Lanarkshire Philatelic Society

"Heraldry"

Mr. Alan Watson

Members of the Lanarkshire Philatelic Society enjoyed a most colourful display at their meeting last Friday (26th April).　This was presented Alan Watson, from Falkirk.　

The display was entitled "Heraldry" and Alan began by giving the Origins of Heraldry. In mediaeval times knights were often involved in battles or tournaments. As they were covered in armour, it was the colour and design of their shields that helped people recognise who each knight was - and what family they belonged to.　

With the help of any stamps, covers, meter marks and postcards the further development of Heraldry was illustrated. Shields gained more and more designs and also distinctive shapes; they were given divisions - into 2, 3, 4 or more parts; and each of these parts held varying decorations - flowers, stars, ships etc; beasts - lions, unicorns. bears etc; and human parts (the Red Hand of Ulster; the three Legs of the Isle of Man etc). 　

There were many examples of Mottos on shields - many in Latin.　Coats of Arms - Personal Arms; Corporate Arms; Ecclesiastical Arms; Educational Arms - many fascinating designs were displayed in covers and meter marks.　

A series of colourful stamps illustrating the Australian, Canadian, Bermudan, Swiss, French, Danish, Latvian, Austrian, Polish and Czechoslovakian - State or Provincial Arms - were displayed.　Many covers showed interesting meter marks that depicted the "Coat of Arms" of British Towns and Civic authorities.　Postcards from both Oxford and Cambridge Universities illustrated the intriguing Coat of Arms of the various Colleges of each.　

The display ended with a series of covers showing the colourful British stamps which featured the "Queen’s Beasts" - and also a series of beautiful photographs of each of the "Beasts". These represented the genealogy of the Queen and were sculpted for the Coronation in June 1953. One of the "Beasts" is the Unicorn of Scotland.　

Alan Wishart led Members in giving thanks for a truly fascinating and most informative display.　

Our next meeting in St John’s Church Hall, Duke Street, Hamilton, is on Friday 3rd May 2013 at 7:30pm when members will display 5 sheets – or pay 50p!　　

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