Lanarkshire Philatelic Society

"The President Entertains"

Miss Anne Holmes

What a wonderful array of cats was to be seen at the Lanarkshire Philatelic Society meeting last Friday evening!　 

New President, Anne Holmes, admitted to her passion for cats and gave a most interesting display of stamps, covers, postcards and artifacts all portraying this animal. Ann began with cards showing cats in ancient Egypt where cats were first domesticated - so that they could keep the rat population down! They were also known in ancient China as a postcard depicting a Chinese pottery cat showed.　

There followed stamps, covers and postcards showing different aspects of cats;　cats in literature and poetry (especially Edward Lear’s limericks - and also "The Owl and the Pussycat"); cats that "went to war" - they travelled on the ships to keep the food store free of vermin; Manx tail less cats; cats depicted on embroidered cards; many cats in humorous situations; British "Cats" stamps and covers issued in 1994; and a set of illustrated labels issued by the Cats’ Protection League.　

Clearly cats are also loved around the world as Anne displayed many stamp issues from countries as diverse as Poland, Cambodia, Korea, Chad (Tchad), Djibouti, Australia, Switzerland - amongst many others with Paraguay issued a set telling the story of "Puss in Boots". Ann ended the Display with a great set of matchbox covers portraying different breeds.　

Immediate Past President, Alex Magowan, led members in giving thanks for such a fascinating display.　

Our next meeting in the Caledonian Bowling Club, Motherwell Road, Hamilton, is on Friday, 19th September, at 7:30pm when members look forward to welcoming visitors from the Falkirk and District Philatelic Society.

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