Lanarkshire Philatelic Society

"Argentina"

Dr. David Cumming

"Hero, Villain or President"? was the intriguing heading to the first part of the display given by Dr David Cumming of Sandyhills at the Lanarkshire Philatelic Society on Friday, 4^th November.

The subject was "Argentina" – and these first sheets displayed stamps depicting the faces of early heroes of the anti-Spanish liberation movement - e.g. Stamp of 1873 – Mariano Moreno – leader of a revolution in 1810; 1923 – Jose de San Martin – liberator of Argentina from Spain in 1812; 1935-46 - Domingo Faustino Sarmiento– President from 1881-1888. Biographies of each was given.

Dr Cumming gave a very interesting potted history of this very large and volatile country which has been through many revolutions and wars. For many years Argentina was not a "united" country – and the early un-perforated pre-republic stamps of Corrientes, Confederation and Buenos Aires – issued in 1856-64 - were displayed. These stamps are prized by collectors! These were followed by the first perforated definitive stamps of the Republic – issued 1864.

The display showed the many issues through the years including the National Telegraph stamps of 1887; 1889 definitive set designed by the South American Banknote Company – who also designed various other issues. In 1892 was issued the set commemorating the tercentenary of Columbus’ discovery of America; 1899 the Liberty Shield definitive set; 1910 Centenary of Independence set; 1911 Ploughman definitives; 1920 – the death centenary of General Belgrano; 1921 First Pan-American Postal Congress; 1928 Centenary of Peace with Brazil; 1930 Revolution of 6^th September, 1930 – amongst many others and excellent information given re the perforation and watermark variations.

After tea, members were treated to a display of the postal history of Argentina. This included Internal and External Surface Postage Rates and Airmail Stamps. Examples of mail from the pre-cursor state, from the Confederation and from the restored Republic with their varying postmarks were displayed.

Many other examples of widely fluctuating rates of postage were shown. Some Censored covers were featured which demonstrated the problems met by mail from a neutral state in World War 1. Also the first Airmail definitive set of 1928 led to further examples of aerophilately and the variable rates used. In 1930 much use was made of the Graf Zeppelin – the Europe-Pan-American Flight - when definitive stamps were overprinted with "Zeppelin 1^st Vuelo 1930" – and with a small picture of the Graf Zeppelin! Other used commemoratives showed the differing postal rates; 1932 International Refrigerating Congress; 1934 32^nd International Eucharistic Congress; 1935 a further set of ‘Heroes’ portraits appeared! All in all, a superb display from which much was learnt of the postal problems of Argentina.

Terry Woods gave warm thanks for a most interesting and educational display.

Our next meeting in Uddingston Park Church Hall, Uddingston (please note new venue) is on Friday, 18^th November, 2011 at 7:30pm when we look forward to a visit from Mr P Gaywood, with his display of "History of the Post".

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