My name is Alan Wishart.

I began trading in 1989, and I specialise in the postal history of Europe from pre-stamp to 1900.

I’m a member of the Scottish Philatelic Trade Association and currently serve on the Committee. I also organise “Scotex”, the Trade Fair for the SPTA, in Perth. I was Secretary from 1991 to 1994, and helped in the initial drawing up of the present Constitution; I now represent the SPTA in the Association of Scottish Philatelic Societies. Recently I became a member of the Philatelic Traders Society.

I attend fairs throughout Scotland, including Scotex and Scottish Philatelic Congress, and some larger ones in England, such as Philatex, York Stamp and Coin Fair, and occasionally the Strand Stamp Show. I also visit several shows in Europe, mainly in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. I buy most of my material in the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Germany, Scandinavia, and Greece.

I also collect the stamps and postal history of Russia up to 1923, and Prisoner of War Mail, 1914-19.

I belong to several Societies –

Lanarkshire Philatelic Society. (President – 1995-96; Librarian – 1999 - 2006; Delegate to the Assoc. of Scottish Philatelic Societies - 2006 - .)
Caledonian Philatelic Society. (President – 2000-2001; Forgery Warden - 2005 - .)
Scottish Philatelic Society.
Member of the Royal Philatelic Society, London.
Alba Stamp Group.
British Society of Russian Philately.
Netherlands Study Circle.
Germany and Colonies Philatelic Society. (Chairman of Scottish Group, 2000-2001; Scottish Group Leader – 2003 -.)
Disinfected Mail Study Group.
Scandinavian Philatelic Society.
The Scottish Vikings

I enjoy giving displays to Societies and can give displays on Imperial Russia; Imperial Russian Postal Stationery; Russian Post Offices Abroad; Finland 1890-1923; Russian Civil War, 1918-1923; Prisoner of War Mail, 1914-19.