A hobby gives meaning to life – philately. This is a whole cosmos of knowledge about the world. In the conditions of today's modern and fast-paced information society, a hobby, an unknown and exciting world unites people around the world. Philately becomes a bridge between the cultural and historical heritage and the modern technologies of today's world. It is no coincidence that people start talking about the emergence of electronic stamps.The philatelic movement in Bulgaria was born immediately after the Liberation of Bulgaria. It is the offspring of our national independence and the emergence of the first Bulgarian postage stamp. Then the foundations of postal communications in Bulgaria were laid. On September 3, 1878, in the city of St. Petersburg, at the State Printing House for Securities, the first Bulgarian postage stamps were ordered and printed. They were called "Santimi". The plot of the stamps was a standing lion with a crown on its head, which adorned our Revival flags and coats of arms.
At that time, the city of Plovdiv was the capital of the autonomous region of Eastern Rumelia, a crossroads between the East and the West. The pride of our thousand-year-old city lies in the fact that it is no coincidence that the first philatelists, collectors of postage stamps, appeared here. They initiated an organized philatelic movement in our city.
One of them was Anton Karapirov, who is also considered the first Bulgarian philatelist. Plovdiv became the center of philatelic life and the first "Bulgarian Philatelic Exchange Society" was founded here in 1893.
In 1982, Plovdiv hosted the First Agricultural and Industrial Exhibition. There are also several postal and philatelic innovations that occupy a special place in Bulgarian postal and philatelic history. Three things happened for the first time in Plovdiv, and in Bulgaria as well: the first illustrated postal card, the first temporary post office and the first special postage stamps. In this way, Bulgaria overtook almost the entire European world by issuing one of the first illustrated postcards with a postage stamp (excerpt from an article by Orlin Todorov).
The first album for postage stamps was printed in the printing house of "Hristo G. Danov" in Plovdiv. In the same year, in October, the organ of the society, "Voice of the Bulgarian Stamp Society", began to be published, which was also the second philatelic magazine in Bulgaria after the Panagyurishte "Timbrophil".
Having laid the foundations of the organized philatelic movement in Bulgaria, on April 13, 1893, Plovdiv philatelists received the first printed statute of the society from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The chairman of the Plovdiv Philatelic Society, Stefan Stefanov, was fortunate enough to come across exceptional philatelic material in 2010. He discovered a receipt for paid membership fees in the name of a member of the Plovdiv Philatelic Society - Mr. Nikola Popov, issued in the distant year 1893. This receipt is one proof that in 1893 the philatelic movement in our country was started in Plovdiv.
In 1921, the Plovdiv philatelists, led by G. Zarzavatchiev, began to create branches throughout the country - in Sofia, Ruse, Varna, Gabrovo, Tarnovo, Pleven - about 38 societies.
The Plovdiv society was renamed the "Bulgarian Philatelist" with its new statute and the magazine "Philatelicheski pregled" (1921, 5 books).
The first philatelic competition in Bulgaria was announced in 1922 in the March book of the magazine "Philatelicheski pregled" published in Plovdiv.
It so happened that the most famous Bulgarian curiosity "The Reversed Cavalry" was discovered and pasted on letters at Post Office No. 1 in the city of Plovdiv. The stamp had a nominal value of 50 stotinki. Thus, philately took a step forward in Plovdiv in collecting postage stamps - curiosities.
After 1911, the wars began and the philatelic movement stagnated for a period of 10 years. After the signing of peace by the Great Powers, the native philately was revived. This was done by G. Zarzavatchiev - a philatelist from Plovdiv.
In 1936, a stamp-selling association was formed, called the "Military Invalids' Association". In 1940, the association was renamed the Plovdiv Stamp Philatelic Association "Rumelia Stamp". One of the chairmen of the association was General Yerotey Sirmanov. As chairman, he issued a statute according to which members should only be amateur collectors, but not stamp traders. In the period 1940-42, the association changed its policy and all members began to trade in postage stamps. Interestingly, guided by his understanding and morality, he resigned.
In 1948, the society held a reporting and election meeting and elected a new leadership – chairman Vesselin Nonchev, Nikola Zahariev, Velichko Hubchev – responsible for cultural and mass work and work with youth, Bohos Chilingiryann – member. A new statute was also adopted, which included two important points – massification of the society and work with youth. Vesselin Nonchev was a stable and influential person for his time, who worked diligently with the youth and created philatelic circles. About 70-80 students were included, who also published their own newspaper “Young Philatelist”.
The tireless work of Mr. Hubchev and Mr. Hristo Nikolchev (chairman of the Union of Bulgarian Philatelists) led to the organization of an International Philatelic Camp-School in the “Karandila” area near Sliven. Thus, the Plovdiv Philatelic Society made a great contribution to this camp-school and to the development of philately among the youth in our country.
The Plovdiv Philatelic Society has hosted several national exhibitions – 1976 – First National Youth Exhibition: 1983 – Fourth National Exhibition “Bulgaria – 83”. 1988 – Fifth National Exhibition “Bulgaria – 88”. On the initiative of the chairman, Veselin Nonchev, the first Philatelist’s House in Bulgaria was opened in Plovdiv with a library of over 300 volumes of philatelic literature and catalogs of postage stamps from all over the world.
In 1973, the Plovdiv Philatelic Society celebrated its 80th anniversary. In this regard, the Plovdiv Philatelic Society was awarded the Order of Cyril and Methodius – III degree by Decree No. 2678 of the State Council of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria. The Society was awarded an honorary Diploma and a “Golden Badge”. A great achievement was also the opening in 1986 of a philatelic shop at the Central Post Office with Elena Panayotova in charge. The work of the Plovdiv Society has not stopped over the years. In 1988, a new management was elected with chairman Stefan Stefanov, secretary Hristo Lazarov, members: Bohos Chilingiryan, Dr. Petar Georgiev, Kostadin Ivanov and Filip Chakarov.
Currently, the society has about 70 members who actively participate with their collections in philatelic exhibitions. Such was the National Exhibition "Beauty and Creativity" in 1999; National Philatelic Exhibition "Bulgaria -2003". Then the 110th anniversary of the Philatelic Society - the city of Plovdiv was celebrated. At the suggestion of the chairman Stefan Stefanov, a postage stamp was also issued with an image of the flower "Shitolista kakichka" from the Red Book of Bulgaria. This flower grows only in the area of the fishponds near the city of Plovdiv.
The past years were successful for the Plovdiv Philatelic Society under the leadership of Stefan Stefanov. His collection "The Red Cross" during the First World War received a Silver Medal at the World Philatelic Exhibition in Malaga, Spain, and also silver in Belgium, Brussels and Vienna. At the Balkanphila in Istanbul, this exhibit was awarded a large silver medal.
With their collections participated: Marko Dobrikov - "Russian Cars", Nikola Boyadzhiev - "Locomotives", Stilyana Chipileva - "Woman in Art", Dr. Dimitar Velkov - "Birds", Veselin Chifchibashiev - "Architectural Heritage of Bulgaria", Georgi Merdzhanov - "The Rose - Queen of Flowers".
Plovdiv philatelists work diligently with the youth in the society under the leadership of Tencho Zhechev and participate in many exhibitions. Stefan Rumenov Stefanov (junior) won a Grand Silver Medal with "Coins from Antiquity to the Present Day" in Hungary in 2007. In the same year at Balkanphila in Istanbul, Emilia Georgieva Stefanova's collection "Butterflies - Flying Beauty" won a Grand Silver Medal. In the past period of National, European and International participations, only the Plovdiv Philatelic Society has won about 35 medals and awards. It is also pleasing to note that the youngest participant, Georgi Rumenov Stefanov, with his exhibit (maximaphilia) “The Magical World of Butterflies” won the Vermeil at Bulcollect.
Many of the members of the society contribute to raising the prestige of the Plovdiv Society. Zahari Georgiev assisted in issuing a postcard and a postage stamp for the 125th anniversary of the formation of the 9th Infantry Plovdiv Regiment.
It is also interesting that from Paris, France, Gerard Charpentier has been collecting only Bulgarian stamps since 1980 – from centimes to modern stamps. This member of the Plovdiv Philatelic Society deserves admiration. In recent years, the society has been working with a new management board: Stefan Stefanov – chairman, Hristo Lazarov – secretary, members – Anton Dimov, Slaveyko Yanchev, Nikolay Stoyanov and Diana Tuneva – manager of the philatelic shop.
The Management Board of the Plovdiv Philatelic Society in 2023 decided to transfer the society's archive to the State Archives - Plovdiv. It contains the receipt for paid membership fees from 1893 and many other materials collected over the years.
The first Statute of the Plovdiv Philatelic Society is located in the Ivan Vazov Library - Plovdiv.
Actively involved in the activities of the society are Bulgarian Posts - Plovdiv Branch and the International Plovdiv Fair. The Union of Bulgarian Philatelists - Sofia, with its chairman Mr. Spas Panchev and Georgi Dechev - editor-in-chief and publisher of the magazine "Philatel Review", has also been involved in the work and performances of Plovdiv philatelists over the years.
130 years of the Plovdiv Philatelic Society - an active activity that deserves praise. Enthusiasts with creative abilities who work with dignity. They have remarkable philatelic exhibits in their collections, which are the pride of every philatelic organization in the world.
130 years of the Plovdiv Philatelic Society, which worthily presents our ancient, eternal and beautiful city of Plovdiv to the world.
Having laid the foundations of the organized philatelic movement in Bulgaria, on April 13, 1893, Plovdiv philatelists received the first printed statute of the society from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The chairman of the Plovdiv Philatelic Society, Stefan Stefanov, was fortunate enough to come across exceptional philatelic material in 2010. He discovered a receipt for paid membership fees in the name of a member of the Plovdiv Philatelic Society - Mr. Nikola Popov, issued in the distant year 1893. This receipt is one proof that in 1893 the philatelic movement in our country was started in Plovdiv.
In 1921, the Plovdiv philatelists, led by G. Zarzavatchiev, began to create branches throughout the country - in Sofia, Ruse, Varna, Gabrovo, Tarnovo, Pleven - about 38 societies.
The Plovdiv society was renamed the "Bulgarian Philatelist" with its new statute and the magazine "Philatelicheski pregled" (1921, 5 books).
The first philatelic competition in Bulgaria was announced in 1922 in the March book of the magazine "Philatelicheski pregled" published in Plovdiv.
It so happened that the most famous Bulgarian curiosity "The Reversed Cavalry" was discovered and pasted on letters at Post Office No. 1 in the city of Plovdiv. The stamp had a nominal value of 50 stotinki. Thus, philately took a step forward in Plovdiv in collecting postage stamps - curiosities.
After 1911, the wars began and the philatelic movement stagnated for a period of 10 years. After the signing of peace by the Great Powers, the native philately was revived. This was done by G. Zarzavatchiev - a philatelist from Plovdiv.
In 1936, a stamp-selling association was formed, called the "Military Invalids' Association". In 1940, the association was renamed the Plovdiv Stamp Philatelic Association "Rumelia Stamp". One of the chairmen of the association was General Yerotey Sirmanov. As chairman, he issued a statute according to which members should only be amateur collectors, but not stamp traders. In the period 1940-42, the association changed its policy and all members began to trade in postage stamps. Interestingly, guided by his understanding and morality, he resigned.
In 1948, the society held a reporting and election meeting and elected a new leadership – chairman Vesselin Nonchev, Nikola Zahariev, Velichko Hubchev – responsible for cultural and mass work and work with youth, Bohos Chilingiryann – member. A new statute was also adopted, which included two important points – massification of the society and work with youth. Vesselin Nonchev was a stable and influential person for his time, who worked diligently with the youth and created philatelic circles. About 70-80 students were included, who also published their own newspaper “Young Philatelist”.
The tireless work of Mr. Hubchev and Mr. Hristo Nikolchev (chairman of the Union of Bulgarian Philatelists) led to the organization of an International Philatelic Camp-School in the “Karandila” area near Sliven. Thus, the Plovdiv Philatelic Society made a great contribution to this camp-school and to the development of philately among the youth in our country.
The Plovdiv Philatelic Society has hosted several national exhibitions – 1976 – First National Youth Exhibition: 1983 – Fourth National Exhibition “Bulgaria – 83”. 1988 – Fifth National Exhibition “Bulgaria – 88”. On the initiative of the chairman, Veselin Nonchev, the first Philatelist’s House in Bulgaria was opened in Plovdiv with a library of over 300 volumes of philatelic literature and catalogs of postage stamps from all over the world.
In 1973, the Plovdiv Philatelic Society celebrated its 80th anniversary. In this regard, the Plovdiv Philatelic Society was awarded the Order of Cyril and Methodius – III degree by Decree No. 2678 of the State Council of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria. The Society was awarded an honorary Diploma and a “Golden Badge”. A great achievement was also the opening in 1986 of a philatelic shop at the Central Post Office with Elena Panayotova in charge. The work of the Plovdiv Society has not stopped over the years. In 1988, a new management was elected with chairman Stefan Stefanov, secretary Hristo Lazarov, members: Bohos Chilingiryan, Dr. Petar Georgiev, Kostadin Ivanov and Filip Chakarov.
Currently, the society has about 70 members who actively participate with their collections in philatelic exhibitions. Such was the National Exhibition "Beauty and Creativity" in 1999; National Philatelic Exhibition "Bulgaria -2003". Then the 110th anniversary of the Philatelic Society - the city of Plovdiv was celebrated. At the suggestion of the chairman Stefan Stefanov, a postage stamp was also issued with an image of the flower "Shitolista kakichka" from the Red Book of Bulgaria. This flower grows only in the area of the fishponds near the city of Plovdiv.
The past years were successful for the Plovdiv Philatelic Society under the leadership of Stefan Stefanov. His collection "The Red Cross" during the First World War received a Silver Medal at the World Philatelic Exhibition in Malaga, Spain, and also silver in Belgium, Brussels and Vienna. At the Balkanphila in Istanbul, this exhibit was awarded a large silver medal.
With their collections participated: Marko Dobrikov - "Russian Cars", Nikola Boyadzhiev - "Locomotives", Stilyana Chipileva - "Woman in Art", Dr. Dimitar Velkov - "Birds", Veselin Chifchibashiev - "Architectural Heritage of Bulgaria", Georgi Merdzhanov - "The Rose - Queen of Flowers".
Plovdiv philatelists work diligently with the youth in the society under the leadership of Tencho Zhechev and participate in many exhibitions. Stefan Rumenov Stefanov (junior) won a Grand Silver Medal with "Coins from Antiquity to the Present Day" in Hungary in 2007. In the same year at Balkanphila in Istanbul, Emilia Georgieva Stefanova's collection "Butterflies - Flying Beauty" won a Grand Silver Medal. In the past period of National, European and International participations, only the Plovdiv Philatelic Society has won about 35 medals and awards. It is also pleasing to note that the youngest participant, Georgi Rumenov Stefanov, with his exhibit (maximaphilia) “The Magical World of Butterflies” won the Vermeil at Bulcollect.
Many of the members of the society contribute to raising the prestige of the Plovdiv Society. Zahari Georgiev assisted in issuing a postcard and a postage stamp for the 125th anniversary of the formation of the 9th Infantry Plovdiv Regiment.
It is also interesting that from Paris, France, Gerard Charpentier has been collecting only Bulgarian stamps since 1980 – from centimes to modern stamps. This member of the Plovdiv Philatelic Society deserves admiration. In recent years, the society has been working with a new management board: Stefan Stefanov – chairman, Hristo Lazarov – secretary, members – Anton Dimov, Slaveyko Yanchev, Nikolay Stoyanov and Diana Tuneva – manager of the philatelic shop.
The Management Board of the Plovdiv Philatelic Society in 2023 decided to transfer the society's archive to the State Archives - Plovdiv. It contains the receipt for paid membership fees from 1893 and many other materials collected over the years.
The first Statute of the Plovdiv Philatelic Society is located in the Ivan Vazov Library - Plovdiv.
Actively involved in the activities of the society are Bulgarian Posts - Plovdiv Branch and the International Plovdiv Fair. The Union of Bulgarian Philatelists - Sofia, with its chairman Mr. Spas Panchev and Georgi Dechev - editor-in-chief and publisher of the magazine "Philatel Review", has also been involved in the work and performances of Plovdiv philatelists over the years.
130 years of the Plovdiv Philatelic Society - an active activity that deserves praise. Enthusiasts with creative abilities who work with dignity. They have remarkable philatelic exhibits in their collections, which are the pride of every philatelic organization in the world.
130 years of the Plovdiv Philatelic Society, which worthily presents our ancient, eternal and beautiful city of Plovdiv to the world.
Emilia Stefanova – Plovdiv
Member of the Philatelic Society
Member of the Philatelic Society
Sent by Vesselin Chivchibashiev