| |
South
African Collectors Society
Email info@southafricacollector.com |
|
|
The
70th Anniversary of the South African Collectors' Society
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| 1948
- 2018
By
Otto Peetoom
|
|
|
This
Page Includes |
| 1948
- 1953 The Formative Years of the Society
1953 The Springbok Volume 1 No 1
Past and Present Editors of The Springbok
The Changing Face of The Springbok
Celebrating Society Milestones - Past and Present
Society Membership Past and Present
Eric Sherwood
Founder of the South African Collectors’ Society (1948
- 1987)
|
Society
Advertising and Promotion (P.R.)
Past Society Personalities
Edward Lauder, Alec Page, Reg Allen
The Wicks Award - The Abell Trophy - Society
Auctions
Miscellaneous Items of Interest
A Long Forgotten S.A.C.S. Medal Reappears
Other Items of Interest - The
Springbok March 1921
What the Members Say |
Special
Edition Springbok may be downloaded as a PDF |
| |
|
|
| 1948
- 1953 The Formative Years of the Society
|
|
|
Introduction
Several months ago I
documented thirty three years of history of another
philatelic society and my only source of information
came from their journals.
The problem we have with this Society is that it did
not launch its own journal for about five years until
January 1953. Prior to that it offered a regular ‘Bulletin’
which was more than likely one or two pages with ‘this
and that’. I have not gained sight of any of these
Bulletins and whether or not any of them have
survived I cannot say.
The South African Collectors’
Society
This Society celebrates its 70th Birthday during 2017
and although we know it started in 1947. An exact date
or month appears to be unavailable...does anyone one
know or for that matter care?
The only hint of its formation appeared in the first
Editorial by Eric Sherwood in The Springbok
(January 1953) |
Farewell to Marais Steyn
- SAP July 1984
Left to right
Tony Chilton, Marias, Bill Hart plus Eric
Sherwood & his wife |
| |
...Originally,
the Society was started some five years ago with
a membership of approximately 12, chiefly as a result
of the efforts of my esteemed friend, Mr Edw. Lauder.
Then, we circulated articles and news by means of
one news folder but with the growth of membership
developed the need for two and three news folders
until the stage has been reached where, with a membership
close on 100, a Magazine is a necessity if members
are to be kept up-to-date and fully informed...
A complete reproduction
of the first Editorial appears lower down this page
1948
Gibbons’ Stamp Monthly
Whilst the above journal used to publish ‘Society
News’ in the past, in the post war years
that was not the case during 1948 and a search provided
no result for the formation of the SACS.
It is possible that an announcement
appeared in ‘other’ British Philatelic
journals, but I do not have access to them. Any
SACS member in the London area, who also belongs
to the Royal, could cross that bridge by a visit
to their library!
The
South African Philatelist September
1948
A Blast from the Past
The earliest reference to our Society that I was
able to trace appeared in the above edition of The
South African Philatelist under a title
SOUTH AFRICAN
STUDY CIRCLE
We have received particulars of the formation
in Britain of a South African Collectors' Society,
it being a club and study circle for collectors
of South African Stamps. They propose having a monthly
bulletin and the issue of the ‘S.A. Philatelist’
to members, an exchange packet and a new issue service.
The Secretary is Mr C.E. Sherwood, 105 Marford Crescent,
Sale, Cheshire, England. Our best wishes for their
success.
The South African
Philatelist May 1949
In a letter from S.C. Chantler published
under 'Correspondence', the writer urges the need
for a Union Postal Study Circle in South Africa
and mentions a successful Overseas organization
which I suggest point to the SACS.
During and since the war a large number of collectors
have given more attention to the stamps of the Union;
such collectors being scattered throughout the country,
and, often in places where opportunities for meeting
others of similar- tastes are rare and who would,
probably, welcome some means of exchanging notes
and queries which arise from time to time.
This need can be met by the formation of a Postal
Study Circle open to collectors of the stamps of
our country. Such an organisation
is already functioning overseas with success,
and there is every reason to believe that such a
study circle could be run successfully in the country
which produces the stamps.
A
provisional scheme has already been worked out and
if any of your readers are interested in the matter,
I should be very pleased to hear from them and to
give further information.
S. C. CHANTLER
Readers who are interested should get into touch
with
Mr Chantler, PO Box 169, Grahamstown.
The South African Philatelist
October, November and December 1949
During
1949 Eric Sherwood placed
an
advertisement in the SAP
for three consecutive months. He invites collectors,
resident in Great Britain, to join the society.
The foregoing seems unfortunate in as much that
Eric was not encouraging Union collectors (Worldwide)
to join the Society.
Continued in next column
|
|
The South African Philatelist
October, November and December 1949
Collectors of S.A.
resident in Great Britain are
invited to join the South African Collectors'
Society |
The
Springbok (Journal
of the Society)
First edition published in January 1953
and received a review in the March 1953 edition
of The South African
Philatelist...the following appeared
The Springbok
Edited by C.E.
Sherwood for the South African
Collectors' Society,
105 Marford Crescent, Sale, Manchester.
The Society now has a membership of nearly 100 and
a magazine is considered necessary to take the place
of the news folders previously circulated amongst
members. We gather, though, it is not specially
stated, that it will be a bi-monthly production.
No price is mentioned, so it may be presumed it
is only to be issued to members.
It is very nicely produced, with an attractive cover,
the design being based on our ½d stamp. The
contents are good solid meat, 20 pages of them and
we welcome our new contemporary.
The editor states that it is not intended to replace
or to compete with the 'South
African Philatelist' but to be complimentary
to it in order to increase the interest in the collecting
of South African stamps outside that country and
in particular in the United Kingdom. Good luck to
it!
|
|
One
of the
'Veterans'
of the Society
Reg Allen
Joined in 1953
Member No 116
RDA was a
member
until his death
in 2005
Aged 99 |
|
|
|
| 1953
The Springbok Volume 1 No 1 |
| =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= |
| JANUARY/FEBRUARY
|
THE
SPRINGBOK |
1953 |
| =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= |
| |
Contents
• The Editors chair
• The narrow perforation variety in the Union
stamps
• Current topics
• The Ha’penny Springbok (halfpenny)
• Its never too late
• Union Philatelic diary for 1952
• The production of the “Kings Head”
Coil stamps of S Africa
• Resume of auction realisation during 1952
• O.A.T. (Onward Air Transmission)
• Membership information
• Library
• Stop Press |
Author
CE Sherwood
WN Sheffield
CE Sherwood
PD Haigh
CE Sherwood
CE Sherwood
JAJ Peters Voortrekker
HA Stewart
CE Sherwood
CE Sherwood
CE Sherwood |
Page
3
4-5
6
7-10
11
12
13-14
15-16
17-20
21
21
22 |
|
| 1953
First Editorial by Eric Sherwood
The Editor’s
Chair
|
| |
A
word by way of introduction as to the reason for this
Magazine.
Originally, the Society was started some five years
ago with a membership of approximately 12, chiefly as
a result of the efforts of my esteemed friend, Mr Edw.
Lauder. Then, we circulated articles and news by means
of one news folder but with the growth of membership
developed the need for two and three news folders until
the stage has been reached where, with a membership
close on 100, a Magazine is a necessity if members are
to be kept up-to-date and fully informed.
I would like to emphasise the fact that this Magazine
is not in any way intended to replace that excellent
publication The South African Philatelist,
for which we all have the greatest regard, nor even
to offer competition, but rather to be complementary
to it in order to increase the interest in the collecting
of South African stamps outside that country and in
particular in the United Kingdom. It should be regarded
essentially as a Society Magazine expressing the views
and observations of its members. I have tried at some
length to ensure there is no misunderstanding with S.A.P.,
and I am happy to acknowledge the fact that every support
has been offered from the Union.
The present scope of the Society covers the Boer War
Period down to present day issues, but if later there
is a general demand to widen activities, then due consideration
will be given to the matter.
It is imperative that this venture be supported actively
by members by contributions of articles and by letters
to the Editor and might I suggest that members intending
to take up their pen, advise me before doing so, as
to the subject in mind, in case it is being considered
already elsewhere? |
|
Where
possible submission of articles, in duplicate would
be of great help, written on quarto paper. Here, perhaps
I might say that the Editor does not accept responsibility
for any views published but will welcome correspondence
for publication.
We are all indebted to Mr Lauder for presenting to
the Society, the very handsome die as reproduced on
the front cover and furthermore by the gift of the
outer covers for this very first issue. Behind the
scenes, Mr Lauder has been working tirelessly to ensure
the success of The Springbok, despite ill
health and so I hope that having started well we shall
be able to continue so. Let us not forget the contributors
who, by their articles, have assisted in 'putting
to bed' this number.
An Exchange Packet will be circulated in two sections,
but its frequency will depend on the support rendered
in the form of sheets or books from members. Booklets
may be purchased from the Editor at 3/- per dozen
postage paid. I can promise sales will be good if
the material is right and priced reasonably. With
the Exchange Packet may be circulated from time to
time, books with stamps requesting comments or identification,
etc., and here I must note that Mr J. Hodkinson of
Derby has asked me to express his thanks for the help
in classifying the stamps shown in such a book recently.
He is busy preparing another which will incorporate
such information for our general benefit.
The magazine is being issued for your benefit - do
make use of it.
|
| Editor
C.E. Sherwood, 105
Marford Crescent Sale Manchester U.K.
Another
Point of interest in Volume 1 No 1 appears on page
21 under
New Members -
Member No 116 R.D.
Allen of 82c Hackford Road London SW19 has joined
the Society
|
| Past
and Present Editors of The Springbok
|
|
Name |
Member |
Editor
From |
|
Name |
Member |
Editor
From |
C.E.
Sherwood
R.D. Allen
C.P.
Ravilious
D.W.
Painter
F. Heymann
|
No 1
No 116
No 599
No 524
No 971 |
January
1953 to October 1962
October 1962 to December 1981
January 1982 to December 1989
January 1990 to December 1997
January 1998 to December 2003 |
E.
Bridges
O. Peetoom
E.
Bridges
R. Ross |
No
977
No 799
No 977
No 993 |
January
2004 to April 2012
April 2012 to September 2012 September 2012 to April
2013
April 2013 to date |
|
|
| The
Changing Face of The Springbok |
Front Cover of the first edition of
The Springbok |
The
Front Cover of The Springbok
Using a customized
image of a ½d Definitive stamp on the front
cover during 1953 may be thought of as 'very upmarket'
for that era and its use continued until the end of
1992, thus it enjoyed forty years of 'Service'.
By the early 1990's the editor D.W. Painter thought
it was time for a change and employed a new image
for the front cover. In my opinion it looks like a
pregnant Springbok, either that or, it had just devoured
several plates of Mince Pies! F. Heymann took over
as editor in 1998 continued using 'The fat Springbok'
and at the end of 2000 he 'boxed' the image.
A New Slender Springbok
The first journal for 2002 (Issue 277) brought
a much better image into use. Eddie Bridges became
the editor at the beginning of 2004 and by 2006 colour
finally arrived. In my opinion this was an ideal opportunity
to change over to a 'pretty' front cover, but most
society's are loathe to change and are slow in embracing
the available technology. |
Late 1992 -
Last use of the 1953 Emblem |
| |
Journal
Production, Colour, Quality etc.
An important issue that
most amateur journal producers miss is that the quality
of the finished product is very much dependent on the
quality of paper used.
Most societies, including the SACS, printed
their journal on cheap paper and settled
for 'In house' production that meant stapling the pages
together.
Personally I started using colour as early as 1990,
at that time the cost of colour was high, the machines
were slow, delivering about four A3 sheets per minute
and colour could only be printed on one side of the
paper. Collating and stapling was done manually.
In early 1992 I produced my Rhodesian
Specialized Postal Auction No 36 which included
four pages of colour illustration. The response from
our customers was positive and they were delighted
with the colour innovation.
It brought home to me how important colour
is for philately. Thus when I launched my own journal
a year later, it boasted four A4 pages of colour. Granted
the subscription rate was not cheap and I suggested
to subscribers that black and white was more economical...they
loved the colour so that was that.
I feel these comments are relevant as most philatelic
societies avoided colour...‘too expensive
they cried’ and subsequently continued publishing
drab journals for years to come.
My journal The Rhodesian Philatelist, first
published in July 1993 and produced by a high street
printer with four pages of colour was streets ahead
of most society journals. |
|
Printed on A3R folded and stapled in the middle into
an A4 booklet. At first pages had to be collated by
hand, folded and stapled manually. Soon there were
printers which collated the pages and a separate device
that speeded up the process which folded and stapled.
That was followed by machines that did the ‘whole
job’. In comparison many societies continued
using antiquated methods of production that were no
cheaper than those I used.
In late 2011 I took an interest in
the quality of The Springbok and asked the
editor why he did not print the journal on better
quality paper. The answer was 'We can't afford it!'
and I noted that the society funds reflected around
£9000 in the bank. Eddie Bridges finally included
an image on the front cover in March 2012 and I followed
up in with something more colourful.
Roy Ross has now been Editor since September 2013
and varies the look of the front cover. Examples of
all the illustrated front covers may be viewed on
the appropriate page on this website...go to About
the Society
In my opinion the front and back covers
of a journal is the gateway to how good or bad the
rest might be!
Folded and Stapled in the Middle
I started this trend in 2012 with Issues 318 &
319 and it continued from Issue No 321. The Era of
stapling A4 sheets together was finally over!
|
|
|
| Celebrating
Society Milestones - Past and Present |
| |
Editorial
by Otto Peetoom
How to Celebrate a Seventieth Anniversary?
Chris Oliver raised the above question in a 19 May email
and I discussed the matter with him on Saturday 27 May...the
point I made is what exactly did he have in mind?
My suggestion was that one ought to look back in history
to assess what was done for previous milestones and
the answer to that is...‘Not a lot’.
The only guide available is The Springbok Contents,
Volume 1 to 51 (1953 - 2003) by J.B. Carter. The foregoing
intimates that nothing was published in The Springbok
for the following Anniversaries being 25th (1962)
30th (1967) or 40th (1977)
The 50th Anniversary
This was subject to a short ‘off the cuff’
write-up by Alec Page, the Secretary, in Volume 45
No 2 of The Springbok No 258.
The 60th Anniversary
In Volume 55 No 4 of The Springbok No 300
Oct/Dec 2007
Editor - Eddie Bridges. The front cover boasts:-
SACS 60th Anniversary Issue & 300th Issue
of The Springbok
On this occasion Chris Oliver, the Secretary, presented
A short history of the South African Collectors’
Society and its members.
An apt title as the history is ‘short’
(less than twenty lines). Chris broke new ground for
the society by collating all past members No’s
1 to 1123, Abel Trophy Winners since 1957 and The
Wicks Award Winners since 1961.
Chris Oliver also collated a list
of Officers and Committee of the Society and concluded...In
sixty years we have only three Presidents, four Hon.
Secretaries, six Hon. Treasurers, six Hon. Editors
and five Hon. Librarians!
The
70th Anniversary or Platinum Jubilee
Although I made an array of suggestions that ought
to cumulate into a ‘Joint Effort’...reality
dictates that the vast majority of members prefer
to keep their distance. Chris Oliver’s 60th
Anniversary has been updated to 2017 and has been
a good source to draw on and I started work on 28
May.
The
SACS Website plus a ‘70th Souvenir Journal’
Construction of a suitable webpage got underway at
the end of May, by 2 June I emailed a link to members
for a ‘Preview’ and on Monday 5 June the
70th Anniversary page went ‘live’. Since
then I continued adding material and by
10 June completion was in sight. At that point I decided
to copy the information onto a document to create
a Special Edition Springbok.
Introduction
The Society’s Platinum Jubilee Initial
Considerations
How to Celebrate a Seventieth Anniversary?
Having recently collated the history
of the Bechuanalands and Botswana Society (33 years
and not 70!) I appreciate the amount of time such
a project entails. It took me the best part of six
weeks and there is still more to be done!
To collate a ‘Proper History’
of any Society requires a systematic ‘trawl’
through its journals. In the case of the SACS...go
to The Springbok, starting with issue No
1...any volunteers? I doubt it!
Thus whatever I end up doing is essentially ‘as
good as it gets!’
From J.B. Carter’s Index it
intimates that nothing was published in
The Springbok for the following Anniversaries
being 25th (1962) 30th (1967) or 40th (1977).
The 50th Anniversary
A short ‘off the cuff’ write-up by Alec
Page, the Secretary, in The Springbok No
258 April/June 1997 - Editor D.W. Painter.
On the last page of said journal two photographs appear
entitled
A Fiftieth Anniversary Occasion - London
The pictures include Reg Allen, Chris Board, Tony
Chilton, Fred Clark,
Alec Page and Ron West.
Other
Photographs
The September 1997 edition of The Springbok
No 259 includes two poor reproductions on the last
page entitled
A Fiftieth Anniversary Occasion - Carlisle
This includes J. Ahmad, W. Branney, B. Carter, W.
Fullard,
J. Grassom, D. Haig, E. Hammond, F. Heyman, G. Mellor,
A. Moffat, R. Ross, D. Todd and P. Williams.
Continued in
next column
|
|
The 60th Anniversary
Included the ‘Chris Oliver Initiative’
in The Springbok No 300 Oct/Dec 2007.
Obviously a great deal of work went
into the foregoing, if I may offer ‘Constructive
Criticism’, much more ‘History’
ought to be present.
The 70th Anniversary
or Platinum Jubilee
...My aim is to promote Southern
Africa Philately on our website, which does require
co-operation and access to information...
Other than the ‘Oliver Initiative’, very
little was forthcoming thus what there is...has been
‘trawled’ up using my own available sources...Read
on...
At the May 2017 AGM
Chris Oliver advised on 30 May...At the AGM it
was agreed that we should publicise our upcoming birthday
and put something on the web...
AGM’s are notorious for that
sort of thing...proposals...a debate...a vote...then
everyone goes home and does nothing!
The foregoing implies ‘Let’s
hope Otto does something and we can all go back to
sleep’!
Where,
When and How?
From the first Editorial it transpires that the two
key players were Lauder and Sherwood, I was acquainted
with the latter, but know nothing of the former. Both
ought to feature in a write up for the 70th. Lauder
passed away in March 1965 and a Tribute by Eric Sherwood
appears in Issue No 74 page 23.
Sherwood may have written something about the past,
he wrote Memories are made of this in Issue
No 205 pages 14 to 16. Eric Sherwood died in January
1987 - Obituary issue 207 pages 52-54. I requested
a copy of all the above references a.s.a.p. please...Eddie
Bridges responded on 18 June!
The
South African Philatelist
I searched The South African Philatelist and
found interesting information, for instance Chris
Oliver alleged that Alec Page was Secretary from 1962
to1992 and R.E. Mason the Auditor (1968-1990). The
info gleaned suggests Mason was Secretary from circa
April 1970 and still in office December 1972.
What
the SACS Lacks
There is no Cumulative Index for The Springbok,
thus Carter’s ‘Contents’ is as good
as it gets...it is accessible on our website if anyone
cares to find it.
What
is Next?
Initially I advocated...Who if any of you wish to,
have a desire to or an interest to do justice to the
Society’s 70th Anniversary?
It is not a ‘One Man Job’
and certainly not mine alone!
The Value of the above suggestions
is that...If there is a collective effort, it will
add to the history of the Society and there for all
time to come...
Somehow it has ended up as a ‘One Man
Job!’
Sources
and Available Information
Chris Oliver collated a Historical
Members list from No 1 to 1204, ‘Officers and
Committee of the Society’, Abell Trophy Winners,
The Wicks Award Winners and ‘Meeting Places
for the Society’.
The Springbok Contents,
Volume 1 to 51 (1953 - 2003) by J.B. Carter allowed
me to locate relevant references I wish to see and/or
replicate, such as Obituaries etc.
1953 The Springbok
Volume 1 No 1 - Eric Sherwood’s first
Editorial.
The South African Philatelist
I searched this from 1946 to 1988 and located a whole
array of useful snippets including Obituaries, Society
advertising, Announcements and Reports.
1947 Gibbons’ Stamp
Monthly - Drew a blank there.
Phillips (London)
17 April 1998 catalogue, sale of the Alec Page South
Africa, also produced a photograph & information.
Previous Information
Such as reacquainting the society with 1979 BPA medal
came from our existing website.
|
|
|
| Society
Membership Past and Present |
| |
Introduction
As
noted above Chris
Oliver collated
a historical
list of members that
was published in the December 2007 edition of
The Springbok No 300 and which
includes Members 1 to 1123. Today that number
extends to 1204
and the current membership stands at 129.
Chris informed me that the records are incomplete
and that his data was gleaned from earlier lists.
To this end twenty five numbers have no allocation
being No’s 3, 8, 9, 11, 15, 18, 20, 26,
29, 33, 37, 39, 43, 47, 52, 53, 54, 61, 64, 68
to 71, 76, 86 and 87.
The above 25 omissions may be reduced as Oliver's
list include two members, both numbered 73 being
J.E. Hodkinson and A. Hilton-Sydow (incorrectly
spelt Hylton). In addition The Springbok
No 1 indicates the resignation of
A.S.C. Paterson, Mrs D. Stewart and Major E.D.
Graham Brown.
The foregoing reduces the omissions to 21.
The
First Two Members followed
by more
As may be anticipated Eric Sherwood is No 1 and
E. Lauder No 2. I gain the impression that those
listed as having joined in 1952 (No's 3 to 114)
are probably those who were members ‘By
1952’.
In The Springbok No 1 (January 1953)
it includes a list of new members starting with
No 115 and R.D. Allen is noted as No 116, he was
to become one of the veteran’s of the society.
A Summary
of Members Joining
1952 (105) 1953 (144) 1954 (43) suggesting an
average of 97 per annum in three years. After
the initial flurry, the 'new faces' slowed down
and over the next five years 78 joined (1955 to
1959) - about sixteen per year.
|
|
The
South African
Philatelist
1953
August to December
Membership over 200
This
Advert indicates 200+ members by mid 1953 |
Continued
in next column
|
|
Chris Board
recently advised...Membership
numbers rose to a peak of 229 in 1954 and was affected
by the loss of relapsed members in 1955 settling
for a time at about 200...
During the following four decades the figures
for people joining are:
1960 - 1969 (171) 1970 - 1979 (180) 1980 - 1989
(158) & 1990 - 1999 (146) giving an average
of 16+ per year.
Well Known Names Amongst
Early Members
They include W. Sheffield (63) A. Hilton-Sydow (73)
G.N. Gilbert (92)
C.P. Rang (139) Dr T.B. Berry (144) J.B. Levy (155)
J. Robertson (159)
Sam Legator (160) R.J.F. Axer (176) C.R. Reynolds
(189) L. Simenhoff (225) J. Michaelson (226) Gordon
Ward (242) J. Wicks (376)
The numbers in brackets is their membership No.
2000 - 2017
So far in the twenty first century the numbers joined
since 2000 is 172, thus the average has slowed down
to around 10+ per annum. The first person to join
in 2000 was J.C. Mottram, member 1034.
Early
Members (60th Anniversary 2007)
When Chris Oliver published his list the
remaining 'Early birds' were
1952 - F. Lowry (85) and S. Price (107)
1953 - J. Russell
(125) and
A. Whitworth (183) plus 1958 -
R. Glanville-Jones (359) Sadly
none of them are with us today.
Our Current Earliest Members
I analyzed the list recently and our two earliest
remaining members are
1966 - J.N. Dickson (432) and 1971
- Dr P.A. Olver (578)
Other Observations
on Membership
1972 - from 600 up seven people,
1979 - from 711 ten persons, 1985
- from 806 fourteen souls, 1990
- from 904 fifteen, 1996 -
from 1001 twenty seven and 2005 -
from 1100 forty nine members plus finally 2017
- from No 1200 to 1204 five new people.
A High 'Fall-out'
Rate
Those joining from 1990 to 1997 (900 up) 85% are
no longer members.
1997 to 2005 (1000 up) 73% went A.W.O.L. and 2005
to 2017 (1100 up) 51% of them have drifted to other
pastures.
Thus the number of current members remaining from
1 to 1000 is 48 (4.8%) and those numbered from 1001
to 1204 = 81 (39.7%)
|
|
|
| Eric
Sherwood
- Founder of the
South African Collectors’ Society
(1947 - 1987) |
| |
Eric
Sherwood
Specialist Dealer in South African Stamps
and Postal History
I first met Eric in 1978 at the monthly meeting
of the Merseyside Dealers Club, he came every month
along with his handicapped wife Gladys and travelled
by taxi from Sale. Nigel Haworth informed me that
Eric was the instigator who started the Manchester
and District Dealers Association during the mid-1960's.
Eric was a soft spoken man, pleasant and charming
person and anyone who knew him had a good word to
say about him.
| |
Eric
Sherwwood with
his wife Gladys with
Bill Hart at the back
SAP
July 1984 |
Eric was a dealer,
a member of the PTS and a personal write-up appeared
in the September 1965 SAP and includes an interesting
insight into his activities.
Alec Page merely intimates that Eric was a part-time
dealer, he was much more than that!
Eric effectively enjoyed almost 40 years being part
of the society, from its inception until his death
in January 1987.
The C.E. Sherwood Story
The South African Philatelist
in September 1965 published a two page article under
the above title...extracts from it read...in
Egypt during the last war in Alexandria I found
three stamp shops, one run by a Greek, another by
a Frenchman and the third by an Egyptian. At the
Greek's place on my arrival he always sent off his
boy for Turkish coffee and a glass of water from
a nearby cafe. This together with all the time in
the world to look at his stamps made a very pleasant
break in the life of a not too happy R.A.F. type.
His South African stock was mainly a few bantam
war efforts plus one or two large war efforts cancelled
in Egypt.
The Frenchman made
me very welcome encouraging me to take what I wanted
and to pay when next I was in on leave as I was
then in receipt of 2/- per day all found! I have
never remembered whether I left Egypt owing him
any money or not but I like to think if I left a
debt he credited it to our war effort.
At the Egyptian one pleasant
day, a large gentleman entered speaking a large
amount of Arabic to the shop-keeper who turned to
me and said. "This gentleman would like to
buy you stamps - what do you want?" Being a
modest type I believe I picked the Egyptian long
air set, the gentleman paid up, finished his own
business and departed. The shop-keeper turned to
me asking If I knew who it was, and when I said
no, he told me, "the brother of the Head Postmaster
of Alexandria." Never anywhere have I met such
pleasant service in stamp shops, I wonder if they
are still there?
Back to England and eventually
civilian life again thoughts turned to stamp dealing.
One of the pleasures of dealing in stamps is that
one can never foresee from one day to another just
what customer will turn up in the flesh or as represented
by letter. Although I have had enquiries from behind
the Iron Curtain never yet have I made a sale and
indeed I do not think I have ever heard from the
same man twice. I have been told that it is not
always the safest of things for a man behind the
Curtain to receive mail from the Western world so
maybe they are working out their time in foreign
prisons? Writing of prisons,
I was somewhat surprised to receive a letter from
an occupant in gaol in this country asking for approvals.
Being an entirely new situation to me I wrote to
the Governor of the prison asking if it was all
right and I received a letter to say that certain
prisoners were allowed to have their stamp collections
with them and that this particular man had received
lots of approvals although of course the Governor
could not accept any responsibility. Although I
wrote again to the man I did not hear anything further
- I still wonder just what could have become of
the situation.
Following the death of a customer
I learnt a lesson. He had only spent the odd shilling
or so more or less keeping up with new issues and
one day I had a letter from a relative saying he
had died and would I be interested in buying his
stamps. Frankly the notepaper was not impressive
and with what I thought was my knowledge of his
purchases I wrote a letter to say I was not interested.
However, before posting it I thought I have really
little to lose, it will only cost me the return
postage after I have looked at the collection, so
tore up the first one and wrote saying yes. The
package duly arrived and on opening I nearly had
a heart attack. The man had evidently collected
over the 1930 rotogravure period to the early hyphenated
issues of the lower values up to around, at the
time, for the collection consisted of about 20 complete
arrow sets of different ½d and 1d issues
along with sets of 2d, 3d and 4d values. Also some
of the early booklets intact and exploded plus large
blocks showing varieties on the ½d and 1d
stamps. Add the early rota control letter blacks
with "F" control normal, partially albino
and completely albino and can you wonder why I nearly
suffered the heart attack to think in a careless
moment I might have passed the collection up?
In London recently I came face
to face with one of the happiest collectors I have
ever known. He is deaf and he is dumb but never
have I seen him without a smile on his face which
positively beams when someone stops to have a talk
on his slate or a bit of paper he or you dig from
your pockets.
He has acquired some very nice material including
quite a number of first day cancellations on and
off covers of the first 2½d of 1910 and a
large collection of air mail covers.
He is also a keen photographer and at one of the
London exhibitions of the South African Collectors'
Society he took a picture at me at my stall which
I liked so much that I have a quantity always on
hand to send one to each new customer-include an
extra guinea and I will autograph it too! You can
tell how good it is, the wife of an American collector
thinks I am the double of David Niven! So for the
sake of modesty I shall not have a picture with
this article but if you are really interested you
know what to do.
A very good friend of mine who
is an ardent collector of postal stationery sent
me a quantity of airletter greetings forms some
while ago. Starting to make up new issues I was
startled to come across one with the orange colour
missing completely and when I found yet two more
in succession, I was dumfounded to put it mildly.
The fourth in the run had the orange half missing.
Now what would you have done? Write to your friend
and tell him what he had sent and risk the possibility
that he would jump in the nearest river? Knowing
he had a charming wife and family I thought it wiser
to maintain a discreet silence for a while and then
break the news somewhat gently. Like the good chap
he is, he accepted the fact that he just simply
bought them from the post office and sent them off
without further ado, so cheerfully bought one back
from me and then bullied me into letting him have
the half orange printing as well. Mind you be has
not done it again since!
I wonder what happened to the farmer in New Zealand
who used to keep bees and send me pots of honey
regularly. What happened to the Jap buying South
African stamps from me to prepare for an exhibition?
The collector who went off to a sanatorium in Switzerland?
The man who immigrated to Australia? The collector
who used to write me regularly from Aden and then
stopped when he came back to this country I still
hear regularly from a collector in the Argentine
who told me of roasting a whole side of beef on
Christmas Day at his barbecue for the family. An
American I envy always when I get letters from him,
lives in Honolulu - when I write Hawaii on his envelope
how I sigh as the rain pours down.
I was invited to write a story
about myself and whether I have succeeded is for
you to judge but there is a limit to the amount
of space I can take up and my story is not half
told, but you have one consolation - that photograph
is yours for a subscription to my monthly 'South
Africa Gnus' 3/- a year or if you are impatient
4/6 a year by air.
Question
Does anyone possess a copy of the photograph
Eric refers to with his 'David Niven' look
alike?
Advertising in
The South African Philatelist
Eric Sherwood's
first advertisement appeared in the October 1949
SAP (See first section near the top of this page)
His first insertion confirms
he was a member of the PTS - Philatelic Traders
Society, London.
In April 1951 he resumed advertising, skipped May
and continued in June through to December.
|
|
The South African
Philatelist
1951
April, June, July,
August and September |
|
The South African
Philatelist
1951
October, November
and December
|
|
|
|
The South African
Philatelist
1952
Starting in January,
Postal Auctions were announced. This advert
appeared in March |
| In July
1952 Sherwood suggested 'BUY
UNIONS' and in August he announced...UNION
OF SOUTH AFRICA is my only
country
so if you are interested too why not subscribe
to my monthly Notes...
At a later date Eric dubbed his 'monthly Notes'
as 'South Africa Gnus'
In the December 1952 SAP
advert Eric offered SG 43a in a marginal strip
of four, two stamps with 'Frame omitted',
one stamp partially omitted
and the 4th normal. Price £40
|
Continued
in next column
|
|
Advertising
in The
South African Philatelist -
continued
1953
Advertising
was entirely devoted to promoting the
Society's new journal The Springbok
|
|
The
South African
Philatelist
January 1953
The Springbok
is imminent! |
|
The
South African
Philatelist
1953
February and March
The Springbok
Issue No 1
has been published
|
|
|
|
The
South African
Philatelist
1953
April and May
The Springbok No
2
has been posted
Don't delay
Subscribe today! |
|
The
South African
Philatelist
1953
June and July
The Springbok No
3
has been distributed
to
nearly 200 members
|
|
|
|
The
South African
Philatelist
1953
August to December
Membership over 200
Get your Springbok now! |
| The above
HIGHER AND HIGHER advertisement was
repeated
in the 1954 SAP in the January, February and
March issues
|
In April 1954
Sherwood resumed adverting as a dealer calling himself
'The Union Specialist'. In July he offered
the 1927 Definitives, in September it recommends his
'Monthly Notes', then in October The
Springbok received another 'plug'. In
November & December under WANTED
Eric offers 'To Buy' shades, varieties, office lots
or Bank clippings.
|
The
South African
Philatelist
1954
October
Annual subscription
up from 10/- to 15/- |
|
1955 SAP - The
same 'Wanted...I wish to buy' advert repeated for
this year and continued up to and including March
1956. In April and May 1956 Eric offers Philatelic
Literature, in June and July he offers to buy Diaresis
varieties on Officials. From August to November he
wants to buy South African Kiloware, either by the
lb, by the cwt or by the ton! In December 1956 there
is once again an advert encouraging subscriptions
to The Springbok that is
repeated in January and February 1957.
| |
The
South African
Philatelist
1956 December
1957
January and February
Annual subscription
is still 15/- or $2.25 |
March, April
and May 1957
announces:
EVERBODY'S Buying it - 'SPRINGBOK
HALFPENNY' by Dr Gordon Ward price 5/3 or
80 cents post paid.
In July 1957 Eric calls his Monthly Notes
his 'Union Gnus' for the first time.
July 1958
Society Advertising
in The
South African Philatelist
Under the monthly
'Smalls' - 'Wants, Offers & Exchange' Advertising
rate
3d per word, minimum insertion 3/-. Different versions
of this advertisement for the South African Collectors'
Society ran continuous until December 1972.
The South African Philatelist
- July 1958
|
Eric
Sherwood Obituary
I anticipated that there ought to be an obituary
in The South African Philatelist and an
initial search drew a blank, later I stumbled across
it in the April 1987 edition, not included in the
‘Contents’ was the reason it was difficult
to locate.
The South African
Philatelist - April
1987
|
Comment
I have no idea who John W. Hodgson is and as far
as I am aware Eric's stock was not sold to Stanley
Gibbons. Many years ago a chap, whose name I can
not remember, told me he bought Eric's collection.
At the time, the person concerned was the UK agent
for the South African Post Office.
Anglo-Boer War Philatelist
Eric's obituary appeared in their March 1987 Journal
(Vol 30 - No 1)
Richard
Stroud advised - Eric joined the
OFS Study Circle in 1965 as member No 71 and became
President for the year 1974/75
The above is 6560+ words...how many words will those
who read this write?
|
|
|
| Society
Advertising and Promotion (P.R.) |
| |
Promoting
the Society
During the 1950's and 60's, under the leadership
of Eric Sherwood, the society successfully advertised
their presence and promoted The Springbok
via The South African Philatelist.
As may be seen in the previous section Eric,
in his advertisements, gave the society its first
boost in October 1949 and its journal a regular
'plug' from January 1953 to December 1957. He built
up a steady membership that at one point exceeded
200 and on average maintained that level for many
years.
It is interesting to observe that the Society's
early PR efforts seemed to be much more intense
than it was in later years when complacency replaced
enthusiasm. Nowadays the only effective tool for
the society's PR is its website which may be accessed
world-wide on a 24/7 basis.
At the 2017 AGM the Chairman said...the
website keeps our profile high and is the source
of most of our new membership.
July
1958 Society
Advertising in The South
African Philatelist
|
The above advert was a regular monthly
and a cost effective method
of 'Flying the Society Flag' and remained in place
for some fourteen years. Why it was discontinued
in December 1972, I cannot say.
At approximately 5/6 per insertion, the advertising
cost £3 6s 0d per year.
The above advert continued until December 1962.
The South African Philatelist
January 1963
Under 'Society News' the
following announcement appeared:
SOUTH AFRICAN COLLECTORS
SOCIETY
The 11th AGM held In London on 27th October,
marked the end of an era for the society, This was
through the retirement of Mr C. E. Sherwood who
had held many offices in its management ever since
it started. There was much appreciation of the services
he had rendered and regrets at his giving up.
Mr E. Lauder, of Glasgow, becomes President; Mr.
W. A. Page. Hon. Secretary and Mr R. D. Allen, Snr
the Hon. Editor of The Springbok.
Comment - The above
reference to the 11th AGM implies that the Society's
first AGM was during 1952.
The Advertisement under WANTS, OFFERS &
EXCHANGE was modified and reflects the
New Secretary's address, but excluded his name.
Advertising rate in Decimal currency 2½c
per word, minimum insertion 30 cents.
January
1963 Society
Advertising in SAP
October
1963 Amended
Society Advertising in SAP
Now includes the name (W.A.
Page) of the Secretary
January
1967 Society
Advertising in SAP
Advert amended with a bold
heading that is in keeping with other adverts
Advertising rate now 3½c per word,
minimum insertion 40 cents
|
The
last insertion reflecting W.A. Page as the Secretary
was in the April 1970 edition of The South African
Philatelist.
Continued in next column
|
|
The South African Philatelist
May 1968 - An Announcement
THE
SOUTH AFRICAN COLLECTORS SOCIETY
We extend a hearty welcome to the South
African Collectors' Society,
Great Britain, upon their election as an Associated
Member of the Philatelic Federation of
Southern Africa. May their association
be of mutual interest and benefit to South African
Philately. (See comments at the end of the column)
The South African Philatelist
May 1970
A new Secretary takes over R.E. Mason this
is in contrast to Chris Oliver's contention that W.A.
Page served continuously as Secretary from 1962 to
1992. According to Oliver, Mason was the Society Auditor
from June 1968 to April 1990 and there is no mention
of him acting as Secretary.
May
1970 Society
Advertising in The South
African Philatelist
New Secretary R.E. Mason in
Richmond
October
1970 Society
Advertising in The South
African Philatelist
Secretary R.E. Mason change
of address to Harold Wood
|
The same advert continued monthly from October 1970
to April 1971.
From November 1970 the Advertising rate increased
to 5c per word and a minimum insertion was 60 cents
The
South African Philatelist
May 1971 A change of Policy
The title of the SACS advertisement is changed
to THE SPRINGBOK and the
Secretary R.E. Mason relocates to his old address
in Richmond.
May
1971 New Society
Advert in The South African
Philatelist
Secretary R.E. Mason back in
Richmond |
The above advertisement continued
until December 1972 which brought to an end the
Society's PR exercise in The South African Philatelist.
The
South African Philatelist
February 1973
Under a title Specialist Groups are
Growing
"The Springbok"
The SA Collectors Society pioneered the study
of South African stamps in the U.K. It publishes
a bi-monthly magazine, The Springbok, which, as
a specialist publication, has been awarded many
prizes at philatelic exhibitions and which is a
most important reference source to students of South
Africa's stamps.
Members of this society include erudite specialists
on the Union Pictorials particularly. The society
will stage an exhibition of South African stamps
in London on 28 April this year.
Mr Eric Sherwood, who is President of the SA Collectors
Society, is also Chairman of the Anglo-Boer War
Philatelic Society.
Less than a Quarter of the members of this study
group are South Africans, the bulk of the membership
being in the UK.
The
Philatelic Federation of Southern Africa
'Associate Membership' versus
'Affiliated Membership' I recently raised
this issue with the present Committee and no-one
appears to have an answer. Societies in South Africa
who are 'Affiliated' to the PFSA automatically
receive a copy of each edition of The South
African Philatelist...the SACS does not share
that privilege...therefore are we in fact 'Full
Members' of the PFSA or merely 'Associated' to it?
Eddie Bridges took over as Editor of The Springbok
in 2004 and in issue No 285 he inserted on the title
page (for the first time) 'Member of The
Philatelic Federation of Southern Africa',
which implies we are more than just 'Associate
Members'. Hence
the reason for the foregoing queries.
On 30 May 2017 Eddie Bridges wrote...The
constitution of the PFSA was rewritten a few years
ago and I am sure there is no distinction in membership
anymore...Comment - Thus why
don't we receive the SAP?
|
|
|
| Past
Society Personalities - Edward Lauder
Founder Member of the Society |
| |
Edward
Scott Carmichael Lauder Member No 2
Founder Member along with Eric Sherwood
in 1947
First President of the Society,
died suddenly in Glasgow on 3 March 1965
Obituary by Eric Sherwood
Published in The Springbok
Volume 13 Issue 2 (No 74) page 23
There are times in life when one feels genuinely
at a loss for words and this is an occasion when
I find I cannot express adequately the shock received
on opening a letter from Scotland and reading that
my friend, Ted Lauder, was no longer with us - a
stroke and twelve hours afterwards - gone.
It is certain that he will not be forgotten by so
many who had cause to be grateful for his gentle
guidance and advice.
Your membership lists him as number
two in the Society but really that is quite wrong
for without his efforts the Society would never
have come into being - at least through my hands.
It was his suggestion that I should make an effort
to co-ordinate the interests of South Africa philately
and it was only after his pledge of support that
plans went ahead. The framework was drafted out
by him in a number of letters and as membership
grew he continued to express his delight that our
efforts had not been in vain.
Continued
in next column
|
|
When
the time came for a magazine, Ted put forward a number
of proposals with the support of collectors in this
country and overseas. Jointly we worked out the idea
of the Springbok head for the cover - the plates of
which he presented to the Society.
The Society has truly lost probably
its keenest member, one we can ill afford to lose.
He was somewhat reluctant to become the first
President but at the meeting in London it was
a unanimous decision.
For myself I shall remember the pleasure of the
annual visit to Bridge of Allan, with some good
times in London where we would talk stamps and
the Society until the early hours. In London we
had the added pleasure of pros¬pecting in
Soho for new and interesting places to dine and
dally over a bottle of wine coupled with that
of making a round of the auctioneers and dealers
giving advice to, each other as to whether it
was a good buy, or not.
Ted had been collecting South
Africa for many years and was always able to put
on a show of some fine material which aroused
interesting comment and envy. His knowledge was
quite profound and was readily available to all,
seeking help or assistance.
The furthest thought from my mind was that I should
ever be called upon to pay tribute to Ted Lauder
and even now I find it so difficult to believe
that I have to conclude, by writing ‘Goodbye,
my friend’.
|
|
Past
Society Personalities - Alec Page |
| |
William
Alexander Page - Member
No 27 Joined by 1952
Born in Hammersmith in 1921, passed away on 16 December
1997
John Shaw wrote an obituary which was published
in the March 1998 edition of The Springbok
(Volume 46 No 1). Alec's collection of South Africa
was sold in 93 lots by Phillips in London on 17
April 1998. A brief resume of his life was included
in the catalogue plus a photograph which is reproduced
here.
I met Alec Page on several occasions at Stampex
and during the late 1980’s, I recall Alec
showing me a commercial envelope with a 035 on it;
unfortunately I cannot recall whether it was a single
or a vertical pair, someone, somewhere must be the
proud owner of it, it did not feature in the Phillips
sale.
Continued
in next column
|
|
Chris
Oliver noted that Alec was a Committee
member from at least October 1954 and as noted ealier,
at the 11th AGM on 27 October 1962, he was elected
as Honorary Secretary. He was succeeded by R.E.
Mason (probably in late 1969)...Mason continued
until at least 1973 and at some point in time Alec
Page once again resumed as secretary until his death
in 1997.
John Shaw
said in his obituary...Alec was a man
of many interests and considerable accomplishment.
Obviously we had a mutual interest in Union material
and our collections strangely complemented one another,
as did our individual approaches to philately, myself
wishing to plug the gaps and tell the story of the
stamp, Alec always more concerned with the story
behind the correspondence and with a wary eye for
the unrecorded plating flaw.
The latter was particularly the case when I expanded
Freshwater's plating study of the bi-coloured Springbok
essays and sent it to Alec, who found another three
constant flaws I had missed! A particularly interesting,
but regrettably unconcluded, collaboration was on
the Darmstadt Trails where, again, our collections
complemented one another very nicely.
Living some 150 miles apart, our meetings were
maybe twice or three times a year and, if anywhere
in his vicinity, I would suggest dropping in for
maybe an hour. These hours never lasted less than
four hours, and quite often extended to seven or
eight, after which I found myself on the M11 in
the early hours, staying awake by contemplating
the collections we had so much enjoyed together.
His fabulous array of War Train covers, for which
he paid only 2/6d each, is something I asked to
see maybe every four visits, but usually we looked
at the World War II material.
Note - Alec Page's
'War Train' collection was the last lot in the Phillips
sale and John Shaw promptly bought it!
...Among his
other honours, he won many Silver and Vermeil medals
at International level; he was several times winner
of our Abell Trophy and, possibly the honour that
pleased him most was our own Wicks Medal for his
philatelic writings...
|
| Past
Society Personalities - Reg Allen (1906 - 2005) |
| |
Reg Allen
- Member
No 116 Joined 1953
Obituary
by John Shaw - The Springbok
October 2005
I
first met RDA some 40 years ago when he was chairman
of our society and one of a group of dedicated and
expert philatelists I was privileged to know. The
knowledge I gained from RDA and this group will
stay with me forever - and I also gained a set of
valued friends. The group included Eric Sherwood,
our founder, Alec Page, Robert MacDougal, Bob Lawrence,
Jim Nunnely and the inseparable twins, Merriman
and Mason. Many of these will be just names to most
of you but they were the greats of the 1950s and
1960s; Now they are gone and RDA was the last of
this very special group. Always ready to share his
knowledge, he gave much encouragement to the younger
members, most of whom, with time, now have their
bus passes and pension books.
RDA
held office continuously in our society for 50 years
and apart from chairman, served as secretary, editor
of The Springbok and, on the death of Eric Sherwood
some 20 years ago, became our president, in respect
for his memory, this office will remain vacant for
at least a year. A prolific writer, he wrote several
books and major articles including those on postage
due markings, maritime marks, coil stamps, and a
major research work on the 2d Union Buildings.
Continued in next column
|
|
Attracted
to a Union definitives article in the now defunct
Stamp Collecting by one Alan Hardy; I did not know
the name but recognised the style and, if you omit
the ‘H’ and turn the name round, you
will see that 'Ardy, Alan' becomes RDA, which was
typical of his wit and sense of humour.
RDA started collecting stamps when he was given
a bag of stamps
(pre-Union!) in the orphanage where he was brought
up, this being the first thing he had ever owned!
His collecting continued during service in the Royal
Irish Rifles and in the Metropolitan Police; he
founded the flourishing Met Police Stamp Club, retiring
as a sergeant 50 years ago.
He sold his British Commonwealth collection many
years ago to take up the challenge of Union philately
and, off duty from the Met, he was often seen in
the Strand and Leicester Square stamp shops using
his sharp eyes and expert knowledge to acquire otherwise
unrecognised treasures.
Having built up several specialised studies, he
sold most of his collection in 1977 to members of
the society, including the 2d Union buildings (which
I bought), a silver medal airmail collection and
wonderful shipping postmasters, which I admired
but could not then afford. When asked why he was
selling the collections he had so lovingly assembled
he replied ‘Look John, if we now want to eat
steak, we shall eat steak’, but added that
he was keeping some studies, notably the coil stamps
and revenues.
Whilst I was still in the RAF I wrote saying I had
two meetings in London with a gap between them,
and could I come and see him? By return he wrote
‘There is a bed for you here. Tea will be
at four; don't be late or you will upset mother’.
This was typical of their hospitality and the start
of a long and lasting friendship with both of them
and which I cherish. Vera was a wonderful lady.
Whilst the likes of Robbie Merson and Robert MacDougal
were deep specialists in fairly narrow fields, RDA
was a general Union specialist who could converse
authoritatively over a wide range of topics. With
a keen eye and a quizzical mind and a host of learned
publishings, he was a giant in Union philately and
pivotal to the success of our society over half
a century, keeping it together over some difficult
times. A generous man, he frequently donated the
remainders of his club booklets and other duplicates
‘to be sold for club funds', raising many
hundreds of pounds for the society. He served our
society with distinction, a fact recognised by making
him only our second life member, after Eric Sherwood
our founder.
A warm hearted man, who sometimes displayed the
crustiness of age, he was a good personal friend
and mentor whom I was privileged to know; I shall
miss him greatly. I was honoured to be asked to
deliver a tribute to him at his memorial service.
The society extends its condolences to his sons,
Reg junior and Stan, and to their families. May
he rest in peace re-united with his beloved Vera.
|
|
|
| The Wicks
Award
Collated by Chris Oliver and
Otto Peetoom |
| |
John
Wicks - Member No 376 Joined 1959
Passed away in1969
August?
His obituary by Reg Allen was included in The
Springbok No 100
Obituary - The
South African Philatelist July 1969,
page 149
Note An obituary in July 1969 suggest
the above month of August is incorrect
The passing of John Hermon Wicks has removed
a significant figure from South African philately.
John, as he was affectionately known to hundreds
of philatelists here and overseas, was born in England
and as a young man entered the tea trade. Before
the War he lived is Assam and during war service
in the Royal Navy he was stationed in the Persian
Gulf; that war service proved ruinous to his health
and after being discharged he came to South Africa
a very sick man.
Wicks' Stamp Agency was founded by him in the early
fifties to deal in and to auction stamps, the latter
part of the business eventually demanding all his
frail energies. Despite continuous ill-health, John's
indomitable spirit enabled him to conduct the largest
regular public stamp auctions in the Republic and
many famous South African collections were dispersed
through his agency. The last auction sale was held
only two weeks before his death and, as so often
during the last seventeen years, he was the auctioneer.
He will be much missed, not only by his wife Phyllis,
who nursed him through so many bouts of great ill-health,
but by innumerable devotees of our hobby to whom
he was guide, confessor and friend. He was always
willing to share his knowledge and to help the beginner
and his fortitude in face of great handicaps was
an example and an inspiration. Our sympathy is extended
to his widow and to his parents in England.
A T T
The Wicks Award-Medal
In 1961 John E. Wicks, an auctioneer in Pietermaritzburg,
in his tenth year in business he wished to present
a prize to be awarded on or around
30 September each year to a worthy contributor of
a written and published work on South African philately
during the previous year.
Winners of the Wicks
Award
1961 Dr Gordon R. Ward -
posthumous award - The Ship
Penny book
1962 A. Sterockx -
Member 462
1963 W. A. Page
1964 R. J. Raubenheimer
1965 R. J. Lawrence
1966 R. B. Cronwright
1967 P. D. Haigh
In 1982 the rules
were amended to confine the award to those members
contributing a worthy article for The
Springbok
1982 P. Cattell
Ocean Penny Post
1983 W.A. Page S.A. Survey
ship 'Agulhas'
1984 A.R. Chilton Union Postal
Stationery
1985 W.A.E. Hall The KGV silver
jubilee issue
1986 M. Leeman The Union Defence
Forces in WW II
1987 F. Eustace Two articles on
the ½d Springbok
1988 R.D. Allen, T.R. Brownrigg,
E.W. Merriman, W. Grutter and W.A. Page
Special awards for contributions to The Springbok
1989 Dr C. Board What is an
Interprovincial?
Continued
in next column
|
|
1990
M.
Farrell Typographed 1d - issue one
1991 R. Glanville-Jones
The Design of Commemoratives by Henry de Wet
1992 W. A. Page Various
articles and M. Farrell The Typographed 1d
1993 W.A. Page The
SA War Train
1994 F. Clark
1995 W.A. Page Study
of SA Weather Stations
1996 W. J. Branney Study
on the Flaws of the 5th definitive issue
1997
A.
Howgrave-Graham SWA
Occupation period
1998 W.
J. Branney Analysis of flaws in the JIPEX sheets
1999 A. R. Chilton RSA
Booklets & RSA Postal Stationery
2001 E. Bridges
1d Ship Studies
2002 G. Palazzo The Revenue
Stamps of the Union of SA
2003 F.F. Heymann For Services
as Editor
From 2004 the Award was made at the AGM
2004 A. Howgrave-Graham
Registration marks of SWA
2005 E. Bridges Union Pictorials
2006 S. Payne 3d Hyphenated
Pictorial Issue 5
2007 A. Howgrave-Graham
Auction report & Studies on the 1/- pictorial
issues (Springbok No 1 7 No 4 with Morgan Farrell)
2008 A. Howgrave-Graham
& Morgan Farrell jointly for Studies on the
1/- pictorial Roto issues
2009 Nicholas Arrow Flying
Sixpence together with book on SA Airmails
2010 Giovanni Palazzo Revenue
Stamps of the Republic of South Africa
2011 Nicholas Lindstrom Using
Rotary Blade Damage to Study Union Stamps
2012 A. Howgrave-Graham 11th
Row Flaws
2013 John Ahmed South African
POW’s in Italy & Germany during WWII
2014 Otto Peetoom 1910 Capetown
Pageant & 1950 2d Official reading
up SG 035
2015 Jan van Beukering Union
KGV Roll Stamps and SWA Cigarette Tax Stamps
2016 A. Howgrave-Graham
Revenue Stamps of the Union 1910-46
M.J.H. Tonking, RDPSA Special award for regular
contributions of small articles to The Springbok
over a number of years
|
|
|
| The Abell
Trophy
Collated by Chris Oliver |
| |
F.C.
Abell - Member No 45 Joined by 1952
Passed
away in January 1961
A
Tribute by Eric Sherwood was included in The
Springbok No 48
F.C. Abell served on the committee from 1952 until
shortly before his death in January 1961. In 1956
he proposed and subscribed to a trophy to be awarded
annually for a competition comprising not more than
nine sheets of philatelic material. Judged by those
members present at the meeting, the venue alternates
between London and Carlisle, usually at a September
meeting.
Inscribed - Abell Trophy
Competition |
Winners
of the Abell Trophy
1957 A.J. Brown Roto coil ½d
stamp
1958 G.M. Whitten A study of
Jipex & advertisement booklet panes
1959 R.J. Lawrence Study of
1½d gold mine, large format
1960 P. Haigh Photogravure
printing tied with
R.J. Lawrence ½d multipositive flaws
1961 G.M. Whitten Marginal Inscription
varieties
1962 R. McDougall Study of
doctor blade flaws on 1d ship issue
1963 R.J. Lawrence 2d issues
I, II and III frame multipositives
1964 R. McDougall Cloven hoof
flaws
1965 R.J. Lawrence Unhyphenated
roto coils
1966 R.J. Lawrence A revised
history of 17/9 1d ship multiflaw
1967 W.A. Page Plating the
1d monocoloured coil
1968 W.A. Page ½c Republican
coils
1969 P. Haigh 2d hyphenated
issue
1970 R.J. Lawrence ½d
Springbok roll 14 & 14S
Continued
in next column
|
|
1971
R. Massey 2d bantam postage due
1972 W.A. Page War Train Exhibition
1973
1974
1975 P. Haigh Issue 7A -
2d Union Buildings
1976 W. Hall Compact study
of the Silver Jubilee issue
1977 R. Rapley 1925 Experimental
Air Mail Service - covers etc.
1978
1979 C.P. Ravilious
1980 D.C. Todd Maritime mail
1981
1982 W.A. Page
1983 W.A. Page World War II
A.P.O.’s.
1984 D.C. Todd Maritime mail
1985 W.A. Page WWII Internment
Camps
1986 W.A. Page 2d Zebra
1987 A.R. Chilton WWII censor
markings in S.W.A.
1988 R.D. Allen Coils R5 to R9
1989 R.D. Allen Coils of the
fourth definitives
1990 (September) W.A. Page Darmstadt
trials
1990 J. L. Shaw Study of 5/-
Trek cart
1991 P. Cattell U.K. &
S.A. P.O.’s between S’oton & Cape
Town
1992 J. L. Shaw Silver Jubilee
flaws study
1993 J. L. Shaw Study of Postage
Dues
1994 J. L. Shaw 1d Unhyphenated
Pictorials
1995 J. L. Shaw The Harrison
Essays
1996 J. L. Shaw Study of the
Mackennal head
1997 competition not held
1998 competition not held - one
entry only
1999 J. L. Shaw Study of 5/-
hyphenated Trek Cart
2000 J. L. Shaw Study of 2d
unhyphenated Union Buildings
2001 E. Bridges 1d Ship studies
2002 E. Bridges S.A. booklets
1921 - 1941
2003 J.L. Shaw The first Postage
Due issues of the Union
2004 W.J. Branney B21 Union
booklet panels
2005 J.L. Shaw 5/- Ox Wagon
definitive
2006 G. Palazzo Revenue Stamps
used in Natal
2007 E. Bridges The Darmstadt
Trials
2008 G. Palazzo Revenues of
S.A.
2009 J.L.Shaw Union Postage
Dues
2010 W.J. Branney Panes of
the B20 booklets
2011 A.J. Howgrave-Graham
2012 Roy Ross 1½d Mine
Dump colour variations
2013 E. Bridges The Darmstadt
Trials
2014 R. Hill Cork Postmarks
of the Cape
2015 Lyn Lester Kimberley Exhibition
1892
2016 Rob Lester Early Exhibitions
2017 A.J. Howgrave-Graham
|
|
|
| Society
Auctioneers Past and Present |
|
Name |
Member |
Auctioneer
From |
|
Comments |
S.G.
Clark
R.J. Lawrence
Dr. R.W. Fincham
W. J. Branney
W.
J. Branney
N. Arrow
|
No 393
No 279
No 587
No 901
No 1003 |
April
1970 to September 1971
September 1971 to August 1975
November 1975 to April 1999
April 1999 to November 2009
RSA only from 1996 to 1999
December 2009 to date |
Currently
there is no information available on what date the first
auction was conducted, nor is their any indication whether
they were Postal or Public Auctions. Since the inception
of the Annual Conference in 2002, a 'Live' Auction took
place, but was not regarded as a 'Society' Auction and
the foregoing were not numbered. That changed after
Nick Arrow took over and certainly since Sale No 35
- the Annual 'Live' auction is numbered. |
| |
Tony
Howgrave-Graham commented
Eddie Bridges started the auctions at Chester by bringing
half a dozen or so lots along and auctioning them -
this grew into the Leamington auction.
I only took over the 'Leamington' auctions which were,
and still are, run to help finance the November Joint
Societies Conference
The first one was in 2007 when sales just tipped £1,000
and the last in 2012 when sales totalled a remarkable
£25,980 - None however were numbered
T he numbering only applies to the SACS auctions. An
Observation - This is not entirely correct,
see further comment above. |
|
Auction
No |
No
lots |
Date |
Type
of Sale |
|
Auction
No |
No
lots |
Date |
Type
of Sale |
33
34
35
36
37
38
39 |
263
216
364
150
250
346
176 |
March
2013
June 2013
November 2013
January 2014
June 2014
November 2014
January 2015 |
Postal
Public
Public
Postal
Public
Public
Postal
|
40
41
42
43
44
45
46 |
263
257
91
337
262
139 |
June
2015
November 2015
January 2016
June 2016
November 2016
May 2017
November 2017 |
Public
Public
Postal
Public
Public
Public |
|
|
| Miscellaneous
Items of Interest |
| A
Long Forgotten S.A.C.S. Medal Reappears |
|
|
A
Long forgotten SACS Medal Reappears
Reg Allan wrote:
My late father was deeply involved with the Society
for many years and latterly as President.
Amongst his effects passed to me after the death
of my brother was a medal apparently awarded to
the society at the British Philatelic Exhibition
in 1979. If the society has an archive I would be
happy to send to somebody responsible.
I know the society gave dad many years of happiness.
I Replied
I knew your father and yes he had a lot of involvement
with the Society. If you send the medal to me I
will see that it finds the appropriate home &
will also feature it on our website
|
| |
Reg
wrote Most of
his personal stamp related medals are now with his
grandson (my nephew)
I once wrote an article in "Springbok" about
George VI Coronation stamps under the name "Alan
Hardy Jnr". Get it? Allen R D !!!!!
Actually it was me that caused Dad to switch from
Commonwealth to South Africa. I started on SA and
Dad got fed up buying for me whilst I was away in
the RAF and started for himself! I eventually sold
my collection to somebody in SACS.
The Springbok
Volume 28 No 2 Page 36 (1980) - BPE Report |
|
| |
Chris
Oliver added to the above
Another medal was,
I see, awarded to S.G. Clark who was a member from
1960 until 1988, during which time he was Hon Postal
Auctioneer -
April 1970 to September 1971.
Reg Allen jnr. was a member from 1956 to 1968.
R.D.A. was a member from 1953 until his death in 2005
and, of course, held a number of offices in the society
during that time.
|
|
| |
Nothing
to do with the 70th but Interesting
The Springbok first issued in January 1953,
which is old hat!
How many people are aware of The Springbok
Volume I No 1 being issued in Cape Town in March
1921?
A Much Earlier Version of The Springbok
March 1921
In
January 2016 John
Taylor from Manchester made contact with me
John wrote:
I thought you may be interested in a couple of photos
of a copy of
'The Springbok.' Vol 1 No1 dated March 1921.
I recently came across the journal which was inside
my Grandfathers
album containing a collection of old postcards and
photographs, it
appears that my Grandfather was one of the early
members.
Having done a little research the only information
I can find so far
which may be connected to the journal in some way
is 'The South
African Collectors Society'.
This also has a journal entitled "The Springbok",
however looking at your website it seems that your
first edition was in 1953.
Could it possibly be a forerunner to the existing
society?
Unfortunately John sent me low resolution scans
of the content which is difficuct to dechiper. It
appears to include a list of their membership and
on the last page the aims of the club are noted.
The
only Club of its kind in Cape Colony
For all Collectors wishing to augment their collections
of
Stamps, Postcards, Coins, Curios, etc. - Annual
Subscription 4s
Our Quarterly Journal The Springbok - Issued
free to all Members
|
|
On
another page there is an announcement
The Closing date for No 2 of The Springbok
will be 31st May 1921
|
Front Cover of
The Springbok
Published in Cape Town
March 1921
The Organ of the
South African World Wide Colectors' Association
(S.A.W.W.C.A.)
|
Comment
In keeping with many of the fledgling journals published
in South Africa during the early decades of the Twentieth
Century, they often started with great gusto, faltered
and became defunct...thus it would be no surprise
if the 1921 publication succumbed to a similar fate.
|
|
|
| |
David
Osborne Member 907 Joined 1990
Just to say being a relativity new member
I cannot add much to the information request.
However I became treasurer in 2002 taking over from
Ron West who was treasurer from May 1990 taking
over from Norman Clowes.
The Auditor for 1989 accounts was P C Parker but
apart from that there are a few letters from people
in early 1990`s but not of much interest.
Comment - After 27 years as a member, does
that rate as 'relativity new'?
Tony Johnson Member
1133 Joined 2009
I am in the same situation as David - a
fairly recent member who has no access to any earlier
information - so there is nothing I can add. I hope
someone can provide the information you need, though,
as it would be a shame not to have it all in one
place.
Brian Trotter Member
1039 Joined 2000
I have not really been an active member,
and unfortunately have nothing to add. Great that
you are trying to fill in the historical blanks.
Simon Peetoom Member
1123 Joined 2007
Said he has nothing to offer as he has
not been a member for very long.
|
|
Dr
Chris Board Member 725
Joined 1979
Of those with long memories who may be able to add
something immediately I suggest contacting Bob Allison
and John Shaw. I joined SACS in the 1970s.
W A Page was a committee member and active in the
London group. R.D. Allen was chairman at the beginning
of 1955.
However, I find that I bought volumes 3 to 8 in
two privately bound volumes of The Springbok
YEARS ago. All edited by Sherwood, who was both
that and secretary it was a well-produced journal.
with good quality photographs of mostly stamps or
details. It was basically a Union society (forced
to change in 1961 of course).
Membership numbers rose to a peak
of 229 in 1954 and was affected by the loss of relapsed
members in 1955 settling for a time at about 200.
For the most part The Springbok contained
articles about Union stamps, especially the 1926
pictorials. Notes about displays at group meetings
show that there were members collecting postmarks
and postal stationery as well.
Although each number of The
Springbok gave changes in membership, lapsed,
resigned, joined, rejoined, the AGM does not discuss
membership or deliver totals across the year.
One interesting feature is the correspondence
and what questions are raised, revealing an apparent
lack of information at the time. Easy to see this
60 years later, when there is almost too much information.
|
|
|
|
|
.jpg)
.jpg)
