Lanarkshire Philatelic Society

"Society Visit"

Paisley Philatelic Society

Members of the Lanarkshire Philatelic Society were treated to a most enjoyable evening last Friday (19^th September) when members of the Paisley Philatelic Society visited and gave wonderful displays on four subjects.

Alex Greer, who, during the Second World War had been stationed in Italy across the Adriatic from Croatia, gave an interesting history and display about that country. He began by explaining that on 6^th April 1941 Yugoslavia invaded and an independent state of ‘Croatia’ was set up. Yugoslavia stamps were overprinted with ‘Independent Croat State’ until, in late 1941, the new country was able to issue its own stamps.

Stamps showing many views of Croatia were shown as were stamps of 1943 which were purported to be for the Croat Legion Relief Fund – the Legion having been formed to fight the Russians – but unfortunately, was largely used to repress its own countrymen. Further stamps of views and personalities were displayed.

Stan Hunter followed this with his display – and gave a brief history of Hungary. He began from 1868 – the Austro Hungarian Empire and displayed a stamp on a letter posted from Pest to Vienna. Austrian stamps continued to be used until 1903 when Hungary issued its own displaying the Crown of St Stephen. Through the next few years there were different designs used and also- in 1900 - special stamps for sending newspapers; in 1913 – Flood Charity Stamps; in 1916 – Express Letter Stamp and also Savings stamps.

In 1919 – stamps were overprinted with the words "Hungarian Soviet Republic". In 1920 – stamps issued for Returned POW Charity. War intervened again and in 1946 stamps were issued for the Foundation of the Hungarian Republic. Inflation reared up – bank notes with 400 trillion (in 000s!) were shown. From 1951 Josef Stalin’s Birthday was marked with a special stamp each year. Hungary too, in later years was able to issue stamps of views and personalities.

After the tea break, Jim Moffat displayed Madagascar and also gave a brief history. In 1878, Madagascar was made a colony and French Post Offices opened in various parts of the country. British Inland Mail also operated until repressed by the French in 1895. Madagascar was declared a French Colony on 6^th August, 1896.

Throughout the years many stamps were issued including – Red Cross Fund; Anti Cancer Fund; Views; Tribal faces; in 1938, a stamp commemorating the 60^th Anniversary of the death of the explorer Jean Laborde; in 1937, the International Exhibition, Paris. Also shown were stamps of the Coffee Industry; a stamp commemorating the 60^th Anniversary of the death of the explorer, Jean Laborde; and stamps depicting tribal faces.

In 1943 the Free French took over and in 1954, jubilant stamps were issued to mark the 10^th Anniversary of Liberation. In 1960 Madagascar became independent as the Malagasy Republic.

Alex McIntosh displayed "Polish Occupation" beginning from 1^st September 1939 when Germany invaded Poland. This led to Polish stamps being overprinted by the Germans until 1940 when German stamps were used and the postmarks all bore German insignia. There were many issues depicting Hitler – and also issues to celebrate his 51^st to 55^th birthday, along with issues commemorating the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd Anniversary of General Government.

This display ended with the surrender of Germany on 7^th May, 1945.

Rev. Bill Izett proposed the Vote of Thanks for truly professional displays of wonderful quality and of much historical interest.

Our next meeting in St Andrews Parish Church Hall, Avon Street, Hamilton, is on Friday, 3^rd October 2008, at 7:30pm when we look forward to displays from members of our own society;  Albert Tong will display ‘China’ and Dr Ken Liddell, ‘The Royal Burgh of Lanark’.  

Anyone with an interest in stamps, postal history, postcards etc will be very welcome to attend.