Collections of postcards

STAMPS are not the only items collected by members of the Loughborough Philatelic Society. This was born out by the topic “Postcards”, which was set before them at their meeting held on Thursday, January 27.

Postcards are a very popular subject for philatelists as they can contain a lot if information/ For example, not only the stamp of the Country from where it was posted, but the postal rate, the postmarks and/or slogans when being franked, the reasons for sending them. Pictorial ones providing holiday memories, views and local locations. Or, requests for items of stock and goods etc. and some asking for information. Some can be pre-printed, (including the stamp). Others may have a “Reply Card” attached. Some can be humorous, some very serious e.g. Mourning cards, plus many other interesting items. These can be used to help illustrate any type of philatelic collect. Examples of nearly of the postcards uses was in evidence in the member’s displays.

Chas. Ford started the evening’s displays off with his display of Danish, (Christmas) postcards, a beautiful colourful display of cards showing scenes of a typical Danish Christmas. He was followed by Lionel Blower who produced a colourful set of Flags from Angola depicting a number of different “Workers Unions” present in this small country. Each Union having its own flag. A type of Propaganda display. He also showed a card from Germany with a picture of a Zeppelin celebrating the 85th anniversary of Paul Hindenburg. And a set of cards from the Orange Free State and the Orange River Colony ending with a card from the USA showing the heads of Presidents carved into the cliffs of Mount Rushmore.

Next came Andrew Higson with items from Swaziland and the Transvaal. The first one being from Swaziland dated 1890 followed by one dated 1899, issued just before the war broke out. This was followed by one from the Transvaal – a Postal Stationery Card, then one dated1933 celebrating their Independence. Other items included cards from the reigns of King George V and George VI. A Censored card of 1945 and a card posted in the Kruger National Park, South Africa in April 2020 only reaching its destination on July 2021!

Rod Neale-Broughton came next with a mixture of postcards from Manchester between 1928 and1940, including birthday postcards, humorous and thematic items. He also displayed a variety of cards with slogans that included “British Empire, “War Bonds”, “The British Empire” “Use the Telegraph” and “British Goods are the Best”.

Next came Colin Butler, also with a mixture of cards, but these came from a collection from a Mr. & Mrs George and Hilda Tailby born during 1890 and consisted of a large album of postcards with views, and scenes and fashions and past-times. Also on display were some beautifully embroidered cards. These ended the first half of the evening’s displays.

Brian Buck started the second half with his display relating to “Pit Disasters”.

This was a sombre and moving display where photographs of the Welsh Senghenydd Pit disaster when 430 minors lost their lives. Each postcard showed the pit, the conditions above and below ground and the rescue workers, together with anxious families awaiting news. Another set was relating to the Maypole Pit disaster on the 18th August 1908 when 75 minors were killed. Brian also produced a book titled “The Valley of the Shadow”, giving numerous stories about pit disasters, including the two he had displayed.

Next came Garth with a display of historical postcards of photographs of the “Liberation of Prague” by the Russians fallowing the YALTA conference after WWII.

Views showing Russian Tanks, Marching Women of the Russian Army Destruction of buildings and weapons of war, and cheering crowds waving flags glad to be liberated????

Ray Tomkins followed on a lighter note, with some beautifully coloured artistic postcards of some 1930’s girls from a set of “Types of English Beauties”. He also displayed some WWI humorous cards, and card of Dicken’s caricatures designed by the artist Kyd.

Derek Whtmore came next with 4 Queen Victoria cards, dated 1875-88, followed by some British Empire cards 1889-92, some pre-addressed ones of 1889. Then cards of Edward VII and George V. Letter cards came next along with cards showing different rates through to 1947.

Trevor Harris then presented his display titled “The Schwebebahn”, (the Wupperthals Suspended Railway). This is the oldest Cable Car Railway in the world (1901). The cards showed photographs of the ‘Cars’, equipment and the ‘Stations’, some of which have now been demolished to make room for new ones. He was followed by his wife Christine, who present some of her large collection of “Old Loughborough and its surrounding Villages”. From 1907 – Views of the High Street, - to 1961. They included, Toothill Road (1907); The Brush Works (1910), its Sports Day (1922), The Whitworth Tower, Grammar School, War Memorial, views along the Canal bank, Quorn Hall, Hathern Clock (1908) and Hathern Church (1911). Last to display was Rowland Tatton with cards from the USA.

These included numerous postcards showing views of buildings in a number of cities, advertising cards, Stamp Cards, (these being very small cards (about 6cm x 8cm) of many different items ranging from famous people, carvings, buildings, lighthouses, mammoths, sports, animals, etc. etc. The reverse giving brief details relating to the design with just enough room for a postage stamp

Also the American versions of the Royal Mail PHQ cards. Thus ending the evening’s displays.

The President thanking all who had displayed their colourful and varied items. The next meeting will be on Thursday February 10, when members will be competing for the President’s Cup (15 sheets) and the “One Sheet” trophies.