Lanarkshire Philatelic Society

"Brunn" & "Nordern"

Mr. John Gavin

Guest speaker, John Gavin, of the Caledonian Philatelic Society, Glasgow, gave two fascinating displays to the members of the Lanarkshire Philatelic Society last Friday (7th March).　

He began with "Bruun" - and gave a wonderful display of stamps, postcards, covers, miniature sheets, posters, Christmas cards and bank notes designed by this Finnish graphic designer. This is Erik Bruun, who was born in 1926 and even yet today, at age 88, is still designing items. It was in 1985 that he designed his first stamps - and thereafter designed many beautiful stamps on variable subjects - including birds, butterflies, Finnish Naval Academy, Castles, UNESCO Heritage sites, Christmas - and many of these designs were later issued on packs of playing cards - some of which were on display. He designed posters on differing subjects and one, showing a humorous ringed Saimaa Seal, is now the emblem of the Finnish Association for Nature conservation. These, along with the postcards, Christmas cards, miniature sheets, Bank notes, were a joy to view.　

After the break came a quite different display - this was "Norden". This is the Nordic name for the North European Region consisting of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and, from 1973, also Åland, Faroes and Greenland. In 1956, on 30th October - Nordic Countries Day - the original 5 countries each issued 2 stamps in a common design of 5 whooper swans. In 1973 was the next issue - 2 stamps illustrating 5 water lilies. In 1980 it was decided that a common theme be offered and each country design its own 2 stamps illustrating that theme.　Thus every 3 years stamps were issued　by all 8 countries on a variation of common themes; - National Costumes; Tourist Attractions; Shipping; Art of today; Mythical Beings; Mythical Places; Life at the Coast and Life at Sea - this brought this wonderful display to an end at 2012 - with 2013 still being collected!　

Dr. Brian Dow, our secretary, led Members in giving thanks for such colourful and interesting displays.　 　

Our next meeting in the Caledonian Bowling Club, Motherwell Road, Hamilton, is on Friday, 4th April, at 7:30pm when members look forward to welcoming visitors from the Border Philatelic Society. 　

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