The Ukrainian Philatelic and Numismatic Society (UPNS) is an organization dedicated to the study and promotion of philately (the collection and study of postage stamps) and numismatics (the collection and study of coins, currency, and related objects) related to Ukraine.
Goals and Vision of UPNS
- Promotion of Ukrainian Culture: The society aims to promote Ukrainian culture and history through the study and collection of stamps and coins that reflect the nation's heritage.
- Education and Research: UPNS seeks to educate its members and the public about philately and numismatics, providing resources for research and study in these fields.
- Community Building: The society fosters a community of collectors and enthusiasts who share a passion for Ukrainian philately and numismatics, encouraging collaboration and exchange of knowledge.
- Preservation of Heritage: UPNS is committed to preserving the historical and cultural significance of Ukrainian stamps and coins, ensuring that future generations can appreciate and learn from them.
- Exhibitions and Events: The organization often participates in or organizes exhibitions, fairs, and events to showcase collections and promote interest in philately and numismatics.
Networking Opportunities: UPNS provides a platform for collectors to connect, share experiences, and trade items, enhancing the overall experience of collecting.
These goals reflect the society's commitment to fostering an appreciation for Ukrainian history and culture through the lenses of philately and numismatics.
Origins
Over its first fifty years, the Ukrainian Philatelic and Numismatic Society (UPNS) has played a vital role in the realm of Ukrainian collecting. Founded in 1951, the society's early members dedicated themselves to researching, verifying, describing, and cataloging all known Ukrainian-related materials. Given that many of these items were unrecorded in existing philatelic literature, the society emerged as a pioneering force in establishing the field of Ukrainian collecting. Additionally, as most of Ukraine’s stamps were not state-sponsored, the UPNS became instrumental in educating collectors about the various issues produced throughout the country’s history and by diaspora organizations.
Ironically, when the society was established, Ukraine was often referred to in philatelic circles as a "dead country." Despite being a charter member of the United Nations, it had not issued stamps for over thirty years. This made Ukraine a challenging yet fascinating country for collectors. Nevertheless, even in the 1950s, the stamps from Ukraine's brief period of independence remained highly sought after in both North America and Europe.
The Formation of the Society of Ukrainian Philatelists
By the end of World War II, countless Ukrainians had been forcibly displaced from their homes in the Soviet Union or had chosen to remain abroad. Among those who immigrated to the United States were many philatelists who, despite losing their collections, retained a deep interest in Ukrainian stamps. These individuals brought with them a rich tradition of collecting that had been passed down through generations—from imperial Russia and the Ukrainian states, through informal circles suppressed in the Soviet Union, to organizations formed in prisoner-of-war and displaced persons camps in Europe.
Once settled in the United States, these Ukrainian collectors connected with fellow philatelists who supported the idea of forming a dedicated society to unite all those interested in studying Ukraine’s stamps. On February 25, 1951, a group of collectors in New York founded the Society of Ukrainian Philatelists (Soiuz Ukrainskykh Filatelistiv). This organization focused on the collection of Ukrainian postage stamps and the study of Ukrainian postal history. Of the initial twenty-five members, all but one were ethnically Ukrainian and residents of the United States.
In its first two years, the society organized several major events that laid the groundwork for future activities. These exhibitions were well-attended and received high praise, as noted in a guest book entry: "Very fine exhibit - first of its kind in the U.S.A. — Congratulations! Hope to see the fine work continued."
By the second general meeting in 1954, the executive board reported a noticeable increase in interest in Ukraine as a collecting field, both among collectors and dealers. The society established a stamps exchange division for its members, encouraging them to donate stamps, banknotes, and literature to a philatelic reference collection and the society archives. Within three years, the Society of Ukrainian Philatelists had grown to 163 members, reaching 216 by 1963.
However, during the late 1950s and 1960s, the society faced financial challenges, raising concerns about its sustainability. Executive members urged members to promote stamp collecting among Ukrainian youth, but these difficulties were understandable given the post-war economic climate and the changing lifestyles that made stamp collecting less appealing.
By the 1970s, the Society of Ukrainian Philatelists encountered a new challenge: members began to express dissatisfaction, claiming there was little left to collect and that their Ukrainian collections were nearly complete. In response, the executive board encouraged members to expand their collections to include banknotes and other Ukrainian items rather than shifting their focus to stamps from other countries.
The Ukrainian Philatelic and Numismatic Society
To address the waning interest in Ukrainian collecting, the society implemented several initiatives in the 1970s. In 1972, the organization changed its name from the Society of Ukrainian Philatelists to the Ukrainian Philatelic and Numismatic Society (UPNS) to reflect the expanding interests of its members and the growing diversity of its membership.
Another significant development in 1972 was the establishment of a UPNS mail auction. Within four years, each auction featured over three hundred lots, including rare local trident overprints, items from Western Ukraine, postal history, and numismatic material. The tenth mail auction in 1976 attracted around seventy bidders, generating sales exceeding two thousand dollars, with proceeds dedicated to the society’s growth and development.
The 1980s, and to a lesser extent the 1990s, marked a renewed effort for the UPNS to become an international philatelic society. An executive slate of vice presidents was elected for the United States, Canada, and Europe, and UPNS chapter affiliates were established in Canada, Australia, and Ukraine. A new society logo reflecting this international character was adopted in 1986.
By 1983, contemporary membership in the Ukrainian Philatelic and Numismatic Society (UPNS) had grown to approximately three hundred active collectors across more than fifteen countries, with around forty percent of these members being non-Ukrainians.
To integrate into the broader stamp-collecting community, the UPNS established formal connections with major international philatelic organizations. It became an affiliate of the American Philatelic Society and joined the Council of Philatelic Organizations and the Royal Philatelic Society of Canada.
In the late 1990s, the UPNS fostered working relationships with philatelic groups in Ukraine. This influence was underscored by a letter from M. Homon, Director of Marka Ukrainy, expressing appreciation for the UPNS's efforts: "We read your Trident-Visnyk with great interest. We thank you for your kind attention to Ukrainian stamps. The Ukrainian State Enterprise Marka Ukrainy is very interested in cooperating with the Ukrainian Philatelic and Numismatic Society to present information on new Ukrainian philatelic issues. We hope that our business relationship will continue to develop."
The society also focused on correcting misinformation about Ukrainian stamps within the wider philatelic community, with the Scott Catalogue being a primary target.
The dramatic events of 1991 brought upheaval to traditional philately, yet the collapse of the Soviet Union and the emergence of independent states sparked a surge of interest among new collectors. The UPNS returned to its foundational goals established by the Society for Ukrainian Philatelists, aiming to educate its members and advance the field of Ukrainian collecting. The society’s newsletter provided updates on new currency, special cancels, and all-Ukrainian meters, while its journal published classifications of postal markings, provisionals, surcharges, and changes in postal rates.
During this period, several specialized study groups were formed, and the launch of the first UPNS website marked a significant step forward, offering public access to information about the society and the history of Ukrainian philately.
By the time the UPNS celebrated its fortieth anniversary, it had welcomed a total of 782 members, including 96 life members and 6 honorary members. Ukraine’s newfound independence ushered in a new era of growth, with society members exhibiting at shows in Ukraine, returning with both accolades and enhanced philatelic knowledge. This increased visibility sparked greater interest in the society, leading to the enrollment of one hundred new members in 1993 alone, a testament to the ongoing fascination with East European philately.
Like many other émigré organizations, the UPNS brought together a diverse group of individuals, uniting them for a common purpose. Its legacy within the Ukrainian community is perhaps best encapsulated by Lubomyr Hugel's observation: "The demand for modem-day Ukrainian issues here, in the U.S.A., is generated mainly by Americans of Ukrainian descent. I have noticed a trend among second and third generation American collectors of Ukrainian origin, who were not much interested in classical Ukrainian stamps earlier, but are now discovering their roots and are avid collectors of modem Ukrainian issues — not so much for themselves, but for a historical heritage for their children and grandchildren".