Reports on Club Meetings

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9 March 2020
Annual Competitions including One-sheet competition - Members

Ten entries were submitted in the Competition, with the results in the table below. In the One Page Competition, the winner by one point was Albert Jackson with his submission "A Triple Whammy" described below. John Campbell judged the main entries and complimented the competitors with the high level of entries submitted. An excellent evening.

(and the third Whammy! I found this item in a dealer's mixed lot box for £2.00!)

2020 Competition Results

(chris wheeler)

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Monday 24 February 2020 - "Germany 1919/33", Tony Hickey

       The subject of WWI is a frequent Philatelic study area, but of very limited consideration is the immediate post-war period. Speaker Tony Hickey FRPSL shone a highly informed beam of light onto this little known area and greatly interested his audience, making much use of stamps, including overprints,  covers and correspondence, postcards, photos, maps, newspapers and posters. The whole presentation was skilfully underpinned by superb write-up and eloquent exposition. Having been born into a military family, spread over many generations, Tony took up his fascination with all things ‘military’ at a young age with philatelic interest gaining ground over time.   By way of background, Tony covered in particular the key issues of massive change for Germany, following revolt prior to the ending of the war, shortages, provisional government, the re-allocation of territory, the confiscation of German colonies, reparations, hyper-inflation and the severe limitation of military personnel and armaments.  Added to all these contentious areas was the ‘war-guilt clause’ built into the Treaty of Versailles, which assisted in the fermentation of German revolt, protest and emerging political extremism...ultra-nationalism.
          The Wall Street Crash of 1929 proved to be the major turning point in Hitler’s massive rise to popularity, since although Germany by this time was strengthening economically, the American insistence on ‘having their money back’, fed into the newly promoted ‘bread and work’ slogan and general propaganda, which began to resonate and promote Hitler’s appeal. During this chaotic postwar period, numerous postal adjustments were made, not least the variety of stamp issues and over-printing, reflecting the hyper-inflation backdrop.

Postcard "The Americans are Coming", April 1917	The prson wher Hiltler was interned and wrote Mein Kampf	50th Anniversary miniature sheet of the Spartacus Revolt in 1916
Bavarian sets from 1919	New Germania colours, 1920	Stamp from the set "Remember our Colonies"
The National Socialist "martyr" Albert Leo Schlageter, 1923	Cover to Ireland with stamps to the value of 45,000,000 marks	Overprinted stamps of Eden and Hindenberg
1 November1923, new stamp issue following the hyperinflation era	German POWs returning from England	Tony Hickey receiving his presentation gift from Hugh Jefferies

(paul barry)

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Monday 10 February 2020: 8 in 3 - What's Your Theme?

Nine excellent displays covering a wide range of themes was displyed this evening, started with John Garrett's GB Postal History of mainly Free Franks, but also showing a To Pay 2d Only example and a postcard of one of the Soup Kitchens set up by Alderman Ridout. Albert Jackson followed by showing many variations of the Poland stamp issued by USA as part of its 13 set Overrun Countries, issued in 1943-1944 in sheets of 50, as a tribute to those countries which had assisted the AXIS forces. Wendy Buckle demonstrated the history of printing, with stamps and physical examples, beginning with Typesetting, the assembly of plates by selection of individual letters and punctuation marks, getting them round the right way leading to the quotation "mind you ps and qs". Examples of lintyope and montype machines on stamps were included ending with the introduction of computeres in the mid 20th century. John Duckworth concentrated on stamps and covers used by South West Africa, explaining the many administrations that the country had been subjected to, especially the port of Walvis Bay, now in Namibia. Julian White put up many examples of the penny red, and the effects on its colouring as a result of the paper it was printed on. Chris Wheeler showed St Valentine and many Love stamps, the village Lover near Fordingbridge which receives a special licence each year to issue its own cancelations, and closed with the promotional pack from Croatia for its Love stamp. Hugh Jefferies followed with examples of the nearly 100 years history of all issues from the New Zealand Government Life Insurance Department, with variations in design until its last issue in 1981 and withdrawal in 1989. Don Seaby displayed eight sheets of modern covers and their appropriate cancellations from Dorset, with finally Alan King showing Airmails and Transport stamps from France.

Free Pay Letter from 1830	The Overrun Countries - Poland cover, 1943	Sweden stamp showing Typesetting
Composing a page, 90th anniversary	Introduction of Computers, Finland	Cape of Good Hope cover with its own stamp, whilst independent
Penny red on cover from Plate 47	Croatia Love stamp	Fist issue of the Government New Zealand Life Insurance stamps
Badger Beer cancellation, Blandford, Dorset	Two early France airmail stamps on piece	The France airmail "Banknote" design

(chris wheeler)

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Monday 27 January 2020
"Alwar to Travancore - with a few stops between" - Philip Olds

All those attending this evening found that the early postage stamps and postalhistory of the Indian Princely States is a complicated subject. British rule with greater uniformity across the whole of India followed the period of this display. Since many of the first issues of these stamp issuing states were printed locally, using primintive methods, they can be very rare.  For this reason, the Indian Feudatory States are a challenging and an interesting area for stamp collecting. Beginners need be aware of the existence of forgeries, though most forgeries are crude and can be easily identified and collected in their own right.  The standard catalogue for these postage stamps, which the speaker has contributed to in many cases is published by Stanley Gibbons.
This evening was a treat for all those who attended, going into the depths of postal production, use and development which must be quite unique in the world of stamp collecting and an opportunity for the enthusiast to really excel in the finest detail of their hobby.  No one but another expert could possibly write up this display up with any confidence or accuracy!!
However, here we were presented with an in-depth analysis and display of examples of stamps of which almost only one exists in many cases, and our speaker admitted to playing desperate games of “jigsawing” in his efforts to match up individual stamps into their composite sheets, such was the detail of his collecting,  Several of his examples were certified by the expertising committee, and stood modestly among their sisters on the display sheets with simply their expertising reference number above them to prove their authenticity.
Concentrating on the Feudatory States of Rajistan, Philip went through them one by one showing examples of their delicate and individual designs.  Due to the low literacy and very local use, very few had been produced, and there were a host of errors of every type imaginable. Printed in low numbers in small sheets, they were used mainly for official purposes, managed mainly by the police and delivered by the police and their nominated runners.  As these sheets ran out new ones were ordered, but the original plates were long gone and so that added to their composition and colour. The same occurred when the maharaja died and a new issue was ordered for the new encumbent.
Clearly these were local stamps and rarely crossed the State borders.  When they did, both States’ stamps were used, or if the destination stamps were not available to the sender, postage due inscriptions were added.  Some lovely examples of these on cover were included in the display.
Much changed following the War of Independence in 1857, when the East India Company was replaced by British Rule and greater control of their issue and compliance came into force.  This was a display that each sentence had a depth of meaning and hidden research that excited the audience and led to a host of questions and detailed study during the break and at the end.
Magnificent!

ALWAR - Origin paid, local is postage due	Triple oval cancellation on 1 Folus stamp, 20 Feb 1884

JAIPUR - Chariot design	JAIPUR - Elephant Transport	BEGAM - SG23a - Rare
CHARKARI - Only full set known	Expertised ¼ ANNAS	Printed with missing stamp
Stamp printed on both sides	Expertised 1900 1 Anna imperf	The final "Thank you" to Philip

chris wheeler

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Monday 13th January 2020
8 in 3 - Your Choice - Members

Within the 7 presentations, there was both variety and considerable interest. Wendy Buckle provided a brief study of ‘WWII Occupation of Latvia’, in which the official postal system was considered. This was but a small part of a considerable in-depth collection. Spence Coaker shared some 60’s and 70’s Mail from Hong Kong. He considered various post offices and included registered letters. Albert Jackson’s WWII collection is extensive and on this occasion Club was able to consider ‘German Labour Camps.’ Hugh Jefferies’ took a highly specialised look at New Zealand’s ‘Alms Postal Fiscals’, where the new 1931 design was established, covering the values 1/3d to £1000!!. It produced no less than 52 different values to keep both admin staff and philatelists on their toes!  This complex issue involved some surcharging in bold type to establish the stamp value, since 52 different colours could not be achieved for printing! Included was a very large cover, supporting the theme, and as a bonus, Hugh presented a remarkable full sheet of ‘Penny Reds’!! -a family heirloom. Charles Lennard shared a study of ‘St Petersburg Post Office -1880’.  It may be little known that during the recent past there were no less than 21 different post offices in the Poole area and Don Seaby’s presentation mustered a fascinating collection of ‘Postmarks of Poole’. The final study was a detailed consideration of ‘Napoleon III, 2nd set of the Imperfs’ (the Second Empire), a study which was much amplified by owner/presenter Alan King who provided much background, including different dies and details of forgeries, some of which were present within the display.  Another well worthwhile in-house evening!

paul barry

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Monday 16 December 2019
Christmas Events, wine, mince pies quizzes, raffle, etc

This concluding meeting of the Club’s most successful 2019 programme, proved to be a winner too, with some 30 Members, plus a few wives greatly enjoying the festive fun!! Numerous Members played their part in achieving this, with particular names being ‘mentioned in despatches’ – Carol Gregory on superb refreshments, Alan King on drinks and raffle responsibilities, Don Seaby on the well stocked bar and quizes courtesy of Terry Kirkman (General Knowledge) and Hugh Jefferies (Guess a Stamp). A most generous Raffle certainly mirrors a thriving, contented club, and Alan’s work in this activity was commendable indeed, with nearly £100 worth of ticket sales. Additional thanks go to those Members who donated prizes on the night. ‘A night to remember’.

paul barry

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Monday 9 December 2019
Three/Four Sheets from everybody (no excuses!) - Members

1300th Anniversary cancellation, 1998, commemorating the Lindisfarne Gospels	Letter from the 2nd Marquis of Bute (1793-1845), from Highcliff House, using the Christchurch Penny Post	Detail from miniature sheet designed by Czeslaw Slania in 2000 (his 1,000th stamp design)
Christchurch in the snow, 1908 postcard	A Robson Lowe cover from its Bournemouth office	One of Terry Kirkman's traditional "Christmas Crackers"
White Island, New Zealand (scene of six fatalities the day before this meeting)	1945 RAFC Airgraph	1803 letter from the Transport Office, Stapleton Prison, releasing 18 PoWs back to France

chris wheeler

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Monday 25 November 2019
SG Philatelic Terms Illustrated display - Hugh Jefferies (alteration to original programme)

Hugh Jefferies MBE, the Club’s Programme Secretary,  presented Members with glimpses of a fascinating Stanley Gibbons’ resource -a sizeable ‘frozen in time’ 1950’s A-Z collection of philatelic terms. This was a richly  illustrated display of numerous appropriate stamps, some of which, with the passage of time are seen to be ‘very tasty items’. (Hugh) This resource had been ‘lost’ for some 15 years, but clubs and societies now benefit from Hugh’s management, having presented it on no fewer than some 30 occasions!  Well written-up on cream parchment, the compiler had drawn together a truly extensive assortment of material. Starting from predictably ‘Advertisements’ there followed scores of other philatelic terms, including ‘Fakes’, ‘Fiscals’, Mails’ (pigeon post, airmails, etc), ‘Papers’, ‘Postal Stationery’, Perforations and ‘Watermarks’. Hugh skimmed through, commenting on and showing a few examples which needed further scrutiny, perhaps on account of humour, rarity or intrigue!  He made reference to linked Stanley Gibbons’ books on display, published in 1972 and 2003 on the subject ‘Philatelic Terms Illustrated’. The greater apportionment of time was given to Members’ personal investigation which proved most worthwhile.         

Two editions of the Stanley Gibbons detailed Guide	Hugh Jefferies being presented with his "Thank you" by Terry Kirkman

(paul barry)

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11th November 2019
Members Displays - Postal History

These home-spun evenings always interest through both contents and diverse subjects. Postcards from the 1930s featuring local landmarks, was Don Seaby’s focus. Continuing on the Dorset theme was John Garrett’s collection of early 19th century pre-stamp covers and interesting letters, also from this period. Terry Tuck displayed even earlier local material, reaching back as far as 1760. Changing the topic was Graham Judd with his fine selection of Scouting related material –stamps and covers in particular. The remaining displays took Club Members on a ‘Thos. Cook’ Extravaganza. John Duckworth shared part of his 1927 Chinese connection material –which was concerned with the Shanghai Postal Strikes of 1927 and 1932, providing scarce covers posted during this period. A small study was made of emergency coupons which were issued during the strikes. Continuing the Far Eastern theme (Hong Kong) was Spence Coaker’s display of covers and postcards, with several having various GB/Wimborne destinations.  Moving to a vastly different location was John Davis with a rich taster of his ‘Tin Can Mail’ from Tonga.  Moving closer to home was Wendy Buckle who shared again a fragment of her extensive ‘Latvia’ collection, with a consideration of Russian postmarks. Concluding this section was a highly researched study by Albert Jackson which gave a tragic glimpse into the subject of ‘The WW2 Polish Invasion’. Rare philatelic material featured- covers and their letters sent by imprisoned Polish Officers held in a notorious forest PoW camp. Of even greater rarity was a cover posted into the camp. The material displayed was dated just prior to both the liquidation of the camp its detained Polish Military personnel. This truly detailed and well written-up display was but a fragment of Albert’s major presentation which Club had previously been privileged to study.

Ferndown postcard with single ring cancel, 1904	Ferndown postcard with double ring cancel, 1926	Censored mail with sticker applied by the Scouts and identified as Scout No 3
Mail from Polish Officer in POW Camp	Mail sent to Polish officer in POW Camp, but already murdered, so returned to Poland	Cover from Hearts Delight, Newfoundland
Coupon on mail item sent from Shanghai during the postal strike, 1932	Letter processed by the Army Pay Office in Bournemouth, WWII	The Army postal team on a postcard franked in 1905 in Boscombe

(paul barry)

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28th October Visit from Southampton

Filling a last minute gap in the established Club Programme, four members of the Southampton PS came to the rescue, a month ahead of schedule and presented most interesting and diverse 48 sheet displays. Leading the team was Julian Jones who entertained with ‘Speeding up Transatlantic Mail’. This was indeed a highly detailed and complex study, building on preceding display, concentrating in the period from 1785, but mainly with a focus on the 1890’s to early 20th century. ‘Time is Money’…the old saying, and from the Post Office perspective, the need to speed up the sea mail was essential. Principally ‘White Star’ and ‘Cunard’ were the shipping lines involved. Using Queenstown, in SE Ireland, then using rail/boat/rail to London had been the established route eastwards, with New York being the port going west. Various short cuts were experimented with. A major endeavour was to reduce mail on/off ship times, and some ingenious developments are noted, including planes scooping mail bags by hook, air-ships (up to Hindenburg) and on-board seaplanes having catapulting facilities (used into the Hudson & New York). Julian’s study was well supported with various marks, hand and tax stamps, rates and surcharges, plus a sizeable and fascinating collection of covers/postcards, where consideration was given up to 1935.
             ‘Church Architecture ‘presented by Len Yendell, was another 48 sheet display. Its sound write-up was supported by a considerable wealth of stamps, covers and postcards, miniature sheets, photos and postmarks. The emphasis was on European architecture, and focussed mainly on abbeys and cathedrals. Of particular interest was a sizeable section on ‘Zagreb’.   The whole formed a colourful and interesting ranging display, dealing more in breadth than depth, with much scope for further development.  
            Following this presentation, there followed a major and unique collection drawn together by Mike Batty on his personal theme of ‘Bishop’s Waltham’, his Hampshire village, examined through an historical lens. Making its start in the early 1700’s, this postal history display offered numerous pre-stamp mail items, both inward and outward, including much fascinating correspondence.  Here there was much variety with plenty of evidence of covers, early postcards, maps, photos, cancels and rates. The final 8 sheets sought to examine ‘Wartime Mail’ in some depth and considered both censored and Atlantic mail and PoW items.
            The final display which was a narrow but colourful topic concerned itself with ‘Light Houses on Stamps’.  Here Mike Vokes was a true Sea Salt, full of fascinating facts concerning the locations, styles and characteristics of worldwide lighthouses. From Argentina to Ireland to Russia, with scores of other locations included, Mike was not short on philatelic material, being well supported by stamps, covers, maps and articles. Early exposure to light houses as a child had set the seeds of what was to be a passionate lifelong philatelic interest. 
            In conclusion, Chairman Bob Small was much appreciative of the quality of material, the pleasing presentations and, addressing this worthy ‘Team of Four’, showed much appreciation for beautifully plugging the hole in the Club’s autumn calendar!       

Postcard to Crewkerne, cancelled on the St Louis, 1903	Letter to Lincoln, cancelled on board, 1892	Postcard depicting Orval Abbey, Belgium, with affixed stamp, 1928

Sheet showing Orval Abbey with its stamps	Two frames from the display

Paul Barry

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14th October 2019 - 8 in 4 - Thematic Evening - Members

Chairman, Bob Small, opened the evening by reminding members that from 2020, not only will displays have to be in "8 in 4" format, but all Competitions will be 16 sheets. He congratulated all the winners of the trohies at the recent HAMPEX, the Club taking the majority of the awards this year.

Eleven members put up displays during the first part of the evening, starting with Chris Wheeler with a mixed collection of stamps and philatelic items relating to the ANZACS. Wendy Buckle followed with a wide variety of rare postal material on the subject of paper useage during the War years, demonstrating how the quality of paper, ink and paper size deteriorated as the years passed by, closing with some excellent examples from Latvia and Mexico (during its Civil War). John Duckworth displayed Early Aviation using postcards, covering the first aviators and their craft. Brian Quist researched the Military archives and displayed some unique material relating to the Army Services, including some humorous examples. John Garrett put up a range of novelty and pull-out cards relating to the local area, including Pokesdown and Wimborne. This was followed by some war time postcards, some with lovely tinting, and one which had had the name of the place it represented cut out by the censors. Don Seaby's theme was cricket, and a very fine display was exhibited starting with the world's first cricket stamp from Cape Verde in 1962. Hugh Jefferies put up a unique collection of New Zealand advertising stamps, reversed so the advertisements could be read, all from the 1890s issue. Finally, another thematic display was shown with examples of A for Astronomy, B for Buses and Birds, and down to Z for Zodiacs.

Reduced size telegram from 1943	Colonel Cody in his self-designed water plane in 1908 (and in which he died in 1913)	Boothill's comedy card of the donkey booting out the Germans in 1945
The Army Service Corps, Blandford	"Love is in the air", Pokesdown	Waiting for the Mail, Wimborne
The first cricket stamps, 1962, Cape Verde	Adverts on the rear of the 1890 New Zealand issue stamps	C is for Copernicus

chris wheeler

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Thursday 23 September 2019
"Royal Navy Censored Mail in World War II" - Rod Vousden FRPSL

As expected of this esteemed philatelist, this meeting provided a true wealth of fascinating, scarce, rare and unique material, on a subject not previously examined in depth by Club. Very well written up and with great precision, the presentation was exceptional in content and provided Members with an opportunity to study at first hand an extensive range of philatelic gems, covering censor marks and inks, seals, postcards, stamps and superb photographic naval shipping images. This resource was further enhanced by numerous covers and correspondence, some of great historical and political interest, linked to key players (Churchill) and events (River Plate). Rod gave a detailed account of naval security with regard to ships’ mail and underlined the importance of official slogans, such as ‘Idle Gossip Sinks Ships’. Whilst many covers had been truly difficult to source, of great rarity were items of submarine mail. A particular feature of censor marks on display were those of ‘home-spun’ variety, created by individual ships at the start of hostilities, in the absence of supplies of official equipment. Essential to total security was the strict requirement that no mark or clue should indicate correspondence origin. There were exceptions where ‘good news’ was imparted, having a tonic or propaganda value. Rod spoke of the main ports of Edinburgh, London and Portsmouth which processed censored mail. For the naval WWII historian and certainly those philatelists studying GB censor marks, it is surely hard to experience a more significant collection than that presented by Rod Vousden FRPSL.

Rod wth his display	Air Mail letter card, censored by Royal Mail in World War II to Portsmouth	Royal Navy censored Mail, Japanese 1945 en route to Neew Zealand
26 January 2 1949 - letter passed by censors,with the Tombstone censor mark	Received fron HM Ships to Boston, Mass	Rod receiving his gift and certificate formn Chairman, Bob Small

(paul barry)

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Thursday 9 September: - 8 in 4 - Postcards only, Members

This was a truly eventful evening with the launch of the Club’s brand new display frames, the provision of which had been debated for some 25 years after the dawn of time! Bespoke to a high standard, the new acquisition will see Club well provided for and will certainly surpass in design/quality the best on the south coast! In up-to-date 4x4 format, Club can now compete on an even playing field, and be professionally friendly. It seemed right that the very first Member to present should be an old hand, in philatelic terms!!…Terry Kirkman. Delving into his considerable depository, a most interesting display ensued on the subject of local postcards. Chas Stanton, a Dorset builder had postcards printed by J. Tilley & Son and all benefit from the created range developed.   Re-pros of WWII featured, including Churchill themed ones and slogan cards such as ‘Keep Mum’. Of particular enchantment were very early amusing Swiss cards by Alfred Meinzer Inc. (1897-1973) on the theme of ‘Cats’. Another regular presenter was Don Seaby with his all-Dorset sepia cards, ‘A-H’, of various post offices, including Corscombe, Corfe Mullen, Colehill and Bere Regis. Bill Laird displayed 14 sheets of previously unseen material ‘Early Exhibitions’, which considered the ‘British Empire Exhibition’, and further examples from both Crystal Palace and Earls Court. Again on the subject of the locality, Julian White provided some beautiful all-colour Bournemouth cards of yesteryear. Spence Coaker continued the local theme with an interesting 1914 Boscombe Gardens postcard, sent to Shanghai. Another to Java and a 1919 card from Kowloon to UK were featured. John Duckworth completed the evening’s presentations with his early study of Christchurch Toll Bridge (1880), Bournemouth Air Show and West Moors in the period 1904 – 1943.

Detail from an early Alfred Meinzer Swiss postcard -'Cats!'

(paul barry)

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12 August 2019 - 9 in 4 - Stamps only - Members

Before the meeting got under way, the Chairman advised that the new display boards had arrived and would be in use from the next meeting. Unless decided otherwise, all future 6 in 2 and 9 in 4 displays would be 8 in 4s, with the format of the 9 December meeting of three sheets from everyone being amended in due course to four, if appropriate.

Seven members displayed this evening, beginning with David Parsons who put up a range of Revenue Stamps from Guernsey, tracing their history from the larger first issue of 1d and 6d values to the smaller-sized subequent isues. Examples were shown off and on documents, with changes of paper and printer, ending with the rather unique Entertainment Tax stamps. Chris Wheeler followed with a range of GB Smiler Sheets, followed by Spence Coaker with an unusual collection of Hong Kong Securuty marked stamps, some with overprinted company chops, others with perfins, these being issued by the major companies operating in the Territory up to 1841. Hugh Jefferies dispayed his collection of Mauritius Numeral Postmarks, explaining the cancellation numbering system, with examples of both the common and rarer stamps of various values.

Don Seaby covered the Straits Settlements issues during the reign of Queen Victoria and Edward VII, followed by Bill Laird with his well written-up George V commemoratives. Finally an exceptional display of the Ceres issue from France with sheets of the various values was displayed by Alan King, who went to great lengths to explain the many different forgery methods he had examples of in his display.

Guernsey Revenue States Stamp	Early Hong Kong Perfins	Indian Surcharged Stamps
1924 One Penny B.E.E. stamp	Rare B65 Cancellations from Mauritius	1850 France Ceres, black on pale yellow, on piece

chris wheeler

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Monday July 22, 2019 - "Czech Miscellany" - Lindy Bosworth FRPSL

This was a highly specialised collection, eloquently presented and superbly written-up. In appreciative mode at the conclusion, Chairman Bob surely voiced the feelings of all, stating ‘this is a most interesting and special display of high quality’ and thanked Lindy for sharing it with Club. Drawing on a rich resource of maps, covers, airmails, postcards, letter cards, stamps of all periods –mint and blocks, with consideration of papers and perforations, the display covered much ground. Lindy began her presentation with a detailed historical assessment, beginning with the State when part of the Austrian-Hapsburg Empire. Detailed information was provided on early stamp issues, then to Prague where subsequent printings produced scores of varieties.  Perforating was first a business operation, subsequently followed by the Post Office. The study of this aspect alone is a minefield, waiting for the expert eye to examine. A fair section dealt with colours, gums and also overprints, the first of which were the 1920 Czech Red Cross issue, lasting a very short period. Details of the first airmail stamp were examined, together with early postcards depicting the first aviators. 1930 saw an issue of airmail stamps and this received a major focus, reflecting the considerable increase in aviation activities. There followed a substantial section devoted to 1939 German occupation stamps and associated charges. The post war sections of this fascinating philatelic treasure trove centred mainly on the diverse subjects represented, revealing Czech culture, industry and agriculture. An important contribution was the work of stamp engravers, which included work by K. Seizinger. Members were fascinated by a signed original pencil drawing for the 50h green value, which had additional remarks for the design, in the margin. The printed stamp’s design, displayed alongside, accurately followed the designer’s intentions.  The final frame considered the 1993 establishment of the Czech and Slovak Republics.    This was indeed a fine presentation not to be equalled in its subject’s content, range and rarity.   

Original Pencil Drawing of 1930 stamp	First Airmail stamps, 1930	Czech soldiers in enemy uniforms "Torch Bearers of War"
1923 Cover with 1922 "Agriculture and Science" Overprints	The first stamps engraved by Josef Hercik, 1962	Lindy being thanked by Chairman, Bob Small

paul barry

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Monday 8 July:- 9 in 4 -GB and the Channel Islands - Members

Presenting an interesting selection of GB covers was Don Seaby, with material from 1888 onwards. All provided local flavour having Bournemouth postmarks. Chris Wheeler by contrast was right up to the minute, having uncovered a Post Office plot to bankrupt the lot of us!!  25th March saw the second class postal rate increase to 61p, an increase level which contravened OFCOM regulations. The charge should have been 60p up to 1 April. Chris sent a range of covers to himself showing the new illegal rate, together with details of an official apology and associated charitable donation! Moving quickly back in time was John Garrett’s contribution featuring seldom seen ‘Newspaper Tax Stamps’ in the period from 1757/1789 (William Pitt). A detailed study came from John Duckworth with his ‘GB Dorset’, a look at early covers/postmarks, rates and fees.   Fair examples of content would be his 1783 cancellation, Sherborne to Blandford, and that of 1846 Wimborne to Salisbury. David Parsons shared some of his Guernsey material –occupation licences, permits and forms. Charles Lennard looked at WWII ‘Rates and Routes’, sharing his covers and map. Rob Greer displayed on the subject of PO inspection marks surcharges, yellow labels and mobile post offices. Paul Lear in contrast shared most colourful material with numerous mint stamps depicting birds, including raptors and a beautiful section on butterflies. Eminent scientists featured as did a brief philatelic comment on the world of his namesake, Edward Lear!! Concluding the evening’s entertainment was Bob Small with a close study of one of his passions – ‘KGV Shades’. This all mint display featured 3d lilac and 4d green values with controls in the period 1912–1924.    Another diverse and fascinating set of contributions -much enjoyed.

1 October 1870, first day of use of a postcard in GB, this one with a pre-printed ½d stamp	Reverse of the postcard	1951 letter by air to Tripoli, with Postage Due stamps and Tripoli Tax Marks (rare)
1924 Postcard from Bournemouth to Australia, wth double ring cancellation, Tax marks and Postage Due stamps	Stamps of Britain, showing the Tyne Bridge	Error in calculation of Postage Due, resulting from use of the E stamp
Letter to Board of Trade, OHMS, charges but overruled	1757 1d Newspaper Duty Rate (½d + ½d)	1783 letter from Sherborne to Blandford marked "turn at Sarum"

(Paul Barry)