Club Report

Members were dismayed to hear that our President, Mr Grahame Boutle had suffered a heart attack in early October, and now following tests was to undergo major surgery in the form of a triple by-pass.

At our meeting on October 26, Bryan Dowler gave us an enthralling display of Siam to 1910. He began by advising members that he had spent a considerable time in what is now Thailand, had been married to a Siamese lady and was well versed in the culture, politics and history of the country. Originally united in 1770 by Taksim, when the Burmese were driven out, the country had remained a monarchy to the present day. The major developments had occurred under Mong Kut Rama IV (of King & I fame), and his son Chula Longkorn, the "Great King."

Siam issued its first Postage Stamps and Stationery in 1883, had joined the UPU in 1885, and repelled French attempts to overrun it in 1897. The first half on his display was of Picture Postcards, all postally used and usually to overseas destinations with appropriate frankings. Cards from 1899 for example were displayed going to Russia, Germany, Sweden etc. usually routed via Singapore. There were many other destinations and some cards were registered; others were under-franked and incurred Postage Due markings. All the relevant issues of stamps were shown in use including the provisional surcharges, and currency changes. The picture sides illustrated all strands of Siamese life, culture, art, scenery, transport and religion etc. (including a few Liebig trade cards from the 1870s).

The second half consisted of a comprehensive display of the early Postal Stationery cards, all postally used, and again with a high proportion being sent overseas. These also included provisional and surcharged issues, a number of registered items, and postage due and tax-mark items due to constant rate and currency changes. A rare item was the reply half of a "double card" postally and correctly used.

The 1899 "Full Face" issue, which was rejected by the King, and withdrawn from postal use, was represented by 3 used copies. All remaining stock was rounded up and destroyed in 1903.

On November 2, Bob Deakin enthused about St Helena and began by giving a review of the history, geography and political status of the island, and its importance on the route to South Africa and India. Early maps from 1596, 1601, 1670 and 1730 were shown. St Helena is about 4,500 miles from the UK, 1000 miles south of the Equator, 1200 miles from the nearest land, (Angola), and is still a British Colony. The first settlers were survivors of the great fire of London, and some thirty families arrived in 1667. The present population numbers about 4000-5000.

Most people associate St Helena with the second exile of Napoleon in 1815, and he died there in 1821. After the Zulu war King Dinuzulu was exiled there in 1896 and stayed for eight years. During the Boer War, the island housed Boer prisoners of war, including General Cronje who was defeated at Paardeburg in 1899, firstly in Deadwood Camp from April 1900, and additionally in Broad Bottom Camp from 1901, when the Orange Free Staters had to be separated for the Transvaalers.

Bob showed a wide range of early letters, all the issues of stamps, including Specimen overprints, with details of the printing methods, the layout of the plates, many covers with stamps showing various rates and routes. The earliest item was to Guernsey in 1827. Particular emphasis was given to the wide variety of "cork" cancels used during the 19th century, as well as postal stationery, and later picture postcards.

In the second half, Bob showed a wide variety of Prisoner of War mail, including some to German, French and Scandinavian individuals who had fought of the Boer side: even an Irishman. Interesting items included hospital mail, a copy of the prisoner's newspaper, hand painted cards, and various censor and service suspended marks including Schweizer Renwich in 1901. A particularly interesting item was an original Erich Mayer drawing on card. Mayer, a South African artist, became famous for his many paintings of the camps and prisoners during his period of captivity, and a book with many of these illustrations was also on view.

Our next meeting is an Auction on November 23, with viewing from 7.15pm at the usual venue.

The Society meets in the Public Hall, Bromley Road, Beckenham, Kent. Visitors, guests and new members are always welcome. Full details may be obtained from the Secretary, David Rennie on 020 8778 7001, or the Membership Secretary, Chris Sands on 020 8402 1263.

Full reports of the Society's recent meetings and the advance programme can also be found on its web site at www.beckenham.net/leisure.asp