The American Helvetia Philatelic Society (AHPS) is an international philatelic society devoted to the study and collection of the postage stamps and postal history of Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Founded in 1975 in the United States, it is the largest English-language Swiss philatelic society in the world, with over 215 members from 11 countries as of 2025.
The American Helvetia Philatelic Society was formed in 1975 through the merger of the Helvetia Philatelic Society of America and the Swiss American Stamp Society.
The society traces its roots to 1938, when the original Helvetia Society was founded and began publishing the Helvetia Bulletin (1938âÂÂ1957), a journal of research on classic Swiss issues. After 1957, organized activity at the U.S. national level declined until the late 1960s, when two organizationsâÂÂHelvetia Philatelic Society of America (publishing Helvetia Alphorn, 1969âÂÂ1974) and Swiss American Stamp Society (publishing Helvetia Herald, 1970âÂÂ1974)âÂÂrevived interest in Swiss philately. The merger in 1975 created AHPS, which launched the bimonthly journal TELL, named for William Tell. TELL continues as the societyâÂÂs flagship publication, and all four journals are archived and accessible digitally.
Today, AHPS operates as a multinational society serving collectors worldwide, recognized as the principal English-language organization for Swiss and Liechtenstein philately.
Membership is open worldwide to collectors of all experience levels. As of 2025, the society counts over 215 members from 11 countries. AHPS emphasizes inclusivity and welcomes diversity in background, nationality, and collecting experience.
Member benefits include:
AHPS members collect and study a diverse range of philatelic material, including:
The American Helvetia Philatelic Society and its predecessors have maintained a continuous tradition of English-language philatelic publishing on Switzerland and Liechtenstein:
Archives, tables of contents, author indexes, and full back issues of all four journals are available via the AHPS website.
In addition to its in-house publications, AHPS members contribute to wider philatelic literature. Richard T. Hall is a frequent contributor to LinnâÂÂs Stamp News, writing on topics in Swiss philately such as folk festivals, Pro Juventute issues, and the William Tell legend. George Struble has also published extensively in the Schweizer Briefmarken-Zeitung (SBZ), with articles ranging from SCADTA in Swiss perspective (2025) and international exhibitions such as PIPEX 2023 (2022) to multi-part studies of Swiss airmail services and postal rates to the United States (2020âÂÂ2021).. Steven Opheim has written about the AHPS in the APS The American Philatelist.
AHPS conducts member-only auctions several times a year, offering Swiss and Liechtenstein philatelic material. Catalogs reference Scott and SBK numbering systems, and prices are denoted in U.S. dollars.
The society sponsors several awards at exhibitions, including:
AHPS maintains an active Facebook Group for sharing research, images, and news. Its official website hosts resources including TELL archives, research documents, guides, and online exhibits.