SA Collectors' Conference - November 2026

#1 · November 11, 2026, 11:40 am

Quote from Steve on November 11, 2026, 11:40 am
On Saturday 7th November, I attended the first day of the Two Day Weekend Open Meeting of what was previously the South African Collectors' Conference in Letchworth. Attendees had come from across the globe - South Africa, USA, Europe. Offering some proof of the meeting's status there were four RDPSA's in attendance. This is my take on an enjoyable, instructive and well-attended meeting where all visitors received an attractively illustrated and succinctly described 'Synopsis of Displays' booklet. I hope to soon put in a link to it "for your edification ands delight", as Springbok Radio's Three Wise Men used to say .

I had expressed some doubts about attending after reading the list of the five displays to be shown, three of which I had seen in part before. However, the quality of the material on display and the knowledge of it shown by their presenters left me feeling very privileged to have been there to enjoy it and, more importantly, learn from it. These were top notch displays in a meeting open to all. In publicising the forthcoming MonacoPhil 2026 event, one widely recognised as the global summit of high-end philately, Ian Shapiro praised the quality of material on display and stated in words to this effect that "in attendance at the South African Collectors' Conference are at least five people with displays worthy being shown in Monaco".

The first display was Dana Strydom's Gold winning 'The Second Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek 1881 - 1899'. Dana's aim with this display was to show all the stamps of the ZAR's Second Republic from it recognition by Britain at the Convention of Pretoria on 8th August 1881 until the start of the South African War, (aka Second Anglo-Boer War) on 11th October 1899. The quality and completeness of his neatly laid-out material and the knowledge of it which Dana imparted in an unassuming way was very impressive. Having seen him display before I went expecting to see him deliver another calm tour de force. He did!. His was the day's opening salvo. It was a thunderous opening statement. 'Mooi skoot, meneer!'

The next display, 'Philately of Edwardian Natal 1901 - 1910' by Brian Schrire was one that I had decided in advance I had little or no interest in. I told Brian as much after his presentation, that being a Capey I didn't collect Natal and had little interest in it and was disinclined to come as a result. He seemed horrified, as though I had sucker-punched him in the gob. "But", I said "the quality of your material was superb and your knowledge of the subject flawless and so confidently delivered it really was a very excellent treat which I thoroughly enjoyed. Thanks for introducing me so wonderfully well to a subject that I previously never had much time for. You have changed my view on Natal. Thanks. I am now very glad I came." Brian smiled and relaxed visibly, pleased that he had won me over. I was not the only one. The members voted him winner of the Tony Chilton Cup, (aka 'Elephant's Foot'), for the day's best display.

The half hour before lunch was taken up by Brian Trotter's PowerPoint presentation on the forthcoming Union Handbook Update, a joint venture between the PFSA in SA and SACS (South African Collectors' Society) in the UK. The update will be a colour handbook, not a B/W catalogue, ie. no values to be included. It will only be available as printed book, not in a PDF format. Members will be able to view an on-line copy on the PFSA website. If you collect Union stamps or other related items and have any that you think are unusual and worthy of consideration as varieties, etc., please contactBrian Trotter, SACS and or the PFSA. Donations of £100 will give you a listing in the Handbook and a free copy (p&p excluded). Brian expressed the hope that the revised Handbook might reinvigorate Union stamp collecting. I certainly hope so. However, this seems to me to be wishful thinking, putting the cart before a horse that has already bolted.

After the cheerful affair that was self-service buffet lunch in the bar, it was Mike Smith's turn to impress us with his Orange Free State Postal Stationery, a field he divided into two distinct groups, the first postcards printed by De La Rue & Co. in London and those printed locally by Borckenhagen & Co. Bloemfonten. Mike's display covered the locally printed issues which were uniquely made by affixing stamps to card before being printed. As is required of any true expert, he is passionate about his subject, the result of which is that he is today's leading expert on OFS stationery, a man soon to become a signatory on the Roll of Honour for Distinguished Philatelists of South Africa. Mike told me that he could barely see straight as he has recently scanned over 100 postcards at 1200 dpi in order to make the minutest comparisons. This hi-res 'fly-specking' has resulted in new discoveries. As someone who occassionaly dabbles in pretty OFS stationary with a good postmark, I was privileged to have had the chance to talk to Mike and learn more from him first hand.

Chris Rainey gave the penultimate display on 'Tristan da Cunha - Fifty Years of Postal History'. This unpopulated volcanic island was first visited in 1506 by its eponymous Portuguese discoverer. Sitting some 2,795 km from Cape Town and 2,000 km from St Helena, it is known as the "loneliest island". The British garrisoned it during the Napoleonic Wars. It was not until the 1890s that letters began to trickle out of it from visiting Royal Navy ships. During WW2 it played an important role as a Naval Wireless and Meteorological station. Chris's enthusiasm for his subject is the result of a long and painstaking accumulation of scarce to rare early postal history material from 1892 up to the end of WW2. Some of Chris' covers were worn but one cannot collect 'Tristan' and expect to find better. The well-known volcanic eruption on Tristan da Cunha in October 1961 did not feature, a relief perhaps for some South Africans who do not want to be reminded of Apartheid's heartlessness.

Incidentally, I met a newcomer to the meeting, an architect who had grown up in Bergvliet. He had been referred to me as someone who new a bit about Ralph Putzel. As a child he had tricycled around Putzel's garden which he described as full of turning paths and flower beds. He reminded me that in terms of political support the English in South Africa often claimed to be Progressives in public but actually voted for the United Party in practice while thanking God for the Nats. Sounds about right! I also met another newcomer, a younger man, who had arrived in the UK some two years ago. We got talking about Natal in WW2. He was surprised to learn that the Japanese had twice flown submarine-launched reconnaissance planes over Durban. I had other interesting discussions with like-minded people, and, of course, bought some nice items from attending dealers. The material on sale is a very good reason to attend!

The last to display was the Anglo-Boer War Society's Nick Harris who showed 'British and Boer Prisoners of War (POW) Mail'. It will be hard to find a better display on the subject as Nick has much of the best material there is. The war began on 11th October 1899. In the early days of the war neither the Boers nor the British had prepared to hold large numbers of captured enemy. The first Boers were captured at Talana Hill (20th) and Elandslaagte (21st October). They were housed in transport / prison ships before being transported overseas. British Officers were housed at the State Model School in Pretoria, then at Nooitgedacht. The ranks were held at Pretoria Racecourse and subsequently at Waterval. This is a very impressive display that includes several genuinely unique items. Nick is a regular exhibitor at SACS meeting so if you want to see more in this vein, come along.

Finally, my / our thanks must go to the Lesters, Rob and Lyn, who with some assistance from Bob Hill organised this meeting. A few years ago there was the great danger that this popular 'spot of autumn philately' was going to disappear for good. As Chairman of SACS Rob has bought it back to life and must be congratulated for doing so. Many thanks to all concerned, the organisers and the attendees. Keep up the good work by making it happen and making the effort to attend when it does. I have learned my lesson. 'Fail to attend at your peril!'

On Saturday 7th November, I attended the first day of the Two Day Weekend Open Meeting of what was previously the South African Collectors' Conference in Letchworth. Attendees had come from across the globe - South Africa, USA, Europe. Offering some proof of the meeting's status there were four RDPSA's in attendance. This is my take on an enjoyable, instructive and well-attended meeting where all visitors received an attractively illustrated and succinctly described 'Synopsis of Displays' booklet. I hope to soon put in a link to it "for your edification ands delight", as Springbok Radio's Three Wise Men used to say .

I had expressed some doubts about attending after reading the list of the five displays to be shown, three of which I had seen in part before. However, the quality of the material on display and the knowledge of it shown by their presenters left me feeling very privileged to have been there to enjoy it and, more importantly, learn from it. These were top notch displays in a meeting open to all. In publicising the forthcoming MonacoPhil 2026 event, one widely recognised as the global summit of high-end philately, Ian Shapiro praised the quality of material on display and stated in words to this effect that "in attendance at the South African Collectors' Conference are at least five people with displays worthy being shown in Monaco".

The first display was Dana Strydom's Gold winning 'The Second Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek 1881 - 1899'. Dana's aim with this display was to show all the stamps of the ZAR's Second Republic from it recognition by Britain at the Convention of Pretoria on 8th August 1881 until the start of the South African War, (aka Second Anglo-Boer War) on 11th October 1899. The quality and completeness of his neatly laid-out material and the knowledge of it which Dana imparted in an unassuming way was very impressive. Having seen him display before I went expecting to see him deliver another calm tour de force. He did!. His was the day's opening salvo. It was a thunderous opening statement. 'Mooi skoot, meneer!'

The next display, 'Philately of Edwardian Natal 1901 - 1910' by Brian Schrire was one that I had decided in advance I had little or no interest in. I told Brian as much after his presentation, that being a Capey I didn't collect Natal and had little interest in it and was disinclined to come as a result. He seemed horrified, as though I had sucker-punched him in the gob. "But", I said "the quality of your material was superb and your knowledge of the subject flawless and so confidently delivered it really was a very excellent treat which I thoroughly enjoyed. Thanks for introducing me so wonderfully well to a subject that I previously never had much time for. You have changed my view on Natal. Thanks. I am now very glad I came." Brian smiled and relaxed visibly, pleased that he had won me over. I was not the only one. The members voted him winner of the Tony Chilton Cup, (aka 'Elephant's Foot'), for the day's best display.

The half hour before lunch was taken up by Brian Trotter's PowerPoint presentation on the forthcoming Union Handbook Update, a joint venture between the PFSA in SA and SACS (South African Collectors' Society) in the UK. The update will be a colour handbook, not a B/W catalogue, ie. no values to be included. It will only be available as printed book, not in a PDF format. Members will be able to view an on-line copy on the PFSA website. If you collect Union stamps or other related items and have any that you think are unusual and worthy of consideration as varieties, etc., please contactBrian Trotter, SACS and or the PFSA. Donations of £100 will give you a listing in the Handbook and a free copy (p&p excluded). Brian expressed the hope that the revised Handbook might reinvigorate Union stamp collecting. I certainly hope so. However, this seems to me to be wishful thinking, putting the cart before a horse that has already bolted.

After the cheerful affair that was self-service buffet lunch in the bar, it was Mike Smith's turn to impress us with his Orange Free State Postal Stationery, a field he divided into two distinct groups, the first postcards printed by De La Rue & Co. in London and those printed locally by Borckenhagen & Co. Bloemfonten. Mike's display covered the locally printed issues which were uniquely made by affixing stamps to card before being printed. As is required of any true expert, he is passionate about his subject, the result of which is that he is today's leading expert on OFS stationery, a man soon to become a signatory on the Roll of Honour for Distinguished Philatelists of South Africa. Mike told me that he could barely see straight as he has recently scanned over 100 postcards at 1200 dpi in order to make the minutest comparisons. This hi-res 'fly-specking' has resulted in new discoveries. As someone who occassionaly dabbles in pretty OFS stationary with a good postmark, I was privileged to have had the chance to talk to Mike and learn more from him first hand.

Chris Rainey gave the penultimate display on 'Tristan da Cunha - Fifty Years of Postal History'. This unpopulated volcanic island was first visited in 1506 by its eponymous Portuguese discoverer. Sitting some 2,795 km from Cape Town and 2,000 km from St Helena, it is known as the "loneliest island". The British garrisoned it during the Napoleonic Wars. It was not until the 1890s that letters began to trickle out of it from visiting Royal Navy ships. During WW2 it played an important role as a Naval Wireless and Meteorological station. Chris's enthusiasm for his subject is the result of a long and painstaking accumulation of scarce to rare early postal history material from 1892 up to the end of WW2. Some of Chris' covers were worn but one cannot collect 'Tristan' and expect to find better. The well-known volcanic eruption on Tristan da Cunha in October 1961 did not feature, a relief perhaps for some South Africans who do not want to be reminded of Apartheid's heartlessness.

Incidentally, I met a newcomer to the meeting, an architect who had grown up in Bergvliet. He had been referred to me as someone who new a bit about Ralph Putzel. As a child he had tricycled around Putzel's garden which he described as full of turning paths and flower beds. He reminded me that in terms of political support the English in South Africa often claimed to be Progressives in public but actually voted for the United Party in practice while thanking God for the Nats. Sounds about right! I also met another newcomer, a younger man, who had arrived in the UK some two years ago. We got talking about Natal in WW2. He was surprised to learn that the Japanese had twice flown submarine-launched reconnaissance planes over Durban. I had other interesting discussions with like-minded people, and, of course, bought some nice items from attending dealers. The material on sale is a very good reason to attend!

The last to display was the Anglo-Boer War Society's Nick Harris who showed 'British and Boer Prisoners of War (POW) Mail'. It will be hard to find a better display on the subject as Nick has much of the best material there is. The war began on 11th October 1899. In the early days of the war neither the Boers nor the British had prepared to hold large numbers of captured enemy. The first Boers were captured at Talana Hill (20th) and Elandslaagte (21st October). They were housed in transport / prison ships before being transported overseas. British Officers were housed at the State Model School in Pretoria, then at Nooitgedacht. The ranks were held at Pretoria Racecourse and subsequently at Waterval. This is a very impressive display that includes several genuinely unique items. Nick is a regular exhibitor at SACS meeting so if you want to see more in this vein, come along.

Finally, my / our thanks must go to the Lesters, Rob and Lyn, who with some assistance from Bob Hill organised this meeting. A few years ago there was the great danger that this popular 'spot of autumn philately' was going to disappear for good. As Chairman of SACS Rob has bought it back to life and must be congratulated for doing so. Many thanks to all concerned, the organisers and the attendees. Keep up the good work by making it happen and making the effort to attend when it does. I have learned my lesson. 'Fail to attend at your peril!'