Lanarkshire Philatelic Society

"President's Evening"

Mr. Edward Archer

It was the Beaver on the stamp from Canada sent by his uncle that set new President, Ed Archer, on his hobby of stamp collecting!  This was shown on Friday, 2nd September at the opening meeting of the Lanarkshire Philatelic Society when the "President’s Night" display was viewed. 
  
Ed Archer, of Lanark, displayed stamps of Canada from the first issues in the 1890s through to 1979. He explained that the name "Canada" was an Huron-Iroquois word for "village" or "settlement". Having said that he also said that, in the early years, Canada was very reluctant to acknowledge the native Indian and Eskimo cultures. The first stamps depicted Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, Jacques Cartier – who named Canada – and the beaver! 
  
The stamps continued through the reigns of King Edward VII – to our present Queen – and showed the Silver Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary, the Coronation of King George VI and of our Queen Elizabeth. Throughout the years various events and people were commemorated - in 1935 a stamp showing a Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman was issued, also Alexander Graham Bell’s birth Centenary, Canadian Prime Ministers, World Scout Jamboree, the Olympics at Montreal amongst many others. In 1952 came an issue showing "Pacific Coast Indian House and Totem Pole" – an acknowledgement of native Indian culture – and both Indian and Eskimo culture now featured on various stamps.  
  
Stamps issued for "Special Delivery Express" throughout the years were shown, as were stamps issued for "CAPEX ’78" International Philatelic Exhibition, and a stamp showing a knot round a finger reminded people to use the postcode! 
  
After tea, Ed intrigued members with his display of stamps of the British Empire 1937 – 1942. It was realised that many of the countries depicted have now disappeared – became independent and renamed, or were lost during the war years – e.g. Basutoland, North Borneo, Patiala etc. Many of the displays began with the Coronation in 1937 of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. The displays were shown in alphabetical order beginning with Aden and ending at Turks and Caicos Islands. 

  
Immediate Past President, Ian Gray gave warm thanks to Ed Archer for his most interesting and inspiring evening. 
  
Our next meeting in St Andrews Parish Church Hall, Avon Street, Hamilton, is on Friday, 16th September, 2010 at 7:30pm when Ian Gray will give his display on "Cycling".  

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