Lanarkshire Philatelic Society
"Famous Women"
Emslie MacPherson
It was with some astonishment that the members of the Lanarkshire Philatelic Society were made aware of the proliferate amount of stamps portraying women that had been issued through the years – and by many countries. Our member, Mrs Emslie MacPherson, displayed over 150 different stamps showing ‘Famous Women’.
She began with Royalty, starting from Anne Boleyn (second wife of King Henry VIII) and continued to Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. Authoresses – including the Brontë sisters, Jane Austen, Margaret Mitchell who wrote one book – ‘Gone with the Wind’; Singers and Painters – both classical and modern; Women of Achievement – Margot Fonteyn, (ballet dancer); various suffragettes, including Amelia Pankhurst; Marie Stopes, (women’s rights); various political figures – including Margaret Thatcher. Doctors, Nurses and Aviators – including Florence Nightingale, Edith Cavelle, Marie Curie, Amy Johnson. Some well-known Scottish figures - St Margaret, Flora MacDonald, Annie Laurie and Mary Campbell (Highland Mary). Also Olympic Legends; Lady Olave Baden-Powell; Annette Mills (remember Muffin the Mule?); Mary Slessor; Helen Keller; Eva Peron – among many others.
After tea, the theme continued with many stamps portraying American women. Various ‘First Lady’ stamps appeared – including Martha Washington and Eleanor Roosevelt; those fighting for civil liberties, suffragettes and also Harriet Tubman, a black slave who helped hundreds of slaves to freedom; Jennie June Croly, the first woman journalist; scientists, psychologists, artists, lawyers, doctors, authors – have all appeared on postage stamps in the USA. Also Moina Michael who encouraged the idea of wearing a poppy for remembrance of those killed in war.
There were stamps of various members of European Royalty – as well as stamps and postcards of Film stars, tennis players, beauty queens, humorous cards, and the Statue of Liberty.
The Display finished with stamps and cards depicting characters from Coronation Street.
In giving the vote of Thanks, Elsie Miller remarked on the amazing number of ladies who have had the honour of being shown on a postage stamp! She thanked Emslie for showing such a wonderful variety of material which all had much enjoyed viewing.
Our next meeting in St Andrews Parish Church Hall, Avon Street, Hamilton, is on Friday, 28th November 2008, at 7:30pm - when we look forward to a display from Mr S. Parkin with a display of ‘Edward VIII.
Anyone with an interest in stamps, postal history, postcards etc will be very welcome to attend.