Stroud and District Philatelic Society: David Williams on philatelic material from Hungary and Gerald de Boulay with items from his Danzig (modern day Gdansk) collection

THE last meeting before the AGM was devoted to early British aviation and airmail services.

The AGM saw popular chairman John Armitage step down and receive an enthusiastic vote of thanks from the membership for job he has done for the society over the last four years.

Long standing member Austin Mears

Members were entertained by two visiting speakers during April.

The first, David Williams from Cheltenham, gave a very informative display of philatelic material from Hungary.

We learnt that from 1850 Austrian stamps were used until the first issues for Hungary in 1868.

Stamps and postal history from this period were well represented.

Curiously in 1926 Postal Stationary items could be purchased with advertising for a price less than without.

During the 1930s many charity stamps were issued, including in 1939 for the purchase of ‘Gas Masks for Poor People’.

April meetings concluded with Gerald de Boulay showing items from his Danzig (modern day Gdansk) collection.

An ancient Free City on the north coast of the Baltic Sea, at the end of the First World War it was a German speaking area in a region of the new territory of Poland.

German stamps were used until January 1921 when their own were issued.

Until the establishment of a new currency in 1924 rapid inflation saw many surcharges.

Before 1939 five different sets of airmail stamps were issued many of which Gerald showed used on cover.

Sea mail and mail sent by rail was well represented.

For details of the society please contact John Armitage on 01453 835198.