Lanarkshire Philatelic Society
"Society Visit"
Borders Philatelic Society
A warm welcome was given to the three guests who travelled from the Borders Philatelic Society (Galashiels) and presented displays at the Lanarkshire Philatelic Society on Friday afternoon.
John Brown presented a fascinating display as he informed all that the first Highland and Agricultural Show was held in 1822 – in the Canongate in Edinburgh – the site now occupied by the Scottish Parliament. He interested all with his various covers addressed to the Show dating from the turn of the century. The Show moved around Scotland annually and historic postcards showed events from the 1905 Show at Peebles; 1912 at Cupar; 1925 at Bellahouston Park – and more.
Posters for the 1930 Dumfries Show; 1948 Inverness Show and 1949 Dundee Show were viewed. Postmarks used from the mobile temporary Post Office present during the Show through the years were also viewed – with the title "SHOWYARD" - this ceased in 1978. During the War years there was no Show – it restarted in 1948 in Inverness – and King George VI bestowed the title ‘Royal’ on it. The Royal Highland Show now became the showpiece of not only Scottish farming, but also the countryside and food. In 1961, the Ingliston showground in Edinburgh became its permanent home – the Show being held there annually in June.
Bob Robertson gave a thoroughly informative display of the life of Australian Aviator, Charles Ulm (1898 - 1834). His display included many fascinating Covers covering many aspects of Ulm’s aviation life. He was a man of adventure and with Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith they made the first circumnavigation of Australia; made the first non-stop flight across Australia – Melbourne to Perth; made the first flight Tasmania to New Zealand. In 1929; and on a flight to Britain they, and two crew, were lost for 13 days when, owing to low fuel, they had to land on a desolate beach in West Australia – on being found they refuelled and continued their flight!
Crashes; Company formations – and losses; more record flights; all illustrated in covers, postmarks, stamps, newspaper articles, and mail.
On 3rd December 1934, with a crew of 2, he set off from California for Hawaii but failed to arrive. The plane, and its crew, were never found. There were many stamps & covers issued in tribute to Charles Ulm, the adventurous airman!
Gerry Moncur presented a wonderfully colourful display of "Astronomy". Stamps, Miniature Sheets, Postcards gave beautiful illustrations on the theme. He began with "Greatest Astronomers" – including Copernicus (known as the "Father of Astronomy"), Galileo, Kepler, Herschel, Halley.
Views of Planets, Constellations, Observatories, Telescopes – Stamps and covers of Halley’s Comet – and of Isaac Newton who discovered the laws of Gravity. The Anniversary of the Moon Landing; stamps issued for the total Solar Eclipse 2019 – and also stamps and covers for various other eclipses. An Anniversary cover issued for 50th programme of "Sky at Night" – which included a picture of Patrick Moore, the original presenter was also presented.
A great display of many aspects of ‘Astronomy.’
The Vice President, Robert Watt, in giving the Vote of Thanks to the three guests, remarked that there was much quality material on display that had been wonderful to view.
Our next display meeting in the Hamilton Caledonian Bowling Club, Motherwell Road, Hamilton, is on Friday, 20th December 2024, at 1:30pm when our members will give us their take on "Christmas".
Anyone with an interest in stamps, postal history, postcards etc is very welcome to attend.