Embedded Files
Spring 2017 Newsetter
UNITED KINGDOM'S SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH USA
IAN JAKES
(Spring 2017 Newsletter)
Many people would state that the ‘special relationship’ was formed by Winston Churchill and President Roosevelt when USA entered into WW2 on the side of the UK in 1941. I have already touched on this subject in the Summer 2015 Newsletter, which includes a 1941 cartoon Postcard showing Churchill and Roosevelt shaking hands and bragging about the successful transatlantic shipment of goods and the inadequacies of German submarines. Some other people would state that the ‘special relationship’ started in 1917 when USA, having previously been neutral, entered into WW1 on the side of the Allies. I now show a cover from Kingston, Jamaica to Cheshunt, Herts, with the one penny Llandovery Falls postage stamp bearing a 2 October 1900 Kingston cancel. The Gloria Mundi design on the cover shows a seated Britannia with her US counterpart, Liberty, nestling between their flags and shields.
This cover begs two questions: "when did the ‘special relationship’ commence? and what is ‘Gloria Mundi’? The first permanent English settlement in North America was established in Jamestown in 1607. The USA and England had similar religious beliefs and developed a common language and legal system. By 1703, there was a postal system in place between England and Boston, Massachusetts. Boston had a building similar to a London coffee house, where mail was left for collection. A list of uncollected mail was displayed in a window of the Boston building and this was known as a ‘poster’. This is the origin of the word ‘poster’.
The American Civil War (1861-65) caused problems with the relationship. The Confederates assumed that GB would be on their side because of the importance of ‘King Cotton’. Britain had closer links with the Northern American States. In the end, Britain remained neutral. When the United States won the civil war, there was a chill in the ‘special relationship’. The relationship was only mended by the 1895 ‘Great Rapprochement’ when Great Britain and the United States, who had been arguing about a Venezuelan border, negotiated a peaceful settlement of the dispute. They realised in the 1890s that it was in their respective interests to work together. The banking businesses on Wall Street and in the City of London would dominate the world. Eligible wealthy American ladies were found to marry impoverished British aristocrats. The US did not object to Britain’s Boer war (1899-1902) in Africa and in which Churchill played a part. Roosevelt lived through the Boer War period. Both men were well aware of the need to work together.
‘Gloria Mundi’ is a Latin phrase meaning ‘thus passes the glory of the world’, an apt description at the end of the 19th century to describe Great Britain’s imperial might, controlled by their steamship and telegraph technologies, and the enormous financial clout of the United States. The ‘Gloria Mundi’ cachet was "entered according to act of the Parliament of Canada in 1898 by J.C. Wilson & Co. Montreal at the Department of Agriculture." This wording was printed in minute lettering below the words ‘Gloria Mundi’. These postcards and envelopes were distributed throughout the British Empire.
Bibliography: The Special relationship: Anglo-U.S. Relations since 1776, by Ted R. Bromand, 2016.
SEARCHING FOR PHILATELIC SNAILS
BRYAN AND MINOU BUTTON
(Spring 2017 Newsletter)
Being in Devon for one week, we decided to visit Knightshayes, the one National Trust property which was open in the area (363 days a year).
After introducing ourselves to the volunteers at the door, as would-be philatelists, we asked whether this property used to have its own post box, as some did.
No, the property never had its own post box but we were directed to Chettiscombe, where an old, tiny post box is embedded in the wall surrounding Chettiscombe Cottage. Apparently, when the mail is posted there, because it has a double bottom, the snails can come in and the little creatures have had a great liking for the glue on the postage stamps and quite often they have gobbled up the stamps as well.
How could we resist! We bought a post card, put on a stamp, and posted to ourselves the card bearing a message to the resident snails. We added part of the sticker given to visitors by the National Trust to put on your clothes at Knightshayes. On Friday 20 January 2017 anyway, it was decorated with a snail - how good does this silly tale get!
After a few twists and turns in the narrow lanes around Knightshayes, we found the cottage whose owner, accompanied by an extremely friendly old dog, was hugely delighted to add to the information we already had - that is: it is a Victorian postbox and he, the cottage owner, fought many a battle for the box to be retained. He explained how the snails get in, but he was aware that children sometimes encourage the snails’ misdeeds by posting some in the box.
A lovely little piece of folklore, or maybe a tall tale,… but would they- or would they not- have a nibble ? We would know when we get home.
The postcard arrived and, sadly, the snails had not attacked it . We think that most snails hibernate when it is freezing. Of course, it could be that this modern glue does not please them!
(In all honesty, we should really add that in fact …, really … the sticker with the snail is to commemorate one of the bedrooms’ wallpaper.)
THE FIRST AIRMAIL FROM ST.HELENA
ALAN SQUIRES
(Spring 2017 Newsletter)
The first Airmail from St Helena didn’t need an Airport. There has been a lot of news coverage in recent months about the first newly completed airport on St. Helena. This has cost the British tax-payer £285 million. It is to be used to increase tourism and help keep the Island supplied and take off any exports they may have. The RMS St. Helena, the only regular ship servicing the Island, was due to retire. When the airport opened, there was a major problem: Wind Sheer. Apparently, as the first aircraft approached for its landing, the turbulence caused by the winds around the Island made it unsafe to land. The flight had to return to South Africa without touching down. In the last few months several aircraft have successfully landed and the airport looks as if it will be opening for business sometime soon.
This cover is from the first airmail taken off the Island, on Sunday 26th April, 1964. There was no airport at the time, but the Governor had been on an official trip to Tristan da Cunha as part of his duties. He had gone on HMS Protector, which brought him home & landed him by helicopter as described below. The circumstances were described in the weekly St Helena News Review of Saturday May 2nd 1964:
His Excellency the Governor arrived back on St Helena last Sunday morning from an official visit to Tristan da Cunha. When His Excellency landed on Plantation Lawn at about 7.30 am from a Royal Navy helicoptor, which brought him off HMS Protector, lying about a mile offshore, a new chapter in the Island's history had begun, for this was the first aircraft to land on St. Helena and it was indeed fitting for the touchdown to be made immediately in front of the Governor of the Colony. Also to land was Mr S.P.Ellis, the Governor's A.D.C.
Also of historical importance was the fact that the helicoptor took on board a large bag of mail handed over by the Postmaster himself, and so we saw the first mail ever to leave St. Helena by air being taken off to be landed on HMS Protector, which kindly took it on to England.' (This information was on a card stuck to the back of the cover).
MISCELLANY
(Spring 2017 Newsletter)
The 1890 Christmas Card, Dennis Boot:
There has been some confusion over the postmarks illustrated on the 1890 PO Christmas card (Winter 2017 Newsletter). This card shows three of the South Kensington special postmarks used on 2 July 1890, also marking 100 years in the future (1990) and 100 years in the past (1790). I would assume that you would take the used card to different counters to get the special postmarks on the insert card. They were illustrated on the 1890 Post Office Christmas card, which was a large size of 6 ½ " x 9 ½ ". It was printed by De La Rue and issued on 4 November 1890 to commemorate the Penny Black Jubilee. Two exhibitions were held- one at the Guildhall, London, 16-19 May 1890, and one at the South Kensington Museum (now the V & A ) in July 1890. (Edited, D.H.)
- Refurbished German Letterbox in Poland, Martin Wilson:
Old German (East Prussia) letterbox in front of 54 Kosciuszko Street, Malbork (Marienburg), Poland. The original word ‘Briefkasten’ has been removed and replaced with ‘Poczta’, the Polish word for ‘Post Office’. The largest Gothic castle and the largest brick-built structure in the world is in Malbork.
Scandinavian Postal ‘Post-Its’, Sandra Poole:
Contact, the journal of the Scandinavia Philatelic Society. Beneath this, the editor, Gwynne Davies, had written- and I reproduce it here with his kind permission:
‘I too have recently received similar covers from Denmark with the post-it over the stamps. In each case, no-one has franked the stamps and the UK Postie has lifted the post-it and used his ballpoint pen!’
Well, who’s surprised by that! In a 1998, Norwegian Posten sales catalogue, I found that the same system operated in ….. Norway. The Post- its were available in books of twenty five and came in 2 colours, blue and pink. The blue one ensured that your letter would receive a centred postmark With the pink one a corner mark was applied. In the case of a pair, the c.d.s. cancelled the lower middle corners and the cancellation on a on a block of four would be the same as the one shown above. If only stamp collectors were valued the same way in Britain!
Sculpture in Lisbon, Sandra Poole:
Pity about the graffiti and stickers on the box- this is not an unusual sight.
Traditions, Alan Squires:
When a society is as old as ours it often has acquired a number of traditions which surround the role of President. We have the handover from the retiring President to the incoming President; the presentation of the chain of office and the welcoming speech and, of course, the presidential display. It is also the duty of the president to organise the Annual Dinner.
But how do these traditions start? The origin can often be clouded in mystery or myth as there are few contemporary accounts of the first time an event took place. At our recent annual dinner, an excellent evening if I do say so myself, I tried to persuade our President of the start of a new tradition. Unfortunately, he was rather sceptical about my idea. Let me elaborate.
Whilst I was getting ready for the event, I stumbled upon a pair of shoes which were in pristine condition. They were purchased many years ago for a wedding and had been languishing at the bottom of the wardrobe ever since.
As I brushed the dust off them and then gave them a polish, I realised that they were of good quality, being Clarks'. As I walked to the car, I noticed that they were extremely comfortable to wear if a trifle loose. I thought they might to be tightened on arrival at the venue. As we drove there, my shoes became looser and at one point near Ruddington, it dawned on me that the heel had come unstuck from the rest of the shoe. I drove on as the right shoe became even looser. Arriving at the Rancliffe Arms, I commented to my dear wife that I was having trouble with the right shoe, which obviously needed a re-tightening. At this point the heel fell off completely and the shoe disintegrated. The inner sole came adrift and the upper, still in pristine condition, was attached only at the toe end. ‘Well’, I said, ‘I still have the left shoe intact’. At which point it, too, came apart.‘What are you going to do?’ my wife asked. ‘Do you have a spare pair of shoes in the car?’ ‘No,’ I replied, showing her both feet, now with only socks on. She was very supportive at this moment and it only took her five minutes to stop laughing at my shoe-less predicament. ‘There’s nothing for it but to go into dinner in just my socks,’ I said. More laughter.
Never one to miss an opportunity, I tried to tell Ossi this was a philatelic tradition, that as an ex-President it was a tradition to arrive at an Annual Dinner in bare feet. I nearly got away with it. I was supposed to present the vote of thanks, but I got cold feet and my wife told me to put a sock in it. Not willing to be spoken to in this manner, I had to put my foot down. I was hoping for a dinner dance as I am quite good at the soft shoe shuffle, even though I occasionally go to pieces in the middle section. As to the meal, I was disappointed that there was no Dover sole on the menu and I am partial to choux pastry for dessert. However, during the meal, I did manage the feat of walking to the bar for a couple of drinks. The aftermath of the evening was that I am now down on my uppers. I am very disappointed that Timpsons the Cobblers refused to sole and heel my shoes. It was suggested that the remains should be turned into a trophy, maybe a runners-up trophy?
FOR SALE: nearly new and in pristine condition, a pair of black shoelaces. Any genuine offers accepted.
The First Decade: 40 issues of the Newsletter. Sandra Poole, Editor:
This is the 40th Newsletter under my editorship. Gordon Hall started the ball rolling in 2000, but gave up in 2003 after producing 6 copies. It was reinvented in 2005 by David James, who unfortunately died suddenly and unexpectedly after two copies. But it was his format that I copied, when I took over as a complete novice and computer illiterate in 2007. The 1st issue continued with just 12 pages, but it has been 16 pages ever since. It’s always been a love-hate relationship- I hated doing it and loved finishing it. But journalism was the career that I never had, so I volunteered to take it on, with the promise of technical aid from my husband. Although I am always full of dread at the start of each issue- how the heck am I going to fill all those pages-, the contributions do steadily appear and another newsletter is completed. Our readership has increased thanks to an inter-society exchange of newsletters and as a result of our web-site where Douglas Harvey publishes extracts and keeps an archive of past offerings. Through this, Minou was contacted by a cousin she never knew she had and one of my items, spotted by a Norwegian, aroused interest amongst other collectors of Scandinavian material. I do not find the technical side easy, however, mainly because of my lack of technical experience and the gremlins in my new computer. In this respect, I am indebted to my husband for getting me back on track, with a right click here and a left click there, whilst I just look on mystified. But, otherwise, it is extremely interesting and rewarding. I have enjoyed the research it entails and have learnt a lot along the way, even if I have not always managed to retain. it all. Luckily, I have a group of regular contributors and have also received contributions, often unsolicited but very welcome, from family members and friends from outside the NPS. A lot of the articles I receive are of a very high standard. All are varied and informative, with a nice balance between serious and light-hearted. Please keep these coming in as I now move into the second decade as editor.
DISPLAY REPORTS BY DOUGLAS HARVEY
Members' Evening, Postcards; 3 February 2017
A variety of interesting cards constituted the display, with contributions from seventeen of the members who were present. With the pictured views, many of the cards had personal, holiday or local connections, whilst historical records of conflicts, transport, Olympic games and famous women were featured. Art work for movie posters and stamp design was shown whilst Victorian postal stationery illustrated the more practical usage of cards for communications. The President used a Latin American theme to complete the evening.
Visit to Derby Philatelic Society; 9 February 2017
Seven of our members joined eight Derby PS members. The displays were: Canada 21st Century (Douglas Harvey), Ascension Island (Alan Squires), Railway and Entertainment Revenues (Chris Tennant) and Germany Covers in the Third Reich Era (Mick Inger). President Steve Street welcomed the Society and thanked the speakers.
"Hungary", George Kirkham; 17 February 2017.
The display covered the stamps of Hungary from 1890 to 1947. Commencing with the Austro-Hungarian empire, the stamp issues were displayed through to the currency reform of 1946. The contents were remarkable for detail and completeness; not only were all the stamp issues covered, but with attention to watermarks and perforations. Postage due and official stamps were included. When the Pengo currency collapsed in 1945, the communist government established the florint currency, and it was at this point that the collection terminated. George Kirkham recited this poem prior to the display:
Here stands Mrs Kirkham’s only eldest
Trying his damnedest to do his best-est.
Hungary is tonight’s sensation-
I hope it brings back the bacon.
Hungary! Yes, you think it’s a swizz
You thought it was doughnuts and ‘Buck Fizz’.
‘Enough of this nonsense’, I hear you say.
‘For heaven’s sake, get on with your display.’
OK, here it is, up on the boards;
Maybe it will get its just rewards.
So please view kindly and try to recall
When I had nowt to put up at all.
Now it’s your turn to comment, judge and talk,
While I take a necessary very short walk.
When I return to pick up the pages
I promise I won’t stutter or take ages.
Thank you very much for your kind attention.
At least you know what happens to my pension.
I’ll give you a small display now and then.
Perhaps one day you’ll invite me again.
David Shipstone thanked George Kirkham for an interesting presentation.
Visit from Derby Philatelic Society; 3 March 2017
Steve Street opened the evening by showing a collection of the Derby Philatelic Society archives. The Derby Society had started at Burton on Trent in 1905 and moved to Derby two years later. Steve also showed a small collection of Royal Mail Smilers sheets, one of which included his own portrait. Alan Cartwright opened part 2 with an interesting collection of United States Street Car cancelled mail. The street railways of some 15 US cities assisted with rapid mail distribution. The system was replaced with Special Delivery mail, which employed runners, cyclists and motorists for delivery and usually required a special stamp in addition to standard postage. Douglas Harvey thanked the visitors for an interesting evening and explored the possibility of using the modern tram system of Nottingham for mail collection.
President's Evening; Four Collections, Brian Clayton. 17 March 2017
Brian Clayton presented the evening on behalf of President Oswaldo Ponce. The title was "Four Collections" and Brian had assembled four separate displays from his collection. (Collection 1) The series of GB Prestige Booklets constituted the first part, and Brian had photocopied the contents of the booklets at reduced size in order to display the contents of each booklet on a single sheet. The series began in 1969 with the issue of a cookery book with a recipe for baked fish and a variety of definitive stamps. The original issue was a stapled booklet which was quickly replaced with a stitched booklet. Sponsored advertising booklets followed, and commemorative stamps appeared. More recently, a premium price has been charged and 'Premium Booklets' is the current name. (Collection 2) The HMS Endurance featured as a supply ship in the Antarctic Crossing (1957-8) and a range of covers with the ship's caché was displayed. A variety of caché forms appeared to suit the purposes of the later voyages. (Collection 3) Aircraft from the Royal New Zealand Antarctic Unit took part between 1974 and 1980 in 'Operation Ice Cube'. Special signed covers were issued for each flight, both northbound and southbound, recording the flight details. At the conclusion of the operation, all the aircraft captains signed a commemorative envelope. (Collection 4) The New Zealand Health Stamps constituted an annual issue from 1929. Originally the stamps were in monochrome, complying with the UPU colour rules. Later issues featured the Royal Family, birds, sport, pets and other subjects. The charitable contribution remained constant as each increase in postal charge was introduced. (Conclusion) Allen Wood thanked Brian for a splendid display.
All Things Military: Doug Stubbings; 7 April 2017
Doug Stubbings revealed that he is a descendant of John Stubbings, who was awarded the Waterloo Medal in 1815. After a short history of the British Army, the display moved to the 150th anniversary of the Victoria Cross, with the associated philately showing the medals and the recipients. This included aircraft pilots from both World Wars, who were depicted on illustrated covers. In part 2, the History of Flight was the principal theme, with illustrations taken from the stamps issued for the 25th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and photographs of distinguished airmen. Finally, a small display of cigarette cards showed medals, uniforms and holders of the Victoria Cross. Mick Inger gave the vote of thanks and mentioned the wealth of military documentation in philately.
Society Annual Dinner, 5 April 2017.
The Annual Dinner was again held at The Rancliffe Arms, Bunny. George Kirkham provided the poetry:
The time has come, it’s now after 7.30
Any later and members get quite shirty.
The ‘Rancliffe Arms’ is again our venue
For members, friends and relations to renew
Their common affliction for bits of sticky paper
To plant on pages: (SG is the maker).
Then gather round and go ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’
At some bloke’s collection of South Zanzibar.
Some folks I know take their collections to heart.
Me? I just like to play my very small part.
I am reminded I am a philatelic philistine.
Everyone’s collection is better than mine.
Still I enjoy the Society’s social side.
I am standing up here and won’t try and hide.
I now feel emotional, full and moved,
As tonight’s events have gone and proved.
So thank you Ossi for tonight’s event.
Everything just right, it came and went.
As we are now replete it becomes quite clear
We’re launched on our way to another philatelic year.
SOCIETY AND OTHER NEWS
New member- welcome to Dick Prior, who joined the Society in mid- March.
Members displaying to other Societies.
Mick Inger gave a display on Europa at Wakefield on 15 February. This was followed by a display at Derby entitled ‘Transporting the Mail’; he was accompanied by Barbara who presented a display on New Zealand Private Posts. Bryan and Minou Button were at a RPSL regional meeting on 18 Feb with a short display on ‘April Fish’ and Allen Wood presented a display on Basutoland to Chesterfield PS 3 days later. Sandra Poole presented a two-frame display on Danish State Telegrams to the Scandinavia PS in London on 25 February, at the Cinderella Stamp Club at the RPS, London on 4 March and at the GNCS PS on 8 March. On 4 April, she presented a two-frame display entitled ‘Magasin du Nord, Denmark’ to the SPS at Falfield, Glos. Bill Whitaker displayed Australia at Rugby on 27 March. Chris Tennant also presented a short display using the letters ‘S’, ‘T’ and ’U’ at the RPSL followed by a 6 frame display on ‘Revenues at Chesterfield on 11 April. Dennis Boot presented ‘GB’ at the GNCS PS a day later. Finally, Alan Squires showed ‘British Antarctic Territory’ at Chesterfield on 25 April.
There seem to have been a record number of displays presented by our members to other societies over the last few months, one of these being ‘Beyond the Back of the Book’ by Chris Tennant, seen here at the National Philatelic Society, London, in January. The photos first appeared in the February edition of StampLover and are reproduced here by kind permission of its editor, Michael Goodman. Chris is receiving a glass goblet from President Michael Thompson.
A Volunteer is Needed:
No, don’t turn the page! Alan Squires is stepping down from producing the auction catalogues, sending them out, etc, etc, having done the job for several years- thanks to Alan for that. But it does mean that we need a replacement. Please do not just wait for someone else to step forward- there are already quite a few of us working for the Society and we can’t take on any more. If everyone just sits and waits, there won’t be another auction, full stop. I am sure that Alan will make sure that the new recruit will know exactly what he has to do and it will be up to the rest of us to ensure that what we wish to sell is sorted into lots, listed with full descriptions and prices and then lists submitted in plenty of time.
New Acquisition:
I have just received a new book that members may take out on loan: 'Nottingham Mail 1700-1900, Its Postmarks and Inclusive Social History' by V. Alan Marshall. I am not now accepting any more books for the library except those written and donated by our members.
DISCLAIMER: While every care is taken during the production of the reports, neither the editor or Society Officers can accept any liability for views or unintentional publication errors that may occur.
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