Lanarkshire Philatelic Society

"Burns Night"

There was no haggis at the Lanarkshire Philatelic Society last Friday, 21^st January, but a wonderful Burns’ Night was enjoyed!

Frank Jardine set off the tone of the evening by giving a biographical sketch of Robert Burns’ life with his displays of lithographs and postcards of places connected with the poet throughout the years of his life.

Stamps issued to commemorate the poet were displayed – the first such stamp having been issued by Russia in 1956 – also by Romania in 1959 and eventually by the UK in 1966 (170^th anniversary of his death. Postcards of artefacts in the Tam o’Shanter Inn in Ayr; of places connected with Burns issued by the Ayrshire Philatelic Society to mark the Golden Jubilee of the Society; various stamp labels issued through the years; many covers displayed, including one by the National Trust showing Soutar Johnnie’s house; another showing the Kilmarnock Burns Monument destroyed by fire in 2004; 2 covers depicting the poet’s first – and the last – meeting with Clarinda; and a cover commemorating the statue to Jean Armour (Burns’ wife) at Mauchline.

Frank also had a wonderful display of books of Burns’ poems, of "gramophone" records of recitations of his works; of fascimile pages from the London Illustrated News giving a biography of Burns – illustrated with sketches of his "haunts"!

Covers issued by the USA from the town of Burns – and bearing postmarks of the town were shown – as were copies of the last letters written by Burns – to his brother, Gilbert, and to his father-in-law, James Gilmour. Robert Burns died shortly after in 1796.

After the break, Emslie and Ian MacPherson gave displays. Emslie showed postcards which depicted songs written by Burns – and of places relating to his poems; Tam O’Shanter, Tae a Mouse, Ye Banks and Braes, Farewell to the Highlands etc.

Ian MacPherson displayed postmarks of places connected with Burns – Paisley, Kilmarnock, Mauchline, Dumfries – many issued in 1996, the 200^th anniversary of Burns’ death when 4 stamps were also issued each quoting a line from his poems. ("Tae a Mouse"; "Scots wha hae"; "O my luv is like a red, red rose" & "Auld Lang Syne"). Also many covers issued in 2009 – the 250^th anniversary of his birth – these showed Tam o’Shanter, O my luv is like a red, red rose, and many of the statue of the poet in Dumfries. The latter covers also showed the 2 special stamps issued (in miniature sheet form only) on 22^nd January, 2009 and also the many differing postmarks presented for this anniversary. This included the very special one which was dated on the 25^th January, 2009, in Alloway – a Sunday postmark!  Another cover displayed was that issued by Dumbarton in 1987 – to mark the 200^th anniversary of Burns becoming Honorary Burgess there on 29^th June, 1787.

David Brown led members in giving the Vote of Thanks for giving members a great Burns’ Night! 

The evening closed with a rousing rendition of Auld Lang Syne!

Our next meeting in St Andrews Parish Church Hall, Avon Street, Hamilton, is on Friday, 4^th  February, 2011 at 7:30pm when guest, Anthony Duda, will display "Chile and Colombia". 

Anyone with an interest in stamps, postal history, postcards etc – and other collectable items - is very welcome to attend.