MARCH MEETING
On 1st March we were treated to a superb display on one of the more unusual aspects of British philately – the stamps issued by various colleges of Oxford and Cambridge University between 1871 and 1886.
Parliamentary approval for the universities to run their own postal systems had been granted at an early date and, to demonstrate this, our visiting speaker displayed letters dating from 1610, 1620 and 1633. People sending a letter, usually between colleges, would give it to a college messenger who would then deliver it personally. The charge (usually 1/2d) would be collected at a later date. However Keble College (an Oxford college founded in 1870) was short of cash and soon found that this took too long with some students incurring large unpaid bills.
The answer to their problem was to sell special adhesive postage stamps. This worked well, and Keble was soon followed by Hertford, Merton, Lincoln, Exeter, St John’s, All Souls’ and Balliol colleges. At Cambridge similar stamps were issued at Selwyn, Queens’ and St John’s.
The designs of most stamps were based around the colleges’ shields. Only two (Keble and Hertford) used special postmarks, with all other stamps being simply cancelled by pen.
The display was a remarkable one in that, bearing in mind the comparatively small quantities of stamps issued, the material shown was very rare indeed. For example, of 15000 stamps printed for Hertford College, the example used on cover that our speaker displayed is the only one known to have survived.
Although the issue of college stamps was quite legal, in 1885 the Postmaster General decided that the carriage of mails should be the Post Office’s monopoly and requested that the universities cease using them. Surprisingly, they agreed.
ABOUT OUR SOCIETY
The Macclesfield and Prestbury Philatelic Society was formed in 1966 to promote stamp collecting in the Macclesfield area of East Cheshire.
The Society is very friendly and informal, with a varied programme of speakers, displays and society evenings.
Anybody may join. The annual subscription is currently £10 (payable in September) which includes the cost of coffee and biscuits at meetings.
The Society runs its own internal packet scheme and also participates in the packet scheme of the North Western Federation of Philatelic Societies, allowing members to look at a wide choice of stamps and philatelic items in their own homes.
Everyone is welcome, regardless of age and from beginner to expert, as all members benefit from the experiences of fellow collectors.
The Macclesfield and Prestbury Philatelic Society is affiliated to the North Western Federation of Philatelic Societies (NWF) and the Association of British Philatelic Societies (ABPS).
MEETING PLACE: The Heritage Centre, Roe Street, Macclesfield, Cheshire.
Meetings are held upstairs (first floor) but a lift is available. The Heritage Centre has a strictly no smoking policy.
TIME OF MEETINGS: 7.45pm
DATES OF MEETINGS: Mainly the first Monday of each month from September to June.
CONTACT: Peter Kirk (Secretary) Tel: 01625 829119
E-mail: peter@kirk199.freeserve.co.uk
FUTURE PROGRAMME
2010
20th March (Saturday), 10am to 4pm: North Western Federation Seminar on Judging. Contact our Secretary for further details.
12th April: Guest speaker who will present a display on Malta.
8th to 15th May: London Festival of Stamps at the Business Design Centre, Islington.
10th May: Guest speaker who will present a display on Manchester.
7th June: Guest speaker who will present a display on South Africa Cinderellas.
6th September: Guest speaker who will present a display on USA Airmails.
4th October: Guest speaker who will present a display on The French Red Cross.
Stamp Fairs
Sale Grammar School: Fairs will be held between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm on 10th Apr 10 (North Western Federation AGM) and 9th Oct 10. There is an admission charge but members of the Macclesfield and Prestbury Philatelic Society may obtain free entry by showing their printed programme card.
Stockport Masonic Guild Hall: These are held on the last Tuesday of each month between 9:30 am and 3:30 pm. Admission is free. Dates are 30th Mar 10, 27th Apr 10, 25th May 10, 29th June 10 and 27th July 10.
