SPRING STAMPEX

"VIRTUAL STAMPEX" was held between March 25 and March 27 - organised by the P.T.S.

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Many of the fascinating on-line presentations and talks may still be accessed by those who registered for the event. 

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At the moment the A.B.P.S. Harrogate Congress 2021 is still in the diary for September 23-26. Let us hope that this event will be possible! 

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From: "STAMP COLLECTOR" April 2021 Issue

At the end of this issue (which features fascinating articles about the first days of universal postage in Great Britain, the stamps of the Nyassaland Protectorate, and a guide to space stamps amongst many others) is the start of a new feature - a philatelic story "The Chronicles of Noella Bry" by Eva Mealing.

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Part 2 has now appeared in the May Issue and it would appear that Count Ferrari - one of the greatest of early stamp collectors - may have appeared!

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Whilst we wait for future instalments readers of this web-site might like to look at our page "Featured in Literature" - see index at the top of this page - where we provide a guide to many other books in which philately is a major element in the story. 

"So please, oh please, we beg, we pray, go throw your TV set away, and in its place you can install a lovely bookshelf on the wall." - Roald Dahl

Booklicious Net

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A wonderful resource for people of all ages!

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The  site below is recommended by a young collector, who is exploring a new hobby in the is time of a pandemic, with her father.  

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https://www.swagbucks.com/shop/guide-stamp-collecting

REGULAR MEETINGS

Guest Speakers

Members Evenings

Annual Competition

A regular journal

Visits

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FOR THE MOMENT WE ARE MEETING TWICE A MONTH ON-LINE. PLEASE SEE OUR "FUTURE MEETINGS" PAGE

AUCTIONS

Joint auctions with other societies

Information on local and national auctions and events

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THE PANDEMIC HAS RESULTED IN THE POSTPONEMENT  OF OUR PLANNED AUCTIONS. WE HOPE TO RESUME IN THE AUTUMN OF 2021.

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PACKET EXCHANGES

Between Local Members.

Material from our own Members and from Members of other societies.

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We have now restarted the circulation of packets, with Members takin appropriate measures to transfer these safely. 

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16 packets are currently in circulation.

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If you wish to join one of the circulation lists please contact our secretary : e mail

SOTHEBY'S NEW YORK AUCTION

From Stuart Weitzman's Collection

Two of the rarest stamps in the world are to be auctioned in June. The only known copy of the British Guiana One-Cent Magenta, and a block of the US Inverted Jenny Plate Block. 

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The sellers proceeds will benefit charitable ventures including the Weitzman Family Foundation. 

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Apart from speculation as to what prices these philatelic treasures might realise the sale adds further to the legend of the British Guiana stamp. One the reverse of the stamp Stuart Weitzman has continued the tradition of previous owners by adding his mark - in this case an outline of a stiletto shoe with SW initials. A reference to the shoe and fashion empire on which his fortune is based. 

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Previous marks include from John Eleuthere du Pont, Count Ferrary, Ann and Arthur Hind, and Frederick T. Small. 

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Perhaps not a practice that will find favour with all collectors, but one that adds allure to what is not the most prepossessing of stamp designs? 

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More details about his forthcoming auction and these  stamps may be found in the May Issue of "Stamp Collector". 

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(Image from Sotheby's)

Henry Coward gave us a fascinating display on the £10 Britannia stamp. He explained the history of the design and the innovations in security such as the coloured fibres in the gum and perforations. He also explained that this was the first British stamp to have a section in Braille. 

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The symbolism of the stamp was of interest - linking to that used in the famous "seahorses" issues of George V, and to British coinage.

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A very detailed and fascinating presentation including rarely seen items such as training stamps and security packaging. 

Melvyn Green displayed an interesting cover to the gardener at Syon House about seeds to be sent ot Calcutta - possibly from the Duke of Northumberland.

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Keith Burton showed us a picture postcard of the 1919 Peace march in Haslington - where he grew up. 

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Roger Niven presented some covers and picture postcards relating to the grace and favour residents of Hampton Court Palace. 

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Recorded delivery. Roger Holding showed us a first day cover of the new service (not shown here as it contains personal details). The illustration shown is from The Great Britain Philatelic Society Web-site.

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Michael Pitt-Payne first showed us examples of the 1d Blackand 1d Red wit Maltese Cross cancellations. He then h displayed a fascinating ticket and some photographs relating to Henry Fawcett. The ticket was for entry to the gallery of the House of Commons but the back story was that the ticket was authorised by Henry Fawcett; Postmaster General. Amazingly Henry Fawcett was blinded when a young man but went on to high office, and with his wife (Millicent Garrett) was a key figure in the movement for female suffrage. 

"Great things are done by a series of small things brought together"

Vincent van Gogh

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PREVIOUS MEETINGS

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TUESDAY 23 MARCH 2021

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Nineteen Members and Guests attended online as we continued to explore the use of Zoom as a means of staying in touch with each other, and sharing our philatelic interests.

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The theme was "NEW ACQUISITIONS OR FAVOURITE ITEMS". 

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We saw eight short presentations on a wide variety of topics including -  line engraved GB (with some unfortunate stamps made into cuff links!); The Jute industry and perfins;  Victorian Manchester hand cancellations; unusual markings on a Victorian cover; Irish 'fresh salmon' labels and the family history of rifleman Callow; mail from the Island of Purbeck; Danish bisects of the provisional Faroe Islands issue; and some strangely contemporary  early 19th Century French disinfected mail.

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There was a general view that we are becoming more comfortable with this medium and we look forward to future meetings. We especially enjoyed having so many guests join us for the evening. 

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NEW ZEALAND AIRMAILS

Graeme Ashdown

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Graeme gave us a very informative display on the origins and development of air mail to and from New Zealand and the stamps. Although only two sets were ever issued the choice of designs, varieties and the influence of the early pilots provided for a very ful and entertaining account of a subject that few of us had been familiar with before. 

THE LAST AIRMAIL ISSUE

Designed by R.G.J. Berry showing an AvroX about to land at Mt Egmont. Issued 4 May 1935

THE FIRST OFFICIAL AIR MAIL ISSUE

Pilot C.T.P Ulm was allowed to print a special stamp for the carriage of official air mail from New Zealand to Australia. Issued 17th January 1934

FIRST DAY COVER

Flown at the official opening of the Te Kuiti Aerodrome on 27 October 1936. Signed by the pilot D. McClean; and stated to be on of 15 covers carried on this flight.

TUESDAY 23 FEBRUARY

BRIAN LIVINGSTONE

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We had a good ‘attendance’ at our first experiment with an on-line meeting. It was nice to see so many familiar faces, and a bonus was the ability to welcome some Members who because of distance or other challenges find attending our regular meetings difficult.

We were treated to an outstanding presentation by Brian Livingstone titled “Edward VIII, Straits Settlements, from the Bradbury and Wilkinson Essays”.

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Brian showed us rare material from the Bradbury and Wilkinson archives and other sources of that period - including from the Royal Philatelic Society.

PICTURES COURTESY OF GEORGE VI SOCIETY

Brian shared with us material from the printers’ archives. The pictures shown are from the 'scrapbooks' kept by the printers - hence the low resolution. He explained the discussions that surrounded the desire of the uncrowned King Edward VIII to have a degree of uniformity in the stamp issues for the British Colonies; with single colours and simple designs featuring the monarch.

Several of the colonial administrations, however,  would have preferred to issue their own designs, in colour, and showcasing their territories – and may also have hoped that such issues would generate additional revenue.

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He then explained the philatelic complications consequent upon the abdication and accession of King George VI, not least the speed required to replace the portrait of Edward VIII in the proofs, and the sleight of hand used in some in terms of the uniform apparently worn by the king.

CHRIS OLIVER

Chris Oliver then gave a short presentation on the South African antelope stamps, with examples of the rejected designs and explanation of the final selection of new designs by the artist Denis Murphy. (Pictures not shown here). 

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Finally, we had a discussion chaired by our President on Member’s reactions to this on-line format of meeting. There was general agreement  that we should continue with the experiment, with the next meeting planned for Tuesday 9th March.

PRESIDENT PETER WOOD PRESENTS THE AWARDS AFTER THE JUDGING BY BARBARA PRIDDY (FROM THE WIMBLEDON P.S.)

Chris Oliver was awarded the Harmer Bowl for traditional philately; and Russell Hill the Kay Horowitz Shield for picture postcard philately.

THE COMPETITION

Eddie Weeks was awarded The Thames Trophy for the Open Class Philately; and Roger Niven the Millenium Trophy for Postal History. In addition to the four winners four other entries were Highly Commended

THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

A highlight of the meeting was the award of Honorary Life Membership to Alan Tyler for his services to the Society. Christopher Oliver will become President from September, with Susan Oliver as Vice-President.

POSTPONEMENT OF TOKYO OLYMPIAD

Baron de Coubertin revived the Olympic Games in 1896 and with them the spirit of friendship between nations based upon sport. With the exception of the Two World Wars the games have been held every four years since 1906: until Covid 19 caused the postponement of the Tokyo Olympiad.

THE 1924 OLYMPIAD IN PARIS

It was in this second 'olympic games' in Paris that the games started to resemble the format with which we are now familiar. Including the issue of special commemorative stamps. Olympic Games commemorative stamps are now issued by many countries and are not restricted to the host nation.

THE 1900 'GAMES'

The 1900 games in Paris were rather overshadowed by the World Exhibition  for which they were something of a side-show. These games saw the experimentation with sports that have never been staged again in the Olympics. These included cricket, fire-fighting and kite flying. None of these have continued as Olympic sports, and nor have ballooning, and a swimming obstacle race.

THE CRICKET MATCH

Only a single match was played between a British team largely drawn from local clubs in Devon and Somerset. The 'French' team depended very heavily on expatriate workers engaged on the construction of the Eiffel Tower! The match was rather a one-sided affair but the hospitality afterwards was apparently of Olympian proportions!

DETECTIVE WORK

Spotting cancellations, addresses, and ship names

COMPLEX ROUTINGS

An 1852 cover from Robenhaven to Lerwick via Hamburg, Ostend, and Aberdeen

SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH OF MR ANDERSON

The assistant postmaster in Robenhaven who created the 1919 provisional issues

BRITISH FORCES STATIONED ON THE ISLANDS DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR

Personnel from all pars of the Commonwealth found themselves in a very different topography and climate.

A CZECH ENGRAVER

Brian Livingstone set us a puzzle! Could we find Bohumil Heinz's signature "H" in the hair of Kinge George VI?

POSTCARDS AND MACHINE CANCELLATIONS

Russel Hill took us on a trip to the Sussex Coast, exploring postcard cancellations.

THE CORO

Chris Oliver helped us to celebrate the Coronation and the start of "all-up" air services

THE 1948 OLYMPICS AND THE FESTIVAL OF BRITAIN

Brian Sole confessed to steaming stamps from a first day cover and showed us poster stamps.

WINNER OF THE SINGLE SHEET COMPETITION

Russell Hill with Brian Sole: a sheet showing some modern GB varieties

CERTIFICATES AND REVIEW OF LAST YEAR

Our President, Peter Wood, addressing the large gathering.

A QUIZ, RAFFLE, DELICIOUS FOOD, AND CONVERSATION

The Quiz was light-hearted, and there were displays of Cinderella's and local postcards.

TRAIN "POSTER" STAMPS

And associated postmarks and ephemera

STAMPS FROM TURKEY ("THEN KNOWN AS THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE")

A bewildering display of minor variations and colours

THE PENNY BLACK

The plates of this iconic stamp - and the story of the toy van that went through the post!

TRANSVAAL

The Thanksgiving Cavalcade and Fair: and postage of the Western Defence Force

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. 

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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. 

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With his son and grandson in attendance he reminded us that stamp collecting is a lifetime hobby. 

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.

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Brian Livingstone displayed a study of the George VI 'heads' designs. 

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Chris Oliver showed his collection of mobile post offices in South Africa - which served the rapidly expanding townships until permanent offices could be established.

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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. 

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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. 

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!

For notes on our meetings in our 2018/2019 Season see "Previous Meetings" under "More" in main menu.

PLEASE CONTACT US:

Please get in touch with us to learn more about our activities, and to arrange a visit. Either use the form on the right or send us an E mail with your name and contact details. Adding a "Subject" or a "Message" are optional.

Honorary Secretary
F. Brian Sole. FRPSL
49 Westcar Lane, Hersham.
Walton-on-Thames. KT12 SER