NEWSLETTER OF THE ROYAL PHILATELIC SOCIETY OF NZ

ROYAL LINES

www.rpsnz.org.nz

                PO BOX 1269, WELLINGTON 6140 TEL: (04) 472-2590 FAX: (04) 472-5426 rpsnz@orcon.net.nz

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Vol.46 No 11

 

December 2007

 

1.         December Meeting

The next meeting of the Society will be held at 7.30pm on Tuesday 11 December in the first floor rooms of Turnbull House, Bowen Street, Wellington.

 

NOTE: The library will be open for members from 7.00pm to 7.25pm on meeting nights.

 

Programme: Business

Items of Interest

Marcel Stanley Trophy

Member's Evening: Christmas

It only seems like yesterday when your Editor was saying 'it only seems like yesterday'. Time flies when you're having fun or obviously when you happen to be interested in stamps!, Nevertheless, yuletide is almost upon us but before that happens there is one last meeting and an important one as well. Firstly, the winner of the Marcel Stanley Rosebowl Trophy will be announced and secondly members have the chance to bring along any unusual items collected during the course of the past twelve months. These items do not need to be of a philatelic nature, just interesting. Then traditionally, enjoy some fine finger food and a glass or two of Christmas cheer.

2.          November Meeting

New President Adam Miller welcomed the good turnout of members, including new member, Darryl Keegan. In general business he noted the receipt of a large engraved portrait by Samuel Cousins from the famous Chalon painting of Queen Victoria. This was donated by Peter Stanley, son of the late Marcel Stanley. There followed a wide variety of items of interest from members.

 

The evening's speaker was Allan Berry, who spoke on New Zealand Volunteer Militia Mail and Patriotic Covers used in New Zealand. Before the introduction of Official mail in 1907, free franking privilege was utilised. Our volunteer militia used this on the whole to remind volunteers when parade times were. Others used public notices in the newspapers. The militias arose because of a fear of the Russians, and remained until the formation of the Territorial Army in 1909.

 

Allan had just over 16 pages of material, the result of over 30 years of collecting, so this material is scarce. Most of it dates from before 1877, with a later few dating from the Boer War period. As the mailing officers had to sign the free frank covers, they can be traced, often through the early Official Year Books. One - A W Robin - was very famous and even featured on one of the Boer War postal cards. The earlier patriotic covers used in New Zealand were of overseas manufacture, the first locally manu­factured one was used in September 1941. A Christchurch father and son team, both H M Garrick, formed a local branch of the Patriotic Cover Exchange Club. This was originally formed in the United States by George Linn of Linn's magazine fame. Garrick Jnr, who was bed-ridden and died in 1943, designed and produced local items. The club eventually became the New Zealand Stamp and Cover Club.

 

Covers can be hand illustrated, created by affixing stickers, or professionally printed in multi-colours. Some feature named individuals. After WWII, they continued to be used for purposes such as FDC's. There are also special Victory covers, which are a related branch of collecting. The vote of thanks to Allan was given by Des Hurley.

3.         Tarapex 2008

First details have been received for this National Exhibition, to be held in November next year, at the TSB Stadium, Mason Drive, New Plymouth. Entry forms will need to be in by the 30 June 2008 and entries by 1 November. Further information can be had from the Secretary, Tarapex 2008, P 0 Box 7129, New Plymouth or email tarapex@xtra.co.nz

 

And just received from Canpex Inc. After staging Kiwipex 2006 last year the organising committee has decided that rather than disband they will continue and assist with the two national exhibitions sched­uled to be held in the South Island over the next four years. Kiwipex 2006 Secretary, Karen Jeffrey was elected Chairman at the AGM. Information can be obtained from PO Box 18 914 Christchurch or email canpex@paradise.net.nz

 

4.         ThemeNZ

From the Thematic Ass0ciation of New Zealand comes a 'maximum challenge'. They have produced a flyer describing a challenge to produce New Zealand's best maximum card over a period 1 November to 30 September 2008. Making a max card that meets all the requirements is a challenge at the best of times, producing a successful card provides considerable satisfaction but few collectors have had that experi­ence. The association is keen to encourage collectors to 'give it a go' so if you are interested and need further information then contact the Thematic Association of New Zealand Inc., 10 the Anchorage, Whitby, Porirua 5024 or bob@gibsonnz.com

5.          New Members

There was one new member during the past month, William Smart from Australia. Royal Lines welcomes the new member to our society.       .,'

 

  6.         Volume IX

 Don’t forget to order your copy of the award-winning Postage Stamps of New Zealand Volume IX. Priced at $140.00 plus packaging and postage this volume, the latest in the handbook series, covers all aspects of postal stationery. Contact the office for details and an order form.

 

7.         Federation Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting' of the Federation was held Saturday 24 November. Jenny Banfield was standing down as President this year as was long serving Secretary, David Fentress. Consequently Len Jury was elected unopposed as President and Bob Gibson as Secretary, again unopposed. Congratulations to Len and Bob and a big thank you to Jenny and David.

 

8.         Overdue Subscriptions

For those members who still have not renewed their membership, you will unlikely see the next issue of the Stamp Collector arriving in your mailbox later in January. By that time we reluctantly will have removed your name from our membership list. Renew now to make sure you don't miss out! (The Royal's postcode is 6140 and in case you email your payment instructions, our new email address is rpsnz@orcon.net.nz).

 

9.          Christmas/New Year Office closure

Following the Christmas meeting the office will close on Thursday 13th December and reopen on

January 22nd. If any member needs to use the library for research or needs to borrow material over the holiday period, make sure to do it before the 13 December. The mailbox, emails and answerphone will be checked or cleared over the holiday period.

 

10.       Miscellaneous

There are a couple of miscellaneous items from New Zealand and around the world and this month we again have some spare space to pass this information on to you.

New Zealand Post is holding an open day at their Collectables & Solutions Centre on Friday 7 December at new premises, 5 Church Place, Wanganui between 11am and 2pm. Tour the operation, see how Personalised Stamps, Covers and other material is created for collectors, view NZ art and design available at Real Aotearoa stores and get a discount of 15% on the Open Day, receive a 'Welcome Pack" and go in the draw for various prizes. No RSVP required - just turn up. A word of caution, due to health and safely requirements, no open toed shoes/sandals may be worn.

And from the American Topical Association, keeping up with the times. They report steady production of CD's which are available to rent or purchase. These voice-over CD's replace the old slide shows and include new material as well as existing, on a wide range of subjects. For information go to americantopical@msn.com. or ATA, P.O. Box 57, Arlington, TX 76004-0057. And ATA has just released a new handbook, 'Women on Stamps-Vol 5'. The price is A$26.00 ($21.00 to members) plus A$11.00 postage. Go to their website for further information.

 

And finally, have a very merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.