GBPS PRESIDENTS DISPLAYS

Great to have heard about the recent GBPS presidents display being both a psychical and virtual showcase.   More from the GBPS is below. 

​The GBPS held their first physical meeting at the Royal Philatelic Society on Saturday 22nd May 2021 for over a year. Around 16 members and guests attended in person with social distancing in place and other Covid safety measures in use. Over 50 members were also able to view the displays live on line via Zoom.
The President's Display was held in the morning: The British Stamp Office - Revenue Stamps from the 17th Century to the 19th Century was given by the current President, Chris Harman RDP HonFRPSL. He had a stunning display, showing the use of the stamps to collect taxes and duty on a wide range of goods and services including bank notes and taxes on hats, gloves and, even, playing cards. A receipt to the Duke of Norfolk for over 30 lbs of chocolate from the 18th Century attracted particular interest. Chris showed a remarkable selection of material including proofs and essays, with a great depth of knowledge and excellent presentation.
The afternoon session was the Immediate Past President's Display: A Jubilee Reminiscence - A Philatelic History of the 1890 Penny Postage Jubilee, postponed from last year by John Davies FRPSL. This display detailed the celebrations for the fiftieth anniversary of the introduction of Uniform Penny Postage including Britain’s first commemorative postal stationery and the first decorative handstamps from the Guildhall Exhibition. There was also a section on the Genesis of the Jubilee Envelope and the South Kensington Post Office Exhibition. John’s book on this subject was published by the Royal Philatelic Society in 2020.
The next meeting will be held on Saturday 26th June 2021 at the Royal Philatelic Society, 15 Abchurch Lane, London EC4N 7BW. It will feature The President's Guest: The Philatelic Congress of Great Britain by Steven Harrison FRPSL, followed by their AGM followed by Members' displays.