Page 99 - 148 Years of the Royal Philatelic Society London

In 1964: Nelson Mandela sentenced to life imprisonment; China tests first nuclear bomb;

Beatles first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show; Harpo Marx dies; Boris Johnson born.

At the RPSL: Seventeen members provided displays for the Collectors Club of New York, in

absentia, with accompanying commentary on tape recording. Meeting room decorated.

RPSL Presidents were H. R. Holmes and Capt. B. Rogers-Tillstone, R.N.

Patron H.M. Queen Elizabeth II. Membership 1038 - 987.

MALTA INDEPENDENCE F.D.C., CANCELLED

IN THE FIRST MINUTE OF INDEPENDENCE

From the collection of The Hon. Dr. Alfred Bonnici MD., MP., FRPSL.

Member since 2002. Lives in Malta.

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Malta became an Independent State on the 21st September 1964 and this cover shows a cancelled

time of 00.01, the first minute of Independence. It is addressed to the Hon Dr Alfred Bonnici MD.,

MP. at his home address in Qrendi, which formed part of his constituency (1962-76).

Elected Nationalist MP in 1962 at the age of 27 years, he was the youngest MP on the Government

side and took part in the Independence negotiations. Dr Bonnici went on to be Speaker of the

Parliament of Malta 1966-71, Member of the opposition 1971-76 and Member of the Council of

Europe 1962-66 and 1971-76. He is now a Fellow of the Royal Philatelic Society London!