Stamps in spotlight...

ON Thursday October 28, members of the Loughborough & District Philatelic Society were asked to produce their displays on the title of “Non English Language Stamps”.

Andrew Higson was the first to display a series of stamps from East Saxony (1945-46), all from arears around Dresden. Their design was very simple consisting of one number and the word POST.

He also displayed some First Day of issue covers from Germany some quite rare and included a Censored Mail cover. Other items shown were some imperforated stamps and some perforated by the Postmaster.

Lionel Blower followed with his display of some beautifully produced and designed Swiss stamps of a number of Swiss castles, some 1973 definitives and some Pro Patria and Pro Juventute stamps of 1974-80.

Colin Butler came next with his display of six sheets from a variety of countries that included Azerbaijan, Japan, Austria, Lebanon, Antilles, Angora and French Oceania.

He was followed by David Gabe with items from Poland. These included some of their favourite composers, Chopin and Paderewski two name but two. He also displayed 18 sheets of the great scientist Copernicus, not only on stamps but on covers.

Brian Buck then presented stamps on a number of themes showing Extinct Birds, Fictional Detectives, Military Uniforms, Insects and Spiders and Cartoons and Comic strips. All from non- English speaking language countries.

He was followed by Ray Tomkins with an unusual display of Revenues that included those from Spain (Money Transfers and Giro stamps), Bosnia & Herzegovina before it became Yugoslavia and overprints from Austria. T

hen a small group from Crete, Thailand and some Indian States.

Derek Whitmore came next with his display of Postage Due stamps on overseas covers in their own languages and covering a wide range of dates, e.g. 1924 card from Germany, a 1960 cover from Italy, and two other covers from Germany daed1971, two covers of 1976 from Belgium and France plus others.

Trevor Harris then displayed his collection of Lightships and .ighthouses with cards and covers from East Germany, Budapest, plus a First Day sheet of Lighthouses on stamps. Then he produced booklets and cancellations all showing designs of different lighthouses.

Finally came the president, Christine Harris her display celebrating 500 years of the post. These were beautifully illustrated sheets from Germany, Belgium and Austria and included topics such as transport and badges.

When everyone had time to view all the displays, the president thanked everyone for providing such a variety of displays.

The next meeting will be on Thursday, November 11, when members are asked to display their items on the letter ‘M’. RFT.