Lanarkshire Philatelic Society

"Dr. Stewart Gardiner FRPSL"

"The Three Kings"

"Happy New Year!" – with these words the President of the Lanarkshire Philatelic Society, Dr Brian Dow, last Friday – 4^th February - greeted the members on this first "live" meeting of 2022!

A warm welcome was given to Dr Stewart Gardiner of  the Caledonian Philatelic Society who presented his display of "Three Kings". The three were Kings Edward VI; George V; and George VII of Great Britain, and members were treated to a truly wonderful display. All stamps issued during each reign – Plate proofs; changing designs and colours; values; water marks; designers, booklet panes; coil breakers;  flaws; printing errors – all were viewed with a feeling of excitement.

During King George V’s reign – when airmails began – British stamps on covers and wrappers were overprinted signifying they were from Morocco Agencies; British Post Offices in the Turkish Empire; African; Australian; Argentinian Airmails. Many of the stamps used were the "Seahorses" design – and many of these overprinted stamps had not been viewed before. Also during his reign special stamps were designed and issued for the British Empire Exhibition – 1924/25 – and in 1929 a special issue to mark the Ninth Postal Union Congress in London. In 1935 a set of 4 stamps was issued to mark the King’s Silver Jubilee.

In 1937, to mark the Coronation of King George VI, a special stamp was issued. In 1940 a special set of 6 stamps was issued to mark the Centenary of the first postage stamp – this showing the heads of Queen Victoria and King George VI. A few years later, 1948, 2 stamps were issued to celebrate the Royal Silver Wedding. It was also during his reign that "Commemoratives" first made their appearance with a set of 4 stamps issued for the Olympic Games held in London in 1948.

To end the evening, Stewart gave a separate display of "Stamps Go To War" – stamps giving a fascinating parody of Anti-British Propaganda and of Anti-German Propaganda. These stamps were generally mis-printed versions of genuine stamps with the insertion of Hitler’s head instead of the King’s – or the top of the crown on the King’s head having a Star of David instead of the usual cross. Many interesting samples of such stamps were viewed.

David Haig led members in giving warm thanks to Stewart Gardiner for giving such a deeply interesting presentation of stamps et al issued during the reigns of the Three Kings.

Our next meeting in the Caledonian Bowling Club, Motherwell Road, Hamilton, is next Friday, 11th February, 2022, at 7:30pm when Mrs Sheila Sinclair, will present "The Stevensons". 

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