World Health Organization: New Headquarters 1966

 The World Health Organization (W.H.O.), headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland,  was founded in 1948 as a specialized agency of the United Nations serving as the directing and coordinating authority for international health matters and public health.

 United Nations meter commemorating the 10th anniversary of W.H.O.

Permanent Headquarters 1966

On May 7 1966, the permanent headquarters of the W.H.O. in Geneva was inaugurated. Giulio Marina provided this  description of the building in a 2012 conference paper:

The permanent headquarters of the World Health Organizatio, in Geneva, is recognised as one of the major works of Jean Tschumi, who won the international competition in 1960. Shaped by the imposing linear block housing the Secretariat and the Conference Hall at lower level, the ensemble displays a highly individual plastic expression that profits remarkably from the technical solutions used. From the spectacular pre-stressed concrete frame structure, to the conception of the aluminium and glass envelopes animated by a subtle, slanted brise-soleil, the incorporation of some very smart – and decidedly novel – technology assists in the architectural definition of the international body's remarkable European home. As the specialist press at the time was keen to emphasize, the latest technical gadgetry featured prominently in Tschumi's design. The technology assumes a particular interest not only because of its complexity, but also because of the close relations established with constructional elements.

Philatelic Commemoration of the W.H.O. Headquarters

Canada

Canada was one of several nations which recognized the inauguration of the  W.H.O.  headquarters philatelically.  Although a commemorative stamps was not issued, several post offices were provided with a slogan cancellation which read:

Scarborough, May 14, 1966

Ottawa

Halifax

Toronto

A French slogan was also in use:

Montreal, May 2, 1966

Ceylon

Overseas Mailers FDC

Hong Kong

Overseas Mailers FDC

Hungary

Korea (South)

Overseas Mailers FDC

United Nations

Overseas Mailers FDC

Kover Kolor FDC

1954 Vancouver British Empire and Commonwealth Games

 

The British Empire Games (now the Commonwealth Games) were first held in Hamilton, Ontario in 1930 and have taken place every four years since, except for 1942 and 1946. The 1954 event was held in Vancouver with a new name, the "British Empire and Commonwealth Games". The games ran from  July 30 to August 7,  1954, and  were attended by 24 nations and 662 competitors.

The Miracle Mile

The highlight of the 1954 Games was the one mile race which featured English runner Roger Bannister and Australian John Landy the only sub-four-minute milers in history at that time. The race dubbed the "Miracle Mile" was broadcast live to an estimated 40 million viewers across North America through a joint CBC-NBC special network. This description from the Observer explains why the race was so memorable:

 Landy led by eight yards at one stage but as he turned into the home straight the roar of the crowd prevented him from hearing his pursuer, and he peeked over his left shoulder to find Bannister. But Bannister launched his attack and swept past Landy on his right shoulder to go onto victory. Both runners broke four minutes, the first time it had happened in the same race. 'The last lap was one of most intense and exciting moments of my life,' Bannister wrote later in his autobiography. 'Landy had shown me what a race could really be at its greatest.'

Roger Bannister defeating John Landy, August 7, 1954

Landy and Bannister on the podium following the "Miracle Mile"

Postal History

Slogans

In 1954, Canada Post Office's stamp issuing policy was conservative and issuing a commemorative  stamp for the  Vancouver Games would have been unthinkable; however, several post offices across the country were provided with a slogan cancellation publicizing the event.

BRITISH EMPIRE GAMES
VANCOUVER CANADA
30 JULY - 7 AUGUST 1954 

 

 Winnipeg, February 17, 1954

BRITISH EMPIRE GAMES
VANCOUVER CANADA
JEUX DE L'EMPIRE BRIT.
JULY 30 JUIL - AUG 7 AOUT 1954

Montreal, July 30, 1954

Empire Games Mailing

The cover below was mailed form the British Empire and Commonwealth Games organization to the Manchester, England newspaper Evening Chronicle on July 9, 1953, one year before the opening of the Games.

2 cents printed matter rate

Athlete Correspondence

South African athlete Nicolaas "Lin" Meiring  competed in the 110 yd backstroke, finishing fourth. Meiring had represented South Africa at the 1952 Helsinki summer Olympic games.

The cover below was sent by Meiring to his parents from "Empire Village" on August 5, 1954, two days before the closing of the games

 Vancouver to Pietermarizburg, South Africa

 

 British Empire Games slogan

Lin Meiring
South Africa
Empire Village
Vancouver, Canada

110 yd Backstroke Final

The race can be seen here.

 Prince Philip looking down at the swimmers in the pool..

Approaching the finish line

Princess Alice and Dehydrated Orange Juice

(This article was posted in December, 2011. It is one of my favourites.)




In 1945, Princess Alice, the wife of then Canadian Governor-General Lord Athlone had been provided samples of dehydrated orange juice. The delightful correspondence from Princess Alice is the subject of this post.

Dehydrated Orange Juice

During the war years of the 1940s, the National Research Corporation (NRC) of Cambridge, Mass., developed a high vacuum process for dehydrating medical products such as penicillin. The U.S. Army asked NRC to apply this technological advance to food, especially orange juice. In 1945, NRC developed a method of concentrating orange juice into a powder, creating the Florida Foods Corporation to supply the military. When the war ended a few months later, the contract was cancelled causing Florida Foods to shift to the commercial market. The company moved away from the dehydrated product and decided to create frozen orange juice concentrate. The company renamed itself Minute Maid in April, 1946.

Minute Maid has never made its dehydrated orange juice available to the public despite reports that the product closely matched the taste of fresh-squeezed orange juice.


The Vice-Regal Couple

On June 21, 1940, Major-General Alexander Cambridge, 1st Earl of Athlone (1874 – 1957) was sworn-in as Canada's 16th Governor-General on June 21 1940 and served until 1946. He succeeded John Buchan who had died in office on February 11, 1940, after suffering a stroke.

Princess Alice (1883-1981), Lord Athlone's wife, was a grandchild of Queen Victoria and a first cousin to Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands.
















Princess Alice and Lord Athlone


Princess Alice's Orange Juice Letter

The 1945 letter shown below was addressed to a Mr. Scully, a resident of New York City, and was franked by the Assistant Secretary to the Governor-General. Since the free mail privilege only applied to domestic mail the envelope should have been franked with a 4 cent stamp.


Princess Alice to New York, December 12, 1945



Initials in the lower left corner of the envelope

AM = Alice Mary





Transcription of the letter:

11-12-45

Dear Mr. Scully:

How kind + prompt you have been about those precious crystals. I had no idea one could not order as many as one liked. I am rather horrified at my "faux pas". However you got over the dilemma splendidly. I told George to let his mother know that she need not ... bothered over the strange people sending her parcels-He says you cannot possibly tell orange drink made from these crystals from fresh fruit, which is rather wonderful.

With all kind thoughts
Affectionately yours
Alice Mary



Princess Alice's signature

Although the manufacturer of the orange crystals is not identified, it is most likely that the Princess had received samples of the NCR dehydrated juice. The letter captures the thoughtfulness and kindness of Princess Alice who, as vicereine of Canada, supported the war effort by serving as Honorary Commandant of the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service, Honorary Air Commandant of the Royal Canadian Air Force (Women's Division) and president of the nursing division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade.