Our mission statement
First Issues Collectors Club (FICC) promotes the collection of the first postage stamp issued by any nation, province, city, army or other entity that has, at any time, issued postage stamps, and facilitates the exchange of information about these issues among stamp collectors.
FICC is devoted exclusively to the study of the First Issues of the nations of the world - in the broadest definition of the term.
There are as many ways to collect stamps, as there are stamp collectors. A growing number of collectors have accepted the challenge of specializing in the first issue stamps of the nations of the world.
FICC was organized in 1990 by a handful of first issues collectors who wanted to share information about their specialty. It's an emerging and growing organization. Members correspond frequently, openly share information and help each other by trading stamps, sharing tips on good sources of material, and sharing research information and sources.
What are First Issues? The definition is really up to the individual collector. They may be the first postal issue of each country, or a catalogs #1 (they're not necessarily the same!), or the first stamps in categories such as airmails, semipostals, postage dues, and war tax issues. Some collectors include the first postal card or first air letter sheet or even first revenues! Still others broaden their collections to incorporate stamps picturing first stamps. The possibilities are endless.
FICC members are expected to abide by the American Philatelic Society's Code of Ethics .
You are invited to apply for membership, contact us for more information or view the clubs by-laws.
This page was last modified on Sunday, 02-Nov-2003 23:27:43 PST