?Constitution of the Rhode Island Philatelic Society?
Providence, RI : 1885
Sidney S. Rider Collection

In 1882, a postal worker and a bank employee in Providence realized they shared the same hobby, and America?s oldest philatelic society was formed. A solitary activity for some, stamp collecting can be social as well. These two collectors formalized the group by drafting this constitution, distributing it to all ten of the initial members, and organizing their first official meeting on January 20, 1885. By the late 1880s, philatelic societies and collecting groups began emerging across the country. (JOSIAH)