2021 MEETING REPORTS
ZOOM MEETINGS
Meeting 16: Annual General Meeting
Meeting 15: 12th May 2021.
David Rennie
David Rennie presented an extensive PowerPoint display of interesting King George VI covers from countries Aden through to Morocco including registered, censors, airmail, postal stationery, air-letters etc.
He commented that while he had had fun accumulating the items of display he was now beginning to dispose of this part of his collection, and extracting the more interesting and unusual items to display.
These included high value frankings, redirected items with multiple postmarks, interesting cachets, military items, Comet crash near Calcutta, Cigar Meter-frank advert, India tête-bêche, return to sender, prisoner of war, re-use labels and much else.
This particularly rare Australian item from the Dept. of Agriculture Victoria, a 5/10d parcel label was used in 1947 under the scheme for the public to send food parcels to the UK.
He commented that while he had had fun accumulating the items of display he was now beginning to dispose of this part of his collection, and extracting the more interesting and unusual items to display.
These included high value frankings, redirected items with multiple postmarks, interesting cachets, military items, Comet crash near Calcutta, Cigar Meter-frank advert, India tête-bêche, return to sender, prisoner of war, re-use labels and much else.
This particularly rare Australian item from the Dept. of Agriculture Victoria, a 5/10d parcel label was used in 1947 under the scheme for the public to send food parcels to the UK.
Meeting 14: 28th April 2021.
Adrian Thomas
Adrian Thomas gave his PowerPoint display Tuberculosis & Philately which dealt with the history of the disease and the various methods of treatment, the development of a vaccine and the personalities involved, as well as showing hospital and sanitaria, X-Ray equipment etc.
The breadth of philatelic material in relation to radiology and tuberculosis (TB) is particularly rich, and is well worth exploring. With the advent of Mass Miniature Radiography (MMR) in the 1940s, and the development of effective therapies, particularly in the 1950s, the treatment of TB was revolutionised. Philatelic material was of particular value in educating the public on the dangers of tuberculosis and the need for screening and treatment. Fiscal and non-fiscal (Cinderella) material was used for fundraising, including additional payments for postage, and special material such as Christmas seals. Postal cancellations advertise MMR, and the need to have a regular chest X-ray. The stamps themselves were educational depicting radiographic appearances, techniques of MMR. The breadth of philatelic material in relation to radiology and tuberculosis (TB) is particularly rich, and is well worth exploring. With the advent of Mass Miniature Radiography (MMR) in the 1940s, and the development of effective therapies, particularly in the 1950s, the treatment of TB was revolutionised. Philatelic material was of particular value in educating the public on the dangers of tuberculosis and the need for screening and treatment. Fiscal and non-fiscal (Cinderella) material was used for fundraising, including additional payments for postage, and special material such as Christmas seals. Postal cancellations advertise MMR, and the need to have a regular chest X-ray. The stamps themselves were educational depicting radiographic appearances, techniques of MMR. |
Meeting 13: 14th April 2021. 11a.m.
Nick Hervey.
Nick Hervey presented his display HM Submarines and Special Operations, which included many covers, usually signed, photos and cards, reported etc. Nick began with operations in Europe during WWII and traced the gradually expanding role of submarines in special ops: reconnaissance; acting as beacons; inserting special ops personnel from groups such as the SAS and SBS.
He covered the famous raids in which x-craft miniature submarines and human torpedoes were towed to destination, including the operation to sink the Tirpitz in a Norwegian fjord. He also detailed the submarine's role in special ops during the North Africa campaign, including the famous “Man Who Never Was” ruse to fool the Axis powers as to where the invasion of Italy would happen.
He also covered a number of operations in the Far East including the sinking of a Japanese cruiser in Singapore harbour. The second half of the talk covered later conflicts in Korea, Indonesia, the Gulf War, the Falklands conflict and beyond, and pointed out some of the innovations to the delivery of Special Ops personnel. He finished with a look at the famous Jolly Roger flag used by HM Submarines.
He covered the famous raids in which x-craft miniature submarines and human torpedoes were towed to destination, including the operation to sink the Tirpitz in a Norwegian fjord. He also detailed the submarine's role in special ops during the North Africa campaign, including the famous “Man Who Never Was” ruse to fool the Axis powers as to where the invasion of Italy would happen.
He also covered a number of operations in the Far East including the sinking of a Japanese cruiser in Singapore harbour. The second half of the talk covered later conflicts in Korea, Indonesia, the Gulf War, the Falklands conflict and beyond, and pointed out some of the innovations to the delivery of Special Ops personnel. He finished with a look at the famous Jolly Roger flag used by HM Submarines.
Meeting 12: 24th March 2021. 11am.
Hosted by the Secretary.
Philip Harris presented his display Aspects of the Spanish Civil War 1936-39
Philip began with a brief history of Spain’s troubled past, the ascent to the throne of King Alfonso XIII, (and the "Baby" design stamps) and his influence, eventually leading to the Military dictatorship of Primo de Rivera and later the 1931 elections, and the military coup in 1936.
The flight of the DH Dragon Rapide with the Pollards on board, the Submarine link with Mahon, and the Teruel overprints were explained, followed by notes about the International Brigades, the rarity of correspondence with Ireland and the Condor Legion.
Philip showed photos of the Ebro “Blood Caves” and Manuel Alvarez being treated. He talked about the Guernica stamp and painting by Picasso, and Franco's legacy of leaving a peaceful country, unlike other dictators such as Tito in Yugoslavia.
Finally a section about Maria Ginesta, the pin-up reporter, whose iconic photo was used for publicity, her later career and another photo of her taken shortly before her death in 2014, in Paris aged 94
Philip began with a brief history of Spain’s troubled past, the ascent to the throne of King Alfonso XIII, (and the "Baby" design stamps) and his influence, eventually leading to the Military dictatorship of Primo de Rivera and later the 1931 elections, and the military coup in 1936.
The flight of the DH Dragon Rapide with the Pollards on board, the Submarine link with Mahon, and the Teruel overprints were explained, followed by notes about the International Brigades, the rarity of correspondence with Ireland and the Condor Legion.
Philip showed photos of the Ebro “Blood Caves” and Manuel Alvarez being treated. He talked about the Guernica stamp and painting by Picasso, and Franco's legacy of leaving a peaceful country, unlike other dictators such as Tito in Yugoslavia.
Finally a section about Maria Ginesta, the pin-up reporter, whose iconic photo was used for publicity, her later career and another photo of her taken shortly before her death in 2014, in Paris aged 94
Meeting 11: 10th March 2021. 11am.
Hosted by the Secretary who welcomed 11 other members
The Secretary advised that SG would publish Stamps of the World in its current form later in the autumn, but no new sectionals were planned at the moment.
Meeting 10: 24th February 2021
Graeme Ashdown gave his PowerPoint display of New Zealand Airmails, issued between 1931 and 1935 plus the GVI 1½d value which was used later as a make-up value when necessary. Graeme commenced with the Essays, Competition Entries and Proofs prior to the first issue, including the J Berry design illustrated here.
All the issued stamps were shown together with covers, positional blocks some with marginal inscriptions, and various overprint varieties on the 5d and 7d issues, which are recognized by specialists. |
A very interesting and informative display which also featured pictures of the various planes involved in flights across the Tasman Sea and elsewhere.
Meeting 9: 10th February 2021 11am.
Hosted by David Rennie (Hon. Secretary) who welcomed 9 other members: Messrs Ashdown,
Blackman, Crees, Dobbs, Harris, Hervey, Reed, Adrian Thomas and Wilkes.
Hosted by David Rennie (Hon. Secretary) who welcomed 9 other members: Messrs Ashdown,
Blackman, Crees, Dobbs, Harris, Hervey, Reed, Adrian Thomas and Wilkes.
He presented the Grahame Boutle seventeen sheet display of Queen Victoria’s Funeral and In Memoriam material, together with additional information regarding the Queen’s instructions to her doctor James Reid, about her requirements and instructions for the funeral and coffin contents.
The latter included a wedding ring to be worn on each hand, a picture of John Brown and a lock of his hair hidden under a bouquet of flowers, her white bridal veil, the plaster cast of Prince Albert’s hand, Albert’s embroidered cloak stitched by Princess Alice together with jewellery, and charcoal.
The funeral was to be a military affair, no lying in state, the Queen to be dressed in white etc. and at her request the coffin was born by Equerries and not family members.
From Osborne House the Queen was taken to Cowes, then across to Gosport where she had her own train and station/jetty, on the HMS Albert, and by train to Waterloo. From there the procession, with the cortege on a gun carriage, went directly to Paddington, and then by train to Windsor, where she lay for two days in Frogmore for family members to pay their respects. The display included black edged cards, envelopes, tickets and invitations, the London Gazette published just fifteen minutes after her death, and the Proclamation at Parliament by his majesty King Edward, including a list of all the attendees.
The latter included a wedding ring to be worn on each hand, a picture of John Brown and a lock of his hair hidden under a bouquet of flowers, her white bridal veil, the plaster cast of Prince Albert’s hand, Albert’s embroidered cloak stitched by Princess Alice together with jewellery, and charcoal.
The funeral was to be a military affair, no lying in state, the Queen to be dressed in white etc. and at her request the coffin was born by Equerries and not family members.
From Osborne House the Queen was taken to Cowes, then across to Gosport where she had her own train and station/jetty, on the HMS Albert, and by train to Waterloo. From there the procession, with the cortege on a gun carriage, went directly to Paddington, and then by train to Windsor, where she lay for two days in Frogmore for family members to pay their respects. The display included black edged cards, envelopes, tickets and invitations, the London Gazette published just fifteen minutes after her death, and the Proclamation at Parliament by his majesty King Edward, including a list of all the attendees.
He was also able to show recent photos of the remaining track in Gosport, now mostly overgrown, of the extension line from Gosport Station, (now closed), to the Queen’s station. He also mentioned the Double Florin (4s) minted in 1887-1890 for the Jubilee and which unlike the 6d, 1s and 2s coins, all still valid for a time after decimalization, has never been demonetized.
I hope you will find this interesting. David Rennie. (Hon. Secretary). The remaining track of Queen Victoria's private line in Gosport. |
Meeting 8: 27th January 2021 11am.
Hosted by David Rennie (Hon. Secretary) who welcomed 8 other members.
The B.W.I. SAINTS
Andrew Harris gave his PowerPoint display of BWI Saints, commencing with extensive St Lucia King Edward VII issues in sets including Specimen overprints, with some blocks and varieties. He followed with St Vincent 1913 and 1916 One Penny surcharges and War Tax overprints including scarce varieties, including “ONE” missing, double overprints etc. |
He concluded with a fine range of St Kitts Nevis with the 1920 and 1921 definitives and the 1923 Tercentenary set, with all values UM including a £1 marginal copy. Throughout were many SPECIMEN overprints perfins, blocks, and varieties.
There was some discussion regarding the change to universal colours for postcard, letter and overseas rates, the need for different coloured papers, and the possible reason for different Specimen marks on the same stamp. An excellent display.
There was some discussion regarding the change to universal colours for postcard, letter and overseas rates, the need for different coloured papers, and the possible reason for different Specimen marks on the same stamp. An excellent display.
Meeting 7: 13th January 2021 11am.
Hosted by David Rennie (Hon. Secretary) who welcomed 11 other members.
Michael Dobbs gave a Powerpoint display on the “International involvement in the Former Yugoslavia”. Yugoslavia never really recovered from the death of Marshal Tito in 1980 and the collapse of communist regimes throughout eastern Europe fuelled unrest and hastened the rise of nationalism. Decades of deep ethnic divides, distrust and rivalries surfaced reaching a point in 1991 when Yugoslavia began to unravel. On 25 and 26 June 1991 the two republics of Slovenia and Croatia each declared independence; Macedonia followed when its parliament declared independence on 18 September 1991 which was then followed by a declaration of sovereignty by Bosnia & Herzegovina on 15 October 1991. On 22 May 1992 Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia and Slovenia were all admitted to the United Nations which brought forth escalating levels of violence and a bitter civil war erupted. Croatia and Bosnia suffered most because of the strong Serbian populations in those countries. The display gave a brief overview of the international organisations that became involved in separating the various warring factions and brokering peace. The UN was called in to broker a ceasefire between the various factions and the initial UN involvement was later expanded into the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) on 21 February 1992. In the beginning UNPROFOR comprised over 13,000 military personnel and initially concerned the civil war in Croatia. However, it quickly spread to neighbouring Bosnia and UNPROFOR expanded its mandate to include that country with the formation of its Bosnia & Herzegovina Command (BHC) in September 1992. The display included covers from the armed forces of Slovakia, Britain, Canada, the US and France which provided military contingents as part of UNPROFOR. He also showed a 1996 cover from the Western European Union Police Force (WEUPF) which was located in Mostar and worked under the European Union Administration in Mostar (EUAM).