THE January meeting of Dawlish Stamp Club, held at the Manor, saw David Chamberlain, of the Wessex Federation of stamp clubs, give a talk.

David presented the 2003 travelling roadshow, a series of short displays from members, each on individual subjects.

The first subject was Poland, under occupation from 1939-1944. there were definitives with German overprint, German issues overprinted, Copernicus commemorative and postcards and stamps showing Polish statues.

Australian use of Frama labels, adhesive labels issued from coins in the slot machines, was the next topic.

A display on the Post Office savings bank followed, with stationery, savings stamps and a page with 12 1881 1d lilac stamps – to amount to a shilling to deposit in an account.

Postal history of Devon included covers of express letters guaranteed delivery, extra fee, special delivery and registrations, with stamps up to £2.75 per item.

Postcards of Devon illustrated village post offices and scenes of Paignton and Torquay.

A display of beautifully-engraved colonial issues included stamps from Africa to the south Atlantic, depicting colour and designs used before the adoption of the current photographic printing.

The final section was a miscellany of stamps used for revenue or receipts, including the Torquay Picture Drome of 1916, post and greetings cards, Cornish cream teas and cancellation slogans.

The next meeting will be the annual one, at the Manor on Wednesday, February 12, at 7pm.

It will be followed by a competition on V,W,X,Y and Z.