The Lithuania Philatelic Society (LPS) was founded in 1946 in Chicago, Illinois. It is bilingual organization (English and Lithuanian). The Society's journals, illustrated and comprehensive in scope, contain articles in both languages with translated summaries. Society's activities, news items, new stamp and cover issues of Lithuania, as well as other short articles are written in both languages side-by-side. During the last 18 years the journals have been issued an average of twice a year. They contain 40 to 100 pages each. All other Society's publications, such as exhibition programs and cachets, are issued primarily in English.

We currently have 170 active members of various ethnic origins, but predominantly Lithuanian. Most of the members reside in the United States, but we also have members in Europe (Lithuania, France, Germany), Canada, Japan and Australia. We hold membership meetings in Chicago at least twice a year, usually in January and in August. The Officers of the Society and members of the Exhibition Committee meet as the need arises.

The Society sponsors LITHPEX (an acronym of Lithuanian Philatelic Exhibition) events. The last exhibition, LITHPEX XXIX, was held on October 24-26, 2003 in Chicago's Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture. It commemorated the 750th Anniversary of the Coronation of Lithuania's King Mindaugas and two other events. The exhibit consisted of 46 standard frames of philatelic material, Lithuanian and international, in addition to a numismatic exhibit of paper currency, coins and medals. Three cacheted covers depicting three historical events were produced by the LPS and cancelled with special US Postal Service cancels that were also designed by the LPS. The next philatelic and numismatic exhibition, LITHPEX XXX, will take place on April 25 - 27, 2008 at the Balzekas Museum.

In 1997 the LPS published a comprehensive book, titled "LPS - 50 YEARS." This historical 96-page illustrated publication, issued in hard and soft covers, depicts important events in the life of the Society. The text and captions are written in both English and Lithuanian languages. We also minted a 50-year commemorative medal (2-inch diameter) in silver and bronze.

Since August 1995 the LPS is an Affiliate of the American Philatelic Society (Affiliate #223).

We closely cooperate with other philatelic societies and participate in each other's exhibitions. This includes the Polonus Philatelic Society and the Ukrainian Philatelic and Numismatic Society. Many of our members belong to the American Philatelic Society.

Should you be interested in joining the LPS, please request an application form from the President or the APS Representative else you can print the online form by clicking here. The annual membership fee, starting with January 1, 2005 is $ 20.00 in the US and Canada, $ 25.00 for overseas members who wish to receive all LPS publications by airmail. Journals are included in the annual fee.

Aside from our USA managed website, you can view our Lithuanian managed site at http://www.filatelija.lt/lps/