A few days ago, I posted a pic of a cover and asked for members to tell me a story about the cover and what was behind it.
https://www.stampcommunity.org/topi...D=7281#60330Here is the cover again;
A STORY BEHIND THE COVERA major Stamp Exhibition for Great Briatin had been in the planning since the mid-thirties [1930's]. Because of the outbreak of World War II, it was decided to cancel the event, due to have been held at Earls Court [The venue for Stamp Show 2000].
However, the Royal Philatelic Society wanted to celebrate the Stamp Centenary and so began to organise an Exhibition on a lesser scale to the Original. The British Philatelic Congress was due to have been held at Earls Court too, running alongside the Exhibition.
Sir John Wilson, then Keeper of the Kings Collection and President of the RPS, was Chairman of the organizing committee for the new show.
The Congress was moved to Bournemouth on the South Coast of England, as it was assumed to be a safer venue to London during war.
Stamp Dealer and auctioneer Robson Lowe, a resident of Bournemouth and Congress member decided to organize an Exhibition to run from the last day of Congress [May 6th, 1940] and until May 11th.
Both Congress and the Adhesive Stamp Centenary Exhibition were held at the imposing Royal Bath Hotel.
The Stamp Centenary Exhibition, organized by the RPS was held at Lancaster House, Westminster and ran from May 6th to May 14th.
A number of Philatelic Souvenirs were issued for both Exhibitions and also for the British philatelic Congress.
Below are 5 sheets [two were shown by Rod on another thread recently] Printed by Waterlow and Sons for the show at Lancaster House. After the initial print run revealed the error of the dates, it was decided not to order reprints, most likely to help with the War effort.
One sheet exists in the Chestnut colour inscribed for the original Earls Court Exhibition and perfinned 'Specimen'. [British Stamp Exhibitions-- Glenn H. Morgan] Sadly, I don't have it !
Here are the wrongly inscribed set of 5, also by Waterlow and sons.
Down in Bournemouth, the Congress made available to members and guests, two lovely sheets, much in keeping with the Centenary theme.
They also issued a special envelope, a Mulready reproduction [not facsimile] and this is the envelope shown at the top of this post !
Here is the reverse side:
If I had shown you the reverse side at the outset of the competition it would have been too easy ! At least that was my thinking.
So here is the section that is part theory, part fact and part possibility. Judge for yourself.
At the end of Congress, Mr Robson Lowe moved to the Exhibition to open his stand of Postal History [He was the top Postal Historian of his day]. He took with him a batch of Congress envelopes and on the last day, affixed a GVI/Victoria new issue stamp and had them tied with a Show cancel. [May 11th]. These he addressed with his own Rubber address stamp and took them with him to his shop and offices at 96, Regent Street, London for sale or giveaway, possibly with an auction catalogue. They never saw postal use.
Below are the cancels used at both Exhibitions and Congress. The Congress cancel is extremely scarce. I have only ever seen one, as far as I can remember.
....London cancel.
...Bournemouth cancel, as on the cover [different date]
...different Bournemouth cancel
...the scarce Congress cancel.
Both exhibitions were in aid of the Red Cross and St.John fund.
A sheet depicting a Penny Black with a red maltese cross was issued for the Bournemouth Exhibition but I have yet to see a copy.
Two sheets depicting the Chalon Portraits of Queen Victoria were issued for the London show in addition to those shown earlier. [I cannot find the scans so will post another time after new scans].
The offices and shop of Robson Lowe were bombed in the same year [1940]. Later in that year, he moved to new premises in Bond Street.
He retired to Bournemouth after selling his business and died in 1997 aged 92.
Londonbus1....You see, I told you it was easy !
Posted 03/05/2010 4:59 pm
