Robert Bechsgaard's Memory Cup 2001

(Since 2005 Danske Filatelisters Fællesfond's Prize of Honour)

By Toke Nørby

Danske Filatelisters Fællesfond (The Danish Philatelists Joint Foundation) was established in 1964 by a group of philatelists who wanted to raise a nice sum of money so they could use the interests for promoting philately. One of the founders was Robert Bechsgaard, a stamp dealer, with lots of initiatives for fundraising for this purpose. He died in 1982. I knew him very well and have worked with him on a couple of projects.

After his death "Fællesfonden" as it is named in daily life got the idea of presenting an annual award to persons who have made an extraordinary contribution to Danish philaty.

Since 1984 this memory cup has been presented to outstanding philatelists every year (except in 1987 and 2002).

Invitation
 

You are hereby invited to this year's presentation of Robert Bechsgaard's Memory Cup.

Robert Bechsgaard's Memory Cup is offered in the memory of a man whose resource-fullness has left its marks to the encouragement, inspiration and progress for the single philatelist as well as for the many forms for philatelic initiatives in Denmark. The Memory Cup is conferred for one year at a time to a person who has done an outstanding contribution to philately in Denmark. For the year 2001 the Memory Cup will be conferred to Toke Nørby.

The ceremony will take place Wednesday 17 October 2001, 4 p.m. on the scene in Hall A in Bella Center. (That was during the international stamp exhibition HAFNIA 01 in Copenhagen)

Sincerely Yours

Holger Carstensen
Danske Filatelisters Fællesfond

Herluf Houlberg Nielsen, Chairman - Kurt Hansen - Holger Carstensen, Secretary.

Lis Birkedal, Lica Nørby (daughter), Karlo Lindskog and Knud Mohr.

The whole family: Dorte, Toke, Lica and Inga Nørby.

I could invite five persons and invited my two daughters, Ole Steen Jacobsen (with whom I have had a very good cooperation in Danish Postal History Society for many years), John Sørensen (who was actually the first person who MANY years ago told me to specialize) and Erik Arthur Andersen (from the old stamp printing house of the Danish Post. He has helped me a lot in my studies).

1984 Domus Philateliae Jutlandica
1985 Tage Buntzen †
1986 Erik Arly Jensen
1987 Børge Schæffer †
1988 Børge Lundh †
1989 Niels Klottrup
1990 Henning Kaaber
1991 Svend Wiegand Hansen †
1992 Arno Debo (Germany) †
1993 Hans Ehlern Jessen †
1994 Czeslaw Slania (Sweden) †
1995 Tom Plovst †
1996 Lasse Nielsen
1998 Ole Maintz
1999 Knud Mohr
2000 Lis Birkedal (the former director of the
        "Post Denmark, Stamps")
2001 Toke Nørby (that's me :-)
2003 Jørgen Jørgensen (2003.10.24)
2004 Margit Juhl Ottesen (2004.11.05)

In 2004 the Foundation decided to place the cup at the Danish Postal Museum. The future awardees would then - instead of a medal - receive a beautiful silver stamp box and the cheque of DKKr. 10,000.

2005 Karsten Jensen (2005.11.11)
2006 Hans Jørgen Høy (2006.11.10 - he later on became president
            of Danske Filatelisters Fællesfond)
2007 Vagn Jensen (2007.11.09)
2008 Carl Erling Jørgensen (2008.11.07)
2009 Holger Carstensen (2009.02.17) †

The (now former) chairman of the Danske Filatelisters Fællesfond, Mr. Herluf Houlberg Nielsen, stated in his presentation speech, that the reason for awarding me the cup was the many articles I have written in Danish philatelic magazines since 1974, but also that I have been the editor of the Danish Federations magazine DFT for six years. He mentioned my involving in the Danish Federation's juryteam since 1979. He also mentioned that I have issued a book on my own printing house "Nørbyhus" (only one I said - while holding up my finger ;-) And he also mentioned my many articles on the Danish "30-øre provisionals" from 1955/1956.

I was told that it was expected that I said a few words after the presentation: I thanked Danske Filatelisters Fællesfond for this great honour to me and also mentioned that it was not the first time Danske Filatelisters Fællesfond had helped me. In 1988 the Foundation bought a computer and a laserprinter which I could use in my studies etc. This helped me produce several exhibition catalogues but also in MANY articles.

The award was followed by a heavy silver medal

.. and a cheque of 10,000 DKKr! - taxfree :-)

Serious-looking! Two good friends:
Erik Arthur Andersen, former leader of
the Danish stamp printing house and
Ib Eichner-Larsen (†), co-founder of
"Fællesfonden".