850th stamp blog: NVTF ceases operations as of January 1, 2027

Members of the Dutch Association of Thematic Philately (NVTF) received the latest issue (November 2025) in their mailboxes. It stated that the association's board will propose dissolving the association as of January 1, 2027. This will take place via two General Members' Meetings (ALVs) on February 7 and April 18, 2026. Members are requested for the last time to pay their membership fees for 2026.

NVTF (history)

The collecting of stamps by subject, image collecting, is more than 100 years old. It was not until (or perhaps already) March 22, 1952, that a national organization was founded that specifically focuses on promoting image philately: the “Stichting De Beeldphilatelist”. The founding took place at Hotel Terminus in Utrecht, where 25 enthusiastic stamp collectors who had earned their stripes in “orthodox” philately gathered. Six months later, there were already 90 members. Joh. Spoorenberg became chairman, WH Lutkeveld vice-chairman, Joh. van de Ven secretary, CG van Veenendaal treasurer, and DJ Siebelink circulation commissioner. At this first meeting, it was also decided to publish a magazine, which was likewise given the name “De Beeldphilatelist”. From 1988 onwards, news provision, previously via the official publication and various group newsletters, was consolidated into the new association magazine THEMA. From 1988, the association called itself the Dutch Association for Thematic Philately (NVTF). In 1990, the new (current) NVTF logo was introduced, a design by then-member L. Reiz. A significant event in Dutch thematic philately was the publication in 1990 of the “Handboek voor de Thematische Filatelie” by member WEJ van den Bold. Pim van den Bold became a board member in 1991, chairman in 1992, and honorary chairman upon his retirement in 2004. Since 1992, there has been closer cooperation with the Belgian sister association Themaphila. The year 1992 was also a jubilee year: the Phila-Thema anniversary exhibition was held in Huizen. In 2004, Van den Bold was succeeded by Henk den Duijn, who would remain chairman until 2021. Unfortunately, there was no successor, and therefore Henk Tollenaar is currently serving as acting chairman. A year later, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of Wageningen Agricultural University, the NVTF organized a thematic exhibition on agriculture, nature, and the environment: Luphilex '93. The interest was overwhelming. It was a busy time organizing exhibitions: in 1995, the NVTF organized the second Debenelux exhibition, a biennial international thematic exhibition started by the Belgians two years earlier, held alternately in Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. There was a special stamp and registration slip bearing the name of the association, through which the NVTF thus became immortal in philately!

In 2012, the 60th anniversary was celebrated with a festive (thematic) philatelic day in Amersfoort. There were various simultaneous lectures on a wide variety of thematic subjects, and many dealers were present with material for the visitors. You can find the full story of the history of the NVTF at this link: https://www.nvtf.nl/geschiedenis-nvtf  

75 years NVTF (1952 – 2027)

The number crunchers among us will see that the NVTF will be celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2027. A unique event in philately. Surely this must be celebrated with a jubilee exhibition to celebrate with all thematic collectors in 2027. Afterwards, one could still decide to dissolve the NVTF, thus at the height of its success. Unfortunately, the NVTF board has decided otherwise and has decided to dissolve the NVTF as of January 1, 2027. Perhaps the board has already realized that it is impossible to form an organizing committee, that there are no volunteers to lead the way, let alone fill the vacancies on the board. In addition, such an event requires a considerable investment and finding a sponsor is difficult (PostNL, banks, IT companies, auction houses?). If you plan to organize a jubilee exhibition in 2027, it seems to me that such an organizing committee would need to be active as early as 2024. The financial situation of the NVTF is not all that rosy. The loss in the income statement for 2022 through 2024 is €14.995. For 2025, a loss of €6165 is projected. Although the number of members stands at 254 as of mid-October 2025, this is insufficient to cover the deficits. The board does not foresee a merger with other associations. The curtain will fall on the NVTF during the decision-making process at two General Members' Meetings.   Sources used for this blog: text and images from NVTF.nl  

<strong> More info: </strong>

NVTF: https://www.nvtf.nl/