Lanarkshire Philatelic Society
"Olympics"
Mr. Bernard Berrie & others
"Olympics" - this was the topical title of the display to be given at the Lanarkshire Philatelic Society on Friday, 9th November. Topical but not a stamp of the 2012 Olympics was shown!
Instead, members were treated to most interesting displays of past Olympics. Bernard Berrie set off the evening with a display of First Day Covers, Meter Marks and Postcards of the Olympics held in Berlin from 1st to 16th August, 1936 in which 49 countries took part. The XI Olympiad. This was the first time the Olympic Torch was carried in relay from Greece to the designated venue and postcards illustrated the carrying by runners to Berlin. A series of 8 stamps was issued showing the various sports of the Games. Meter marks and postcards displayed the huge Olympic Bell and Tower. The Water Sports were held at the Firth of Kiel where some 26 countries took part - and a meter mark was issued showing a racing yacht.
The Winter Olympics were held in the same year at Garmisch-Partenkirchen from 6th 16th February and the stamps issued showed 3 of the 8 sports of the Games Skating, Ski-iing and Bobsleigh.
There were interesting covers issued when dropped by parachute from the airship "Hindenburg" after it had flown over the Games on 1st August.
After the break Paul McGowan introduced the IX Olympiad the 1928 Games held in Amsterdam. 46 countries took part. The set of 8 stamps issued, depicting varied sports, was displayed and funds for the Games was raised by selling a special form with all 8 stamps cancelled with the special Stadium meter mark. This also, was on display. Many postcards illustrated the stadium and the sports. It was at these Games that women competed for the first time in Athletics and this was shown on a postcard.
A set of cigarette cards also illustrated various aspects of the Games.
Alex Magowan showed some stamps, postcards and covers issued for various Olympics: 1924-Paris; 1948-London; 1975-Canada and 1996-USA.
He also showed an admirable full set (30) of 50p coins issued for this years Olympics in London each coin showing a different sport included in the Games.
Finally members viewed many stamps, covers, meter marks and miniature sheets issued by Norway for the Winter Olympics staged in Lillehammer in 1994. These were displayed by Brian Dow who also showed covers and miniature sheets issued by other countries for these Games. A postcard showed the route of the Torch relay from Greece to Norway although this was mainly by aeroplane until it reached Norway when it was then carried through to the Games venue.
Mr Eric Ross led members in giving warm thanks to all four members for presenting such an interesting and varied display of different Olympics through the years.
Our next meeting in the Caledonian Bowling Club, Motherwell Road, Hamilton, is on Friday, 30th November , 2012 at 7:30pm when members look forward to welcoming Russell Walker with his display "French Aviation".
Anyone with an interest in stamps, postal history, postcards etc is very welcome to attend.