DR. PETER NEWROTH IS AWARDED THE GELDERT MEDAL FOR 2005

Charles J. G. Verge, President of The Royal Philatelic Society of Canada (RPSC) committee for the Geldert Medal has announced that Dr. Peter Newroth of Victoria, British Columbia has been awarded the Geldert Medal for 2005. The Geldert Medal is given annually for the best article or series of articles in The Canadian Philatelist, journal of the society.

Dr. Newroth merited the Geldert Medal for his series of “Philatelic Treasures: Queen Victoria Period Postage Stamps and Postal History of the Gold Coast,” a seven-part series that started in the September-October 2003 issue of The Canadian Philatelist and concluded with the January-February 2006 issue. Newroth’s goal was to “add diversity” to the journal and “to stimulate interest in Gold Coast philately.”

The first part examines early Gold Coast mail up to 1850 while Part Two looks at the first Gold Coast stamps which were issued in 1875. Parts Three, Four, and Five look respectively at Gold Coast Victorian Keyplates, Keyplate early postal markings, forgeries, and bisects, and universal unified Keyplates. Part Six examines Queen Victoria Gold Coast postal history, and Part Seven concludes the research with a look at overland mail in Victorian times. The whole series is a captivating one which got high marks from the jury.

Peter Newroth has been collecting stamps since childhood and now belongs to several philatelic societies, including membership in The RPSC for over 40 years. He has contributed to several philatelic publications and co-authored the Royal Philatelic Society London publication The Postal Services of the Gold Coast to 1901.

Peter Newroth was the first recipient of the Julian Chapman Memorial Scholarship which supports philatelic research in Great Britain. This scholarship, which encourages philatelic study and writing, led to the Geldert Medal-winning series. He says, “the articles were fun to write and allow me to share the pleasures of this area of philately with a wider readership.”

On winning the Geldert Medal he said, “the recognition and encouragement associated with my award of the Geldert Medal is much appreciated.” He said, “it will help to keep me writing about our great hobby.” He also encourages collectors who have not written for publication to “make a start.”

Mr. Verge said Dr. Newroth has “made an outstanding contribution to the pages of The Canadian Philatelist. His research and dedication to the project has been exemplary.”

The Geldert Medal was established by Phyllis Geldert in memory of her husband Dr. George M. “Mac” Geldert, FRPSC, a long-serving president (1958-1967) of the RPSC. Mrs. Geldert, FRPSC, put up the medal in 1967 shortly after Dr. Geldert’s death. A notable stamp collector herself, Mrs. Geldert was prominent in many facets of RPSC work, including a directorship from 1967 to 1978. She also served as executive director for three years. Mrs. Geldert died on August 23, 2000.

The 2005 Geldert Medal selection committee was made up of the late Harry Sutherland, QC, RDP, FRPSC, James E. Kraemer, FRPSC and Cimon Morin, FRPSC. With the death of Mr. Sutherland Mr. Verge has appointed Michael Nowlan to fill his vacancy on the Committee. Mr. Kraemer has accepted Mr. Verge’s invitation to Chair the selection committee.

Information on The RPSC can be had by e-mail at info@rpsc.org or by visiting the Society's website at www.rpsc.org, or by calling 416-979-8874, toll free 1-888-285-4143.

For more information contact:

Michael O. Nowlan 506-357-2698
Margaret Schulzke 1 888-285-4143