7th January New Year Social + Members to display recent acquisitions

On 7th January Banbury Stamp Society gathered for their first meeting of 2025. This event was a new year social where members were able to show their own recent acquisitions and to enjoy chat and a catch up. In all 10 members displayed material which was very varied and different.

To start, members were entertained by a display of British used stamps from the 1880 Queen Victoria issue. It contained many interesting items including stamps used in Malta and Gibraltar along with many GB cancels. As part of the same display members were shown a collection of recent 50p coins from the Falkland Islands showing the penguin species to be found on the islands.

Next the club were shown additions to the 1890 penny post jubilee collection including unusual items from the trial period of the four pence universal post period before stamps were issued and later postcards celebrating the penny post.

Material from the Bahamas provided a contrast and concentrated on perforation varieties and interesting colour trials from the 1959 centenary issue. Malta also provided interesting material from the British Commonwealth and members were shown letters and postcards sent by prisoners of war held on the island in the First World War and censored material from the Second World War.

In complete contrast members were next shown National Savings Stamps and a most unusual round national Savings advertising card which turned out to be a milk bottle top. Members were then shown war time stamp issues from France and San Marino and a large collection of gaudy miniature sheets from around the world.

Instead of the usual tea and biscuits members were treated to a glass of wine and a range off buffet foods along with an opportunity to chat and discuss the material which had been put on display.

After the break members were shown the newly issued Christmas stamps produced by the Republic of Ireland along with the First day Cover and booklets produced at the same time. Next members were shown a collection of postcards produced in Munich in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They featured stamps issued by the specified countries which included Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Bavaria amongst others. Most were still in lovely condition.

Members were then shown two final lots, one which featured the early GB postage due stamps and early (Azimar) mechanical cancellations one on a stamp of the North German Confederation. This item may well be so rare as to be unique. Finally, members were shown a range of stamps and material relating to the 1925 and 1925 British Empire Exhibition at Wembley including Britain’s first commemorative stamps.

Members all agreed that this had been a very enjoyable and entertaining evening.

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 21st January when Julian Bagwell will display on the topic of “The British Levant 1857 to 1923”. Meet at 7:30pm at Hanwell Fields Community Centre. The Banbury Stamp Society is on-line at ‘www.banburystampsociety.co.uk’, or contact John Davies on 01295 255831. All are welcome.