbean.
From the very beginning, the BCPSG has emphasized friendship and fellowship among
its members, and many of its activities are geared toward that goal.
In pursuing its objectives, the Group: publishes an award-winning quarterly journal
as well as specialized monographs and handbooks; appoints study group leaders;
holds annual meetings and auctions; maintains a library; and offers prestigious
awards.
The BCPSG is Unit No. 27 of the American Philatelic Society and is guided by its
Code of Ethics.
History and Structure
The BCPSG was formed in early 1961 by
seven enthusiastic collectors, under the name "British West Indies Federation
Study Group." The dissolution of the Federation itself a few months later and
the broadening of the Group's membership and scope (due, among other factors,
to a merger with the Bahamas Postal History Study Circle) led the Group to change
its name to "British Caribbean Philatelic Study Group" in 1962. In 1988, members
of the U.K.-based Roses Caribbean Philatelic Society voted to merge with the BCPSG.
The BCPSG is now a well-established organization, and its journal and other publications
have received wide attention among philatelists. From fewer than 100 in its first
year, its membership has grown to about 450 today, residing in all five continents.
The BCPSG is governed by a Board of Trustees elected by its members; in turn,
the nine trustees elect six officers for a two-year term (renewable) president,
vice president, secretary, treasurer, international director, and editor who conduct
the day-to-day affairs of the Group.
A number of appointed officers (auction manager, librarian, publications chair,
group leaders for each country represented, and others) are responsible for carrying
out activities in support of the Group's overall goals.