Falkland Islands Philatelic Study Group

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Gander at the Goose

The Website for the Community of Collectors of Falkland Islands & Dependencies Stamps and Postal History

Thank you for visiting the FIPSG web site. Number of visitors so far:

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Next Meeting
The next meeting will be the Eastern Regional Meeting, on Sunday 12th September at the new venue at Galleywood.

Our regional events for 2010 will appear on the events page as they are finalised.
If you have never attended a local regional meeting it is a great way to meet fellow members of the Study Group, ask questions about your collection and view other displays of Falkland Islands material. You don't have to show anything yourself! Why not take the plunge and attend a meeting?  Other regional meetings are shown on the events page.
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Membership Reminder

Membership fees for 2010/11 are due on or before1st September and are £20 for UK members £25 for members in Europe and £37-50 for members in the rest of the world (or $55 if paid through Carl Faulkner, FIPSG's North American Representative). If you wish to continue to receive the Upland Goose after September please pay promptly.

Updated List of Stamps Needed for National Stamp Collection: (see full article below):

QV 2/6 + 5/-
KEVII 3/- + 5/-
KGV 1912-20 5/- maroon, 10/-, £1
1928 2 1/2D provisional
W&P 2/6, 5/-, 10/-, £1
1933 6d, 1/-, 2/6, 5/-, 10/-, £1
KGVI 1938-50 5/- + £1
1986 Penguins (SG532-35, SH469-72)
1988 Vehicles (SG555-58, SH492-95)
1989 Whales (SG583-86, SH520-23)
1990 Albatross (SG608-11, SH545-48)
1991 WWF (SG633-38, SH567-72)
1991 America (SG643-46, SH577-80)
1992 QEII 40th (SG647-51, SH581-85)
1993 Pets (SG691-95, SH627-31)
1994 Beaches etc (SG719-22, SH655-58)
1995 Shrubs (SG727-32, SH663-68)
1995 Shore Birds (SG733-36, SH669-72)
1995 WWII (SG737-40, SH673-76)
1995 Peat (SG742-45, SH678-81)
1995 Animals (SG752-56, SH688-92)
1996 Princess Anne (SG757-60, SH693-96)
1996 QEII 70th (SG761-64, SH697-700)
1996 Whales (SG771-74, SH707-10)
1998 Definitive 35p from booklet (SG818, SH752)
1998 Vessels (SG819-22, SH758-61)

London 2010 Report

Thanks to the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands website for their report on London 2010. They can be found at http://www.sgisland.gs 

The 'London 2010 International Stamp Exhibition' was held over eight days in May at the Islington Design Centre, London. The South Georgia Postal Officer and Postmaster were at the exhibition. The vast show was visited by people from all over the world: philatelists, dealers, manufacturers, agents, designers - indeed people involved in all aspects of the postal business. The Stampex is only held every ten years and this show's theme was 'King George V'.

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Queues to attend the London 2010 International Stamp Exhibition.
South Georgia Postal Officer, Sarah Lurcock found collectors were keen to meet her. Her presence at the show had been highlighted in philatelic journals, with one billing her as the Postal Officer from furthest south who would be attending the show. She was kept busy stamping and signing collectors covers and answering questions.

'Pobjoy' are the UK agents for South Georgia, Falkland Islands and Ascension Island stamps. The company had an attractive stand to promote and sell stamps and covers from all three territories. Sarah, and Postmaster for the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands and British Antarctic Territories, Moira Eccles, based themselves on the 'Pobjoy' stand where a special show cancel was available to cancel the South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands souvenir sheet of 10 different stamps that had been released to coincide with the exhibition. The sheet marks a century of stamps used on South Georgia since the Post Office opened in December 1909, and was widely praised for its beauty and relevance with its “stamp on stamp” theme. Each of the stamps in the sheet represents one decade of postage stamp used on the Island and King George V features on some of the early designs.

Asked about her presence at the show Sarah said: “A show like this comes round so rarely that I have not attended one before, so I really didn't know what I was letting myself in for, but it has been really enjoyable. When people realised I actually live and work on South Georgia they had lots of questions about life there and how the postal system works. I wanted to be at the show both to promote the collecting of South Georgia stamps and to learn from philatelists what attracts them to certain issues. I was also asking them what they thought about the recent South Georgia stamp issues. I have been thrilled to hear so many compliments - it seems we are doing a good job keeping up the quality of the stamps and finding interesting and relevant themes for new issues.”
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Postal Officer Sarah Lurcock on the Pobjoy stand.

At the heart of the Stampex was competitive showing of philatelists' collections on a theme. These were displayed in frames, and there were so many entries that the many hundreds of frames had to be changed over half way through the show. One competition entry with South Georgia content was entitled “A Whale's Tale” by Lesley Marley. It told the story of whales and their exploitation. It was a last minute entry due to another intended exhibitor having to pull out when his display was stolen a week before the show, Lesley therefore will have been thrilled to have won a gold medal for her display.

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The competition frames

A highlight of the show was a chance to see the world's most expensive stamp, the “Treskilling Yellow”. It was on show with a guard close by at all times. Last time it was sold at auction, in 1996, it fetched nearly three million Swiss Francs. This time the guide price for the stamp was two million Euros. It was auctioned shortly after the end of the Stampex and maintains it's reputation as the world's most expensive stamp, though the exact figure paid was not made public.

Also at the show were many stalls selling modern stamps and dealers selling older ones and old covers. Each day philatelists would chat excitedly about the latest lucky finds - perhaps an obscure and valuable cover at a bargain price found in a unpromising box on a dealer's stand.

Philatelic Societies timed meetings to coincide with the show, including the Polar Postal History Society of Great Britain who had a combined meeting with the Falkland Islands Philatelic Study Group on May 12th. Of special interest was Trevor Cornford's exceptional collection of polar expedition related covers including the Shackleton expeditions.

An offshoot of the Stampex was several post related exhibitions in other parts of London including one at the British Library and the British Museum.

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Trevor gives his display

New Subscription Rates for Europe members
There may be some confusion in the recent Upland Goose subscription reminder about the new Subscription rates for our Study Group members in Europe. The correct rate is £25.

Dictionary of Falklands Biography
As mentioned in the latest Upland Goose, David Tatham has been produced a small four page update and revision document for the Dictionary. Kim Stuckey has a number of copies of these available for members who purchased the Dictionary. The update can be obtained at Regional meetings or by sending him a stamped self-addressed C5 (A4 paper folded in half or 229 x 162 mm) sized envelope, to his address inside the front cover of Upland Goose.

The updates and revisions refers to page numbers, so is only of any use if you have the Dictionary!

London 2010 Meeting

Thanks to nearly 60 members of PPHSGB and FIPSG who attended the joint meeting at London 2010 on Wednesday 12th May. It was a very successful morning for the two societies. A full report will follow soon.

Change in Subscriptions

Due to the continuing volume of monographs and the severe increases in postage costs, especially to the US and Rest of the World, it is regretted that subscriptions for joining now and the next Study Group year have to rise. We hope that most members agree that a continuing production of new research monographs and a large Upland Goose journal is of benefit and interest to all members.

The subscriptions agreed and voted on at the AGM are now:

UK  £20; Europe £25 and Rest of World $55 or £37.50.

The new Falkland Islands National Stamp Collection - your help is needed!
 

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Nutt Cartmell in the Shearing Shed

Stefan Heijtz writes:

During my recent stay in the Falklands, I found out that Nutt Cartmell’s stamp collection, which was bought by the Museum and National Trust in Stanley in 1995, does not contain a basic Falklands stamp collection, which we had all thought. As a matter of fact, all that was bought was a large number of duplicates and complete sheets from the 1960’s and 70’s, most of which have been sold by now since they were not of interest to the Museum.
 
When I learnt about this, I was of course very disappointed, since I had believed that there was a good basic stamp collection in the Museum, which could be used for illustration purposes in connection with temporary displays, and for educational reasons. I therefore asked if the Museum would be interested in buying a relatively complete collection, if one could be found for them. The answer to that was that they did not have funds for purchasing a collection like that.

Because of this situation, I have offered to put together a collection, which I will try to make as complete as possible, which will be donated to the Museum. They are very excited about this and are very much looking forward to that. But in order to make this collection as complete as possible, we need your help! A nice album with a good selection of stamps has been bought from Robin Murchie at a symbolic price (which was very generous of Robin), and Malcolm Barton has added whatever duplicates he had.

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The Falkland Islands National Stamp Collection Album

I have added most of the issues between 1878 and 1960, so we are getting to a stage where the wants list is getting manageable, see below. If you have mounted mint or even unused stamps which are needed for the collection, we would be most grateful if you would consider donating them. Every contributor will be listed, and the list will be attached to the collection when it is handed over to the Museum.

The following stamps and sets are missing:
QV 2/6 + 5/-
KEVII 3/- + 5/-
KGV 1912-20 5/- maroon, 10/-, £1
1928 2½d provisional
W&P 2/6, 5/-, 10/-, £1
1933 6d, 1/-, 2/6, 5/-, 10/-, £1
KGVI 1938-50 5/-, £1
1985 to 1999, virtually everything!
Mini-sheets: 1990-1999: All

Any stamps you wish to donate could either be sent to Stefan Heijtz, Box 19541, S-10432 Stockholm, Sweden (e-mail stefan@novastamps.com), or be handed over to a FIPSG committee member at any of our meetings. Please take the opportunity to contribute to this event, which will be of great significance.

If you don’t have any of the stamps on the wants list but still want to contribute, we would be happy to accept donations (for example £10, £20 or more) towards the purchase of some of the missing stamps.

We hope to have the collection ready during 2010. Thank you for your help.

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Nutt's Garve at Darwin

Upland Goose Binders

We have a new stock of these currently on order, unfortunately the price for each binder will now be £5.50, instead of £5. If you want additional binders brought to any regional meeting, just email the book coordinator.

The binders are of good quality and really help you to file your copies of Upland Goose. They are in green, with "Upland Goose" and a picture of same in gold.

Regional Meetings Update

Friday 16th April / Saturday 17th April 2010 Scottish Congress Perth - FIPSG will have a stand on Saturday

Wednesday 12th May London - Joint Meeting with PPHSGB - 10:15am Business Design Centre

Saturday 12th June Western Regional Meeting - Swinpex 2010 - St Jospehs College, Swindon

Sunday 12th September Eastern Regional Meeting - Chelmsford

Saturday 25th September Northern Regional Meeting - Gildersome

Friday 15th / Saturday 16th October 2010  Scotex, Perth (stand). 
  
Saturday 6th November 2010    Scottish Regional Meeting. Murrayfield. 1.30pm 

Sunday 21st November 2010    Southern Regional Meeting. Camberley Cricket Club 10:30am

The 2011 Study Group weekend will be at Faringdon on 18th - 20th March 2011.

New Auction from Stefan Heijtz

Stefan Heijtz's Falkland Islands & Dependencies + Antarctica Postal Auction no.16 with closing date of 25 April 2010, is now available on his website:
http://www.novastamps.com/stefan/

THE ENTIRE CATALOGUE IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS A DOWNLOADABLE PDF FILE!

Stefan comments "This is the most comprehensive Falkland auction I have ever arranged, so therefore everybody who has been active in my auctions over the last few years, will receive a printed catalogue (with a colour section) by mail. The catalogues will be sent out during the last week of March. If you are uncertain if you are on my mailing list, or have changed your address over the last year or so, please send a message to me with your current postal address.

VIEWING AT THE FIPSG WEEKEND IN FARINGDON ON 27 MARCH: I will bring a selection of the better lots but you may also request specific lots you are interested in.

ILLUSTRATIONS ON THE WEBSITE: Almost all single stamps, most multiples and pieces, as well as all covers with an estimate of £20 or more are illustrated in colour! I will be happy to e-mail scans of any un-illustrated lots".

Philatex Extra: Horticultural New Hall, Westminster - 5th and 6th May 2010

Study Group/PPHSGB Get Together - 6th May 15:00 to 17:00 in Room 22

Philatex Extra is being staged a few days before the London 2010 show opens, in part for dealers who were not successful in obtaining a stand at the International event.
 
The Polar Postal History Society of Great Britain (PPHSGB) has secured a meeting room at Philatex Extra on Thursday 6 May 2010 and has issued an invitation to any member of the Falkland Islands, St Helena and Pitcairn Societies who happen to be attending the Philatex show on 6 May to an informal gathering in room 22 at the Horticultural New Hall between 3 and 5pm, light refreshments will be provided. Anyone coming along is welcome to bring a couple of pages of their collections to entertain their fellow attendees. Further details about the Philatex show can be found at www.stampshows.net/philatex_2010.php.

PSNC Labels

Not often is there a recommendation on the FIPSG website to go to the Peru section of an auction! But following the delivery with the March Upland Goose with the excellent PSNC Steamers 1840-1940 Monograph by Clive Perkins, Cavendish Auctions are holding a sale of The "Smith" Collections of Worldwide Private Posts and Malta (Sale 727) on Wednesday March 17th at 1pm. This auction includes a selection of labels similar to those shown on Pages 6 and 12 of the Monograph. The lots can be viewed under the Peru section at www.cavendish-auctions.com

Caveat Emptor (especially with perforation pins!)

Tony Lovelock reports more issues with perforation pins again. Previously (see below) it was Charles Williams perfins on ebay. Tony now reports a dealer purchase KGVI Specimen set with one value with a forged Specimen perforation (see picture below for the ½d value).

The remainder of the set (11 other values)  are all correctly perforated "SPECIMEN" Samuel Type B9, by Bradbury Wilkinson  & Co Ltd, and are as should be, the 2d value also shown for comparison and clarity.

Tony gives some excellent advice for more novice collectors faced with a Specimen set - check the paper and gum of all the values. In this case, the ½d stamp itself is not even from the First Printing as the gum is of a whiter and smoother appearance than the first, and without showing any sign of cracking (probably from the last 1946,47,49) The other eleven values are from the first printing , the gum being consistently, Creamy and Yellowish.

As always, with a purchase of what may be a contentious item, especially  expensive shades or Specimens, check for certificates or seek the advice of a Study Group member who knows the particular area.

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Here is the provisional agenda for the joint FIPSG / PPHSGB meeting on 12th May 2010 at the Business Design Centre. Please note that copies of the Polar Post and Upland Goose (and indeed the website article below) may state a 10am start time - however, as the doors to the Festival of Stamps do not open until 10am each day, this provisional programmme shows a 10:15am start time to allow you to get into the Exhibition and find the room. Further details to follow.

LONDON 2010 FESTIVAL OF STAMPS

PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME FOR  JOINT MEETING OF FALKLAND ISLANDS PHILATELIC STUDY GROUP AND POLAR POSTAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN

12th MAY 2010 – 10:15AM IN MEETING ROOM OPPOSITE STANDS 13/14

10:15AM         Welcome         
                        Scott and Shackleton Antarctic Expeditions 1901-1921
                        TREVOR CORNFORD, CHAIRMAN PPHSGB
 
10:55AM         The 1933 Centenary Issue
                        RONNIE SPAFFORD
                        
                       
Hunting Aerosurveys Expeditions and 1954 FIDS Ships Issue   
                        KIM STUCKEY
 

11:30AM         Airships in the Arctic
                       STEVE ALLEN   
 
12:05PM          George V De La Rue Definitives
                        RALPH RIDDELL-CARRE
 
12:40PM          A Whale’s Tale 
                       
LESLEY MARLEY
 
1:15PM            Falkland Islands and Dependencies George V Postal History
                        (PowerPoint Display) 
                         STEFAN HEIJTZ
 
1:45PM            Summing Up      
                       
HUGH OSBORNE, CHAIRMAN FIPSG


London 2010 Festival of Stamps


This is taking place at the Business Design Centre, Islington – Saturday 8th to Saturday 15th May 2010 (the venue for Stampex).


There will be a joint meeting with the Polar Postal History Society of Great Britain on Wednesday 12th May 2010 - from 10am to 1:45pm
 

This year is set to be an important year for stamp collectors in the United Kingdom with many events being organised around the London 2010: Festival of Stamps banner. The centre piece of the year will undoubtedly be the International Stamp Exhibition to be held at the Business Design Centre in Islington. The  Study Group along with the Polar Postal History Society of Great Britain, the St Helena Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Philatelic

Society (SHATPS) and the Pitcairn Islands Study Group have taken an exhibition stand at the show which runs from 8th May to 15th May 2010. On the opening Saturday there will be a £10-00 entrance charge but for the remaining days entry is free. If you are able to help man the stand on any day, please contact Morva White.

Even if you do not have time to assist with the stand , please find a few minutes to drop by Stand “P” and make yourself known, it would be great to meet you especially if you are not usually able to make it
to Study Group regional or other meetings.

On Wednesday 12th May 2010 there will be a joint meeting of the Falkland Islands Philatelic Study Group and the Polar Postal History Society at the Business Design Centre from 10am to 1:45pm at which there will be six invited displays (three from each Society). The meeting room is on the Gallery Level opposite stands 13 and 14. The meeting will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of the show for both Societies.
 

The Polar Postal History Society of Great Britain has also secured a meeting room at Philatex Extra on the preceding Thursday 6th May 2010 which in contrast to the 12th May meeting will be an informal gathering open to any member of the four Societies who have joined in running stand “P” at the International. Light refreshments will be provided. Members attending are requested to bring along a couple of pages of their collections to entertain their fellow attendees.
 
Full details of both the London based shows appear on the web: www.London2010.org.uk and
www.stampshows.net/philatex_2010.php. The London 2010 site also contains details of other exhibitions being held in conjunction with the Festival of Stamps. 

Tickets for the first day of London 2010 can be purchased by mail from Stamp World Exhibitions, London 2010 (First Day Tickets),
Suite 101, Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street, London, N1 0QH (cost £10-00 per ticket, cheques drawn in Sterling on a UK clearing Bank Payable to Stamp World Exhibitions) or on line. Tickets will be on sale on the day subject to availability but priority for entry will be given to those who have pre-ordered their tickets.

A Slight Change to the Website
 

I have made some slight changes to the website, which I hope will help with the enjoyment of it. These are:

Older items, that relate to past meetings and news are now on a new page "Archived News". This will hopefully help with navigation of this home page, but retain older information for research and other purposes.

News of upcoming meetings are given more prominence. The regional meetings especially are a way of bringing Falklands collectors together - if you haven't attended one, go to the next local one - you will not be forced to display anything!

The Membership and History pages are merged to give more information on that page.

Please use the comments form at the bottom of every page to give any feedback - positive or suggestions for improvement on these changes.

FIPSG Membership
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Join Today for just £15
Membership of the Study Group is just £15 per year for UK and Europe, £20 for overseas and $40 for USA.
 
To see the benefits of membership click here:

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LATEST NEWS FROM THE STUDY GROUP
 
 
Subscriptions
Subscriptions for the new FIPSG year starting 1st September 2009 will be:
UK and Europe £15
Rest of World £20 sterling (or $40 US dollars)
Dictionary of Falklands Biography
 
This is now available at £31 from a meeting, or plus £5 postage in UK, £11 to Europe and US.

Your Comments or Requests for further information welcome!

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