Founded in 1984, the aim of the BTA is 'To promote, encourage and assist the development of Thematic Philately'. The word British in the name of the society is not intended to exclude anyone from membership - 17% of the membership lives outside the United Kingdom - but the reality is that the benefits are limited to those who are able to read English.
Four classes of membership are available Ordinary (Collectors and Dealers), Family (two adults, and all children under 18), and Junior (Under 18). There is also Society Membership which provides two copies of Themescene. The following Thematic Societies are BTA members:
OVERSEAS
The BTA publishes a quarterly magazine Themescene which contains interesting articles and information about Thematic Events. It is dispatched by printed paper airmail to all those who do not live in Great Britain. A regular feature is a 'LIBRARY LISTING' covering new material taken into the library. The Librarian offers a photocopying service for articles on a cost only basis.
There are two POSTAL AUCTIONS of THEMATIC MATERIAL per year.
The membership administration was computerized in 1991 and since members thematic collecting interests are recorded it is possible, on request, to put them in touch with other members with similar interests.
In 1995 the BTA published the English edition of the Handbook of Thematic Philately by Pim van den Bold. This is the most informative book about Thematic Philately currently on offer and is available direct from James Bendon Ltd., P. O. Box 6484, 3307 LIMASSOL, Cyprus, (UK£22.50 including p & p; reduced price for BTA members). Also available in the USA from Phil Bansner, Professional Philatelist, Box 2529, 2320 Highland Street, West Lawn, PA 19609, USA (US $44.00 post paid; no reduced price for members)
Those who live in Great Britain receive a number of other benefits from the work done by the BTA in connection with regional Federation events and workshops, and in providing help with Thematic Speakers for Local Society meetings.
The BTA organizes displays and competitive thematic exhibits at THEMATICA, the annual two day event held in London at the end of June. It holds meetings at the two annual National Stamp Exhibitions, Spring and Autumn STAMPEX which also take place in London in January and September. Other meetings are held at Federation events and Workshops organized in the regions around Great Britain.
The 'Thematic Diary', which lists the Thematic Displays being given to the Local Societies, is compiled by the BTA and sent out with each issue of Theme Scene to members who have addresses in Great Britain.
For members interested in exhibiting at National or International level the BTA undertakes to have available the latest F.I.P. Regulations and Guidelines for the Thematic Class. The President of the BTA is the British delegate on the FIP Thematic Commission, and is a member of the Thematic Bureau.
For a membership application form please write to:
BTA Membership Secretary, British Philatelic Center (Dept. BTA), 107 Charterhouse Street, London, EC1M OPT, United Kingdom.
Please Note: Annual subscriptions cannot be paid by Credit Card and are only accepted in £ Sterling, US$, or Deutschemarks.