The 2018 meeting of the Small European Postal Administrations Co-Operation (SEPAC) was hosted by Åland Post on 12 and 13 June in Silverskär in the Åland archipelago.
Joining other SEPAC members were Henrik Lundberg, CEO of Åland Post, as well as a representative from security printer, Royal Joh.Enschedé.
Voted in this year as Chair for SEPAC, Melanie Gouzinis, Head of Philatelic at Jersey Post explained, “The annual conference provides a valued opportunity for the members of SEPAC to meet and discuss mutual challenges, methods and initiatives. Over the years, we have formed solid relationships that enable us to share information and experiences with each other, to ensure that our efforts in developing the philatelic industry and prolonging stamp collecting as a hobby are joined-up, with a common goal to provide beautiful stamps for collectors for years to come.”
Guernsey is one of thirteen countries represented by its Philatelic Bureau as part of SEPAC, the others comprising Åland, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Jersey, Isle of Man, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Vatican City, Malta, Monaco, Greenland and Iceland.
“Each year, the SEPAC members produce a collectable folder including one stamp, designated by the unique SEPAC logo, from each participating member on a specific theme,” continued Mrs Gouzinis. “Previous folders have featured scenery, animals, flowers, cultures, seasons and handcraft, with the idea being that collectors from all over the world have the opportunity to view stamps on the same subject from many parts of Europe. The theme for 2018 will be Spectacular Views and the folder promises to be one of the most stunning yet.”
For more information, visit www.sepacstamps.eu and contact any of the participating members to view and order SEPAC folders.
Press enquiries to:
Sarah Amies, pr consultant + 44 (0) 1484 687040/ +44 (0) 7811 133973
Bridget Yabsley, head of philatelic at Guernsey Post, +44 (0) 1481 733550
Notes to Editors:
In 1994, philatelic agent Mr Paolo de Rosa initiated an annual conference for the small postal administrations, which he represented, in order to discuss various philatelic matters of interest specifically in relation to the smaller postal administrations. Following Paolo de Rosa selling his philatelic agency to Afinsa, the postal administrations created their own annual SEPAC conference. The annual SEPAC conference of the postal administrations commenced in 1999 and was represented by delegates from the same postal administrations which had attended the De Rosa conference.
The criteria for membership of the SEPAC group of Post Offices/Postal Administrations are:
• The Post Office/Postal Administration must be located within Europe
• The Post Office/Postal Administration must be independent
• The Post Office/Postal Administration must have a small home market with more than 50% of its Philatelic customers living outside its own country.