Petroleum Philatelic Society International (PPSI) - Golden Jubilee

Commemorative Cover of Golden Jubilee of PPSI

Since 1974, the Petroleum Philatelic Society International (PPSI) has been dedicated to a unique mission: uniting philatelists from around the world who share a specialized interest in the petroleum industry. This journey began as a humble initiative to connect collectors and enthusiasts, while creating an invaluable collection of petroleum-themed stamps issued globally.

In its early years, PPSI collaborated with ‘Les Amis du Pétrole’ (The Friends of Petroleum), an international organization headquartered in Paris, France. This organization collected various petroleum-related memorabilia, including philatelic materials. However, over time, Les Amis du Pétrole ceased operations, and PPSI became primary advocate for petroleum philately.

PPSI's goal is to bring together petroleum philatelists worldwide, transcending geographic boundaries to create a common platform for collecting, studying, documenting, and celebrating the evolution of the petroleum industry. The society members’ topical collection covers all aspects of the petroleum, oil, natural gas, and petrochemical industries, as reflected in postage stamps and allied materials. Petroleum stamps depict critical elements of the industry, such as prospecting, exploration, production, refining, storage, multimodal transportation, research and development, retail marketing, and the vital role of end-users.

Congratulation from the President, PPSI

The task of collecting, validating, and cataloguing petroleum stamps worldwide is monumental. The numbers are far greater, representing a wide array of themes and historical moments within the industry.

According to data compiled by Petroleum Stamps of the World (PSW), over 7,400 petroleum-themed stamps from 280 countries have been meticulously catalogued. Among these, 6,136 stamps are considered primary issues, while the remaining are listed as variants. Stamps classified as variants include those with slight differences from primary issues, such as variations in perforation, watermark, over-print, tête-bêche formats, colour etc.

As per available records, the earliest petroleum-themed postage stamp was issued by Newfoundland on June 24, 1897. It is a large island within the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador, off the eastern coast of the North American mainland.

The decade of 1960s saw a significant increase in petroleum stamps, with over 1,000 such stamps issued worldwide. Another notable period was from 2000 to 2009, during which 1,294 petroleum-themed stamps were released globally.

Source: Petro-Philatelist, Vol. 45, No. 3, Whole No. 178, Autumn 2024

To give an idea of this diversity, here are examples of number of petroleum stamps issued (including variants), so far, by top 10 countries around the globe:

Source: Petro-Philatelist, Vol. 45, No. 3, Whole No. 178, Autumn 2024

The global petroleum industry is commonly divided into three major categories based on business activities:

1. Upstream – Encompasses prospecting, exploration, drilling, and production of crude petroleum oil and natural gas.

2. Midstream – Involves the transportation and storage of crude petroleum oil and natural gas.

3. Downstream – Focuses on refining, petrochemical processing, and marketing activities.

Petroleum stamps are most frequently themed around drilling operations, covering onshore, semi-submersible, offshore, deep-water, and ultra-deep-water drilling. To date, 2,386 stamps have been issued on upstream activities, with 1,767 specifically depicting drilling.

Company logos also feature prominently, with 1,201 petroleum stamps showcasing the logos of oil companies. Additionally, various influential figures—from scientists and geologists to researchers, entrepreneurs, politicians, and business leaders—have been honored on petroleum stamps, reflecting the industry’s broad impact.

Source: Petro-Philatelist, Vol. 45, No. 3, Whole No. 178, Autumn 2024

The exact count (still counting) of petroleum stamps released globally is left to the imagination of our readers, underscoring the vastness and intrigue of this specialized field of philately.

President, PPSI Speaks

The Petroleum Philatelic Society International (PPSI) is a study unit of the respected American Topical Association and an Affiliate (No. 170) of the American Philatelic Society since 1988. This partnership has fostered a mutually enriching relationship, benefiting members across all three organizations. Currently, PPSI has around 1,000 registered members from nearly 50 countries, a diverse group representing a broad range of regions, cultures, and roles within the petroleum industry. Some members come from oil-rich nations, while others represent countries heavily dependent on petroleum imports, yet all are united by a shared passion for petroleum-themed philately. It has members from all continents barring Africa and Australasia.

Among PPSI’s members there are seasoned professionals in petroleum, including engineers, esteemed geologists, and downstream business experts, as well as newcomers to the field, drawn together by the unique allure of petroleum philately. This diversity exemplifies “unity in diversity,” with each member contributing to the rich tapestry of PPSI through their collections, expertise, and enthusiasm.

PPSI Leadership

The Board of PPSI includes:

• Anthony Curiale – President, USA
• Steve Fraser – Vice-President and Editor of Petroleum Stamps of the World (PSW) Catalog and PPSI website, U.K.
• Michael Hauck - Vice President and Editor of Petro-Philatelist, Germany
• Hugo Vargas – Treasurer, U.K.

Editor introducing the author through Petro-Philatelist.

Milestones of PPSI

PPSI has achieved several noteworthy milestones:

1. Certification Committee Milestone – The publication of the 100th Certification Committee Report.

2. 9th Edition of the Petroleum Stamps of the World (PSW) Catalog – A sought-after resource for collectors worldwide.

3. The Petro-Philatelist – This award-winning quarterly newsletter is cherished by readers globally for its engaging content and industry insights.

In a fortuitous turn of events, PPSI's golden jubilee coincided with the release of its Certificate Committee's landmark 100th report.

Petro-Philatelist carried a story on Indian Oil Ltd.'s refinery at Panipat, penned by the author.

In 2024, PPSI celebrated its remarkable 50th anniversary (1974-2024) in the realm of petroleum philately. To commemorate this milestone, a special cover was issued on August 27, 2024, designed by the renowned cachet artist Chris Lazaroff of Simpsonville, S.C., known for his unique passion for attending first-day stamp ceremonies. Lazaroff attended his first in 1982 at the APS Stampshow in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and impressively marked his 50th state at the Yellowstone National Park dedication in 2016.

The 50th Anniversary Cover of PPSI

The exclusive cacheted cover is adorned with striking imagery: oil rigs and jack pumps set against a world map to symbolize the global network of petroleum. The cover features a historic 4-cent U.S. postage stamp commemorating the centennial of America’s first commercial oil well, drilled by Edwin Drake near Titusville, Pennsylvania, on August 27, 1859. 

Source: Internet

While issuing this stamp on August 27, 1959, Postmaster General Arthur Summerfield had commented: 

“The American people have great reason to be indebted to this industry. It has supplied most of the power that has made the American standard of living possible.”

(Source: Internet)

A total of 115,715,000 of these stamps were printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. PPSI’s anniversary cover which was cancelled in Titusville, resonates the legacy of petroleum philately.

At the heart of the Petroleum Philatelic Society International (PPSI) lies a philosophy grounded in shared passion, global connection, and unwavering dedication to petroleum philately. For over five decades, PPSI has served as a unifying force, drawing together enthusiasts and professionals worldwide who appreciate the rich stories captured in petroleum-themed stamps. As PPSI looks to the future, it remains committed to inspiring, educating, and celebrating the remarkable legacy of the petroleum industry through the unique lens of philately.

Webliography:

1. https://www.ppsi.org.uk/files/pswcountryselect.php
2. https://www.linns.com/news/us-stamps-postal-history/2016/june/cachetmaker-lazaroff-50-ceremonies-50-states.html

Disclaimer:

The noble objective of this blog, is to promote the hobby of philately through images of stamps, a few pictures and related narration. The scans, featured in this blogpost are mine while others (sourced from internet) are properties of their respective owners. No intention to infringe any type of copyright. 

The information provided in the article is for general informational purposes only. All information is provided in good faith. This is only for sharing of knowledge of philately with philatelist fraternity of the world. No commercial or political angle, whatsoever, is involved. This is not a historical document. Apologies in advance, should there be any inadvertent error. Under no circumstances, I shall have any liability for reliance on any information provided in the story.

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