The history of postcards

The Ayrshire Philatelic Society had a change to their programme last week.

Dan Ross opened the evening with a display on the evolution of the postcard, starting with the very first postcards, issued by Austria in 1869, and followed a year later by the UK.

He then showed sheets from his collection on the Treaty of Versailles of 1919, and its effects on the stamp issues of the disputed ex- German territories in Europe.

The first round was concluded with a display of covers and special cancellations relating to mineralogical exhibitions and congresses from Ken Gibb.

Robert Watt’s sheets on forces mail from Egypt from WWI, the 1930s and WWII were shown in his absence, followed by Ian Smith with his collection of St Christopher and Nevis to 1890, which included covers dated 1771 from St Christopher to Argyll, and Nevis bisects on cover for book- post use, and a stamp issued by the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company in 1875.

The evening was brought to a close by Ian Barker’s fascinating display of the birds of Ayrshire and Arran.

The next APS meeting, on November 16 will welcome a visit from members of the Glasgow Thematic Society, including material on WWI by Gary Cheyne.

All are welcome. Contact David Rossall, publicity officer, at davidrossall@ sky. com.