Page 1 of 4

Stella treated us to a fine display of Postal History, stamps and more modern items from the Island which demonstrated again the strength of her wonderful BWI collection. The display started with great impact with the earliest recorded letter from Antigua, dated 5 October 1693, a Ship Letter from Walter Quarme to London. Seventeen further 19th century covers were shown including several straight line handstamps.

The first half of the 19th Century was illustrated with fine covers from the Napoleonic period and other packet letters, including the only recorded example from the Falmouth Mutiny period. The various rates were fully illustrated together with several Fleurons.

The adhesive period commenced with fine covers and many mint and used stamps in singles, pairs blocks and even several used strips of 6. A complete pane and top marginal block of 12 of the 1886 2½d ultramarine, allowed us to see the ‘Hale flaw’ (R5/1); the ‘broken crook’ (R6/3); the ‘slanting foot’ (R7/1); and the ‘Toeg flaw slanting foot’ (R9/6). A full pane of the 4d value with Thompson flaw (R3/3) also generated considerable viewing interest. Further pages illustrating shades and Re-entries would have satisfied most of us but the section climaxed with several lovely die proofs and later prints for the original Dies. The 20th Century was similarly, comprehensively covered with adhesives, slogans, airmails, maritime and OHMS material.

Charles Freeland provided the vote of thanks on behalf of the audience.