Lanarkshire Philatelic Society

"Society Visit"

Falkirk & District Philatelic Society

The Lanarkshire Philatelic Society gave a warm welcome to 4 visitors from the Falkirk and District Philatelic Society. They proceeded to give a wonderful variety of displays to members.

Robert Yeardly set off the evening with a most interesting display of philatelic material from the Cape of Good Hope. A stamped golden medallion showed that the postage charge had been paid on a letter of 1816. In 1853 the first postage stamps were issued– these were in triangular form and portrayed the seated allegorical figure of Hope. These were printed by Perkins Bacon & Co of London. In 1902 rectangular stamps portraying King Edward VII were issued. Robert had a wonderful display of woodblocks and a variety of shades of stamps.

Alistair Moore was closer to home with a display of British stamps and accompanying postcards – showing an enlarged colour reproduction of the stamp. These enable collectors to see greater detail of the stamp. This was a random selection from Alistair’s collection showing a great variety of British produced stamps – including -Dunkirk; Letterboxes; Uniforms; Age of the Tudors; British Wildlife – among others.

Mike Turnbull interested members with his display of "The Zeppelin Story". By means of stamps, covers, cachets and postcards he illustrated the story from the time of its inception by German count Ferdinand von Zeppelin – after whom this great airship was named. Postcards showed the development of the airship – and there were many covers which had been posted from on board commercial flights. Postcards showed the destruction of one on 3rd September 1916 when a British bomber intercepted it and brought it down near Cuffley. After the Hindenburg disaster in 1937, the Zeppelin ceased production.

Dr Ian Anderson gave a wonderfully detailed display of King George V stamps. He came to the throne in 1910 and on 22nd June, 1911, in time for the Coronation, the first stamps displaying his face in a three-quarter turn were issued. These were disliked and were soon replaced by his face in profile. This design remained for the following years– the background was very decorative and changed through the years. Ian displayed many examples of the varying colours and designs – and finished with the beautiful higher values "Seahorses" design.

Derek Wiltshire, led members in giving thanks for such variable and interesting displays.

Our next meeting in the Caledonian Bowling Club, Motherwell Road, Hamilton, is on Friday, 3rd October, at 7:30pm when members look forward to welcoming Jack Murray who will display "Victoria Cross".

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