Chairman's Message - September 2019 - Trevor Cornford FRGS

As I write this time I am just recovering from a surfeit of English sports success at the cricket- not also Wimbledon tennis alas!- but not without some controversy which is perhaps to be expected at the elite and highest level with narrow margins. Just ask Federer about his battles.

It reminds me that some of the rare Polar books, Ephemera, Postcards and stamps are inviting unwanted attention - in my view. The controversy is: Should rare material be copied to make it more available? Is it thus or a money making exercise and will years into the future this material be offered as original if it acquires an age of patina - much I see does not make it clear it’s a copy by dating it. The early examples are outright fakes of the Victoria Land overprints; now copies of rare postcards, leaflets, reprinted books and even medals are appearing. I caution you all to take care.

On a brighter note I had 2 amazing Fair visits in May and June with new Shackleton card and existing with good contemporary messages for both him and Scott. Which leads me to my success at the local Club with 16 sheets on Memorials to the Tragic end of Captain Scott and companions in Advanced Section at 87 points. Just prior I had a great trip to a Polar Symposium in Dublin - very Shackleton centric including the family homes, his birthplace and The Shackleton Museum Athy (http://shackletonmuseum.com/) full of important items.

A top day at Midpex 6 July rounded off recent events (see Page 80) - Good to catch up with members there who maybe find it more local to them. Overall collecting life keeps busy - Don’t forget to send your experiences, illustrations of new purchases etc. to our editor John also.

Congratulations to Peter Cranwell on winning our colourful philatelic contest and commiserations to the 14 unlucky losers!