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

FROM HAM TO ABERDEEN: 1848, SHOWING THE HAM 1D PAID STAMP APPLICABLE UNDER THE UNIVERSAL POSTAGE REGULATIONS.

THE HIGH STREET - VERY LITTLE CHANGED TODAY

AN EARLY USE OF THE 1D BLACK AND WITH A VERY RARE HAM HANDSTAMP

TO THE POST OFFICE THEN BASED WITHIN THE "STAR AND GARTER" HOME: SHOWING THE SCARCE "STAR AND GARTER" CDS (1903)

AIRMAIL URUGUAY & VENEZUELA

Andy Cox provided us with some fascinating air mail stamps from Uruguay, Venezuela. The stamps issued for the Montevideo to Florida air mail in 1925 were only valid for one day. 

AIR MAIL STAMPS FROM THE USSR

Roger Holden, who presented Andy's material as he was on holiday,  illustrated the developments in air mail stamps from simple overprints to sophisticated designs

PERFINS FROM VYSE AND COMPANY

Melvyn Green gave us an engaging display of perfins (an area of collecting that we do not often see) focusing on the issues of Vyse and Co, a celebrated manufacturer and supplier of straw hats and boaters. In addition to examples of the stamps we were shown covers and postal history relating to the business.

MOROCCO AGENCIES

Michael Pitt-Payne offered us two displays from his Queen Victoria albums. The overprints of the Morocco Agency showed how these had to change as the currencies changed. 

VICTORIAN GIBRALTAR

In a second display by Michael Pitt-Payne he delighted us with some mint stamps from Queen Victoria's reign - which he started collecting years ago because they were then cheaper than used copies! 

UNDERPAID MAIL

Chris Oliver showed us a whole series of letters and cards where the correct postage rate had been underpaid - resulting in postage dues, and a variety of handstamps and postal marks. as one Member commented it seemed that the people on the Isle of Purbeck had problems in working out postal rates.

VIETNAM

Chris Oliver surprised us with the Elephant stamps of Vietnam telling the story of the Trund Sistersn and their role in the foundation of the country ADn 39-43.

VAUX-LE-VICOMTE

Roger Niven outlined the development of three French Royal Palaces; Vincennes, Vaux-le-Vicomte and Versailles. using stamps and postcards he described some of the features and the integration of structure, decoration, and landscaped grounds from the 16th Century on.

THE CHANGING RATES THROUGH THE CENTURY

Michael gave a superb explanation of the complex rates for mail through the century with variations by weight, routing, carriage by ships, currency and direction of travel.

FULL SUMMARY IN OUR NEXT JOURNAL

Michael has very kindly agreed to prepare a succinct summary of this very complicated story for the next edition of our Journal - issued to Members - which should be published in early June.

LETTERS WITH AND WITHOUT ADHESIVES

Michael showed us a wide variety of letters and covers with UK and US adhesives and postmarks; and explained the routes and difficulties involved with sometimes perilous sea crossings, lack of overland infrastructure and the US civil war,

ILLUSTRATIONS

Throughout the presentation Michael was able to identify many of the vessels that carried the mail, and to show us illustrations of these ships: ranging from full sail, side-paddle, hybrid steam and sail, to full steam.

FANNING ISLAND

Keith gave a fascinating presentation about Fanning Island - in the middle of the Pacific Ocean - which few of us would have been able to place on a map. It is now part of Kiribati.  The island was leased out by the British Government in the 19th Century and various lessors of decidedly dubious backgrounds took on the lease with varying degrees of success.

DUCK SHOOTING

Keith showed a series of postcards and covers, mainly from the early 20th Century which showed the island paradise of duck shoots and the farming of coconut oil and copra; although heavily dependent upon labour from other islands such as Fiji. The island used stamps from New Zealand and Australia together with some local issues. The covers and postage details highlighted the very remote nature of the islands.

THE WORLD OF INSURANCE, MUDLARKS AND BUTLIN'S

Brian Sole gave a well-researched presentation of philatelic material and other documents about the history and development of the world of insurance - and its roots in the City of London. Melvyn Green entertained us with material from Brentford and Kew based upon Thomas Layton and the mudlarks. Russell Hill showed us some very engaging material from the early days of Butlins and the role of the camps in WWII.

ITALY, BERMUDA AND THE TRAVELS OF PATRICK MASELIS

Kevin Newsome showed us some interesting early Italian covers with a variety of stamps, cancellations and decorations; Roger Holden teased us with whether stamps of the dry dock in Bermuda actually showed a wet-dock, and amazed us with the story of the transportation of a dock from London to the island. Michael Pitt-Payne showed us some wonderful postcards from the seemingly never ending travels of Patrick Maselis - the extraordinarily energetic recent President of the RPSL.

THE FIRST POSTAGE STAMPS TO BE USED

A map of the Colony of Canada emphasised how little of Canada as we now know it comprised the Colony - essentially just Ontario- and prior to 1851 the first postage stamps to be used in the Colony were American as US stamps could be affixed to mail in prepayment for mail to the USA and some of the main post offices in Canada were supplied with US stamps for this purpose.

THE FIRST CANADIAN STAMPS

Three stamp values were issued during 1851 as imperforate with the values being Colonial pence - slightly lower in value than the UK pence. 

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The 3 pence paid the domestic letter rate for up to 1/2 ounce sent anywhere within the Colony. Showing a beaver it also lays claim to being the first stamp in the world with a thematic design.

LETTER RATES TO THE UK

Graham explained how the Colony did not have a stamp value to cover the costs of postage to the UK; nor a combination of stamp values that would pay the 1 shilling and 4 pence required. This resulted in some covers with combinations of stamps - and still a requirement for an additional fee on arrivals.

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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RATHFRILAND 1798

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Note R.F.Land the abbreviated name in use until 1798

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Dublin circular date stamp DE 10 98

MCADAMS CROSSROADS 1996

Still in use.

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Opened Oct - Dec 1880  according to first entry in quarterly P.O. Guide 1 Jan 1881 and appears in all subsequent PO lists as sub office to Dromore.

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21 Apr 1904  : PO upgraded to Minor Money Order Office with ‘Climax’ type rubber datestamp issued for use on postal orders & mail.  One of the last batches of small sub PO’s thus upgraded prior to 1905, by which year all PO’s were to have this facility.

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1 Sep 1905  :  P.O. Circular advised all R.S.O.’s (Railway Sub Offices) [Dromore] to be ‘redesignated’ S.O. (Sub Office) status.

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(these notes are from Tony Graham's very detailed work). 

KILLYLEAGH 1862

To Alpha, Navada County, USA.  registered and pre-paid with an additional 5c charge to Calfornia applied in the USA. 

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The routing was via the "central Overland Route" from Saint Joseph, Missouri via Salt Lake City. 

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.