‘Awesome’! – was the verdict as members of the Lanarkshire Philatelic Society viewed the wonderful display of water colour painted postcards at their meeting on Friday 30th October. They were presented by the guest, Andrew Black of the Glasgow Caledonian Philatelic Society. He gave an amazing show of views around the Isle of Bute – especially of Port Bannatyne – and the detailed and colourful painting on such a small scale was admirable. He himself was the artist.
Also included in this display were cards illustrating Andrew Blain Baird, Aviation Pioneer, who built a monoplane on Bute and in September 1910, at the Bute Highland Games, made a short flight with the plane. He is considered to be the first Scot to have achieved a heavier-than-air flight.
Further cards illustrated Vincenzo Lunardi’s hydrogen filled Balloon flight in October 1785 from the grounds of Heriot’s Hospital, Edinburgh. Illustrations of Loch Goil in Argyllshire were viewed.
Also presented was ‘A Victorian Walk’ – a series of historic postcards illustrating the High Street of Glasgow – with various offshoots to places of interest along the route. Andrew had drawn little maps to guide the walking tourist! This was an attempt to imitate the Royal Mile in Edinburgh.
Further displays showed the postal history of Airmails from the Netherlands Indies – beginning from 1934. (now Indonesia)
From India to Britain – from 1929 – the earliest direct Airmail Service between Calcutta and Croydon. Illustrated Covers showed Quantas through the years.
And Australian Airmails from 1925 – 1934. From internal state line flights continuing through to – in 1934 – the inauguration of the First Regular Australia – to England Airmail – flying from London to Sydney.
Robert Watt gave Andrew Black warm thanks for presenting such a varied and interesting display – the painted postcards having been especially appreciated!
More details of the Society’s programme – can be obtained from our web site www.lanarkshireps.co.uk
Press Release: Supplied
