Entertaining displays
DON Hoult and Derek Whitmore, two members of the Loughborough & District Philatelic Society, entertained fellow members at their meeting on Thursday, November 8.
Don was the first to present his display titled “Design and Flaws”. In his introduction, he said that perhaps it should have been “Lot 652”, as the items he was about to display came from an auction he had recently attended.
The first set of sheets he displayed showed only three stamps celebrating the Centenary of County Cricket 1873-1973. Designed by Harry Furnace, an Irish Artist. Plus, a photographic essay by Edward Ripley of different cricketing actions.
The three stamps showed three different designs of the famous cricketer W. G. Grace. They were issued on 16th May 1973. Their values were, 3p, 7p and 9p in Brown, Green and Blue respectively.
Don had enlarged the three stamps which he used at the head of his sheets. Not only did each sheet contain the original issues, but a description of a “Flaw”, or “Flaws” in the design. For example, the flaws shown were Double perorations on three sides of the stamp, the Queen’s head was slightly out of position, Grace’s beard was different, there was a white ‘dot’ on Grace’s sun-hat and a ‘gold smudge’ on the Queen’s head. All of these flaws were enlarged to aid the viewer.
Also displayed was a rare PHQ card of the 3p stamp. Several covers were shown that included a cover addressed to Don Beaumont who was Head of Stamp Design and Production for the G.P.O during this period.
Another cover carried a Special Cancellation of W. G. Grace’s birthplace and another with a BFPO cancellation from Munich. Two “Medallion” covers ended his display. The Medallions were in Stirling silver fixed into a special celebration cover with the three W. G. Grace stamps, with badges from all the County Cricket Clubs in England. Each cover was mounted in a special wallet.
Derek then produced his “GB. Miscellany”.
His first set of sheets were on the 2012 Olympic and Para-Olympics held in the UK. They consisted of Mint stamps of all the British winners all in order.
He then produced some Postal History items that consisted of two invoices from the same firm, but to two different Companies, dated 1894, each one with a QV ½d stamp. Then a card from a “Hewes Builders” dated 5th October 1899. A Jacobs Cream Crackers Order Form for “Ding-Dong” biscuits. A 1935 Stamp Booklet and a cover to Canada with King George V and VI stamps dated 1939. Plus, an Airmail cover carried on a “Yanky-Clipper” Flying Boat.
Other items followed, including a cover advertising salt with the inscription “See how it flows”.
A letter from the US Army Postal Service (PO 633), Stationed in Bushy Park, Kingston-on-Thames (where ‘D’ Day was planned), to Egypt. A GPO Greetings Telegraph. A cover advertising ‘Camp Coffee’ with an 1885 postmark. Some Australian Essays followed, also four values of the National Savings Stamps, (issued during the 1930s). Royal Mail “Testing Stamps” (known as ‘poached eggs’), were displayed as were some ‘Greenshield Stamps’ that could be exchanged for a discount on many items. A 1935 Silver Jubilee Postal Order. 1st and 2nd stamps of 1992.
He ended his display with 1900 Philatelic Exhibition items, Coronation issues of George V and Queen Mary, Philatelic Congress held in Birmingham and a variety of colours of several Machin stamps.
Rowland then thanked both speakers for a first-class evening. Each one entirely different, but both needing a great deal of research and thought. Again, the variety of items displayed and the way they were displayed was typical of the high standard of the society.
The next meeting will be on Thursday 22nd November, when Les Pearcy will present “Cacti on Stamps”.
For further information on the society, please contact the secretary, Rowland, 07804616842.