Ukrainian Philatelic and Numismatic Society

The Ukrainian Philatelic and Numismatic Society (UPNS) is a not-for-profit organization incorporated in the State of New York for educational and cultural purposes. It is 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. Founded in 1951 in New York City, the society has grown into an international community of collectors and scholars, with members in the United States, Canada, Australia, Europe, and Ukraine. Its objectives are to promote, stimulate, and advance the study and knowledge of Ukrainian stamps, coins, banknotes, postcards, medals, and related matters along educational, scientific, and historical lines, and to facilitate contacts and good fellowship among its members. The society pursues these goals through publications, exhibitions, auctions, and educational activities. It publishes the semiannual journal "Ukrainian Philatelist" and the newsletter "Trident Visnyk," and organizes national conferences and exhibitions known as UKRAINPEX. UPNS is affiliated with the American Philatelic Society, the Council of Philatelic Organizations, and the Royal Philatelic Society of Canada. It sponsors the prestigious Heorhii Narbut Prize for the best design of a Ukrainian stamp issued in the previous year. The society is governed by an Executive Board consisting of elected officers, including the President, Executive Vice-President, Vice-Presidents for USA, Canada, Europe, and Australasia, Secretary, Treasurer, and committee members. All officers serve without remuneration. As of 2009, annual membership dues were $28 for collectors in the USA and Canada and $48 for those in other countries. The society also offers expertization services for a modest fee. Over its first fifty years, UPNS has played a vital role in the realm of Ukrainian collecting, researching, verifying, and documenting Ukrainian philatelic and numismatic material.

The Ukrainian Philatelic and Numismatic Society (UPNS) was founded on February 25, 1951, in New York City. Initially named the Society of Ukrainian Philatelists, it adopted its current name in 1972 to reflect the inclusion of numismatics. The society was established by Ukrainian émigré collectors who sought to preserve and study the philatelic and numismatic heritage of Ukraine. In its early years, members dedicated themselves to researching, verifying, and documenting Ukrainian stamps and coins. By 1980, the society had members in ten countries, and by 1983, its membership had grown to 300 individuals from 15 countries. During the 1980s and 1990s, UPNS opened branches in Canada, Australia, and Ukraine, and joined various national philatelic organizations. In 1991, the society counted 782 members, including 96 life members and 6 honorary members. In 2001, to mark the society's 50th anniversary, the Ukrainian postal administration issued a commemorative stamped envelope (No. 15) with a print run of 350,000 copies, designed by Valerii Semin. The society has been led by numerous chairmen over the years, including Eugene Kotyk, R. Martyniuk, Ivan Svit, L. Popovych, and G. Slusarczuk (from 1971). In 2008, the leadership included President A. Martyniuk, Executive Vice-President J. Kalyn, and Vice-Presidents Ingert Kuzych (USA), M. Stelmacovich (Canada), George D. Fedyk (Australia), G. von Steiden (Europe), and V. Furman (Ukraine). The society's areas of specialization cover the postal history of the Ukrainian People's Republic (1918–1920), the West Ukrainian People's Republic, Carpatho-Ukraine, and occupation administrations, as well as stamps of independent Ukraine from 1992 onward. UPNS publishes the semiannual journal "Ukrainian Philatelist" and the newsletter "Trident Visnyk," along with reference works and monographs. It organizes national conferences and exhibitions called UKRAINPEX, typically held in different cities each year or every two years, and also conducts auctions. The society is affiliated with the American Philatelic Society, the Council of Philatelic Organizations, and the Royal Philatelic Society of Canada. It sponsors the Heorhii Narbut Prize, established in 1992 by director Ingert Kuzych, for the best design of a Ukrainian stamp issued in the previous year. Other awards include the Julian G. Maksymczuk Award, Wesley Capar Award, Eugene Kotyk Award, Andrij D. Solczanyk Award, and Stepan L. Rychtycky Award, as well as honorary membership. As of January 2009, annual membership dues were $28 for collectors in the USA and Canada and $48 for those in other countries. The society also offers expertization services for a modest fee. In 2016, for the World Stamp Show in New York City, UPNS members Roman Procyk, Martin Tatuch, and John Roberts funded a new UPNS brochure, designed by John Nagridge of Royal Oak, Michigan. The society continues to promote Ukrainian philately and numismatics through its activities and publications.

• Founded in New York City as the Society of Ukrainian Philatelists.

• Renamed to Ukrainian Philatelic and Numismatic Society to include numismatics.

• Membership reached collectors from ten countries.

• Membership grew to 300 members from 15 countries.

• Opened branches in Canada, Australia, and Ukraine; joined national philatelic organizations.

• Reached 782 members, including 96 life members and 6 honorary members.

• Heorhii Narbut Prize established by Ingert Kuzych for best Ukrainian stamp design.

• 50th anniversary; Ukraine issued a commemorative stamped envelope (No. 15), print run 350,000.

• New leadership elected, including President A. Martyniuk and Vice-President Ingert Kuzych (USA).

• New UPNS brochure funded by members for World Stamp Show - NYC 2016.

• Constitution and Bylaws approved at AGM.

A specialized international society for collectors and researchers of Ukrainian philately and numismatics, combining cultural preservation with scholarly exchange.

• Ukrainian Philatelist

  Semiannual journal.

• Trident Visnyk

  Newsletter.

• UPNS Brochure

  Promotional brochure designed by John Nagridge, funded by members for World Stamp Show 2016.

1. 1UPNS Homeupns.org
2. 2Our Societyupns.org
3. 3Constitution & Bylawsupns.org
4. 4UPNS Brochureupns.org
5. 5Wikidatawikidata.org
6. 6Wikipedia (Russian)ru.wikipedia.org