Welcome return...

MR PATRICK Jackson made a welcome return to the Loughborough & District Philatelic Society at their meeting held on Thursday, April 13, 2017, after 18 years of absence.

Pat joined in 1978 and became president in 1988/9 and again in 1993/4. He and his wife Patsy moved to Mundesley, Norfolk, then Barcelona, Spain and then to Kings Lynn, where they now reside.

Pat is now a member of the Kings Lynn Philatelic Society. His display was , “Rumania”. He said that Rumania (also spelt as Romania), came into existence in 1859 by the unification of the principalities of Moldavia and Walachia.

The name Romania was introduced in 1862. In 1878, it became independent from Turkey and in 1881 became a Kingdom.

Over the years, Romania has had to deal with territorial conflicts and most of these changes are reflected in its stamp issues. Patrick displayed a map showing the boundaries of the country as they are today.

Before displaying his stamps etc., he produced 15 sheets of Rumania’s Royal Family. These consisted of photographs and prints showing the Royal Line from 1859-1947.

First Prince Alexandru Cuza (1859-1866) expelled via a coup d’état. He was replaced by Prince Carol 1st Hohenzollern-Sigmarigen (1866-1914), who was proclaimed King from 1881.

Following his death, and as there were no children, his nephew King Ferdinand 1st became King until 1927. Following his death, his grandson Michael became king as Ferdinand’s eldest son renounced the throne. However, he was overthrown in 1930 and Carol reclaimed it and became King Carol 2nd. He abdicated in 1940 and Michael was restored to the throne by the fascist party as nominal head of state until 1947 when he was forced to abdicate by the communist regime.

Patrick then moved onto his main display by showing an enlarged version of the first stamp issued in 1862. The rest of his display consisted of stamps showing the Royal family from 1865 including the forgeries of the 1865 Prince Cuza issues; King Carol 1st Silver Jubilee issues; two sets commemorating the opening of a new Post Office in 1903; and the Welfare issues of 1906, plus Postage Due numerals. Some Postal Stationery cards were displayed, mainly used for internal purposes.

Charity stamps were then displayed, plus stamps for the 1906 Jubilee exhibition. In 1913 stamps were issued celebrating the acquisition of Southern Dobruja. Patrick said that during WWI, Rumania remained largely neutral, however, German, AustroHungarian and Bulgarian troops occupied most of its land, until around 1917 when Rumania joined the allied powers. Stamps, cards and covers were shown with various overprints issued during this period. In 1919, they acquired Transylvania.

Various stamps of Hungary were overprinted and on display. In 1920 following the Treaty of Versailles, all other acquisitions, namely, Bessarabia, Dukovnia and South Dobruja were ratified.

In 1922, they issued stamps to celebrate the Coronation of King Ferdinand, and in 1926 the King’s 60th birthday. The 50th anniversary of independence was also celebrated. In 1928, stamps were issued celebrating Michael (who was only 8 at the time), becoming King. A 1922 issue of Air stamps was then shown together with some Postal Tax stamps of 1921 and 1922. Stamps and a miniature sheet of the 75th Anniversary of the first Moldavian stamp, and the Bucharest exhibition, were issued in 1932.

A cover of 1936 was displayed celebrating the National Scout Jamboree in Brasov. During WWII, numerous stamps were issued mainly for raising funds for war efforts and charities.

After 1947, it was noted that fewer and fewer stamps acknowledged King Michael and gradually introduced portraits of Stalin and designs relating to students and workers and flags and soldiers.

Typical of the communist regime. This is where Patrick decided to end his display with a few sheets of more modern material.

In his vote-of-thanks on behalf of the Society members, Lionel Blower said that what a pleasure it was to have Patrick back to the Society after such a long time.

He congratulated him on his display, write-up and presentation. Every member present had enjoyed his display and amusing discourse.

The next meeting will be on Thursday 27th April when it will be up to members to produce “Five sheets (on any subject) or pay £1”! RFT.