Hugh Osborne FRPSL gave the members of the Royal Philatelic Society London the most incredible display and presentation of the Postal History of South Georgia at its meeting on 5 June.
South Georgia is part of the British Overseas Territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, located some 810 miles south-east of Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands. For years the island was a key producer of whale oil, especially during the Second World War, albeit having a disastrous impact on whale stocks. Consequently the whaling stations had all closed by 1965.
Hugh’s display embraced all aspects of the postal history of the island, including items sent before the establishment of a post office at Grytviken in December 1909. Many of the items shown are unique, or just a handful known, including registered mail, the use of bi-sects, and the stamps of Falkland Islands overprinted ‘SOUTH GEORGIA/DEPENDENCY OF’, emphasising the sovereignty of the island.
‘We owe Hugh a huge debt of thanks for bringing the subject, more complex than realised, to life with material of extraordinary quality’, commented Bill Hedley, FRPSL, giving the Vote of Thanks. Hugh was presented with the Society’s plaquette and certificate by President, Simon Richards RDP, FRPSL.