KINGSTON AND DISTRICT PHILATELIC SOCIETY
A "Philatelic Society" or "Stamp Club" for collectors of postage stamps, postal history, thematic philately, aerophilately, postcards and ephemera: in Kingston-upon-Thames, Claygate, East & West Molesey, Esher, Ham, Hersham, Surbiton, and Thames Ditton.
NEXT MEETING
FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER
"STAMPS AND OTHER MATERIAL USING THE LETTER 'T' AS THE KEYNOTE.
"Displays by Members. Visitors and guests welcome.
The New Hall, Surbiton Library.
NB The next Joint Auction will be hosted by Kingston on Friday 20 March 2020. we already have several lots so other material should be submitted before Christmas, if possible.
WHO WE ARE AND OUR WEB-SITE
We meet twice a month in Surbiton during the "philatelic season" from September to June.
At each meeting either an invited visitor, or members who so wish, display some stamps, covers, or other philatelic material, and provide brief details about (and insights into) their material.
We embrace a wide variety of interests amongst our members. These include classical philately; postal history; thematic collecting; postcards: and, as our hobby adapts to changing times, collectors who are interested in stamps illustrating social history and the collecting of other paper and digital based ephemera.
THIS DEVELOPING WEB-SITE CURRENTLY HAS ELEVEN PAGES.
From the top Menu
* This page: a summary of our activities and highlights from recent meetings
* Our future meetings
* Links to other web-sites that may be of interest
From the button at the right of the menu:
* Details of our annual competition and previous winners
* Some comments and quotations about 'stamp collecting, and stamp collectors.
* Notification of other philatelic events that might interest Members
* Some articles on 'philately' over the last 100 years and up to the present
* Further details on membership of our society
* A brief history of our Society
* Extracts from modern novels which feature stamp collectors, and stamp collecting.
* Some historical tit-bits about stamps from around the world.
ACTIVITIES & RECENT MEETINGS
Exploration, Research, Discussion, Enjoyment, Companionship.
"I conceive of a stamp being a fragment of history, a word in the annals of human experience, a picture of an ideal fresh from the human heart. The design impressed upon it signifies what the nation may be at the moment."
(Harold LeClair Ickes; United States Secretary of the Interior, 1937-1946)
REGULAR MEETINGS
Guest Speakers
Members Evenings
Annual Competition
A regular journal
Visits
Next meeting: Friday 18 October
"Cinderellas and the Postal History of Wimbledon and Raynes Park"
Next visit: to Epsom and Ewell
Monday 11 November
AUCTIONS
Joint auctions with other societies
Information on local and national auctions and events
Next Auction at Epsom Friday 1 November
Surrey Stamp Fair at Claygate Saturday 26 October
PACKET EXCHANGES
Between Local Members.
Material from our own Members and from Members of other societies.
16 packets are currently in circulation
OUR MOST RECENT MEETING
This meeting attracted a large attendance, despite some notable absentees due to seasonal colds and coughs. Three of the displays are illustrated below. In addition we saw booklets and mini-sheets from Guernsey, The Crown Agents, and Great Britain.
LUNAR ECLIPSE IN THE FAROE ISLANDS
STAMP BOOKLETS OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
GB BOOKLETS CELEBRATING THE 1953 CORONATION.
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SURREY FEDERATION EXHIBITION AND STAMP FAIR: SATURDAY 26 OCTOBER
Our Society hosted the 2019 event in the Claygate Village Hall on 26 October.
The Fair was graciously opened the mayor of Elmbridge, and, despite competition from the rugby world cup and some travel obstacles presented by road works and railway engineering, attracted a steady flow of visitors throughout the day.
The exhibition displayed individual and society entries on a range of topics, with the Mason Cup being awarded for the entry by the Woking and District Philatelic Society whose three displays comprised : GB KGV 4d issue of 1913-1923; London Late Fee Mail; and Recovered Mail, from USA air disasters 1921-1938. An outstanding entry.
Kingston and District achieved a creditable second place for thweir entry of British Levant PO's in the Turkish Empire 1857-1914; A Glimpse at the World of Insurance: and French Cross-border mail during the Second Empire.
Eight other prizes were awarded; the raffle was drawn, and, despite the increasing rain outside, Claygate Village Hall provided a warm and welcoming atmosphere for this successful event.
OUR MOST RECENT MEETING
Brian Warwick: Cinderellas and the Postal History of Wimbledon and Raynes Park
Brian provided us with two magnificent displays. The first an all encompassing introduction to the incredibly varied world of 'Cinderellas'. The second a treat of mixed postal history, photographs and ephemera relating to postal services in Wimbledon and Raynes Park.
MECCA STEALING A MARCH ON ADVERTISING
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MICHAEL WARWICK WITH THE FIRST PART OF HIS STUNNING 180 SHEET DISPLAY
EPSOM MAINTAINS POSTAGE DURING THE POSTAL STRIKE!
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OCTOBER 3: ALAN TYLER
Reflections and Material from a lifetime of collecting.
Alan Tyler was born in 1924 and his initial interest in stamps was further developed when he inherited his father-in-laws collection - from which he displayed numerous examples of George V British and Commonwealth stamps - including the Beautiful 1929 UPU £1, and the similarly attractive issues from Cyprus.
His naval career took him to the Far East and the Mediterranean where he collected fascinating examples of stamps from Hong Kong, Singapore, Burma and Malayan States - including overprints from wartime occupations and military administrations.
With his son and grandson in attendance he reminded us that stamp collecting is a lifetime hobby.
SEPTEMBER 22: A POT-POURRI OF VARIOUS ITEMS SOURCED FROM DEALERS, FELLOW COLLECTORS, STAMPEX, AND FRIENDS.
20 September 2019. A pot-pourri of various items sourced from dealers, fellow collectors, Stampex, and friends. Here is a sample of the richness and variety of the acquisitions and finds; not shown are some old French postcards; Butlin's Holiday Camps ephemera; covers showing the language of stamps' and Irish soldiers under the UN in Somalia; and Channel Islands stamp designs. A meeting that had to be attended to appreciate the material.
THE BOTSHABELO MUSEUM IN MIDDLEBURG
A mission station founded by Alexander Merensky of the Berlin Missionary Society in 1865: with the cover showing the original station and Fort Merensky.
USA SPECIAL DELIVERY STAMPS
Often with fascinating postmarks such as this cover with a "steamboat" cancellation
PROMOTIONAL PACK
the 1948 London Olympic Games Issue, printed by Harrison's.
AUTUMN STAMPEX 2019
Several of the Kingston and District Society Members exhibited at the Autumn Stampex.
Brian Livingstone displayed a study of the George VI 'heads' designs.
Chris Oliver showed his collection of mobile post offices in South Africa - which served the rapidly expanding townships until permanent offices could be established.
Brian Sole displayed a collection of ephemera about Mrs Dibben - a legendary stamp dealer whose shop was in Kingston upon Thames. He also showed a one frame study of the Welsh regional issues from 1958 - 1970.
Peter Wood entered in the open class with a display about the Irish Sweepstake and the postal and other material that supported this operation - which was legal in some countries, and illegal in others.
5 SEPTEMBER 2019: MICHAEL PITT-PAYNE "ASPECTS OF POSTAL HISTORY"
MICHAEL GAVE US A SIMPLY STUNNING DISPLAY OF POSTAL HISTORY.
"Aspects" included postage due: pre-stamp, stamp, and machine label examples: the surcharging of early postcards when they failed to conform to regulations: and research into social history associated with specific letters.
A LOCAL CONNECTION
Michael showed us his first letter applying to join the Kingston & District Philatelic Society (in 1963) as this was 'returned to sender' because of an incorrect address. He also reminded us that some early meetings were held in the Surbiton Assembly Rooms.
HISTORICAL INSIGHT
Early mail to Australia was difficult. In 1850 one ship took 112 days, and the service was frequently disrupted as shipping lines went bankrupt, or their ships were commandeered by the Government in times of war. A more recent war is with the Royal Mail in their 'cancellation' of stamps with pen or labels - and in one case 22 stamps being hand-stamped with 44 cancellations!
PREVIOUS MEETINGS - FROM OUR 91ST SEASON
Friday 21 June 2019
Postal stationery from any country. A series of displays by Members that included early Monaco, modern Croatia, USA reply paid cards, the French pneumatic post, military cards from WWI, and Red Cross cards from WWII and the three displays illustrated below.
GB ILLUSTRATED AEROGRAMMES; CELEBRATING NATIONAL EVENTS
A spectacular display of these beautifully designed air letters with many celebrating events in Scotland, Wales and the Channel Islands.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND USE OF GB STATIONERY UPGRADED WITH THE NEW IRISH STAMPS
A fascinating insight into the period following the establishment of Eire showing a pragmatic approach to utilising available resources
ILLUSTRATED GREETINGS ENVELOPES AND AEROGRAMMES FROM SOUTH AFRICA
Introduced during WWII of varying sizes including aerogrammes issued to South African troops posted to Korea.
6 JUNE 2019, "GAMES PEOPLE PLAY"
a theme that challenged the ingenuity of our Members and guests and prompted the display of some fascinating material.
USA AND SOUTH AFRICA
There was a good display from Chris Oliver on sports and associated games from South Africa and the USA. It was interesting to see how many recent issues were accompanied by explanatory information. Gary Player also figured, and perhaps his famous maxim "the harder I practice the luckier I get" might apply to stamp collecting?
THEMATICS WITH A TWIST
Brian Sole presented a fascinating frame combining stamps, booklets, and maxi-cards - each illustrating a theme such as cricket, tennis or visits to the seaside. A wonderful example of how to combine seemingly disparate elements and also a reflection on some of the more quixotic elements of the British at play.
IRISH INVENTION
Peter Wood found a surprising number of stamps, covers, and mini-sheets where The Republic and Northern Ireland figured: often in very small print. The innovation of the Irish Post Office was also to the fore, not least with a pair of holographic stamps where the ball splashes out of the bunker as the angle of the stamp to the light is moved.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
We were honoured to receive a visit from our neighbours and friends from the Wimbledon Philatelic Society on 17 May.
BUTLIN'S
Russell Hill entertained us with a potted history of "Butlins", including during the war. His display was primarily of postcards but also some exceptional ephemeral items; and captured the affection he and his family had for this holiday camp provider.
GB PROTECTIVE OVERPRINTS AND UNDERPRINTS
Andy Donaldson gave a display of G.B. protective underprints & overprints and the specialist companies that used them. Underprints were printed onto gum, so very few survive. The introduction of perfins soon brought an end to the use of underprints.
INFLATION MAIL FROM ZAIRE
Michael Round displayed the inflation mail of Zaire from the assumption of the Presidency by Col. Mobutu in 1972. The display used many covers indicating the inflation of currency as seen by the stamps affixed when the Zaire decreased by 50,000,000 in value.
MAY 2ND - "THE SEVENTIES"
MEMBERS AND VISITORS DISPLAYS ON "THE SEVENTIES"
A very popular and well attended meeting where ten Members showed material with most starting by saying that the topic challenged them but then proceeded to unearth and display a series of philatelic treasures!
These included:
Stamps from the West Indies showing ships, and GB showing trains - with an interesting reference to the design and production of Hornby and Airfix kits in Berrylands in the 1960's.
Some rarities from philatelic exhibitions in Scandinavia including stamps of the Greenland.
Modern stamps of Ireland "by number" - the varieties from 1 to 8!
Early Jamaican stamps with cancellations from the 1870's.
Shipped mail from the Faroes, rare cancellations from York and an envelope & letter intriguingly sewn with string.
Fascinating correspondence from the 18th and 19th Centuries from Purbeck, including from Tynham village.
Some of the beautifully designed Hong Kong stamps of this period.
A spectacular display of GPO Greetings Telegrams from the 1970's
A pot-pourri of British & Irish mail from the 70's including the "siege of Balcombe Street'.
French Red Cross booklets from their heyday in the 1970's.
FROM OUR PREVIOUS MEETINGS
"FROM OUR SIDELINE COLLECTIONS"
WIRELESS MAIL FROM SHIPS
From the earliest transmissions from ship to ship, and thence to port - to ship to shore. Examples of Morse-coded ticker tape, and shipping logo forms used to transcribe messages received on shore, and then onward transmission to the recipient by registered mail.
THE CENTENARY OF THE' PENNY BLACK'
Stamps and covers from around the world as postal administrations marked 100 years from the issue of the first postage stamp. Some beautifully reproduced, but in strange colours, others reflecting how difficult it is to reproduce the head of Queen Victoria; and with some strange choices of corner letters.
THEATRE, MUSIC AND SPORTS PROGRAMMES
Some examples from the growing interest in ephemera; showing the development of such programmes from relatively simple information sheets to glossy revenue generating magazines. Leading to a discussion of the place of such material in thematic or open classes of philately.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
"THE GOLDEN AGE OF POSTCARDS"; Guest Speaker - MICHAEL MILLER
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DELTIOLOGY
Michael explained and illustrated the importance of postcards and postcard collecting in Victorian and Edwardian times, and showed some beautiful albums recording travels and keepsakes.
FROM 1869 TO 1980
He succinctly summarised the development of the postcard from the first Austro-Hungarian card of 1869 through the standardisation of size and format, inclusion of pictures, and relaibility of the postal service.
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DISPLAY AND SLIDE SHOW
In addition to the physical display Michael showed a variety of postcards on screen, allowing for detailed explanation of themes such as topography, local history, seaside humour, and transport
OUR AGM AND COMPETITIONS
On Friday 15 March we held our AGM reviewing the last year, electing officers, and discussing plans for the future. We also viewed the displays from our annual competition and were very grateful that John Hayward was willing to be our guest and act as external judge.
PETER WOOD THANKS JOHN HAYWARD
We were very fortunate to have John Hayward, a former President of the British Thematic Association, to act as external judge for our competition. We also appreciated his comments about the high standard of competition entries this year.
OUR OFFICERS
The President - Peter Wood; Hon. Treasurer - Ian Amy; and Hon'Secretary - Brian Sole; were duly re-elected; and Eddie Weeks was appointed as honorary auditor. The accounts for last year were approved and the activities of the Society discussed.
PETER WOOD AND EDDIE WEEKS
Peter Wood presented Eddie Weeks with the Harmer Bowl (named after our first President) for his entry in Class 2 of the Competition, "Traditional Philately". Eddie Weeks also won the Thames Trophy for Class 4 "Open Class Philately".
PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
7 MARCH: "WARTIME ISSUES"
A Members's meeting with some guests. Displays on ambulance trains; wartime issues from the Dominions; letters to and from Scandinavia; stamps from South Africa (including 'bantams'); Ottoman stamps from WWI; The French State under Vichy; Bicycle issues; and British ships used as hospitals and for prisoners of war. Stamps, overprints, covers, censor marks, postcards, ration cards, bills of health, and requisition forms - etc!
CORRESEPONDENCE WITH THE FAROES AND SCANDINAVIA
A range of covers and letters were displayed, including this item where a keen philatelist was informed that he could not exchange stamps with a friend in Sweden until he has first obtained permission from the British Philatelic Association!
BICYCLES IN WAR
Another fascinating display including the forms needed for permission to buy a new inner tube, or spare part, in German occupied Norway: and this beautiful card of the volunteer cyclist corps.
AMBULANCE TRAINS
A wealth of detail on the often little known provision of ambulance trains to carry wounded soldiers from WWI through to the Cold War - including in France, Egypt, Austria and Germany. With one train personally financed by a daughter of Queen Victoria.
FRIDAY 15 FEBRUARY; "FLORA AND FAUNA"
A cornucopia of philatelic delights - and stories
FROM THE USA
Animals and plants from South Africa and the USA including birds from every state of the USA.
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PLENTY TO LOOK AT
Kenya Uganda and Tanganyika, Ireland, New Zealand and France also had flora and fauna to delight us.
FROM THE FAROE ISLANDS
For islands that claim to have little fauna and limited flora the Faroe Islands suprised us all.
THE PRESIDENT'S DISPLAY
Thursday 7th February
IT'S AN IRISH WORLD
How Ireland and the Irish are recognised and celebrated throughout the world - as represented through philately. Including the naming of a famous US Navy destroyer.
THEMATIC AND OPEN MATERIAL
Stamps, covers, ephemera and postal history in a glorious mix; and a story of an ongoing diaspora that reaches all corners of the world. With Ireland cancellations in Japanese characters and the spelling of Hibernia.
A "TOUCH OF THE BLARNEY"
Why British cars race in green; how Irish athletes are celebrated on North Korean stamps; why some Australians forged a common definitive; why so many famous musicians have Irish surnames, etc!
FRIDAY 18 JANUARY: AUCTION
Held jointly with Epsom & Ewell PS; Twickenham & District PS; and Wimbledon PS.
Over 450 lots.
Single stamps, sets, album leaves, mixtures.
Attendance from all four societies.
About forty bidders.
Hidden treasures
Mixed lots of old albums, glory boxes, and collections.
3 JANUARY 2019: CHARITY AND POSTER STAMPS
An evening of surprises and interest.
SERVICE
From Railway Poster stamps (and a discussion on what are 'Poster Stamps'?) to 'stamps' for transit on the boats of the Faroe Islands.
SERVICE
From South African stamps in aid of disabled children to stamps to raise funds for the unemployed intellectuals of France.
SERVICE
From stamps raising money for Christmas charities to issues celebrating cycling and Charles Dickens.
FRIDAY 21 DECEMBER
Countries or Themes beginning with the Letter "S"
