FEBRUARY & APRIL 2009

February 2009

• A message from the new editor - Michael L Goodman introduces himself and explains his aims for the magazine.  
  
  
• Make a Note of the Date - 28th March 2009 - Full details of the National PS Country Meeting at Thatcham as part of this year's WESTPBEX.
   
• New Issues - Stamps from Tristan da Cunha commemorating Alan B Crawford OBE and his contribution to the island and the introduction of its stamps. - an issue from Singapore marking Singapore Postal Services through the years that has a familiar look about it - Franking In Multiples explained as Belgium extends the system to international mail.
  
  
• To-day's Definitives and Postal Rates - St. Helena - A new series which aims to look at some of to-day's definitives - not just the stamps, but the issuing Post Office and its current postal rates. In this first article, Peter Mellor looks at the definitives recently issued by St Helena.
  
  
• SmartStamps and London 2012 - The Society of Olympic Collectors explains its pioneering involvement with SmartStamps.
  
  
• A New List of Philatelic Pseudonyms - Many of us have come across philatelic pseudonyms over the years and enjoyed the fruits of their pens. But who were they? The second part of Brian J Birch's new listing reaches Chinese Ma. 
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• PLUS -  Regular Features - 
  
  

  • Recent Saturday Displays - Michael L Goodman's comprehensive reports on the presentations given and material shown at recent meetings of the National PS - Concorde - "Faster than a Bullet" given by Brian Asquith on 11 October 2008, "Mails under London" by Len Stanway FRPSL on 8 November and The Annual Competitions on 13 December. 
    
    

  • Faeroe Islands - A report on Susan Oliver's display given to the Society on Thursday 9 October
    
    

  • Stamp Fairs Listing - February, March & April 2009
    
    

  • Letters to the Editor, The President's Piece, National PS News, Book Reviews. 

April 2009

• Goodbye to soaking - and god riddance? - The latest developments by Royal Mail cause our editor, Michael Goodman  to ask a few questions.
  
  
• New self stick set marks Machin revolution - David Sibley and Michael Goodman describe the Royal Mail Machin changes in more detail.
  
  
• The Philatelists remain "very hinged" on "Eggheads" - an approach to the National Philatelic Society has led to a team of philatelists taking part in the popular quiz "Eggheads" captained by our Vice-president, Dane Garrod.
  
  
• Philately of South Africa reflects a complex history - Chris Oliver sets out the history of South Africa as a prelude to the display on the Union of South Africa that he will be giving to the National Philatelic Society on President's Afternoon on Saturday 9 May.
  
  
• So! Just how much is it worth? - David Alford takes a look at the Fiji Times Express covers from 1870-71.
  
  
• A New List of Philatelic Pseudonyms - Many of us have come across philatelic pseudonyms over the years and enjoyed the fruits of their pens. But who were they?  Brian J Birch's new listing reaches George Graham.
  
  
• New Issues 

  - New Zealand Lighthouses bring back a few memories 

  - Thermochormatic ink is used by Iceland to demonstrate concerns over the effect of global warming on the polar regions 

  - Estonia completes its series of County stamps and marks the 90th anniversary of Eesti Post and the 50th anniversary of the Tallinn Philatelic Society 

  - France lets us compare the images Marianne used on the stamps of  the Fifth Republic in a single booklet pane and adds new values to the current Marianne et l'Europe definitives 

  - Croatia's recent stamp marking the International Amateur Radio Union Conference provides an opportunity to look at QSL Cards.
  
  

• PLUS -  Regular Features - 
  
  

  • Recent Saturday Displays - comprehensive reports on the presentations given and material shown at recent meetings of the National PS - Michael L Goodman's reports on - "Revenues of Great Britain" given by Chris Harman RDP, FRPSL  on 10 January 2009 and Michael Round describes "Haiti" by John Shaw on 7 February. 
    
    

  • Stamp Fairs Listing - April, May & June 2009.
    
    

  • Letters to the Editor, The President's Piece, National PS News, Book reviews

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