Page 138 - 148 Years of the Royal Philatelic Society London

In 2003: Ariel Sharon elected Israeli prime minister; Saddam Hussein captured; Space Shuttle

Columbia explodes; Johnny Cash, Katherine Hepburn, Bob Hope and Gregory Peck die.

At the RPSL: Postal Services of the Gold Coast to 1901 by John Sacher published by Society.

RPSL Presidents were Gavin Fryer and David Beech. Patron H.M. Queen Elizabeth II.

Membership 1500-1643.

COVER TO THE RPSL WITH 44 CANCELS

From the collection of Michael Pitt-Payne FRPSL. Member since 1992. Lives in England.

Royal Mail.

s ecialdeliver

SU 513635567GB

11111111111 11111111 111111

SU 513635567GB

~()al ~~<- S:.,c-~'J

' .

4 \ . ~ow,\..~""- ~lo.u_

~do\I\. \\l I q. (; j 'f

. .

The Royal Mail derives a considerable income from philatelists, but the treatment of philatelic mail

has led to many complaints by those who have received attractive stamps defaced by pen or biro.

This letter was sent by Longmead Philatelies, from Newton Abbot in Devon, to the Expert Committee

of the Royal Philatelic Society in London by Special Delivery with 12 stamps attached. The postal clerk

must have had a bad day as he or she used 44 hand stamps to ensure that the stamps were not only

cancelled, but totally obliterated, and so produced a unique item for display purposes!