Lanarkshire Philatelic Society

"Society Visit"

Ayrshire Philatelic Society

The Lanarkshire Philatelic Society gave a warm welcome to members of the Ayrshire Philatelic Society who gave most interesting displays when they visited on Friday, 19th February.

An unusual and most inspiring display was given by Roy Wickham. We are well used to seeing the stamps and postmarks of outgoing mail – but Roy showed the opposite direction! "Incoming and Transit Mail and Covers of Zanzibar" was his title and covers from many countries were shown, each bearing the incoming postmark received on arrival – or for transit within - Zanzibar. As these started from 1882 there were many differing styles and costs depicted throughout the years.

As David Rossall was unable to be present in person, Ian McPherson presented the display. This was a wonderful display of poster stamps from Switzerland publicizing Philatelic Exhibitions throughout the years. David began with poster stamps for the Geneva International Exhibition of 1896 and the display continued through many such exhibitions to 1965; also Aerophilately from 1941; for the first Exhibition with a Miniature Sheet; and the display ended with special covers issued to commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of the first airmail. 

After the tea break, Willie King presented his display of "Ceylon Pence" and showed stamps from 1857 – many printed on Perkins Bacon plates. These depicted Queen Victoria in stamps of many different designs, colours, watermarks, imperforations and perforations - but all costing "pence"! In 1879 the pence changed to "cents" and stamps bearing a surcharge to mark the change were displayed as well as the new issues in cents. Also shown were some interesting forgeries and fabrications .

Ian Baker, the President of the Ayrshire Society, who was born and brought up in Birmingham – gave an excellent display of the postal history of Birmingham. He began with a letter posted in 1717 bearing the word "Birmingham" and showed the development through the years from this word to circular postmark. In 1854 the official use of postage stamps began and these were cancelled with a postmark bearing the city name and date of posting – and, 1894 the time of posting was added. 1917 saw the use of the first slogan – "Buy National War Bonds" – and in 1964 local interest slogans appeared.

Alan Wishart, in giving the Vote of Thanks remarked on the wonderful variety of the displays given by all four members of the Ayrshire Society which had been much enjoyed.

Our next meeting in St Andrews Parish Church Hall, Avon Street, Hamilton, is on Friday, 5th March, 2010 at 7:30pm when Raymond Baldock will give his display on "Latvia". 

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