Lanarkshire Philatelic Society report

Feb 10 2010 by Ian Bunting, Airdrie & Coatbridge

ALAN Southwood of Bearsden Philatelic Society was the welcome visitor to the Lanarkshire Philatelic Society’s latest meeting.

The subject of his display was ‘Portugal’ and after giving a potted history of the country he described various interesting postal items.

Alan began with a letter postmarked ‘Greenock, July 27, 1837.’ This was sent to Portugal via Falmouth.

The first stamps shown, issued in 1853, depicted Dona Maria II, who died that year in childbirth.

In 1895 the first pictorial stamp appeared to commemorate the 500th Anniversary of Prince Henry the Navigator and in 1898 the 5th Century Journey of Vasco da Gama to India was commemorated.

Alan also showed postage due and charity stamps, parcel post and newspaper post stamps, Portuguese postal stationery and perfins and charity tax stamps.

There were definitive stamps showing many aspects of Portuguese architecture, and many commemorative stamps continued to be issued.

The display ended with stamps issued in 1998 once again commemorating the 5th Century discovery of the Maritime Route to India by Vasco da Gama.

Paul McGowan gave the Vote of Thanks.

More details of the Society’s programme, and much more information, can be obtained from www.lanarkshireps.co.uk