Fundy Stamp Collectors Club P. O. Box 302 Moncton N.B. E1C 8L4 Since 1997

I would also like to extend thanks to the other Maritime stamp clubs for their cooperation in distributing our newsletter. We have received several in return, and our members enjoy reading of activities in other areas of the Atlantic Provinces. We have extended our contacts to Bathurst, NB; to the St. John's, NF Philatelic Society; to Qcala, Florida; to the Royal Phila- telic Society; and the PEI Stamp Club in Charlottetown.

In review of 2001, the Fundy Stamp Collectors Club managed to maintain its membership base at 15, and this past autumn even attracted several new members. It has been nearly one year since we relocated our meetings to the YMCA in downtown Moncton, and the move so far has been acceptable. Monthly meetings have included lectures on Stampless Covers, Small Queens, Large Queens, and The Channel Islands; slide presentations on the stamps of Malta, Canadian Large Queens, and Canadian Revenue stamps; as well as several buy sell trade sessions.

Like many clubs, the highlight of our year was the annual Stamp Show and Sale -- Brunpex 2001, held October 20 at the Howard Johnson Brunswick Plaza Hotel in downtown Moncton. The show was a huge success, with 17 tables rented, and approximately 100 patrons visiting from all parts of the Maritimes. Dealers from Dartmouth and Truro added a nice variety to local dealers and club members. The highlight of the day was a combination silent / live auction. Club member Dr. Ralph Richardson acted as auctioneer, and did a most commendable job. About 65 lots were available, of which about 45 were sold, generating valuable income for the club. The organizing committee of Dr. Richardson, Ron Messenger, Bruce Hills, and Harvey Terris are to be complemented on a job well done.

2002 will likely be quite a hectic year for me, as I have taken on the duties of President of the Fundy Stamp Collectors Club. In preparation for this task, I have prepared a wish list for the upcoming year:

-- to continue to try to find ways to make meetings interesting and informative;

-- to try to attract new members, and revitalize the interest of former members;

-- to build on the success of Brunpex 2001 in making Brunpex 2002 an even greater success;

-- to increase the correspondance with our sister clubs, and with individual members. Hopefully, I can entice someone, somewhere, to submit an article for publication in a future newsletter. Brief write-ups on club activities could be shared with other clubs.

The auction held during Brunpex 2001 was such a success that our club has decided to have another at the March Stamp Fair, at the Park House Inn on Main Street, Moncton, on Saturday, March 2, 2002. Hope to see you there.
Don Mills

Geography The Channel Islands are found, appropriately, in the English Channel, approximately 70 miles souteast of England, but only 10 to 20 miles from the coast of France. They consist of two main groups -- the Bailiwick of Jersey, and the Bailiwick of Guernsey_ Jersey consists of the island of Jersey and several smaller islands, while Guernsey consists of at least eight small islands, the largest of which are Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Herm. Many peo- ple also associate the Isle of Man with the Chan- nel Islands, but they are in fact located in the channel separating Britain from Ireland. Of the main islands Jersey is the largest, at 45 sq.mi. as well as the southernmost, and the closest to France. It has a population of 88,000 people. The next largest are Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and Herm. The total of the Bailiwick of Guernsey is 75 sq.mi. with a population of 60,000.

Sark is 3 miles long and 1.5 miles wide, and with its population of 500 is the smallest self-governing unit in the United Kingdom. There are no motorized vehicles permitted on Sark, except for tractors. The land is generally flat, with the highest point being 114 meters, on the island of Sark. The weather is temperate, with mild winters and cool summers. About 50 percent of the days are overcast. History Before the 10th century, the Duke of Normandy ruled the islands. When William the Conqueror, the Duke of Normandy, invaded England in 1066, the islands remained his possessions as King William of of England. To this day the islands remain part of the United Kingdom, although ties to France remain strong. The islands have been largely self-governing since the 1200`s, and British laws do not apply, unless specifically mentioned in local laws.

The chief executives of each bailiwick are a Lieutenant Governor and a bailiff, or chief magistrate, all of whom are appointed by the British monarch. The capital of Jersey is St. Helier, while that of Guernsey is Saint Peter Port. The official language is English, although it was French until 1969. A local Normand-French patois remains as a second language. There are no political parties on the islands, and elections are held only for the Assembly of the States. This is composed of approximately 60 voting members serving six-year terms, of which half are elected every three years. As well, there are about 40 representatives of districts and parishes, who are elected every four years.

Industry

The major industries of the islands are tourism , banking and financial services, and agriculture. Leading exports are fruit, vegetables, and flowers. Jersey, Guernsey, and Alderney brand cattle are known throughout the world.

Postal History

Postally, the islands used British postage stamps up to 1958, when the first British regional definitives were produced. The exception was during the Second World War, when the Germans occupied all of the Channel Islands. When the supply of British postage stamps was exhausted, the local authorities printed their own. There were eight stamps issued in Jersey, and five in Guernsey. The last two issues from Guernsey were printed on bluish newsprint, as supplies of proper paper had been exhausted.

Between 1958 and 1969, a total of six regional stamps were issued for Jersey, and seven for Guernsey. In 1969, both Bailiwicks were granted postal independence by Britain. The first issues from each Bailiwick were, naturally, a set of definitive stamps. Since 1969, Jersey has issued a total of 932 issues, to the end of 1999, while Guernsey has produced 702. In 1983 the island of Alderney also become a stamp-producing entity, and has produced 141 issues to the end of 1999.

Stamps from the Channel Islands are usually issued in sets of 3 to 6 stamps, and usually from 3 sets annually in the 1970's, to five sets in the 1980's, to six sets in the 1990's. Definitives usually take three years to issue a complete set, and there is often three to four years be- tween sets. Definitive sets normally range from ? 5 to 25 stamps. Alderney has restricted themselves to one to three issues per year, for a total of only twenty-one commemorative sets in seventeen years.

Current postal rates in the Channel Islands are 18p for Second Class, with delivery within three days and 26p for First Class, with delivery within one day. Other rates in a normal set of six (the most recent configuration) include 36p for airmail in the British Isles, and 45p for air- mail in Europe. A 65p value for Recorded Mail is also issued, as well as a value for 40p, which I could not find any reference for.

Stamp Issues

The islands are understandably very proud of their heritage. Their issues of postage stamps highlight both famous native sons as well as famous visitors. Links to the British Crown are very strong, and all major Royal events are celebrated. The most common themes produced, as can be expected, are transportation and maritime heritage. Plant and animal life also predominate, as do local island scenes. Finally they are both participants in the annual Europa and Christmas issues.

Europa celebrates the European community, and a different theme is chosen for these annual issues. The first Europa issue was 1976 in Guernsey, and 1978 in Jersey. Christmas is also an annual issue, starting in 1970 in Guernsey, but only became an annual issue in 1990 in Jersey. Alderney does not issue for either of these occasions.

The Channel Islands are renowned for their beautiful stamps. Some of my favorite issues include Guernsey's Isaac Brock issue of 1969 (their first commemorative issue), their Mail Boat issues of 1972 and 1973, scenic views of 1976, and the paintings of local artist Peter Le Lievre in 1980. Also are the Royal Wedding set and S I S far Princess Diana in 1981, the scenic definitives of 1984 and 1985, and the Christmas souvenir sheets which started in 1984.

Jersey issues of note include the first definitive issue of local scenes in 1969, the Battle of Flowers Parade issue of 1971, the marine life issue of 1973, and the paintings of local artist Peter Monamy in 1974. A beautiful set and S/S were issued for tourism in 1975- Jersey sets highlighting links with other countries are also notable - USA in 1976, Canada in 1978, France in 1982 and Australia in 1984. Another beautiful set and S f S were issued in 1981 for the Battle of Jersey, reproducing a painting by John Singleton Copley. Endangered wildlife issues of 1979, 1984 and 1988 are also quite striking.

Personally, I find that Alderney produces the most beautiful postage stamps of all. From their first definitive issue of 1983, they have managed to convey a lot of their history and heritage. Scenes, local birds, military garrison regiments, airport, forts, shipwrecks, maps, ships, lighthouses, famous battles, sea life show a widely varied issue policy. Together with their restricted number of issues makes this one of my favorite areas to collect.

As one beginning collector said, They're my stamps, and I can do anything I want with them. Besides, I'm never going to sell them. He proceeded for the next year to tape every stamp to the page with Scotch tape, and later used rubber cement when he ran out.

Needless to say, he did want to sell his collection eventually, and found that nobody would buy it at any price.

Stamp hinges were devised ages ago so stamps could be affixed to album pages, yet could be peeled off later with no damage. There is only one major mistake one can make with stamp hinges, and that is putting so much excess moisture on a hinge that it slops over onto the stamp and glues it to the album page. This can ruin gum on a mint stamp, since otherwise a lightly moistened stamp hinge will leave only a minor disturbance on the gum.

Some collectors prefer to use stamp mounts on mint stamps, so that the gum will not be disturbed in the least. Mounts are plastic sleeves into which stamps are inserted, and in comparison to stamp hinges they are quite expensive. Still, premium prices paid for unhinged mint stamps make them desirable for certain stamps at least.