Stamp Collector

30 MAY 2020 www.allaboutstamps.co.uk SOCIETY NEWS OUT AND ABOUT The recent Chelmsford and District Philatelic Society meeting was dedicated to ‘Dead Countries’ and our members did not disappoint with the variety of displays provided. Subjects included Australian States, Rhodesia, Ifni, Hong Kong and Treaty Ports on mainland China. South Africa including the Boer Republic and separate states created in 1977 under the Apartheid regime, a selection of former British colonies, postmarks promoting the British Exhibition used from 1923-1925 in countries/ territories that no longer exist, as well as Postal Agencies in Morocco and the Ottoman Empire. Following a break for refreshments the following subjects were displayed- mail and post of Norway whilst under German occupation during the Second World War including German overprints for victory and examples of censored mail from the period, Indian States, South West Africa, British Honduras, British Guiana as well as French Colonies. Although not ‘dead countries’ we were finally treated to a fine example of postcards showing Swiss Lakes with in some cases stamps depiction the same scene thereon. The Czech Philatelic Society of Great Britain recently held their first meeting at the new venue, the Kings Head public house in Marylebone, writes Press Officer Bob McLeod. The morning part of the meeting was informal, with several members showing items of interest from their collections. The afternoon meeting commenced with Roger Morrell welcoming everybody and announcing the result of the Bill Dawson Literature Award which was won by Alan Sobel for his article on the Removal of Czechoslovak Markings from Postal Cancellers in the Slovak State. James Hooper’s display of Bohemia and Moravia covered almost every stamp issue of the territory, and included Sudetenland overprints, overprints on the stamps of Czechoslovakia, plate markings and covers showing the various postal rates. Also on display were the Linden Leaf issue in various colours and the Hitler Head issue. Many printing flaws were shown, as well as plate blocks of several issues. A vote of thanks was given by Tony Bosworth who commented on the wide variety of items shown, considering the relatively small number of stamp issues from Bohemia and Moravia. The sixteen-sheet annual competition at Solihull Philatelic Society continue to attract some high quality entries, writes Publicity Officer John H Barker. This year saw two members winning trophies for the first time. Amongst the displays given recently by our own members were Ray Sheppard with Early Flights and Zeppelins, Gerald Mariner with Channel Islands Revisited, John Hunt with Spanish Civil War and Bryan Jones with Stratford Postal History. Giles du Boulay visited the Society at the end of February and gave an interesting and informative display on Danzig, drawing on his personal knowledge from his many visits to and his contacts with people who had spent many years there. The Society is collecting gifts of stamps, postcards and coins for their Fiftieth Anniversary Auction in November with all proceeds going to the Marie Curie West Midlands Hospice. Any offers will be gratefully accepted. Details of the Auction will be published on our website. For Society details, visit: www. solihullphilatelicsociety.org.uk or contact Secretary, Paul Woodness on 01564 776 879. Gibraltar Study Circle SPOTLIGHT ON… B ased in the UK and with a worldwide membership, the Gibraltar Study Circle (GSC) was founded in 1975 by Walter (Wally) Jackson. The GSC exists to study the stamps and postal history of the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar (and the Morocco Agencies up to 1907). The GSC currently has 100 members, who keep in touch via the group’s newsletter The Rock, published four times a year. The GSC also runs an exchange packet covering all aspects of the philately of Gibraltar, and holds twice-yearly live auctions (350-500 lots), where members can bid in person or by post. Weekend meetings are held twice a year at locations around the UK, as well as regular trips to Gibraltar. The Study Circle, in company with members of the Royal Philatelic Society London and the GB Overprints Society, were in Gibraltar in October as part of the celebrations of the 150th Anniversary of the Royal. As part of the celebrations, the Study Circle hosted a dinner at the Eliott Hotel in the presence of the Director of Postal Service of the Royal Gibraltar Post Office and the Manager of the Philatelic Bureau. Send your society and club news to: matthewh@warnersgroup.co.uk Read more society news and find your local club at www.allaboutstamps.co.uk Over the years, Gibraltar Study Circle has published a range of books and study papers (27), beginning with the comprehensive Gibraltar Postal Stationery by expert author Walter Jackson, and followed by topics including British Post Offices and Agencies in Morocco 1857-1907, & Collecting King George VI. Many of these and other publications can be borrowed by members from the GSC’s library, with details on the website: https://gibraltarstudycircle. wordpress.com/library/ How to join New members are welcome. For more information, contact Eric Holmes, 29 Highgate Road, Woodley, Berks RG5 3ND; e-mail: ericholmes@talktalk.net Members in the Garrison Library garden during an exhibition given by the Study Circle Solihull Philatelic Society Winners 2020