THE WORLD’S BEST PHILATELIC MAGAZINE JANUARY 2019

TM
MAGAZINE

Newfoundland Celebrating
3d triangular Prince Charles’
of 1857 70th birthday

George V
Postal history of the 1934-36
photogravure definitive series
Northern light
Time to unravel the
mysteries of the Faroes
Why catalogues need
the appendix removed

Behind bars
Thematic guide to
literature in prison
www.stampmagazine.co.uk £4.75
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Kiaochow - rare perforation variety China - reverse hand- German East Africa - The legendary „Queen“
stamp overprint with watermark and genuine cancellation

Hannover - bisected rarities on piece/cover

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Selling your stamp collection?
Warwick and Warwick have an expanding requirement for world collections, single country collections, single items, covers,
proof material and specialised collections. Our customer base is increasing dramatically and we need an ever-larger supply
of quality material to keep pace with demand. The market is currently very strong for G.B. and British Commonwealth and
the Far East. If you are considering the sale of your collection, now is the time to act.

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ADVISORY DAYS
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sale of your collection. Visit our website for further details.

We will be visiting the following towns within the next few weeks:
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Tiverton, Bridgnorth, Spalding, Wakefield,
Rotherham, Newark, Oswestry, Ryde,
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 TM
MAGAZINE

WELCOME
IN THIS ISSUE
While Britain’s plodding progress
towards leaving the European Union has
dominated the domestic news agenda for
several years, a comparably seismic
disengagement from international
co-operation has crept up on us almost unnoticed.
The United States announced in October that it
intends to leave the Universal Postal Union a year
from now (see page 8).
This is an enormous blow for the UPU, which is
one of the oldest international organisations in the
world and enjoys a global reach. Currently, every
member of the United Nations is either directly a
member or indirectly affiliated through postal
arrangements with other nations. Losing the world’s
largest economy is almost unthinkable.
It is also a huge decision for the USA, which was
one of the founder members of the UPU in 1874.
Given President Donald Trump’s policy of ‘America
first’, however, it is not an altogether surprising one.
Trump’s administration has a point when it insists
that the existing postal treaties need reform. With
the development of internet commerce in recent
years, the US Postal Service is effectively subsidising
businesses not only in underdeveloped countries but
also in China, the world’s second-largest economy.
Bizarrely, the result is that a small parcel can be
shipped to New York from Beijing at a cheaper rate
than it can from Washington DC.
It is to be hoped that the bombshell announcement 38 Investigating the stamps and postal services of the Faroe Islands
by the White House will concentrate minds and allow
a solution to be found, reversing the decision and
preserving international postal cooperation.

GUY THOMAS, Editor 8 WORLD NEWS

guy.thomas@mytimemedia.com The USA’s plan to quit the UPU
and stamps designed by a convict

Stamp Magazine, My Time Media Ltd, Suite 25, Eden 10 NEW ISSUES
House, Enterprise Way, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 6HF
Celebrating a historic post office
(please mark correspondence either ‘Editorial’ or ‘Advertising’)
and novelty Christmas jumpers

Art Editor
Alexandra Bourdelon
Publishers
My Time Media Ltd
16 AUCTION HIGHLIGHTS
Advertisement Sales Consultant Tel: 01689 869840 (UK) Very rare overprints, errors and
Jay Jones Tel: +44 1689 869840 (rest of the world) covers under the hammer
jay.jones@mytimemedia.com Printers
Overseas Advertisement Sales William Gibbons & Sons Ltd
Uty Rohrs 22 GB NEW ISSUE
Tel: 020 7834 0085 Subscriptions A miniature sheet celebrates
My Time Media Ltd, 3 Queensbridge,
Commercial Sales Manager Prince Charles’ 70th birthday
The Lakes, Northampton NN4 7BF, UK
Rhona Bolger
Tel: 0844 243 9023 (UK)
rhona.bolger@mytimemedia.com
Tel: +1 866 647 9191 (USA & Canada)
24 GB COLLECTOR 16 Overprint rarities make waves at auction
Subscriptions Manager Tel: +44 1604 828748 (rest of the world)
Kate Hall help@stamp.secureorder.co.uk The latest prestige stamp books,
Chief Executive
Owen Davies
Current & Back Issues Smilers sheets and postmarks
Tel: 01795 662976
ISSN 0307-6679 www.mags-uk.com
28 LETTERS
USA Stamp Magazine, ISSN 0307-6679, is published monthly by MyTimeMedia Ltd, Suite 25 Eden
House, Enterprise Way, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 6HF, UK. The US annual subscription price is 65GBP How the cost of new issues has
(equivalent to approximately 108USD). Airfreight and mailing in the USA by agent named Air
Business Ltd, c/o Worldnet Shipping Inc, 156-15, 146th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Jamaica, NY 11434, USA. become insane, and why postal
Periodicals postage paid at Jamaica NY 11431. US Postmaster: send address changes to Stamp mechanisation is a failure
Magazine, Worldnet Shipping Inc, 156-15, 146th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Jamaica, NY 11434, USA.
Subscription records are maintained at CDS Global Ltd, Tower House, Sovereign Park, Market
Harborough, Leicester, LE16 9EF, UK. Air Business Ltd is acting as our mailing agent.
33 TALKING POINT
Is it time for catalogues to ditch
the appendix, and let collectors
decide what is worth having? 22 Happy birthday to HRH

4 www.stampmagazine.co.uk JANUARY 2019

 CONTENTS
JANUARY 2019 | Volume 85, Number 1 | www.stampmagazine.co.uk

66 Postal history of the later King George V era 78 Famous authors who wrote in jail 86 Medicine and healthcare as a theme on British commemorative stamps

47 The inspiration behind Newfoundland’s classic 1857 3d triangular 74 Henry Cheffer’s finest work 91 Postcard from the days of the militant suffragettes

FEATURES 47 COMMONWEALTH COMPETITIONS

CLASSICS
Newfoundland’s one and only
38 POSTAL HISTORY OF triangular stamp stood out from Win a Christmas
THE FAROE ISLANDS the crowd in 1857 presentation pack!
From early provisional bisects Or a copy of our
through wartime overprints to 74 GREAT ENGRAVERS GB price guide!
recess-printed commemoratives, Henry Cheffer engraved some
See page 35
Britain’s close neighbour is rich in of the world’s greatest portrait
philatelic variety stamps, and much more besides

66 KING GEORGE V 86 GB THEMES ‘How many collectors of Royal

1934-36 DEFINITIVES British stamps on the themes of
The final definitive series of a medicine and public health have Mail special issues still obtain
momentous reign was also the been alive and kicking since 1963
first for a new printing process. them from a post office?’
Although not in use for very long, 91 EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS
it engendered lots of interesting A 1910 postcard imploring the
see page 33
postal history police to treat suffragettes with a
little more sympathy SUBSCRIBE
78 THEMATIC GUIDE TO
PRISON LITERATURE 94 WHAT’S ON
From St Paul to Hitler, from Exhibition, auction, fair and society
Take advantage of our
Cervantes to Gandhi, from Wilde dates for your diary special subscription offer
to Wittgenstein, you probably had and have Stamp Magazine
no idea that so much influential 113 STRANGE BUT TRUE delivered to your door.
writing was done in jail: enough Stamps issued in the name of See page 88
for a busy thematic collection! desert islands so remote that they
were linked with Robinson Crusoe

JANUARY 2019 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 5

GREAT BRITAIN
The ‘BESANÇON’ Collection
1

2 3

5 8

10
6

7
4
9

1) ex Baron de Worms (1938) 11) Finer than the Burrus block!

2) ex Ferrary (1924) 12) Plate 9! Robson Lowe (1940)
3) ex Earl of Crawford (1913) 13) ex H.O.Frazer (2009)
4) ex Seymour (1951) 14) ‘Abnormal Plates’, all ex Earl of Crawford (1913)
5) ex King Carol II (1951) 15) Wmk. ‚Orbs‘! ex Caspary (1958)
6) ex Durham (1993) 16) ex L. Praportchetovitch (1933)
7) Corinphila Auction (1985) 17) ex Baron de Worms (1938)
8) Archer Roulette, ex H.P. Manus (1932) 18) ex Baron de Worms (1938)
9) Archer Perf., ex Earl of Crawford (1913) 19) Gilbert & Köhler Auction (1909)
10) Plate 225! Ex Michael Stephens (1937)

This wonderful collection – built over the last 45 years –

will be auctioned by Corinphila in 2019-2023.
 To be offered
in 2019-2023 www.corinphila.ch

11

12

15

14 13

16

19
17 18

The ‘BESANÇON’ collection is a marvellous ‘traditional’ collection

of Great Britain, with Proofs, issued stamps, large multiples and CORINPHILA AUKTIONEN AG
interspersed throughout with philatelic gems, chosen by the owner WIESENSTR 8 · 8032 ZURICH · SWITZERLAND
both for their rarity and aesthetic appeal. Telefon +41-44-3899191
www.corinphila.ch
The collection boasts items from all the great collections previously
formed, from the Earl of Crawford (1913), Ferrary (1921-24), Trivett
(1924), H. P. Manus (1932), Hind (1934), Baron Anthony de Worms
CORINPHILA VEILINGEN BV
(1938), McGowan (1950), J. B. Seymour (1951/53), Caspary (1956), AMSTELVEEN ∙ NETHERLANDS
Burrus (1963), R.A.G. Lee (‘Maximus’ 1970), Dale-Lichtenstein Telefon +31-20-6249740 · www.corinphila.nl
(1989), to the more recently formed ‘pseudonym’ collections and the
outstanding Dr. Douglas Latto Surface Printed Issues collection.
Philatelic Partner
Order your catalogue now !
For more details contact managing director Karl Louis.
 WORLD NEWS

USA to withdraw from

Universal Postal Union
The United States has announced its
intention to leave the Universal Postal
Union, due to its discontent with aspects of
international postage rates.
On October 17, US President Donald
Trump triggered the start of a year-long
withdrawal period, as outlined in the UPU
constitution, from the global postal treaties
it helped to establish 144 years ago.
The US has accused other nations of
‘undermining the goal of unrestricted and
undistorted competition in cross-border
delivery services’, and condemned a lack of
progress in reforming existing UPU policies.
However, it has left open the possibility for
the notice of withdrawal to be rescinded if
new agreements can be negotiated.
Under current arrangements, the US
Postal Service charges shippers of small
packages from ‘developing nations’ a
subsidised rate for the last leg of in-bound
deliveries. One of the countries which enjoys
these subsidies is China, the world’s second
largest economy, which is involved in half of
all internet commerce.
The Trump administration claims this puts
American businesses at a disadvantage.
Given the dramatic increase in the number
of packages being sent internationally with
the rise of online shopping, it is seeking
changes to the treaty that would allow
countries to set their own rates for parcels
weighing less than 4.4lb (2kg).
Established by the Treaty of Bern in 1874,
the UPU acts as a regulatory body (endorsed
by the United Nations) to facilitate postal
cooperation between countries, control
international postage rates and prevent international organisation in the world, and
interruptions in postal services. has 192 member states, which is almost
It claims to be the second oldest every nation on Earth.

Combination cover Record price for an

for Armistice Day Inverted Jenny error
A limited-edition combination cover commemorating the 100th
anniversary of the end of World War I has been issued jointly by the
Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey and Gibraltar.
It brings together one stamp from each of the four postal
administrations’ recent commemorative issues, cancelled by
separate special postmarks dated November 11, 2018, on an
envelope with a poppy motif and the inscription ‘Remembering the
sacrifices of our men and women in WWI’.
The Isle of Man’s stamp is the ANZAC Memorials of Rayner Hoff
£1.75 of August 2018, Guernsey’s the Stories From The Great War
41p of November 2014, Jersey’s the Armistice & Remembrance 76p
of August 2018, and Gibraltar’s the Gibraltar War Memorial 50p of
July 2017. An insert card tells the story behind each of these.

A record price has been set for the sale of an ‘Inverted Jenny’, the
iconic 1918 24c airmail error of the United States.
A recently rediscovered example fetched US$1.59m (about
£1.24m), including 18% buyer’s premium, at Siegel’s auction in
November, beating the previous record of US$1.35m set in 2016.
The stamp is in superb condition, yet the price is remarkable for
the fact that 100 copies of the error, with its image of a Curtiss
Jenny biplane flying upside-down, are known to exist and have been
carefully recorded. This particular stamp is from position 49.

8 www.stampmagazine.co.uk JANUARY 2019

 WORLD NEWS AUCTIONS | GB COLLECTOR | LETTERS | COMMENT | COMPETITIONS | FEATURES | EVENTS | STRANGE BUT TRUE
Prisoner designs NEWS IN BRIEF

Christmas stamps > A full national

exhibition will be
held to coincide with
the ABPS Scottish
for Vatican City Congress in 2019.
Some 120 frames
will be mounted at
the Dewar’s Centre
The Christmas stamps from Vatican City feature paintings by a in Perth in April.
prisoner serving a life sentence.
The images of the Annunciation and of the Virgin Mary holding > Susan Henderson
the baby Jesus, used on €1.10 and €1.15 values respectively, were is the new chair of
the Stamp Active
both created by Marcello D’Agata, who is 70 years old and has been
Network, following
an inmate of the Opera Prison in Milan, Italy, for the past quarter of John Davies, who
a century. has been elected as
They are reported to have been selected in direct response to a
call by Pope Francis for compassion towards the imprisoned,
New Zealand President of the
Great Britain
Philatelic Society.
helping them to look toward the hope of the future rather than the
shame of the past. quick to mark > Washington
D’Agata, who was convicted of mafia-related offences, took part
in a prison art course backed by the Vatican City and Italian postal
administrations, and by philatelic organisations.
royal visit Stamp Exchange of
Newark, New
Jersey, well known
for its Art Craft
New Zealand rushed out a stamp issue to engraved first day
celebrate the royal visit by the Duke and covers, is to cease
Duchess of Sussex in October. trading after 85
Harry and Meghan spent the last few days years. A closing
down sale is being
of their Pacific tour in New Zealand in conducted online.
October, after visiting Australia, Fiji and
Tonga. The miniature sheet of six stamps, > An exhibition of
based on photographs taken at their official stamps and postal
history is being held
engagements, was released on October 30,
in Italy to celebrate
before they had even left the country. the 100th
It’s the second time New Zealand Post has anniversary of the
featured the same couple in double-quick first issue of Fiume.
time within six months, having produced a Located in the
former residence of
miniature sheet on May 21 showing scenes the poet and soldier
from their wedding on May 19. Gabriele D’Annunzio
in Brescia, it lasts
until April 30.

Christmas stories > Turkey was the

winner of the online
poll for the most
illustrated by the beautiful stamp on
2018’s Europa
theme, which was
Channel Islands Bridges. Poland
was second and
Georgia third.
Seasonal stamps from Guernsey and Alderney celebrate two
classic Christmas stories.
> The Bill Hart
Award for service to
Guernsey’s seven stamps retell The Nutcracker & The youth philately has
Mouse King, which was originally written by German author been awarded to
Ernst Hoffmann in 1816, later adapted by French author David Armitage,
Alexandre Dumas and subsequently turned into a ballet, The who has served the
National Youth
Nutcracker, by Pyotr Tchaikovsky. Stamp Group and
It concerns a young girl whose Christmas toy, a nutcracker the Stamp Active
in the form of a soldier, comes alive at night and leads her Network for more
dolls in a battle to defeat the seven-headed mice king and than 15 years.
put an end to a curse placed upon him.
> Revenue stamps
Alderney’s seven feature scenes from A Christmas Carol, printed by the
written by Charles Dickens in 1843, in which the miser Canadian Bank Note
Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by a series of ghosts on Company have been
Christmas Eve, showing him how his mean behaviour affects issued in Canada
following the
those around him and persuading him to change his ways. legalisation of
Both sets are illustrated by Andrew Robinson, and were recreational
issued by Guernsey Post on November 8. marijuana.

JANUARY 2019 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 9

 WORLD NEWS
NEW ISSUE
Most southerly postal
museum on the planet
he Falkland Islands has issued a set
T of stamps celebrating the 100th
anniversary of its oldest remaining
post office building, which now houses a
postal museum.
The Old Post Office House at Fox Bay, on
West Falkland, opened for business in
November 1918. Its primary purpose was to
serve as a radio station, but the wireless
operator on duty there combined his work
with that of postmaster.
As the ‘official’ house of West Falkland, it
also took on responsibility for registering
births, marriages and deaths, and other
governmental duties.
The house remained a working post office
until the mid 1980s, when the service
moved into the village shop. Today, postal
services are provided locally by the office of
the Village Agent.
In 2014 the property was acquired by the
Swedish philatelist Stefan Falkland Heijtz,
who built up an international grand prix-
winning collection of Falkland Islands
10 www.stampmagazine.co.uk JANUARY 2019
postal history and is the editor of the
Specialised Stamp Catalogue of the
Falkland Islands & Dependencies. With help
from fellow philatelist Hugh Osborne, he
renovated the building and turned part of it
into the world’s most southerly postal
museum.
Opened in March 2015, the museum
focuses primarily on the history of postal
services at Fox Bay, which can be traced
back to 1899, and the Falkland Islands as a
whole, since 1852. It has a post office
counter, the old wooden rack of mailboxes
and many other postal artefacts.
The new stamps illustrate aspects of the
history of the Old Post Office House, along
with postmarks through the ages.
The 31p value reproduces a photograph of
the house from the 1940s, and a postmark
of the type used between 1914 and 1953. It
is dated November 1, 1918, when the post
office was formally brought into use.
The 76p design shows the old post office
scales, dating from the early 1900s, and a
postmark of the type used between 1968
and 2005. It is dated June 30, 1994, the last
day on which ounces and pounds were used
by the Falklands’ postal service, before the
metric system was adopted.
The £1.01 value recalls the visit made to
the museum in 2016 by the Princess Royal,
who inaugurated the King Edward VII pillar
box (donated by The Postal Museum in
London) by posting the first piece of mail
into it. The postmark is of the type used
between 2005 and 2017, and is dated
January 21, 2016, the day of the royal visit.
The £1.22 stamp shows the building as it
looks today, with the museum located on
the right, where the post office was. The
postmark is of the type currently in use, and
is dated November 28, 2018, the day this set
of stamps was issued.
The museum is open on demand, all year
around. When Heijtz, the Curator, is in
residence, it is open all the time. When he is
not, the Village Agent will open it to anybody
who wants to have a look around.
 BILL BARRELL LTD
Great stocks of King Edward V11 commercial mail available, covers, parcel post labels and much
more. We have the best stock of GB commercial mail from all reigns.

1901 Rochester to Italy underpaid 1902 registered mail Ipswich to USA / 1903 registered mail London to Bavaria.
mail. £30.00 mixed reigns. £25.00 £15.00

1904 mixed reigns mail London to the 1905 underpaid mail Hungary to Hereford 1906 post card Tasmania to Weybridge.
USA. £35.00 and re-directed. £22.50 £17.50

1907 registered mail Hythe to 1908 envelope, Coxwold to Canada, 1909 undelivered, re-directed mail,
Holland, football related. £30.00 combination British and Canadian Birdlip to Bohemia then Paris. £19.50
stamps. £65.00

1910 Paignton 'skeleton' on Panoramic Letter Card to Canada. £15.00

PO Box 10494, Grantham, Lincolnshire,

NG31 0HS, United Kingdom
01476 594698
e-mail: bill@barrell.co.uk website: www.barrell.co.uk
 WORLD NEWS
NEW ISSUE
Joyful Jersey jumpers
deliver Christmas cheer
ersey’s festive stamp issue
J this year celebrates novelty
Christmas jumpers.
Released on November 19, the
eight self-adhesive stamps have a
knitted-effect design and cut-out
necklines, so they appear as
neatly folded jumpers.
‘Christmas jumpers have
become hugely popular over
recent years and we wanted to
capture the fun of this festive
tradition,’ says James Dann of
Jersey Post. ‘The stitched
background effect gives the feel
of a cosy hand-knitted jumper,
whilst the colourful designs
reflect the jollity of the season.’
The origins of the Christmas
jumper can be traced back to the
distinctive sweaters worn by
Scandinavian fishermen in the
19th century. By the middle of the
20th century, they were popularised by
skiers who needed warm clothing for
holidays on the Alpine slopes.
Since the 1970s, colourful knitwear has
become associated with Christmas, often
12 www.stampmagazine.co.uk JANUARY 2019
worn in schools and workplaces (not least
by staff at Jersey Post) on designated
‘Christmas jumper days’ in aid of charity.
Through one such promotion, Save The
Children raised more than £4m in 2017.
The stamp images feature a
range of designs: snowflakes, an
angel, Father Christmas, a
snowman, a Christmas tree, a
Christmas pudding, a reindeer and
the three wise men.
As in previous years, some of
the face values reflect special
cheaper postage rates which apply
for the early part of festive period
only, to allow the people of Jersey
to send cards and letters
(weighing up to 100g) for less
between November 19 and
December 7.
The 44p value is valid for a local
letter (reduced from 50p), the 57p
value for a letter to the other
Channel Islands, the UK and Isle of
Man (reduced from 65p), the 65p
for a letter to the rest of Europe
(reduced from 76p), the 76p for a
local large letter (reduced from
82p) and the 94p for a large letter to the UK
(reduced from £1.12).
Designed by True North, the stamps were
printed by Cartor in offset lithography with
gold metallic ink and gloss varnish.
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KS
’ BOO IN OU
in 1958 and now 58 years later, month in, month out
we’re still sending unit priced stamps or individually
identified and priced stamps on approval to more RO Andrew McGavin, Philatelic Expert & Author, Managing Director,
RL

than 1,000 different collectors mainly in the UK but

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How do we operate?
We have one of the best philatelic websites
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We send out free, bi-monthly, price lists
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 AUCTION HIGHLIGHTS
ZANZIBAR 1895
Overprint rarity
OR
Among the many L DF
highlights of Spink’s sale SO
,000
of the John Griffith-Jones £36
collection of the complex
1895-96 provisional issues of Zanzibar,
which were overprints on Indian stamps,
was this ½a blue-green with the ‘Zanzibar’
overprint in blue, originating from the first
printing on November 14, 1895.
Few examples survive, and it is thought
probable that only one sheet was ever
overprinted in blue. Furthermore, this
particular copy is one of only six known with
the ‘small second z down’ variety.
These overprints must be among the
most complex ever to be studied, and the
auction catalogue had a six-page
introduction explaining all the various
colours, settings, errors and varieties.
Further lengthy explanations accompanying
the lots effectively turned it into a handbook
for specialist collectors.
SOLD BY SPINK UK £36,000
TIBET 1911
Combination franking
Spink China’s sale included this rare
cover from the Chinese occupation of
Tibet in 1910-12.
Registered from Yatung to
Singapore, via Siliguri in British India,
on October 26, 1911, it was franked
with the complete set of 11 stamps
used by the Chinese post offices in
Tibet, which were issues of the 1898
series of China surcharged in three
languages, including English.
The fact that it travelled via India
meant that the cover was also
16 www.stampmagazine.co.uk JANUARY 2019
Edited by Adrian Keppel. Prices quoted exclude buyer’s premiums
SIERRA LEONE 1897
Rare overprint variety
Aste Bolaffi’s auction of rarities offered a variety
from Sierra Leone’s 1897 set of fiscal stamps
overprinted and surcharged for postal use.
This was the 2½d on 1s dull lilac, with ‘Postage
and Revenue’ overprinted in two lines, the old
value obliterated with five thin lines and the
surcharge of type 11.
Making this example especially desirable was
that it showed the ‘italic N in Revenue’ variety,
which occurred once in every setting of 30.
All in all, the issue featured eight different types
of overprint used in various combinations on four
different values of Stamp Duty fiscals, so it has
become a magnet for specialist study.
SOLD BY ASTE BOLAFFI £18,349
CHINA 1905
Complete express letter strip
No fewer than three complete mint examples of China’s unusual 1905 express letter stamps
appeared in Cherrystone’s auction, each commanding a hefty hammer price.
With a dragon design over a repeating background security inscription reading ‘Chinese
Imperial Post Office’, the stamps came in four parts, separated by rouletting or proper
perforations. They were produced in the form of booklets, with each part serial-numbered.
Part one of each stamp was retained by the post office, parts two and three were affixed
to the item to be posted, and part four was kept by the sender as a receipt. By definition,
used examples are always incomplete, while mint examples are exceptionally rare.
SOLD BY CHERRYSTONE £7,403
franked with Indian stamps, hence
the vertical strip of nine of the King
Edward VII ½a affixed on the reverse.
With both Chinese and Indian
datestamps and registration marks,
this is a very rare cover indeed. It was
sent only a few months before the
Chinese troops were chased out of
Tibet by a nationalist revolt in 1912,
leading to the country issuing its own
stamps for the first time.
SOLD BY SPINK CHINA £16,734

PERU 1858
Earliest usage of first issue
Cherrystone’s auction offered the earliest known cover franked
with the first national stamp issue of Peru, in 1858.
Sent just a few miles from the port of Callao to the capital, Lima,
it was franked with a 1d blue, covering the short-distance postage
rate, and bears a Callao postmark of March 12, 1858, just two days
after the stamps’ date of issue.
The manuscript ‘7½’ in the lower left corner is not a postal rate
mark, but denotes the 7.30am train on which the cover was sent.
Lithographed stamps procured from the Pacific Steam Navigation
Company had been trialled in Peru in 1857, but they do not enjoy
catalogue status.
WORLD NEWS AUCTIONS GB COLLECTOR | LETTERS | COMMENT | COMPETITIONS | FEATURES| EVENTS | STRANGE BUT TRUE
BADEN 1865
Cover to Wallachia
Schlegel sold a beautiful piece of postal history from the German
state of Baden, an entire sent from Konstanz on March 30, 1865.
One of the factors which made this a rare item was its uncommon
destination: Ploiesti in Wallachia, which would become part of the
newly named country of Romania the following year.
A second was its mixed franking of one 18kr deep green and a pair
of the 1kr black from the 1862 definitive series, all cancelled with a
numeral 25 handstamp and tied by the Ploiesti arrival handstamp.
The 18kr is of the utmost rarity on entires.
SOLD BY SCHLEGEL £17,532

SOLD BY CHERRYSTONE £10,926

UNITED STATES 1917

Error of value
Catching the eye at Kelleher’s
auction was a block of the United
States 1917 2c carmine-rose
definitive, incorporating the 5c
error of value.
During the production of a new
plate (No7942) of the stamp, which
portrays George Washington, the
design was noted to be defective in
three positions. The siderographer
removed these but inadvertently
re-entered them using a transfer
roll for the 5c value.
The errors went unnoticed and
the stamps were issued in 1917,
perforated 10 or 11, or left
imperforate. This block of six, with
the error in the top centre position,
is of the imperforate variety, which
is by far the rarest.
The 5c value was normally
printed in blue.
SOLD BY KELLEHER £5,816

AUSTRALIA 1946
Imperforate commemoratives
Phoenix’s latest auction of Australian stamps and postal history included this
exhibition piece of an error: an imperforate marginal block of four of the 2½d
scarlet from the 1946 set marking the centenary of Thomas Mitchell’s exploration
of Central Queensland.
Besides being imperforate, the block showed the inverted watermark variety and
boasted the full imprint ‘Printed by the authority of the Government of the
Commonwealth of Australia’ in the bottom margin. Only five such imprint blocks
are known.
The 2½d was the lowest value in a set of three, all of the same design.

SOLD BY PHOENIX £4,026

JANUARY 2019 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 17

Auction Announcement Provenance ( prä-v -,nän(t)s) noun
e
1. The history of ownership of a valued
February 2019 object or work of art

This extraordinary multi-million dollar

holding was built over a period of forty
years, with emphasis on acquiring great
rarities in superior condition. Many
lots possess illustrious provenance, a
key factor when determining value and
desirability of an item. The collection
is reminiscent in style and scope to the
greatest collections of the past.
Newfoundland “Martinsyde” Manuscript on 2 cent red
with a normal 2c. A famous and unique airmail cover.
We invite everyone who appreciates
The Highlands Collection stamps, proofs and postal history of
of British North America British North America to take advantage
of this opportunity. Contact us today to
Part Two
reserve your limited edition catalogue.

Eastern Auctions Ltd.

P.O. Box 250 - Bathurst - New Brunswick - E2A 3Z2 - Canada Viewing will be available
Telephone: 1(506) 548-8986 - Fax: 1(506) 546-6627
online late January 2019
easternaucions@nb.aibn.com • www.easternaucions.com
 POSTAL AUCTION
Over 4000 Lots from £10 to £1000’s

0% Buyers Premium

Contact us Today
info@mpastamps.com

www.mpastamps.com
+44 (0)20 3019 2036 - - 32 Saint George Street, W1S 2EA, London
 Buying & selling stamps,
covers, & postal history

YORK STAMP & COIN FAIR

York Racecourse,
York, YO23 1EX
18-19 January

Stephen T. Taylor
5 Glenbuck Road
Surbiton Surrey KT6 6BS
Phone: 020 8390 9357

info@stephentaylor.co.uk
www.stephentaylor.co.uk
Your American dealer in Britain

See me at:
5th January, Sutton, Coldield
New Website
www.jcstamps.co.uk
11th January, Royal National Hotel, London
 TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL
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Tony Lester
AUCTIONS LTD

10th February 2019 Sale

Our February auction will include a £10,000 BC KGVI M
collection, good collections of Austria, Liechtenstein and
Switzerland, many GB collections, varieties, a
stock of China, Tristan da Cunha Postal History,
a good collection of signed Space material,
BC collections and items etc.

Free Valuations
We are keen buyers of collections or can sell through our
auctions on commission. We can travel to value suitable lots or
you can bring them to us for an on the spot valuation.
Auctions
Our auctions cater for both collectors and dealers, with single
stamps and sets in addition to many collections and ‘box lots’.
2019 Auction Dates
10th February • 14th April • 30th June
• 1st September • 17th November

CONTACT US TODAY FOR A FREE COPY OF OUR NEXT CATALOGUE.

TO: Tony Lester Auctions Ltd (01926) 634809

The Sidings, Birdingbury Rd,
www.tonylester.co.uk
Marton, Nr Rugby,
tonylester@btconnect.com
Warwickshire CV23 9RX

TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL
 GB COLLECTOR
NEW ISSUE

Happy birthday to
the Prince of Wales

oyal Mail issued a miniature sheet to 1952. He is now the longest-serving Heir Prince’s Trust, a charity which aims to help

R mark the 70th birthday of the Prince

of Wales on November 14.
All based on photographs, the six stamps
Apparent in British history.
His investiture as Prince of Wales in 1969
was followed by a career in the Royal Navy
vulnerable young people who are
unemployed or struggling at school.
Designed by Davies Maude and Royal Mail
depict Prince Charles undertaking official until 1976, when he assumed full-time royal Group, the self-adhesive miniature sheet
duties and relaxing with his family. duties in support of the Queen. was printed in gravure by International
The border shows the heraldic badge of During that same year he started The Security Printers.
the Prince of Wales, with its three white
ostrich feathers emerging from a gold
coronet and the motto ‘Ich Dien’ (‘I serve’, in
German), and has a bilingual inscription in
Welsh and English.
Charles Philip Arthur George is the eldest
son of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of
Edinburgh, and the heir to the thrones of
the United Kingdom and 15 other
Commonwealth realms.
Born on November 14, 1948, he became
Heir Apparent at the age of three, following
his mother’s accession to the throne in

22 www.stampmagazine.co.uk JANUARY 2019

 WORLD NEWS | AUCTIONS GB COLLECTOR LETTERS | COMMENT | COMPETITIONS | FEATURES | EVENTS | STRANGE BUT TRUE
PRICES
Miniature sheet £6.66
Press sheet £87.91
Presentation pack £7.40
Stamp cards £3.15
First day cover £8.55
Coin cover from £19.95

1st class
A recent portrait of the Prince of Wales in
civilian dress.
1st class
An informal photograph of the Prince of
Wales and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of
Cornwall.
1st class
The Prince of Wales with his sons, William,
Duke of Cambridge, and Harry, Duke of
Sussex, in Royal Air Force uniform, at the
RAF centenary commemorations at
Buckingham Palace in 2018.
£1.55
The Prince of Wales and his sons William
and Harry in polo kit, when taking part in an
exhibition match at Cirencester Park Polo
Club in Gloucestershire.
£1.55
The Prince of Wales at the Castle of Mey in
Caithness, where he often spends summer
holidays. In Scotland, he is known as the
Duke of Rothesay.
£1.55
The Prince of Wales meeting schoolchildren
waving Welsh flags during a visit to
Llancaiach Fawr Manor in Rhymney Valley.
OTHER PRODUCTS
A press sheet of 12 uncut miniature sheets
is offered, in a limited edition of 500, and
the presentation pack includes a
photographic timeline of the Prince’s life.
VERDICT
COMMEMORATIVE WORTH
This is the first time the Prince has had a
birthday celebrated with stamps,
although his two marriages, his
investiture and the 25th anniversary of
his investiture have been marked
QUALITY OF DESIGN
The photographs selected are more
notable for their informality than for
their technical quality
WOW FACTOR
The issue may be popular with royalty
enthusiasts, but the stamps are unlikely
to be seen on non-philatelic mail
Stamp cards and first day cover available,
along with a coin cover. Premium products
include silver and gold coin covers.

JANUARY 2019 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 23

 GB COLLECTOR

NEWS IN BRIEF
> As we went to
press, no details had
yet been announced
Harry Potter prestige
about Royal Mail’s
2019 stamp-issuing
programme, amid
speculation that
there will be no more
stamp book released
new Post & Go
pictorial issues. The Harry Potter prestige stamp
book, issued on December 4,
> The post office at contains five panes of stamps.
Trafalgar Square in
central London, Two comprise the 10 counter
popular for its sheet stamps from the special
philatelic counter, is issue of October 16 (November
to close permanently issue, page 22): five popular
in December. The
premises it occupies, characters in one pane and four
at 24-28 William IV modes of transport and the
Street, is being Triwizard Cup in another, each
redeveloped. Post arranged as a set-tenant block of
Office Ltd says it
four and a single.
plans to open a new
branch in the area, Another two have the five
but hasn’t promised miniature sheet stamps, featuring
a philatelic counter. professors from Hogwarts School,
divided between facing pages.
> Royal Mail’s
pre-tax profits fell to The remaining pane features eight Machin definitive The standard version of the booklet is priced £15.50. It
£33m for the six stamps, comprising two 1p, two 20p, two 50p and two is also available in a limited-edition version of 2,000,
months to £1.25 values. All these have ‘MPIL’ prestige stamp book priced £45.00; this has a different cover, but details of
September 2018, source codes and ‘M18L’ year codes, which make them any other bonus contents were not announced in
compared with £77m
new issues not found elsewhere. They are arranged advance by Royal Mail.
in the same period in
2017, despite a 1% around a non-postal label featuring the crest of The prestige book was released seven weeks after the
rise in revenues to Hogwarts School. stamp issue to celebrate the launch of the second
just over £4.9bn. Its Unusually, the stamp panes are additionally printed spin-off film from the Harry Potter series, Fantastic
share price fell on the reverse, with monochrome emblems and maps, Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, although this was
below 330p (the
price on privatisation although the stamps themselves are not affected. actually first shown in the UK on November 16.
in 2013) for the first
time.

> Slogan postmarks

used recently include
‘Stop men dying too
young’ (in support of
the Movember men’s
health campaign)
from November 1,
‘Lest We Forget’
(marking the 100th
anniversary of the
1918 Armistice) from
November 7, ‘Happy
70th Birthday to HRH
The Prince of Wales
on November 14, and
‘Congratulations COVER OF THE MONTH
Ross Edgley’ (the
first person to swim
around Great Britain) The British Forces Philatelic Service
from November 16. has produced a limited-edition cover
to mark the 100th anniversary of the
> In stark contrast to
Royal Mail’s refusal death of the war poet Wilfred Owen.
to issue stamps Owen was was killed in action on
marking Britain’s November 4, 1918, a week before the
departure from the Armistice was signed. The cover has a
European Union on
March 29, the portrait of him, and this year’s Anthem
Royal Mint is For Doomed Youth 1st class stamp is
preparing to issue a cancelled by a special postmark.
commemorative 50p Visit www.bfps.org.uk/shop
coin, at the behest of
the Treasury.

24 www.stampmagazine.co.uk JANUARY 2019


Smilers sheet for
Year of the Pig
The latest in Royal Mail’s annual Lunar New Year series of Smilers
sheets celebrates the Year of the Pig.
Issued on November 15, in advance of the Lunar Year which runs
from February 5, 2019, to January 24, 2020, it has 20 1st class
Firework stamps se-tenant with 10 labels depicting Chinese New
year festivities held in UK cities, and 10 illustrated with paper cut-
out designs representing the five traditional elements of metal,
water, wood, fire and earth.
Priced £14.40, this is the eighth sheet in a series which
commenced in January 2012.
WORLD NEWS | AUCTIONS GB collector LETTERS | COMMENT | COMPETITIONS | FEATURES | EVENTS | STRANGE BUT TRUE
HOT OFF THE PRESS
Don Staddon has the inside line on British
stamp printings, post office supplies and
developments in postal mechanisation
Definitive printinGs
The latest new printings of definitive stamps reported
with 2018 year codes include the Recorded/Signed For 1st
class and 1st Large, printed for the first time by
International Security Printers.
The 1st Large was officially available from December 4,
along with the new ISP printings of the Special Delivery
up to 100g and up to 500g stamps (December issue, page
23), but Royal Mail has declared that the release of the 1st
class version has been postponed until an unspecified
date in 2019.

country Definitive printinGs

New printings have also been made of the Scotland 1st
class and 2nd class country stamps, by ISP’s Cartor
division in France.
I understand that cylinder C2 was used, presumably for
the black ink which shows the printing date in the sheet
margin. Stamps for England, Wales and Northern Ireland
might be expected to follow suit.

postaGe-paiD impressions
A promotional mailshot by Sainsbury’s in November used
a printed impression of the Christmas 2nd class stamp,
replacing the previous impression of a 2nd class Machin.
The same design has also been reported as being used
for a mailshot by Shelter, the housing charity.

Post Office’s Horizon

system in the dock
A group litigation action post & Go at the postal museum
(class action) being taken by On the day when the Common Poppy stamp was made
sub-postmasters against available once again from the Post & Go kiosk at The
the Post Office got Postal Museum, for the remembrance period, some lucky
underway in the High Court purchasers of the Machin-head designs got less than they
on November 7, examining bargained for.
the workings of the Horizon For a short period on October 23, the ‘F box 50’
IT system used in post commemorative inscription was absent from the
offices nationwide. overprint on these stamps, although the postbox motif
The Justice For remained. The error affected both the 1st class and 2nd
Subpostmasters Alliance class versions, and was corrected by about 4pm.
(JFSA) is claiming that On November 8 the Machin-head designs were replaced
dozens of dismissals, at the Museum by the Winter Greenery designs, first
prosecutions and issued for the Christmas period in 2014. The printings are
convictions against sub-postmasters, for theft or false accounting, old stock, with a ‘17’ year code in the security overlay.
are the result not of criminal activity but of failings in the Horizon
system itself.
Best known to philatelists as the technology which prints out
postage labels behind post office counters, Horizon also manages
post office accounting. Where it has flagged up inexplicable
discrepancies in the accounts, sub-postmasters have been held
liable under the terms of their contracts with the Post Office.
Introduced in a pilot scheme as long ago as 1995, Horizon was
reported as being in use in more than 11,000 post offices, and
processing six million transactions per day, by 2013.
Unlike Royal Mail, the Post Office is still government-owned.

JANUARY 2019 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 25

 Great Britain illustrated
Price List 1840 – 2015
Phone or write for your free copy of our latest 56 page list or visit our website

www.britishstamps.com
Swan Stamps
PO Box 501 Torquay, Devon TQ1 9FE
Phone: 01803 323430 email: steve@britishstamps.com
 COMMEMORATIVE
GUERNSEY STAMPS GUERNSEY & ALDERNEY STAMPS
AND COLLECTABLES
New Issues: 22nd January 2019

Collect
Stamps
Year of the Pig 2018 Yearbook

Limited Edition 6 Years Uncut Imperforate Press Sheet £40.00

Full Philatelic
product range
available on our
website A beautiful hardback book containing all
stamps, souvenir and miniature sheets of 2018
for both Guernsey and Alderney.
The price of the Yearbook is £70.84 - which is
the face value of the stamps included. You don’t
Available with all issues:
Order Guernsey & Alderney stamps pay any extra for the book.
First Day Covers and
online or by tel: +44 (0) 1481 716486
Presentation Packs.
email philatelic@guernseypost.com

Guernsey Stamps @guernseystamps www.guernseystamps.com

 YOUR VIEWS
GET IN TOUCH
These pages are devoted to giving
you the opportunity to have your say.
Whether you want to praise or
complain, suggest or advise, add
information or correct it, or just get
something off your chest, we’d love
to hear from you.
Send your letters to:
Stamp Magazine, MyTimeMedia Ltd,
Suite 25, Eden House, Enterprise
Way, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 6HF
Or send an e-mail to:
guy.thomas@mytimemedia.com
The Editor reads all letters, but is
unable to answer them all personally.
We reserve the right to edit letters
for publication.
The cost of new issues
means collecting them
has become insane
John Crace’s Devil’s Advocate column made
a strong case for Great Britain collectors to
declare 2018 to be ‘Year Zero’ and stop
buying new issues (August issue, page 35).
Postal authorities around the world often
issue a dozen stamps where two would do
nicely, so they can raise their revenues.
Many countries’ new issues add up to a face
value of over US$100 each year; Japan has
just produced two souvenir sheets with a
price of $65 each!
This is insane. If you continue to buy new
issues, you are collecting a lot of useless
paper. Much better options are to collect
British Commonwealth countries up to
1970, for example, or ‘dead countries’ which
no longer produce stamps.
I ceased collecting new issues at the end
of 2000. Instead, I immersed myself in
United States National Airmail Week covers
and Spanish Civil War stamps, which is
easily enough to keep me busy. I will never
have enough time to complete either
collection in this lifetime.
Charles Gerlach, Flushing, Michigan, USA
28 www.stampmagazine.co.uk JANUARY 2019
LETTER OF THE MONTH
Memoirs of a reluctant stamp collector
who could no longer resist the bug
Richard West’s interesting Talking Point column discussing why and how we start
collecting stamps (November issue, page 39). This is my personal story.
When I was young I had an all-world stamp collection, which was quantity rather than
quality. My elder brother had a wonderful collection of French stamps, and in my mind
they would one day become mine, when he grew up and no longer had time for them.
It was not to be. Our house and all its contents were washed away, as were many others
in the village of Lynmouth in North Devon, when a terrible flood roared down our valley
from Exmoor in 1952, killing 37 people.
I was bundled off to live with my elder sister in Somerset, and she and my teachers at
school kept encouraging me to start a new stamp collection. But I said no, once was enough.
After leaving school and returning to Devon, I got myself a job in a bakery, working
under a baker who kept telling me I should start collecting stamps again. One morning he
gave me an envelope and instructed me to open it later. When I did, I found it contained a
Penny Black with four margins, and a note which read: ‘Please collect stamps again, as
it’s a wonderful hobby.’
The bakery closed, I joined the Royal Navy and travelled the world, and never bothered
with stamps. Finally, when I was about 40 years old, the bug got me. It took me a long time
to get there, but it was worth it!
Phil Litson, Buckley
Playful detail apparent in 1945 victory slogan
Further to your fascinating feature on the which spells the letter ‘V’ in wireless
history of Great Britain’s slogan postmarks telegraphy. I am sure this is no accident!
(August issue, page 52), a subliminal The German surrender was signed on May
message is evident within the ‘V for victory’ 7, 1945 (VE Day), and two covers in my
slogan illustrated. collection with this slogan are dated May 10
The wavy line element of this pictorial and May 17, which is pretty quick off the mark!
slogan incorporates three dots and a dash, David M Radcliffe, Bedford
Yorkshire steps
up when other
regions fail
I thought I would report two
recent deliveries of post with
stamps properly handstamped.
Curiously, although the
letters originated from
Somerset and Hertfordshire,
both covers had a ‘North &
West Yorkshire’ franking!
Peter Abel, Leeds

SOAPBOX
After a decade in use, Post & Go machine-vended stamps already appear to be in
terminal decline. Where did it all go wrong? Alastair Gunn suggests some answers
ABOVE: Cover of November 15, 2008, from Maidstone in Kent to Drysdale in Victoria, Australia, franked with 10 assorted values of Post & Go stamps with the Machin-head
design, machine-printed in the 2008-10 style. It’s postal history but, like the majority of covers you will come across, it’s also philatelic
With Royal Mail’s withdrawal of its
Post & Go vending machines from this
year’s Stampex shows and other
philatelic events, it seems we are
probably nearing the end of the era of
the machine-vended stamp.
Post & Go has just celebrated its 10th
anniversary, having been introduced in
October 2008, and there are now
hundreds of kiosks installed at post
offices around Britain.
But Royal Mail’s sudden lack of
interest in promoting the service makes
it unclear whether any new machines
will be installed, or old ones maintained,
and whether pictorial issues will
continue to be issued. Post & Go may
soon be Post & Gone.
Underpinning this uncertainty is that
there are several fundamental flaws in
the ethos of the system.
DECLINE OF THE STAMP
Originally lumbered with the title Weigh
& Vend, the earliest of these vending
machines were trialled in April 2004.
Given the timescale that would have
been required to get the idea approved
and built, that means it was probably
conceived around the year 2000.
That was before many people started
using e-mail and texting, at least for
personal communications. In other
words, it was back in the days when
writing letters was still common.
Now that Post & Go machines have
become widespread, hardly anyone uses
stamps, except for sending cards
marking birthdays and religious
celebrations.
The key rationale behind these
machines was to prevent people having
to queue to buy stamps, and that
problem no longer exists. If there are
any post office queues today, they are
not caused by a demand for stamps, but
by people, banking cheques, collecting
pension money or sending parcels.
DUPLICATION OF FUNCTION
Which brings us to a second issue. I
doubt whether many post office
customers bother using these machines
when they need to send a parcel, as it’s
far simpler to hand the item over to the
person behind the counter to weigh it
and affix the appropriate Horizon label.
Yes, Horizon labels do the same job as
Post & Go stamps, without the need to
provide and maintain expensive
machines suitable for use by the public.
DISILLUSION OF COLLECTORS
So much for the consumer. From the
philatelic point of view, collecting Post &
Go is extremely onerous.
Simply collecting examples of all the
stamps is an expensive task, given that
Royal Mail has been issuing three of four
pictorial sets each year, generally
comprising six different designs which
are available in six different standard
values for domestic and overseas
postage rates.
WORLD NEWS | AUCTIONS | GB COLLECTOR LETTERS COMMENT | COMPETITIONS | FEATURES | EVENTS | STRANGE BUT TRUE
But it’s the varieties which make these
stamps a nightmare to collect: different
types of machine print different coding
on them, and there have been typeface
changes, typeface errors and early
releases, to name just a few.
Stanley Gibbons has only recently
begun to catalogue the overprints
celebrating specific events and locations
(from ‘500 Years of Royal Mail’ to ‘The
Postal Museum’) applied to the stamps
by Royal Mail machines. Its listing takes
up 20 pages of the Great Britain Concise
catalogue, which is considerably more
than the 13 pages devoted to the base
designs of the stamps.
DEARTH OF POSTAL HISTORY
Of course, most people do not collect all
British stamps, and no-one should
consider collecting all the varieties of
Post & Go stamps. Choose an area in
which to specialise, and you can create
an interesting display.
However, there is a huge postal history
problem attached to collecting in this
field. Postal historians like genuine
commercial usage, rather than
philatelically contrived material, and
with Post & Go there is very little of it.
It is largely philatelists who are using
these stamps (especially in the case of
the Royal Mail machines with
commemorative or location-specific
overprints), so almost all usage is
contrived.
Alastair Gunn
JANUARY 2019 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 29
 YOUR VIEWS

Roosters or doves? Bird identification issues come home to roost...

As a great fan of the work of Alfons Mucha, the designer of the first stamps
of Czechoslovakia, I was really pleased to see your feature marking the
centenary of the founding of the country (November issue, page 44).
However, I feel I should point out that the ‘roosters’ illustrated in the frame
of Mucha’s famous Hradcany design of 1918 are actually doves.
By way of evidence, I’ve gone back to an authoritative work on the
Hradcany design, published as long ago as 1968 in Czech, which described
the design using the word ‘holubice’, which translates as ‘dove’.
Mucha’s design for the express delivery stamps also feature birds which
are clearly doves, along with hearts and linden leaves.
Norman Hudson, Chester

We’ve seen studies of these stamps which refer to the birds as doves and others
which refer to them as roosters. Our understanding is that there is no dove which
looks quite like these, although further investigation suggests that they do
resemble the fantail pigeon, a close relative of the dove, and we are persuaded
that this is what Mucha intended. -Ed

Why can’t mechanised mail centres do their job? Brexit essay

I have received no fewer than 30 covers in the past 12 months, bearing British special stamp I recall some Stamp Magazine readers
issues and miniature sheets, which have been vandalised with pen cancellations. All of suggesting a stamp issue celebrating
them were large-size envelopes which came via the Home Counties North mail centre or Britain’s ‘successful’ exit from the
Medway mail centre. European Union.
I sent letters of complaint to Royal Mail’s customer service division, but the answer was A cartoon published recently in a Dutch
the same each time, referring to the company’s need to protect its revenue by invalidating newspaper offered a possible design for
stamps not cancelled by machine. this stamp, with a less optimistic but more
The need to prevent postage stamps being reused is not challenged by any reasonable accurate view of Brexit.
person, but they never bother to explain why mail centers are unable to get all mail It illustrated Theresa May and Boris
postmarked as it should be. Johnson having a fist-fight on one side of
Etienne Peremans, Brussels, Belgium the negotiating table, while an EU
representative sat on the other side looking
at his watch.
Berend Okma, via e-mail

Coining it
Controversy, what controversy? The Royal
Mint announces a coin commemorating
Brexit, and hardly anyone bats an eyelid.
George Duxbury, via e-mail

HOT TOPICS
You can debate the philatelic
issues of the day, and exchange
opinions and information with
other collectors, in the Forums
section on our website. Visit
www.stampmagazine.co.uk

Don’t post offices sell stamps any more?

Last month I asked for the latest stamp in a post office in Weymouth, to be told
issue in the main post office in Liverpool, exactly the same.
only to be told I had to go to the currency Are post offices at all interested in selling
desk, which meant I had to queue again. stamps any more?
This month I asked for the following issue P Beddery, Southampton

30 www.stampmagazine.co.uk JANUARY 2019

 The Grandstand YORK Racecourse
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18th - 19th January 2019

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Andrew Vaughan Philatelics GB and Royal Naval Roger Jackson B. Frank & Son Lockdale Coins
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Argyll Etkin Ltd Grunal Moneth Stanley Gibbons Ltd Bill Seese M. Veissid & Co
Arun Stamps Hendon Stamp Co Stanley Gibbons Bonhams Michael Beaumont
Avery Stamps Howard Hatton Publications British Banking History Michael McAndrew
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Auctions The Magpie Trevor Chinery DRG Coins & Antiquities Rick Coleman
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Charlie Rudge Mint GB Stamps Valelink Ltd David Turner S & J Mitchell
Chris Rainey Mulready Philatelics Vincennes Philatelie Den of Antiquity Saltford Coins
Corbitt Stamps Ltd Nigel Steen Westgate Supplies Dix Noonam Webb Scot Mint
Cover Collecting - Northern Stamps Windsor Philatelics Ernie Brooks Silbury Coins
Richard Park North Staffs Stamps Yorkshire Coast Stamps GM Coins Simon Monks
DG Stamps PZH 1840 The Yorkshire Philatelic George Rankin Coin Co Sovereign Rarieties
Dave Foster Paper Heritage Association Ian Davidson Tim Millett
David Duggleby Paul Jones Ian Gradon Token Publications Ltd
Auctioneers and Valuers Paul Kirkwood J Ruijs Tony Spink
David Feldman SA Peter Mollett John Cummings Victory Coins
David Morrison Philangles John Mann Numistatist Weighton Coin Wonders
David Shaw QV Pennies (A.G.Chappell) John Newman Wessex Coins
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APPENDECTOMY REQUIRED?
It’s a delicate procedure, not to be undertaken lightly. But is it finally time for
Stanley Gibbons catalogues to have their appendix taken out?
ack in the 1970s and
B 1980s, the market in new
issues was booming.
Commercial philatelic agents
sprung up, persuading postal
administrations that there was
much more money to be made
from stamp collectors, if they
cast aside the conservative
approach of bodies such as the
Crown Agents, the quasi-
governmental organisation
which used to supervise
British colonial issues.
To an extent they were right.
A representative from the
Crown Agents, visiting an
island in the Pacific that had
been won over by a private
philatelic agent, was shown a
new school and told that the
new agent had paid for it.
The downside was that
some of these agents felt they
could do just as they wanted.
It did not matter if the stamps
were not distributed in the
time-honoured manner.
When I took a philatelic tour
of the West Indies, I recall one
island postmaster showing
me some new stamps. ‘Our
agent has issued these
stamps for us,’ he told me. ‘I
have asked them if I can have
supplies to put on sale here.’
One outcome of the
liberalisation of stamp issuing
policies, of course, was that
the editor of the Stanley
Gibbons catalogue decided to
introduce the appendix.
In this section, at the end of
each country’s regular listing,
would appear abbreviated,
unpriced listings of those new
issues that were regarded as
being of a dubious nature: of
no postal relevance, not
properly distributed via post
offices, or excessive in number
and face value.
Deciding that a certain issue
does not deserve a full listing
can be a delicate matter. In
some cases, lengthy footnotes
have been added to explain why,
and I am always amused when
these take up more space than a
regular listing would have done!
Today, the situation has
evolved. There are countries
that are still on the same
treadmill, producing many new
issues which are immediately
confined to the appendix.
However, the vast majority of
what is issued even by more
ABOVE: Appendix listings after certain countries’ catalogue entries were introduced
for good reason back in the 1970s and 1980s. But times have moved on...
‘Stanley Gibbons catalogues introduced
the appendix for issues that were regarded
as being of a dubious nature. Today, the
vast majority are aimed solely at the
collectables market’
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Should more of today’s new issues be consigned to the
appendix? Or is the idea of an appendix now outdated?
E-mail your comments to guy.thomas@mytimemedia.com
TALKING POINT
respectable countries is aimed
solely at the collectables
market anyway.
In Britain, how many
collectors of Royal Mail special
issues obtain the stamps from
their local post office? It can be
difficult to find an office that has
supplies these days, let alone
staff with understanding of what
is wanted.
JANUARY 2019 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 33
WORLD NEWS | AUCTIONS | GB COLLECTOR | LETTERS COMMENT COMPETITIONS | FEATURES | EVENTS | STRANGE BUT TRUE
THE AUTHOR
Richard West is
Stamp Magazine’s
Editor at Large
and a Past
President of the
National Philatelic
Society
The counters that purport to
serve the collector have long
been in decline, and few remain.
The latest casualty is the one at
Trafalgar Square, which used
to be swamped with people
anxious to buy a new issue
directly it went on sale at
midnight.
Even if the basic stamps
are available over the
counter, the chances are that
associated products will not
be. So where can you buy
your gutter pairs, miniature
sheets, retail stamp books,
prestige stamp books,
Smilers or commemorative
sheets that accompany most
new sets today?
Some wait for Stampex.
Many seek details from Royal
Mail’s Philatelic Bulletin.
Others order online from the
philatelic service.
Of course, Great Britain is
not an isolated case. The
scenario is similar in plenty
of other countries. I am
advised, for example, that
while new issues of Gibraltar
are sold from the Philatelic
Bureau shop, they are no
longer available over the post
office counter.
In these circumstances,
you could argue that items
which are currently given full
listings should be relegated
to the appendix. In many
cases, indeed, one is left with
the feeling that either
everything should into the
appendix, or nothing.
Perhaps it is time to forget
about the appendix, give
everything a detailed catalogue
listing, and let collectors decide
which issues are relevant and
which are not? ■
 WORLD NEWS | AUCTIONS | GB COLLECTOR | LETTERS | COMMENT COMPETITIONS FEATURES | EVENTS | STRANGE BUT TRUE
COMPETITIONS

COMPETITION COMPETITION
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We have a copy of British Stamp Market
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eagle-eyed reader.
For your chance to win, simply take a
close look at the enlarged detail of a GB
stamp shown below, and see whether you
can identify it. All you have to do is tell us
the stamp’s face value, the name of the
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Send your answer on a postcard (or
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To enter, visit www.stampmagazine.co.uk/competitions, answer the
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COMPETITION WINNERS

Captain Cook presentation pack

The answer to our competition question in the October issue
was Tahiti, and the 12 lucky winners whose correct answers
were drawn at random were Kevin Williams from Worthing,
Kieran Symons from Perth, Mark Matthews from Bristol, Linda
Peel from Eccleshall, Glenn Dawson from Dunstable, Jimmy
Milligan from Whitley Bay, Helen Sahl from Yelverton,
Christopher Humbles from Wakefield, Chris Peach from
Southampton, David Paynter from Whiteley, Charlie Brunton
from Gloucester, and Paul Thompson from Newbury.

Spot The Stamp

The Spot The Stamp winner from the October issue is Peter
McCormack from Paisley, who correctly identified the mystery
stamp (right) as the 31p value from the 1985 Christmas set,
illustrating a pantomine Good Fairy.

JANUARY 2019 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 35

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FAROE ISLANDS

Mysteries of
the Faroes
From rowing-boat mail to engraved stamps, via Danish bisects and wartime
overprints, the postal history of the Faroe Islands has its own unique character
■ Report by Norman Hudson

ost British people know RIGHT: Map of the

M little about the Faroe

Islands, and would
struggle to find them on a map. Yet
Faroes with the
names of its 18
islands, on a 22k
they are among the United stamp issued in 2000
Kingdom’s closest neighbours.
Getting better acquainted with
your neighbours can be a
rewarding experience, and reveals
that the Faroes have an interesting
postal history and some beautifully
designed stamps celebrating their
geography, history and culture.

Geography and infrastructure

A remote outpost in the North
Atlantic, roughly at the centre of
the triangle between Scotland,
Norway and Iceland, the Faroes
comprise 18 islands. With a total
area of 540 square miles, they are
only slightly smaller than
Scotland’s Shetland Islands, their
nearest neighbour.
The country name, inscribed on
stamps as ‘Føroyar’, translates as
‘Sheep Islands’, hinting at the fact
that sheep are more numerous
than people.
The human population exceeded
50,000 for the first time in 2017. Of
these, just over 40% live in the
capital, Tórshavn, which lies at the
south-eastern end of the largest
island, Streymoy. Although much
of Tórshavn is modern, its historic
Tinganes area features some of the
turf-roofed buildings which are
typical of the Faroes.
The islands are visually
stunning, with mountainous the highest in the world, with a road tunnels cut through the
terrain indented by fjords. The sheer drop of 754m (2,470ft). mountains and under the sea,
highest point, at the northern end Historically, the only ways to linking adjacent islands.
of Eysturoy, the second largest travel between communities were
island, is 882m (2,890ft) above sea by boat or on foot through History and language
level. There are imposing sea-cliffs hazardous mountain passes. Today, Evidence suggests that the first
around the coastlines; Enniberg, at the transport infrastructure is inhabitants of the Faroes were
the northern end of Viðoy, is one of modern and impressive, with many monks from the early Celtic church

38 www.stampmagazine.co.uk JANUARY 2019


ABOVE: Stamps of 2001, marking the 25th anniversary of the Faroese postal administration, illustrated one of the rowing
boats which carried mail between villages in the traditional skyds system, and the islands’ first post office at Tórshavn
in Ireland. Norsemen came to the
islands in the 9th century, some
using them as stepping stones to
Iceland and Greenland but others
settling. The population converted
ABOVE: Bisected Denmark 4ø blue, alongside a 5ø green, used on January 12, 1919
WORLD NEWS | AUCTIONS | GB COLLECTOR | LETTERS | COMMENT | COMPETITIONS FEATURES EVENTS | STRANGE BUT TRUE
When the union was dissolved by
the Treaty of Kiel in 1814, the
islands remained with Denmark.
With Danish being the language
of the church, the administration
and education, the unique Faroese
language, descended from Old
West Norse, was in danger of being
wiped out. Although it survived in
folktales and ballads, and was used
colloquially, it had no written form
until 1854.
However, the awakening of
national consciousness that
affected much of Europe in the late
19th century had an impact on the
Faroes too, and a determination
grew that traditional culture must
survive. Even if only 6,600 books
have ever been written in Faroese
(including translations from other
languages), it is now the language
of everyday life in the islands.
LEFT: Tórshavn’s first postmaster, Hans Christopher Müller,
who was also a politician, was honoured on a stamp in 2018, Early postal services
on the bicentenary of his birth Historically, letters were carried
around the Faroe Islands in open
BELOW: One of the Faroes’ earliest post offices was rowing boats. The skyds system, as
established on board the steamship Smiril, which plied a it was known, was an arrangement
regular route between islands’ villages until 1903 and was where villages were obliged to
illustrated on a stamp in 1999 provide a crew of able-bodied men
to convey government and church
officials from one community to
the next, carrying mail as well.
All official and church mail was
carried free of charge before 1865,
and at a reduced rate thereafter.
Private mail was carried for a fee
based on distance.
Early skyds mail rarely has any
postal markings, but can be
identified as such by the addresses
of the sender and receiver. It is
highly prized, and its scarcity
means it commands high prices.
to Christianity around 1000.
The Faroes became part of the First post offices
Kingdom of Denmark & Norway The islands’ first post office opened
when the crowns of those two in the Tinganes district of Tórshavn
countries were united in 1380. on March 1, 1870. The first
ABOVE: Denmark 2ø on 5ø overprint, alongside a regular 5ø, used on January 17, 1919
JANUARY 2019 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 39
FAROE ISLANDS

ABOVE: The earliest postmaster, Hans Christopher dedicated network of postal routes the standard Danish numeral-type
catalogued stamps of Müller, was a local businessman began to be developed, although handstamp, with the number ‘238’
the Faroe Islands are and magistrate who was also a the skyds system survived in the set within three concentric circles.
the five provisional member of both the Faroese and most remote areas until as late as Post offices also opened in 1877
overprints issued Danish parliaments. the 1920s. The first cancellation in Tvøroyri (the largest village on
during the wartime Danish stamps were used, and a issued to Tórshavn post office was Suðuroy, the southernmost island),
British occupation of
the islands in 1940-41

ABOVE: In the Faroes’ first purpose-designed stamp issue in 1975, four values showed a 16th-century map (left) and three a 17th-century map (right)

ABOVE: Two more engraved designs illustrated the sea cliffs of West Sandoy (left) and the strait between Streymoy and Vagar (right)

ABOVE: Three higher values of 350ø, 450ø and 500ø were based on landscape paintings by well-known local artists

40 www.stampmagazine.co.uk JANUARY 2019


‘The celebrated Polish engraver Czeslaw
Slania created more than 100 stamps for the
Faroes, including the majority of the designs
for the first issue in 1975’
and in 1888 in Klaksvík (the largest
village in the northern cluster of
islands). Danish spellings of place
names were used until 1962, so the
first namestamps for these early
post offices were inscribed
‘Thorshavn’, ‘Trangisvaag’ and
‘Klaksvig’ respectively.
In 1896 a fourth post office was
created on board the steamship
Smiril, which plied a regular route
between villages in the Faroes. It
was closed, in 1903, when post
offices opened in eight of the
villages served by the ship.
1919 provisionals
It could be argued that the first
Faroese postage stamps were
issued in 1919, although it’s a
contentious point.
When Denmark increased its
postal rates on January 1, limited
stocks of stamps were available in
the Faroes to make up the key 2-øre
rate, so postal officials in Tórshavn
were authorised to use bisected 4ø
stamps and, soon afterwards,
bisected 4ø frankings cut out from
newspaper wrappers.
When supplies of these too
became low, 5ø stamps were
individually surcharged by hand to
serve as 2ø values.
Naturally, many collectors like to
have examples of these provisional
bisects and overprint, ideally used
on a dated cover, as a significant
part of Faroe Islands postal history.
However, the Stanley Gibbons
catalogue merely lists them under
Denmark, with a note clarifying
that were used used in the Faroe
Islands only.
Wartime upheaval
World War II had a huge impact on
the culture and politics of the
Faroes, and on their postal history.
On April 9, 1940, German forces
invaded the mother country,
Denmark. Just four days later,
British forces occupied the Faroes,
in what was called ‘the friendly
occupation’, to prevent Germany
from doing so.
On April 25, the British
authorities decreed that all Faroese
shipping must fly the red, white
and blue Faroese flag (the Merkið),
which Denmark had always
refused to recognise, instead of the
red and white Danish flag (the
Dannebrog). The date has been
recognised as the Faroes’ national
flag day ever since.
Through the good offices of the
WORLD NEWS | AUCTIONS | GB COLLECTOR | LETTERS | COMMENT | COMPETITIONS FEATURES EVENTS | STRANGE BUT TRUE
Universal Postal Union, supplies of
ABOVE: Among the
finest of Czeslaw stamps from Copenhagen still
Slania’s engraved reached the Faroes during the war
stamps for the Faroes years, but they were few and far
were a 1979 25k value between during the early days of
celebrating the the British occupation. A postage
islands’ sheep- rate increase in July 1940 created
rearing industry, and shortages of certain values, and as
a 1984 set a result five overprints were
celebrating the even produced locally between
more important November 1940 and May 1941.
fishing industry The 20ø on 1ø green, 20ø on 5ø
purple, 20ø on 15ø red, 50ø on 5ø
purple and 60ø on 6ø orange are
regarded by Stanley Gibbons as the
first Faroe Islands postage stamps,
catalogued as SG 1-5.
Another element which makes
the wartime postal history of the
Faroes a fascinating subject for
specialist study is the
establishment of three British
Army field post offices. ‘FPO 219’
and ‘FPO 695’ datestamps were
used in Tórshavn, the headquarters
of the military occupation, while
‘FPO 611’ was used on the island of
Vágar, where British troops built
BELOW: A novelty and operated an airfield.
issue of 2016 not only
illustrated a cod, but Post-war autonomy
incorporated a piece By the time the British occupation
of cured and tanned ended in 1945, the ties between the
cod-skin Faroes and Denmark had loosened.
In a referendum in 1946, the
Faroese people voted by a narrow
majority for independence.
Denmark avoided the loss of the
Faroes altogether only by passing
the Faroese Home Rule Act, which
came into effect on April 1, 1948.
The islands’ ancient legislative
assembly, the Løgting, became the
parliament of a ‘self-governing
community within the kingdom of
Denmark’.
This remains the status of the
Faroe Islands today, with different
political parties favouring
JANUARY 2019 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 41
FAROE ISLANDS
continued union, enhanced
self-government or full
independence. When Denmark
joined the European Union in 1973,
the Faroes decided not to join,
largely to protect its important
fishing industry.
Issuing stamps
In postal terms, the first tangible
result of self-government was seen
in 1962, when Danish versions of
place names were replaced by their
Faroese equivalents in
cancellations. ‘Thorshavn’ became
‘Tórshavn’, ‘Fuglefjord’ became
‘Fuglafjørður’ and ‘Myggenæs’
became ‘Mykines’, for example.
Twelve years later, the first
stamps issued specifically for use
within the Faroe Islands, and
showing the country name
‘Føroyar’, were issued by the
Danish authorities on January 30,
1975. The 14 values had seven
different designs, divided between
historic maps and landscapes.
The 10ø, 60ø, 80ø and 120ø
reproduced part of a 16th-century
ABOVE: A 1990 Europa issue contrasted old and modern Faroese post offices, in Gjógv and Klaksvík respectively
42 www.stampmagazine.co.uk JANUARY 2019
ABOVE & RIGHT: The
oystercatcher, the
national bird of the
Faroes, was
illustrated in a set of map of the northern seas with the
three in 1977, and the Faroes at its centre, and the 5ø, 50ø
puffin, equally and 90ø a 17th-century map of the
closely associated islands themselves.
with the islands, in a Of the other lower values, the 70ø
set of three in 1978 and 200ø illustrated the sea cliffs of
West Sandoy, and the 250ø and
300ø the strait between Streymoy
and Vagar.
These stamps were all engraved
by the celebrated Polish engraver
Czeslaw Slania (who would go on
to engrave 100 stamps for the
Faroes), and recess-printed.
The three top values of 350ø, 450ø
and 500ø, on the other hand,
reproduced paintings of Vidoy and
Svinoy by Eyvindur Nohr, of Nes
by Ruth Smith, and of Hvitanes
and Skalafjordur by Sámal
Joensen-Mikines. These were
printed by a combination of offset
lithography and photogravure.
The Faroes’ independent postal
service, Postverk Føroya, was
‘Many Faroese
stamps feature the
work of local artists.
With few exceptions,
their themes are
directly relevant to
the islands’
established the following year, on
April 1, 1976, an event celebrated by
a set of three stamps illustrating
the Faroese flag, a traditional
rowing boat (recognisably Viking
in style) and a postman.
Popular themes
In the 43 years since 1975, the
Faroes have issued about 900
stamps, produced by a variety of
printers in Austria, Finland, the
Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland
and the UK. Many feature the work
of Faroese artists and designers
and, with just a few exceptions,
their themes are directly relevant
to the islands.
With the fishing industry being
the mainstay of the economy, it is
not surprising that it has inspired
many of these stamps. A set of four
in 1977 illustrated local fishing
vessels, from a basic wooden boat
with an outboard motor to a
modern trawler, and three stamps
in 1984 recalled the hardships of
life on the fishing smacks of
yesteryear, including the British-
built Westward Ho!
Four stamps in 1983 showed
Atlantic fish, including haddock
and halibut, a 1990 set celebrated
the fish processing industry, and a
2010 miniature sheet featured
salmon-farming, which is now a
major industry.
Most strikingly, in a philatelic
world first, the 2016 stamp
illustrating a cod was issued with
almost a square inch of cured and
tanned cod-skin attached!
The islands are well known for
their birdlife, especially seabirds
and wading birds, and many have
been featured on stamps. The
national bird, the oystercatcher,
was shown on a stamp of 1977, but
then had to wait until 2016 to
appear again. Perhaps surprisingly,
the puffin has been the main
subject of only one stamp, in 1978,
though puffins feature in the
 WORLD NEWS | AUCTIONS | GB COLLECTOR | LETTERS | COMMENT | COMPETITIONS FEATURES EVENTS | STRANGE BUT TRUE
ABOVE: Historical commemoratives include stamps placing the Faroes in the context of Viking exploration in 1982 (left), recalling the ‘friendly occupation’ by British troops
during World War II in 2005 (centre), and marking the 75th anniversary of the adoption of Faroese flag in 2015 (right)

LEFT: The treasured frequently petitioned for their

medieval wood return, and were eventually
carvings from successful in 2002, when a new
St Olav’s Church in National Museum was opened
Kirkjubøur have been in Tórshavn.
celebrated on a total Twelve of the pew-ends were
of 12 stamps in three illustrated on sets of stamps issued
different sets, in 1980, 1984 and 2001, all
commencing in 1980 stunningly engraved by Slania.

Postal service today

landscape on several other designs.
Faroese art has been celebrated
on many stamps, including two
sets honouring the country’s most
acclaimed painter, Mikines, whose
work was first featured in the
debut issue of 1975.
The postal history of the islands
is another recurring theme, with
stamps featuring post office
buildings in 1990, mail ships in
1991, the 25th anniversary of the
postal administration in 2001,
centenaries of island post offices
2003, postboxes in 2016 and the first
postmaster in 2018.
Many stamps also reflect the fact
that the Faroe Islands is a proud
nation whose people have strived
to preserve their history in the face
of official indifference or active
opposition. Various issues have
referred back to Norse culture and
mythology, and no fewer than
three sets have depicted the
islands’ greatest historic treasure:
the carved wooden pew-ends from
St Olav’s Church in Kirkjubøur,
which date from the early 15th
century.
These exquisite carvings,
depicting Mary, Jesus, the Apostles
and other religious figures, were
removed from the church and sent
to the Danish National Museum in
Copenhagen in 1874. The Faroese
When new post offices opened in
eight small villages in 1964, it
brought the total number in the
Faroes to 47, but this proved to be a
short-lived high point. Three of the
new offices were closed within four
years, and in recent times there has
been a marked reduction in their
numbers.
No fewer than 13 post offices
were closed simultaneously in 2010,
which was more than 50% of the
network. Today, just 12 remain.
The one exception to the trend
was the opening of a new office at
Vágar Airport (still the only airport
BELOW: First day on the islands) in 2015, with a
cancellation from the ‘Vága Floghavn’ datestamp.
Faroes’ newest post The postal authority became a
office, opened at stand-alone commercial enterprise
Vágar Airport in in the early 21st century, and is
March 2015 now called Posta. ■

FAROE ISLANDS STUDY CIRCLE

The Faroe Islands Study Circle was formed in the UK in 1991 for
collectors of Faroese stamps and postal history, and now has a
worldwide membership.
For further details, contact the Secretary at 40 Queen’s Road,
Vicar’s Cross, Chester CH3 5HB. E-mail: jntropics@hotmail.com.
Or visit www.faroeislandssc.org

JANUARY 2019 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 43

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45

Magic triangle
Newfoundland’s first stamps of 1857-64 each had three flower motifs, as a symbol
of unity. But the one which caught the eye was the one which had three sides
■ Report by John Winchester
F
or four years after
Newfoundland was granted
postal independence in 1851,
its Postmaster William Solomon
lobbied hard for the colony to issue
its own stamps.
His efforts finally bore fruit in
1855, when his proposals were
forwarded to the London stationer
Edward Stanford, whose
predecessor had handled the first
issues of New Brunswick and
Nova Scotia in 1851.
Stanford in turn commissioned
Perkins Bacon to design, engrave
and print a set of nine values
ranging from 1d to 1s.
All the designs reflected Solomon’s
wish for symbolism to unite the
diverse English, Scottish and Irish
inhabitants of Newfoundland, who
did not always see eye-to-eye. This
was achieved by including a rose, a
thistle and a shamrock.
Something else they had in
common was being inscribed ‘St
John’s’ as well as ‘Newfoundland’,
making this a rare example of an
issue bearing the name of the
capital as well as the country. Here,
however, the similarities ended.
Two values shared a design
which was very similar to those of
New Brunswick and Nova Scotia,
albeit arranged to appear square
rather than diamond-shaped. A
further six had rectangular designs
which were very much alike in
philosophy, but with curious
distinctions in detail.
But the 3d, for local postage,
stood out from the crowd. Inspired
by the Cape of Good Hope’s 1853
issue, it was triangular.
MARKET VALUES
All values in the 1857 issue are strongly priced,
with the 3d yellowish-green catalogued at
£2,000 mint and £425 used. The 1860 3d green is
more affordable, at £110 and £190 respectively.
COMMONWEALTH CLASSICS
RIGHT: Newfoundland
1857-64 3d yellowish
green, the only
triangular design in a
set of nine values,
with a central motif
combining a rose, a
thistle and a
shamrock
‘The 3d was arranged on the printing plate in pairs,
with their bases adjacent. There are distinguishable
differences between the two stamps in a pair’
The stamp’s central motif was a
trefoil device, with three merged
circles containing the symbolic
floral emblems. This was set
against an engine-turned
background, while the two side
panels bore the words ‘St John’s’
and ‘Newfoundland’ and the
longer base panel the rather wordy
‘Postage, Three Pence’.
Diamond-shaped ornaments in
each corner carried the numeral ‘3’
in a very understated way.
Given its shape, the 3d was
arranged on the printing plate in
pairs, with their bases adjacent so
as to make up a rectangle. A single
sheet consisted of 40 such pairs, in
five rows of eight, and there are
distinguishable differences
between the two stamps in a pair.
The stamps were recess printed
in yellowish-green on thick wove
paper, which was unwatermarked,
and issued imperforate.
The initial order was for 16,000 of
the 3d, which equates to 200 sheets;
as many as 70,000 of the 1d
denomination were printed, but as
JANUARY 2019 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 47
WORLD NEWS | AUCTIONS | GB COLLECTOR | LETTERS | COMMENT | COMPETITIONS FEATURES EVENTS | STRANGE BUT TRUE
few as 2,000 of both the 6½d and
the 1s values.
Perkins Bacon had optimistically
claimed it would be able to
complete the order in three months,
but the anticipated delivery date of
July 1856 came and went. The
consignment did not reach
Stanford until October, and did not
go on sale in Newfoundland until
January 1, 1857.
Fresh supplies of six
denominations were ordered in
1860, this time printed on
medium-thickness paper bearing a
Stacey Wise watermark (although
this does not appear on all the
stamps in the sheet). The colours
differed too, with the 3d being a
darker green.
When a further printing was
made in the following year, with
more colour changes, the 3d was
not included. It passed into history
altogether when the ‘pence issue’
was replaced by a ‘cents issue’ in
1865, following the adoption of a
new currency. ■
Commemorative Jersey Stamps
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54 ...in a Unique Reducing Estimate System
 Plate 15

TEST UPA £55 OFFER – NEW TO UPA? UK COLLECTOR AGED 18+ - YOU QUALIFY – DEPLOY YOUR £55 OFF COUPON – REQUEST FREE CATALOGUE AT COUPON PAGE NOW
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5085 5147 5148 5158 5160 — 5084 —

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TO MAINTAIN YOUR LOYALTY BONUS STATUS OF POST-FREE DELIVERY BID IN THIS AUCTION

...delivering Val-you with NO Buyer’s Premium

...and absolutely ALL 21,942 lots Guaranteed 55
 6 Reasons CHOICE: 20,000+/- different lots in each auction
You’ll experience an extraordinary Worldwide range of stamps, collections, covers,

1
classic to modern, ranging from £5 to £100,000 ofered from 508 diferent Countries/
categories/subjects, strong in British, British Empire, Europe naturally, but also
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2
If you abhor buyer’s premiums as much as we do, especially when you may be paying
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and NO added extras either… Request/View NEXT Catalogue on-line now

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3
total refund guarantee. Why is it that so few auctions fail
to understand that Happy Bidders make repeat buyers?
We’ve ofered our Total ‘Peace of Mind’ guarantee for
the past 18 years. Rather than lose business it has won
respect and garnered more business, which is why
you can bid with complete conidence…
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W
HE
N YO U W I

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FREE

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give You your 1st £55 Auction
GS

Your £20
winnings FREE so You can test Catalogue
WI
N N I N 5+
my auction by MAIL/
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OT
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FREE
SW 7
ORTH £
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56
 REQUEST YOUR 1st FREE UPA AUCTION CATALOGUE NOW

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4 It’s diicult to understand why you see the same persistently unsold lots re-ofered
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6
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Start NOW: www.upastampauctions.co.uk go to Auctions

Or telephone my Team: 01451 861111
Or write: Universal Philatelic Auctions, UPA (SM 01/19)
4, The Old Coalyard, West End, Northleach,
Gloucestershire GL54 3HE Great Britain
* ‘Loyalty’ post-free airmail delivery - HEAVY LOTS EXCEPTED.

2,000 diferent bidders from 54 diferent countries in our last auction can’t be wrong can they?
57
 Plate 18
REGULAR COLLECTORS SAVE £250+ A YEAR BIDDING/WINNING STAMPS LIKE THESE WITH UPA – START SAVING – DEPLOY YOUR £55 OFF COUPON – REQUEST FREE CATALOGUE NOW
Pr

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7049 7051 7239 7240 7246 — 7247 — 7249 7250

NO BUYER’S PREMIUMS, NO POSTAGE, NO CREDIT CARD CHARGES – SAVES YOU UP TO 27% +

Massive Philatelic Choice – 21,942 lots

58 ...in a Unique Reducing Estimate System
 Plate 19

TEST UPA £55 OFFER – NEW TO UPA? UK COLLECTOR AGED 18+ - YOU QUALIFY – DEPLOY YOUR £55 OFF COUPON – REQUEST FREE CATALOGUE AT COUPON PAGE NOW
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NEW? ACTIVATE YOUR LOYALTY BONUS STATUS OF POST-FREE DELIVERY – BID IN THIS AUCTION

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 UPA – The Collectors’ Secret Weapon
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UNIVERSAL PHILATELIC AUCTIONS (SM 01/19)

4 The Old Coalyard, West End Northleach, Glos. GL54 3HE UK
Tel: 01451 861111 • Fax: 01451 861297
60 www.upastampauctions.co.uk Email: info@upastampauctions.co.uk
 Plate 20

TEST UPA £55 OFFER – NEW TO UPA? UK COLLECTOR AGED 18+ - YOU QUALIFY – DEPLOY YOUR £55 OFF COUPON – REQUEST FREE CATALOGUE AT COUPON PAGE NOW
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KEEP YOUR POST-FREE LOYALTY BONUS STATUS? PLEASE BID IN 5 OUT OF 6 UPA AUCTIONS

...delivering Val-you with NO Buyer’s Premium

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 Delivering Your Dream Collection…
…can cost less than you think
M
Y favourite stamp is probably the same as my wife’s – the GB PUC £1.
Just take a look at the design / engraving – and in single
monochrome – utterly magnificent. Strictly speaking I should say
the 1d black – it’s iconic and an amazing work of design/art in the first place
as this stamp represents in communication terms the ‘Apple i-phone’ of its
time – also barring damage to the actual paper – the 1d black is virtually
indestructible … the colour is so ‘fast’ that you can soak a 1d black in a
1/10 part solution of ‘milton/water’ (nappy bleach) … the paper will turn
white but the black will remain unaffected. This is the reason why you
sometimes see a magnificent used 1d black but the paper is too white –
simply it has been left too long in bleach … over-white paper will actually Put Your 1st £55 FREE to
wards a high
lower value … as with most things it is a question of degree … value?

Reader: That’s all very interesting Andrew, but where is this going ..?
When I was, theoretically, growing up (in my teens)
you could ask me the retail price of virtually any
British commemorative set (think ‘special issue’ for the
indoctrinated) and I would know it as black is to white.
But nowadays, in value terms, what is black and what
is white? – courtesy perhaps more than anything of the
internet … so much is ‘grey’ and blurred around the edges
… that ‘retail’ price depends more than ever upon the
quality of what is being retailed and no longer does one
price fit all … Just search on-line for an ‘Agatha Christie’
booklet – don’t look at what sellers wish for – look at
reality – click ‘completed’ – far fewer do … actual ‘sold’
prices can be 50% of each other
… now look at fixed retail prices, consider the postally
valid ‘face value’ and finally the ‘catalogue’ value … you
could be forgiven for throwing your arms up in the air. The
point is making sense of it all … not just for ‘bog standard’
commodity price items but for stamps with character –
generally pre-QEII and pre 1950 / 1940 classic stamps of
which they’re not making any more (excepting on-line
auction offers of modern fakes/reproductions) … so it
follows that if you can be confident of just four things:
1. the supplier is real and reputable (and internet ratings
only tell part of the story), 2. the quality is as described,
3. the price is realistic against comparison, 4. You have a
reliable guarantee … then that’s the way for you to go …

But to realise your dream maybe there’s another way for you to
go so that … turning philatelic dreams into reality may cost
you less than you think
I don’t believe in ‘one price fits all different qualities’ plaudits for coming up with this system – it took me 20+
or grades. Life doesn’t work that way, otherwise we’ll be years in our philatelic industry to realise that unless one was
upgrading ‘in between’ stamps to higher grades – which is unscrupulous most dealers profit lies in the stock presented
an accusation often levelled at retailers. Even with up to 21,942 in front of you – and if it is not selling then they will have
different lots each stamp/cover/collection in our auction is no money to buy new stock to
individually described and valued. show you … so I decided I didn’t
NO, the solution is in accepting that if something want to spend my life looking at
does not sell it is not worth the price that is being asked stamps not selling … it did take
… so the answer for you is to utilise my unique a little ‘grit’ to see if my ideas
‘U P A Reducing Estimate System’. I can’t take any would work … but
… Now 72 quarterly auctions and 19 years later this is the reason why realising
your Dream Collection Can Cost You Less than You Think … Join 1,982 Collector
Colleagues using the unique ‘U P A Reducing Estimate System’ in our last auction
– read the testimonials – Start NOW – Request your catalogue at any £55 FREE
coupons page to receive your 1st £55 Winnings FREE when you win stamps worth
£75+ so you can test this U P A auction ...
P.S. You walk into Marks & Sparks. You are looking for a nice jacket on the rail.
There’s one priced at £100. Above it is a sign saying if this jacket is not sold today it will
be £89 tomorrow … so you decide the discount is worth waiting for … next day you
return and there’s a sign saying if this jacket is not sold today it will be £78 tomorrow
– Do you buy it now, before somebody else pips you to the post or let it go another
day? Multiply this by 21,942 items with 100’s of lots you’re probably missing from Massive Choice: £1.99 M
illion
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UNIVERSAL PHILATELIC AUCTIONS (SM 01/19) REQUEST

4 The Old Coalyard, West End Northleach, Glos. GL54 3HE UK YOUR FREE
CATALOGUE
Tel: 01451 861111 • Fax: 01451 861297
62 www.upastampauctions.co.uk Email: info@upastampauctions.co.uk
 Plate 24

TEST UPA £55 OFFER – NEW TO UPA? UK COLLECTOR AGED 18+ - YOU QUALIFY – DEPLOY YOUR £55 OFF COUPON – REQUEST FREE CATALOGUE AT COUPON PAGE NOW
Tha n the
OU
8189 8190 8198 8167 8174 8168 8176

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NO BUYER’S PREMIUMS, NO POSTAGE, NO CREDIT CARD CHARGES – SAVES YOU UP TO 27% +

...delivering Val-you with NO Buyer’s Premium

...and absolutely ALL 21,942 lots Guaranteed 63
 Plate 26
REGULAR COLLECTORS SAVE £250+ A YEAR BIDDING/WINNING STAMPS LIKE THESE WITH UPA – START SAVING – DEPLOY YOUR £55 OFF COUPON – REQUEST FREE CATALOGUE NOW
Pr
ice

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KEEP YOUR POST-FREE LOYALTY BONUS STATUS? PLEASE BID IN 5 OUT OF 6 UPA AUCTIONS

Massive Philatelic Choice – 21,942 lots

64 ...in a Unique Reducing Estimate System
 Independent On-line Testimonials may be viewed on-line
at STAMPBOARDS.com … Topic thread: Anyone dealt
with Universal Philatelic Auctions, UK?
1 “My dealings with UPA have been quick and pleasant. I especially liked the £55
discount, which I wrongly thought was some kind of gimmick. That was a nice
little gift.”
2 “Just had my irst dealings with UPA this month. Absolutely delighted. Won
some lovely items at decent prices (no rip of premium), got 55 quid discount as
a irst time bidder, and they let me pay up in instalments. Deinitely the most
user friendly auction experience I’ve come across so far.”
3 “I’ve been bidding in UPA’s auctions almost for nearly 10 years now, never had
a problem. As they’ve grown larger (both in number of lots sold and number of
bidders in each auction) the time taken to process each auction has grown, but
I’ve always received any purchases within 10 days of the close.”
4 “I’ll chip in here as well and say they are a decent irm. Not only is their £55
discount of your irst order a decent one (I know someone who got a great stamp
almost for free in the last auction) but they also have a ‘no quibble’ guarantee.
When I won something last year that wasn’t as described it was refunded
immediately.”

Massive Philatelic Choice Guaranteed

PLUS £55 OFF Your 1st Winnings simply complete any
convenient £55 FREE coupon or contact UPA in any
way TODAY. Please Do it NOW so you can take my £55
OFF offer while you are thinking about it. You’ve nothing
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gain ...When You Win Stamps worth £75+
so please Start by requesting YOUR £20 free catalogue NOW
65
gb 1934-36 definitives

Point of departure
The final definitive series of King George V introduced new printing technology but
had a brief time in use. For postal historians, what are the gems to watch out for?
■ Report by Alastair Gunn

t first glance, Great Britain’s LEFT: The 10d

A definitive stamps of
1934-1936 appear very
similar to the 1912-24 and 1924-26
turquoise-blue was
one of three
definitives in the King
issues. They used the same profile George V 1934-36
of King George V by the Australian series which were
artist Bertram Mackennal, retained issued after the death
the same five different frame of the monarch
designs by George Eve, and largely
came in the same values.
However, they marked a major
technological shift in the printing
of British stamps, from letterpress
(typography) to photogravure. It
was very much the dawn of a new
era, because gravure had never
previously been used for British
postage stamps, yet immediately
became the default process for
producing low-value definitives,
and remains so to this day.
The new process was very adept
at reproducing tones of colour, but
much less suitable for reproducing
sharp lines. This explains the
recognisable difference in the new
stamps: the solid colour introduced
behind the King’s head, instead of
the previous lined background.

technological challenge
Despite major investment by the
printer, Harrison & Sons (which
had secured a new 10-year
contract for definitive stamps), in a
new factory at High Wycombe and
in new rotary printing and
perforating machines, there were
teething problems associated
with the new technology.
The stretching of the paper
during printing caused small
variations in the size of the
stamps. There were also some
difficulties in keeping the
perforation in perfect register with
BELOW: Examples of
reels of printed sheets. the other four designs
As a result, the roll-out of in the 11-stamp
photogravure printings was slower series, in the form of
than expected, and there were the ½d green, 2½d
inconsistencies in them. Besides the bright blue, 4d deep
inevitable constant flaws and grey-green and 5d
watermark varieties, some values yellow-brown

66 www.stampmagazine.co.uk JANUARY 2019


First day cover, 1934
The first of the first day covers in this series were dated August 20,
1934, when the 1½d was issued. Posted from the Isle of Man to
Birmingham, this example is interesting as an early piece of domestic
airmail, carried to the mainland by Railway Air Services.
WORLD NEWS | AUCTIONS | GB COLLECTOR | LETTERS | COMMENT | COMPETITIONS FEATURES EVENTS | STRANGE BUT TRUE
Misdirected
postcard, 1935
There shouldn’t be anything remarkable about a
postcard sent from Southampton in Hampshire to
Newport in Monmouthshire, correctly paid at the
1d rate for an inland postcard. However, this
example, posted on April 19, 1935, has an
American 2c tax mark applied, as it was missent
to the USA!
The probable reason is that the destination was
mistaken for Newport, Rhode Island.
There is a barely legible New York datestamp to
the left of the tax mark, and the reverse has a New
York machine cancellation of May 7.
For a piece of mail to be taxed for a
misdirection which was not the sender’s fault is
highly unusual.

‘Gravure had never previously been

used for British postage stamps, but
immediately became the default process
for low-value definitives’
had the sizes of the actual designs Short lifespan the King’s death, which came on
changed minutely, giving specialist The series comprised 11 values January 20, 1936. The accession of
collectors an extra field of study. ranging from ½d to 1s, issued on King Edward VIII, his abdication
Besides counter sheets, the ½d, eight different dates between later that year and the accession of
1d and 1½d values were also August 1934 and February 1936. King George VI mean that there
available in booklets, and the ½d, That means there are eight first day
1d, 1½d and 2d in vertical or covers to watch for, in an era when
horizontal coils.
Just as interesting as the
philatelic first day covers were not
mass-produced.
ISSUE DATES
production history of the stamps, The final three values, the 5d, 10d
however, is their postal history. and 1s, were actually issued after ■ August 20, 1934
1½d red-brown
■ September 24, 1934
1d scarlet
Registered letter, 1936 ■ November 17, 1934
½d green
This three-colour franking, sent from London to Aberdeen on September 30, 1936, is
■ January 19, 1935
correctly paid at 4½d, with 1½d being the internal letter rate and 3d covering registration.
2d orange
The mixture of ½d, 1½d and 2½d stamps merely adds to its philatelic attraction.
■ March 18, 1935
2½d bright blue
3d reddish violet
■ December 2, 1935
4d deep grey-green
9d deep olive-green
■ February 17, 1936
5d yellow-brown
■ February 24, 1936
10d turquoise-blue
1s bistre-brown

JANUARY 2019 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 67

gb 1934-36 definitives

is considerable overlap between

this series and those of
underpaid cover, 1936 subsequent reigns.
However, the George V stamps
Posted from Accrington to Bodmin on February 22, 1936, with a machine slogan were replaced progressively,
cancellation promoting the British Industries Fair, this cover bears a single ½d stamp to initially by the Edward VIII ½d,
pay the concessionary rate for printed papers. 1d, 1½d and 2½d values in
However, it was charged postage due (by means of a 2d label from the 1924-35 series) as September 1936, and later by the
it was considered to be a letter, as attested by the ‘Liable to Letter Rate’ handstamp George VI definitive series
applied towards the bottom. Perhaps this was because the envelope was sealed rather starting in May 1937.
than left open for inspection as required. Some were therefore in regular
A letter would be charged 1½d, rather than ½d; under the ‘double the deficiency’ use for less than two years, and
principle, the postage due charge was therefore 2d. others for around three years, a
comparatively brief period of time
for definitive stamps.

Consistency of purpose
Postage rates did not change much
between 1934 and 1940. The odd
new service was added, such as an
Empire postcard rate of 1d in June
1935 and some other overseas rates
as airmail routes were opened up,
but that is about it. As a result, the
most common usage for each
stamp remained unaltered
during the period.
The ½d stamp paid the normal
printed paper rate, while the 1d
paid the inland postcard rate and
the 1½d paid the basic rate for an
inland letter.
The 2d stamp’s most common
usage was for fiscal purposes,
while the 2½d paid the basic rate
for foreign letters sent by surface

‘Postage rates did not change

much between 1934 and 1940’

empire rate, 1934

This letter to London to Sligo in the Irish Free
State, posted on December 4, 1934, takes
advantage of the British Empire rate of 1½d.
Making it particularly attractive is a rarely seen
handstamp applied to explain a tardy delivery:
‘Delayed through being posted in a letter box for
London letters. Please advise sender’.

uprated postal
stationery, 1937
Uprated postal stationery can be hard to find, but this registered
envelope of January 1, 1937, addressed from Chelsea in London to
Malmö in Sweden, is a nice example.
It is correctly rated at 5½d, comprising 2½d for an overseas letter in
the lowest weight bracket and 3d for registration. Accordingly, the
circular 4½d imprinted stamp is joined by a 1d adhesive.

68 www.stampmagazine.co.uk JANUARY 2019


Combination covers, 1935 and 1936
A 6d value was never issued in the 1934-36 series, a fact
highlighted by the occasional appearance of the old
letterpress version of this value alongside newer stamps such
as the 1½d. Here we find the same two stamps with markedly
different usages, a postal historian’s delight!
The letter of October 9, 1935, from Bognor Regis to London,
is a correctly paid Express cover, with 1½d covering the basic
postage and 6d the express delivery.
WORLD NEWS | AUCTIONS | GB COLLECTOR | LETTERS | COMMENT | COMPETITIONS FEATURES EVENTS | STRANGE BUT TRUE
In contrast, the registered cover of April 24, 1936, from
London to Berlin, Germany (specifically to a square newly
named after Adolf Hitler), is overpaid. It should have cost just
7d, comprising 4d for a surface letter at the second weight step
plus 3d for registration.
It is understandable that a company’s mail room would not
have held any stocks of the 1d stamp, as this covered the
internal postcard rate.

mail and the 3d paid the basic

registration fee, for items requiring
Airmail to Europe, 1936 the minimum compensation for
loss or damage.
The 4d The 4d stamp paid the airmail
stamp paid rate to Europe, and the 5d probably
the airmail saw most usage paying for internal
rate to registered letters weighing
Europe, at a between 2oz and 4oz, which was
time when fairly common for commercial
airmail correspondence.
flights were The 9d, 10d and 1s stamps were
becoming generally used in helping to pay
increasingly various airmail and parcel rates.
common.
This cover Thrill of the chase
of July 1936 Although these are the most
was sent common usages, serious postal
from historians will enjoy chasing less
London to common examples on cover.
Zurich in None are particularly easy to
Switzerland. find, due to the brevity of the
stamps’ effective lifespan and

Airmail to
Australia, 1937
Multiples of low-value stamps can
sometimes be found paying higher postage
rates, and make an attractive addition to a
postal history display.
On this cover from the Greek Vice
Consulate in Bradford to Melbourne in
Australia, datestamped on December 9, 1937,
the correct airmail rate of 1s 3d is paid by
means of a block of five 3d stamps.

JANUARY 2019 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 69

gb 1934-36 definitives

airmail to south america, 1938

This airmail cover
was posted from
Queensbury in
Yorkshire to
Buenos Aires in
Argentina, on
April 27, 1938,
with a block of
four 1s stamps
correctly paying
the 4s rate for a
minimum-weight
letter to South
America.
Transported
via Germany, it
also boasts a
Deutsche Luftpost
Europa-
Sudamerika
pictorial cachet
struck in red.

‘No Edward VIII stamps were

Parcel post, 1937
The hardest-to-find usages of many stamp issues, from all periods,
are those for parcels, because the recipients are inclined to destroy
the packaging to get at the contents. Frankings to overseas addresses
are even scarcer, so this parcel piece is a good discovery.
Posted from Bathgate in West Lothian to Casablanca in Morocco in
January 1937, it has a King George V 1s used alongside a King
Edward VIII 1d, together paying the correct 1s 1d rate for an item
weighing between 1lb 8oz and 1lb 10oz.
No stamps above 2½d in value were issued during the latter
monarch’s brief reign, or indeed during the first year of the reign of
King George VI, so for a limited period combination frankings were
almost inevitable at higher postage rates.
issued above 2½d, so for a short
period mixed-reign frankings
were almost inevitable’
oveRPRints
various values in the 1934-36 series were
overprinted for use by the Morocco agencies
(in some cases surcharged in spanish or french
currency) and in tangier, so covers from north
africa can also form part of a collection.

70 www.stampmagazine.co.uk JANUARY 2019

 WORLD NEWS | AUCTIONS | GB COLLECTOR | LETTERS | COMMENT | COMPETITIONS FEATURES EVENTS | STRANGE BUT TRUE
Fiscal use, 1936
The main solo use of the 2d stamp was not postal but fiscal. Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire & Huntingdonshire Electricity
Here is an example used on a £5 2s 3d receipt issued by the Company on April 29, 1936.

‘The upheavals which beset the

Three Kings souvenir, 1937 monarchy in 1936 ensured that
The upheavals that beset the monarchy in 1936 ensured that ‘Three Three Kings philatelic frankings
Kings’ philatelic frankings became very collectable, and consequently
they are relatively common. became very collectable’
This example, from Aylsham in Norfolk, features a King George V
1½d and a King Edward VIII 1½d used alongside the King George VI the way in which so much postal
Coronation 1½d commemorative. history has been destroyed in
It is postmarked on May 13, 1937, which makes it a first day cover soaking off used stamps, but they
for the latter stamp. can still be discovered in dealers’
bargain boxes.
It may only take a few more
collectors to develop an interest in
them for the prices of such material
to markedly increase. ■

DID YOU KNOW?

A 6d value (which had been present in the earlier
typographed series of 1912-24 and 1924-26) was
prepared for the 1934-36 series in a deep pink
colour, but was never issued.
New designs for 7d and 8d values (which had
also been present in the 1912-24 series) were
under consideration at the time of the King’s
death in 1936, and likewise were never issued.

Extremely late
usage, 1947
Late usages of the lower values in the King
George V series are not uncommon, probably as a
consequence of stocks of stamps lying unused in
private hands while many people were away from
home during World War II, and then finally being
used up in peacetime.
Here, a strip of five of the ½d is postmarked more
than 10 years after the death of the King.
It is used to pay what was, by then, the inland
letter rate of 2½d, on a cover posted from Southport
to Cambridge on March 24, 1947.

JANUARY 2019 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 71

 Court Philatelics Christmas Sale: Please deduct 10% from all ofers below!!
Philately UK – providing quality packet stamps and mixtures Other discounts also apply - ofer ends 06/01/19

ALL STAMPS ARE DIFFERENT
See our website for our full range
www.philatelyuk.co.uk
or contact us for a price list
britiSh CoMMoNwEALTh bEST SELLERS
– all stamps diferent & of paper
britiSh afriCa 300 - £8 | 500 - £19 | 1000 - £45
| 3000 - £260 | 4000 - £400
britiSh aSia 1000 - £30 | 2000 - £75 | 3000 - £95
| 5000 - £200
britiSh atlantiC 100 - £8 | 200 - £20 | 300 - £36
| 500 - £99 | 1000 - £300
britiSh COmmOnwEalth/EmPirE (inClUding
all hiStOriC PEriOdS and grEat britain)
2000 - £30 | 3000 - £70 | 5000 - £120 | 10000 - £300
britiSh COmmOnwEalth/EmPirE – mint StamPS
(inClUdES gb) 1000 - £35 | 2000 - £90
COUntry CoLLECTIoNS
– a sample of our huge range – all stamps diferent & of paper
El SalvadOr 200 - £38, 300 - £60, 500 - £100,
1000 - £320
rEUniOn 50 - £20, 100 - £42
rhOdESiaS (PrE-indEPEndEnCE &
ExClUding ZimbabwE/Zambia) 100 - £10, 200
- £35, 300 - £96
rOmania 300 - £4, 500 - £8, 1000 - £22, 2000 - £75,
3000 - £250
rUSSia 300 - £4, 500 - £10, 1000 - £25, 2000 - £75,
3000 - £225
rwanda 400 - £24
ryUKyU iSlandS 50 - £15, 100 - £48
St hElEna 50 - £10, 100 - £19, 200 - £65, 250 - £99,
500 - £300
St KittS/nEviS/angUilla 100 - £10, 200 - £30,
500 - £99, 750 - £205
St lUCia 100 - £8.50, 200 - £30, 300 - £55, 500 - £115
St PiErrE 100 - £36, 150 - £60
St vinCEnt 150 - £10, 200 - £18, 300 - £40, 500 -
£62.50, 1000 - £190, 1500 - £285
SamOa 50 - £10, 100 - £24, 200 - £50, 300 - £80,
500 - £180
San marinO 300 - £25, 500 - £68
SaUdi arabia 100 - £24, 200 - £50, 300 - £75,
500 - £170
SEnEgal 200 - £30, 300 - £60, 500 - £165
SErbia 100 - £34
SEyChEllES (inC. biOt) 50 - £10, 100 - £20, 200 -
£45, 300 - £90, 500 - £170
SiErra lEOnE 100 - £11, 200 - £33, 300 - £75,
500 - £180
SingaPOrE 100 - £8, 200 - £18, 250 - £25, 300 - £40,
500 - £90
SlOvaKia 300 - £42
SlOvEnia 200 - £34, 300 - £60
SOlOmOn iSlandS 100 - £11, 200 - £25, 300 - £50,
400 - £60, 700 - £200
SOmalia 100 - £5
SOUth afriCa & tErritOriES 500 - £12, 1000 -
£50, 1500 - £110
SOUth afriCa hOmElandS 100 - £12, 200 - £28,
250 - £37, 300 - £50, 500 - £100
SOUth amEriCa 500 - £12, 1000 - £36, 1500 - £60,
2000 - £82, 2500 - £150
SOUth KOrEa £300 - £80
SOUth wESt afriCa 100 - £9, 150 - £18, 200 - £30,
250 - £55, 300 - £75, 400 - £110
SPain 300 - £7, 1000 - £50, 2000 - £180
Sri lanKa 200 - £12, 300 - £25, 750 - £85
SUrinamE 100 - £25, 200 - £50, 300 - £90
Off PAPER MIxTuRES
British Commonwealth (From early Empire to modern day, good variety)
100g–£9.50, 500g–£45.00, 1kg–£85.00
British Empire (Queen Victoria to George VI) 25g–£14.00, 100g–£52.00
Western Europe (Commemoratives and large only, no GB)25g–£8.00, 100g–£30.00
Worldwide (From auction lots, collections, charity donations and our own
remainders) 100g–£7.00, 500g–£30.00, 1kg–£55.00, 5kg–£200.00
britiSh EmPirE QUEEn viCtOria (inClUdES gb)
50 - £10 | 100 - £22
britiSh EmPirE Edward vii and Edward viii
(inClUdES gb) 50 - £10 | 100 - £30
britiSh EmPirE gEOrgE v (inClUdES gb) 100 - £8
| 200 - £16 | 300 - £25 | 500 - £60 | 1000 - £2000
britiSh EmPirE gEOrgE vi (inClUdES gb) 100 - £5
| 200 - £12 | 300 - £22 | 500 - £56 | 1000 - £130
britiSh iSlandS (JErSEy, gUErnSEy & iSlE Of
man) 300 - £15 | 500 - £30 | 1000 - £80 | 2000 - £260
britiSh wESt indiES 500 - £11 | 1000 - £35
| 1500 - £55 | 2000 - £120 | 3000 - £250
SwaZiland 100 - £9, 200 - £28, 300 - £45, 500 - £125
SwEdEn 200 – £2.50, 300 - £5, 500 - £12, 1000 - £44,
1500 – £115
SwitZErland 300 - £10, 500 - £17, 1000 - £50
Syria 300 - £32, 500 - £84
taiwan/fOrmOSa 300 - £20, 500 - £60
tanganyiKa & tanZania 200 - £15, 250 - £22.50,
300 - £35, 500 - £70
thailand 200 - £20, 300 - £40, 500 - £95
tOgO 500 - £24
tOKElaU 50 - £16, 100 - £35, 150- £65, 200 - £120
tOnga 50 - £12, 100 - £25, 200 - £65, 300 - £105
trinidad & tObagO 100 - £10, 200 - £34, 300 - £52,
500 - £115
triStan da CUnha 25 - £3, 50 - £10, 100 - £25, 200
- £60, 300 - £95, 500 - £290
tUniSia 300 - £22, 500 - £60
tUrKEy 1000 - £30, 2000 - £85
tUrKS & CaiCOS 100 - £11, 150 - £25, 200 - £39.50,
300 - £80, 500 - £300
tUvalU 100 - £10, 200 - £26, 300 - £42, 500 - £75
Uganda 50 - £4, 100 - £11, 200 - £40, 300 - £55
UKrainE 100 - £30, 200 - £60
UnitEd arab rEPUbliC 100 - £18, 200 - £42, 300 - £75
UnitEd natiOnS 500 - £90
UnitEd arab EmiratES 100 - £12, 200 - £40
USa 500 - £16, 1000 - £35, 2000 - £200
UPPEr vOlta 300 - £20
UrUgUay 500 - £28, 1000 - £120
vanUatU 50 - £13, 100 - £30, 200 - £85, 300 - £180
viEtnam 500 - £17, 1000 - £75
vatiCan 300 - £44, 500 - £90
vEnEZUEla 200 - £14, 500 - £54, 1000 - £180
(britiSh) virgin iSlandS 50 - £9, 100 - £18,
200 - £45, 300 - £85
walliS & fOrtUna 100 -£36
wOrldwidE COllECtiOn 1000 - £8, 5000 - £60,
10,000 - £120, 20,000 - £330, 30,000 - £600, 50,000 -
£1,500, 100,000 - £5,600
wOrldwidE COllECtiOn mini ShEEtS 100 - £25,
200 - £50
ZairE 100 - £13, 200 - £28
Zambia 100 - £9, 150 - £17, 200 - £26, 300 - £45,
500 - £97.50
ZimbabwE 100 - £7, 200 - £17, 300 - £38, 500 - £110
We sell many one of items not usually listed on ebay under  rudd3325 - check them out!
We are also interested in buying any of your surplus stamps on or of paper for payment or exchange.
Price list free on request. Guaranteed full refund if not satisied. Please E-Mail us if you would
like to receive our special ofer lists. Postage: UK customers pay no postage. Overseas, please
add £4.00 / 1/4 lb, £5.00 / 1/2 lb, £7.00 / 1 lb and £2.50 for all collections ordered. We will use
latest Commems including very rare high values!There are no credit card charges and no VAT
payable. (½ lb = 225g, 1 lb = 450g)
 GREAT BRITAIN ON PAPER MIXTURES
GB COMMEMS NO XMAS Wide ranging on paper mix includes h.v’s & modern to 2018
issues. ½ lb £16.00, 1 lb £30.00.
GB HIGH VALUE DEFINS On paper, many from registered & recorded mail so good
cancellations, a clean mix. Includes modern security issues which will become very rare with all
the gold labels used on mail. ½ lb £18.00, 1 lb £35.00.
GB MULTIPLES ISSUES Try to keep up with the recent multiple issues. Increasing
variety, right up to the latest 2018 Harry Potter, Owls, Game of Thrones, 2017 Droids & Aliens,
Classic Toys, Landmark Buildings, Songbirds, 2016 Mr Men, Shakespeare Quotes, Star Wars,
Comedy Greats, Bridges, 2014 Sustainable Fish, Buckingham Palace etc. Try and complete those
diicult sets. ¼ lb £24.00, ½ lb £45.00.
GB MODERN COMMEMS NO XMAS ONLY While Stocks Last! This sells for a
small fortune on auction sites as they are so hard to ind these days, we can supply very small
amounts. Mostly 2012/2018 issues only with the odd high value and multiple issues. Limited
range as so modern but very sought after. 2 oz £13.00.
GB SPECIAL CHARITY MIX A well balanced on paper Charity mix covering Deins,
Commems, H.Value Commems, H.Value Deins, Pre-decimal, Wildings & Pre QEII. Covers all
periods. 1 lb £12.00, 2 lbs £22.00.
GB REGIONALS (On paper). A wealth of variety from all four regions, ind those elusive
band/perf varieties very cheaply. Over 7000 – 8000 stamps/ 2lbs. 1 lb £15.00, 2 lbs £28.00. 
GREAT BRITAIN OFF PAPER MIXTURES
GREAT BRITAIN Of paper mixture. The tedious washing of this modern mix has been
done for you already by charity supporters! There are over 500 basic machins to collect. One of
each in good nick can cost over £1,000.00. We can’t guarantee all in there but you’ll have great
fun sorting, includes commems, h.v commems & deins, worth the price on their own. Guaran-
teed totally unpicked. At least 10,000 stamps / 1 lb. 1 lb £19.00, 2 lbs £37.00.
GREAT BRITAIN OFF PAPER COMMEMS NO XMAS Previously included Xmas,
we can now supply without so the rarer Commems only. Wealth of variety from KGVI to date, in-
cludes some high values. Approx 5000 stamps to 1 lb weight. ¼ lb £22.00, ½ lb £42.00, 1 lb £80.00. 
 FOREIGN & COMMONWEALTH ON PAPER MIXTURES.
SPECIAL OFFER NO.1: Buy 1 lb Aus, Canada, N.Z& U.S.A for the discounted price
of £62.00. List Price £74.00.
AUSTRALIA On paper charity mix, includes modern with dream variety, many Commems
and high values, collected from a school-teacher in the Outback. Approx. 2500 stamps / 1 lb. 1 lb
£18.00, 2 lbs £34.00.
CANADA Sold out before, we have been fortunate to get fresh stocks from the increasingly dif-
icult country. A colourful on paper charity mixture from the Canadian Save the Children Fund
of Commems, Deins, Large Pictorials and high values. 1 lb £20.00, 2 lbs. £39.00.
NEW ZEALAND On Paper charity mixture with Commems and higher values includes dif-
icult to ind modern. Supplied to us exclusively by a N.Z Charity. Approx. 2500 stamps / 1lb. ½
lb £11.00, 1 lb £20.00.
U.S.A. An on paper charity mixture with stupendous variety. There can’t be many mixtures so at-
tractive and with such good count. Approx count 3500 to 4000 stamps. Per 1lb £16.00, 2lbs £30.00.  
EUREKA! We’ve found it. This has to be our best world mixture yet. At least 85% commems
with a staggering variety with around 100 countries/states (yes we have found stamps from that
many). Much modern and many high values included. Our SUPER WORLD 100. ½ lb £28.00,
1 lb £55.00, 2 lbs £105.00.
OVERSEAS FOREIGN & COMMONWEALTH CHARITY MIXTURE With
over 120 Charity sources in this country it is not surprising that this is the ultimate mixture of
Foreign & Commonwealth stamps essentially on paper. Enormous variety and mostly modern
as it is collected from oices on a day to day basis. Many h. values as many are Air mail values
and a lot will never be seen in approval books! 1 lb £30.00, 2 lbs £55.00, 5 lbs £125.00. 
EUROPEAN COMMEMORATIVES New in the spring again it has been remarkably
successful. Mostly  Commemoratives from all corners of Europe (No GB). Great variety with
high values and semi-postals. Includes very interesting stamps from the new Russian States,
Iceland, Faroes, Greenland, Vatican, Monaco, San Marino, United Nations and Liechtenstein.
A must for all collectors of Europe. ½ lb £28.00, 1 lb £55.00.
COMMEMORATIVES & LARGE ONLY ON PAPER MIXTURES Special
ofer. Buy 2 diferent lots of the Commems & Large mixtures below deduct 5% from the price,
4 items deduct 10%, 8 items deduct 20%! AUSTRALIA ½ lb £19, 1 lb £35.00.    AUSTRIA ¼
lb £35, ½ lb £68.00. BELGIUM. ¼ lb £23, ½ lb £45.00.   BHUTAN ¼ lb £35, ½ lb £68.00. BO-
TSWANA ¼ lb £18, ½ lb £35.00. CANADA ¼ lb £40, ½ lb £70.00. CYPRUS ¼ lb £30, ½ lb
£58.00. FAROES 2oz £39, ¼ lb £74.00.  FINLAND ¼ lb £20, ½ lb £39.00.FRANCE ¼ lb £23.00,
½ lb £42.00. FRENCH AFRICA ¼ lb £47, ½ lb £90.00. GERMANY ½ lb £16, 1 lb £30.00.
GERMANY H.V COMMEMS ¼ lb £22, ½ lb £40. GIBRALTAR ¼ lb £30, ½ lb £58. GREECE
¼ lb £31, ½ lb £60. GUERNSEY ¼ lb £33, ½ lb £65.00. IRAN ¼ lb £30.00, ½ lb £58.00.    ISLE
OF MAN ½ lb £33, 1 lb £59.00. JERSEY ¼ lb £33, ½ lb £65.00. JAPAN ¼ lb £22, ½ lb £40.00. 
LUXEMBOURG ¼ lb £39, ½ lb £77.00.     MALTA ½ lb £16, 1 lb £30.00.NEPAL ¼ lb £20, ½ lb
£38.00. NORWAY ¼ lb £23, ½ lb £45.00.   SPAIN ¼ lb £23.00, ½ lb £44.00. SWISS ¼ lb £23, ½ lb
£45.00.  THAILAND ¼ lb £23, ½ lb £45.00U.S.A ½ lb £25, 1 lb £48.00.
OFF PAPER MIXTURES
SPECIAL OFFER NO. 7: Buy 1 lb World, 1 lb British Commonwealth and 1 lb W.
Europe Scoop for the discounted price of £130. List price £150.00.
WORLD SCOOP An Of paper mix scooped from our oddments tub. Emanating from
Charities, Auctions, personal collections etc. You will ind high Cat (please tell us when you do)
& many additions for your collection. Each 1 lb lot is over 7000 stamps, costing around ½ p
each. ½ lb £18.00, 1 lb £35.00, 5 lbs £155.00. Sale price ½ lb £16.00, 1 lb £31.00, 5 lbs £139.00.
BRITISH COMMONWEALTH SCOOP Sold out over the last 8 months, we can now sup-
ply more of our popular Of paper mixture covering old Empire & modern Commonwealth. Several
clients found stamps cataloguing £10 to £50 each. No promises but with at least 7,000 stamps/1lb
you’ll have great fun sorting. ½ lb £31.00, 1 lb £60.00. Sale price ½ lb £27.90, 1 lb £54.00.
WEST EUROPE SCOOP An Of paper mixture of small and large stamps with much
earlier material. Many better and unusual values. In great demand as our interests in the EEC
grow. Approx. 10,000 stamps to 1 lb costing around ½ p each. ½ lb £28.00, 1 lb £55.00. Sale
price ½ lb £25.00, 1 lb £49.00. 

Payment/Contact Details – Postage is free to UK customers; outside the UK please add £3. COURT PHILATELICS
Payments – Bank Transfer- Lloyds Bank AC No: 00236394, sort code: 30-13-55. We also accept cheques Dept SM, P.O Box 6198, Leighton Buzzard, Beds LU7 9XT.
and postal orders and debit/credit cards. TEL: 01296 662420 • E-mail: courtphilatelics@aol.com
Contact details – Philately UK, Dept SM, PO Box 698, Sapley, Huntingdon, PE29 9LN. Payment: We accept cheque, postal orders and all major credit & debit cards. Paypal
payments can be made to courtphilatelics@aol.com or you can pay direct into our bank:
Tel: 01480 437736, Email: sales@philatelyuk.co.uk RBS, A/C no. 10088313, sort code 16-1620. NO MINIMUM ORDER.
 Do you collect
British Stamps?
Warwick & Warwick
PHILATELIC AUCTIONEERS & VALUERS
www.warwickandwarwick.com
We are pleased to announce a valuable auction of general
world philatelic properties to be held in Warwick.
Wednesday 6th February at 12 noon.

Great Britain, 1934 Essay

1 1/2d pair in brown

Visit our
website
www.greatbritainstamps.net
China 1897 Dowager surcharges
1/2c. on 3a., FU block of 4; one
the “cen’ variety

Bahrain 1948 Olympics 2 1/2a.

on 2 1/2d., surcharge double UM

Visit our website to view catalogue.

Printed copies available on request.
or contact us for a free catalogue Future Auctions:
March 6th, April 3rd
Final Reminder January 9th
Swan Stamps
PO Box 501 Torquay Warwick & Warwick Ltd.
www.warwickandwarwick.com
Devon TQ1 9FE
Chalon House, Scar Bank, Millers Rd, Warwick CV34 5DB
Phone: 01803 323430
Tel: 01926 499031 Fax: 01926 491906
email: sue@greatbritainstamps.net Email: ian.hunter@warwickandwarwick.com
 GREAT ENGRAVERS

Hooray for Henry!

Portraits? Landscapes? Henry Cheffer could engrave either with consummate
attention to detail, and many countries’ stamps benefited from his versatility
■ Report by Adrian Keppel

H
enry Cheffer, a Frenchman RIGHT: Henry
despite spelling his name Cheffer’s first stamp
in the English style, was engraving was for
an artist of many talents, a painter Persia’s 1911
and illustrator as well as an definitive set,
engraver of stamps and banknotes. portraying Shah
Although he came to philatelic Ahmed Mirza
attention as a portrait engraver, he
showed his versatility with many
superb landscapes later on in a
career spanning five decades.

Born in Paris, Cheffer (1880-1957)

was the son of an engraver, and a
distant relative of the sculptor
Auguste Rodin. Having been
surrounded by art from birth, it is
no wonder that he enrolled at the
city’s School of Decorative Arts in
1898, and followed this up by
attending the School of Fine Arts
from 1901, where he was a pupil of
the celebrated painter Léon Bonnat.
Cheffer became accomplished in
many art forms, including
drawing, painting and engraving.
He won the coveted Prix de Rome
scholarship for engraving in 1906,
but first became widely known as
an illustrator.

It was in 1911 that he created his

first stamp design, for a definitive
series for Persia (Iran) with an
elaborate vignette portraying the
young Shah Ahmed Mirza.
Further consignments for foreign
countries followed, including three
more famous definitive portraits:
for Belgium’s iconic 1919 ‘Tin Hat’
series depicting King Albert I in a
military helmet, Luxembourg’s
1921 series showing Grand
Duchess Charlotte, and Monaco’s
1922 low values illustrating Prince
Albert I.
In 1923, Cheffer was asked to
engrave a portrait of Queen
Wilhelmina of the Netherlands,
which was used for stamps
celebrating her Silver Jubilee in the
overseas territories of Curaçao, the
Netherlands Indies and Surinam.
The union of Dutch artists kicked
up a fuss when they learned that
the postal authority had not
commissioned a Dutchman, but
Cheffer was a logical choice
because he was already working
regularly for the printer, Enschedé,
as an engraver of banknotes and
stamps for Belgium, Luxembourg
and other countries.
‘Cheffer produced portraits
for famous stamps from France,
Monaco, Belgium, Luxembourg,
the Dutch colonies, Persia
and others’
It was not until 1929 that Cheffer
started engraving stamps for
France. The existing small-format
definitives were to be replaced
with larger designs depicting
landscapes and views, and Cheffer
submitted five designs. Two of
these, depicting the port of La
Rochelle and the Roman aqueduct
at Pont du Gard, were accepted for
inclusion in a set of six.
A less positive experience was
engraving a die for the
Netherlands’ stamps honouring the
Rembrandt Society in 1930, where
his interpretation of the design he
was given to work from was not to
the liking of the postal authorities.

74 www.stampmagazine.co.uk JANUARY 2019

 WORLD NEWS | AUCTIONS | GB COLLECTOR | LETTERS | COMMENT | COMPETITIONS FEATURES EVENTS | STRANGE BUT TRUE
LEFT: One of Cheffer’s A vague remit seems to have been
most iconic portraits to blame, and the assignment was
was of King Albert I ultimately passed to another
of Belgium, for the engraver, Hendrik Seegers, instead.
1919 definitive series Definitive designs for French
territories such as Algeria, Andorra
and Morocco followed in the 1930s,
and more work for France itself.

During World War II, some of

Cheffer’s most attractive designs
were for the cinderellas produced
for the annual stamp show in Paris,
sold in aid of charity.
For the 1943 issue, raising money
for intellectuals, Cheffer engraved
an image of the philosopher Jean-
Jacques Rousseau. For the 1944
sheetlet, sold in aid of musicians,
he reproduced a scene from
Emmanuel Chabrier’s opera
Gwendoline.
He also engraved non-postal
labels sold by the postal authority
in aid of war victims, poignantly
showing a family with no father.
Perhaps Cheffer’s greatest
landscape design came in 1946,
when he was asked to produce a
stamp depicting the Finistère
region, where he had a summer
LEFT: The 20f value in house, for another set of Views. He
France’s 1946 Views engraved two dies, showing the
set illustrated La coastal beauty of Les Tas de Pois
Pointe du Raz in the and La Pointe du Raz, and the
Finistère region, latter design was selected for issue.
where Cheffer As with many of his French
himself had a stamps, Cheffer produced die
holiday home proofs embellished with extra
colour, and some of these can be
found on the philatelic market.

Cheffer remained active right up

to his death in May 1957.
Just months before, he had been
awarded the Grand Prix de l’Art
Philatelique for his portrayal of the
agronomist A A Parmentier on a
stamp of 1956. His final engraving,
depicting the Port of Brest, would
be issued two months after he died.
This would not, however, be his
last contribution to French
philately. In 1954 he had submitted
a design for a Marianne definitive
which was not selected for issue at
the time, but was chosen in 1967, a
decade after his death.
Although engraved by Claude
LEFT:This award- Durrens (June 2018 issue, page 58),
winning portrayal of the design is known as the
the agronomist A A ‘Marianne de Cheffer’, and a poll
Parmentier, issued by conducted in 2001 saw it
France in 1956, was proclaimed the most beautiful
one of last stamps French definitive of the 20th
Cheffer engraved century. ■

JANUARY 2019 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 75

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WARNING: CONTAINS EXPLOSIVE MATERIAL YOU WON’T FIND ELSEWHERE
PRISON LITERATURE
Inside stories
A surprising amount of influential and inspiring literature has been written or
conceived in jail, so you can embark on a thematic collection with real conviction!
■ Report by Jeff Dugdale
tone walls do not a prison
S make, nor iron bars a cage,’
wrote the English poet
Richard Lovelace. Less well
known are his following lines,
‘Minds innocent and quiet take
that for an hermitage’.
Lovelace penned this poem,
To Althea From Prison, in 1642, when
he was incarcerated as a political
prisoner of Parliament, just months
before the outbreak of the English
Civil War.
What he was asserting was that,
although his physical freedom was
restricted, his mind remained free.
Moreover, his circumstances
allowed him to concentrate on
what mattered to him, including
his loved ones, his principles and,
clearly, his poetry.
It is easy to imagine how the
78 www.stampmagazine.co.uk JANUARY 2019
ABOVE: The Apostle of famous works of literature
St Paul writing his
epistles, part of the
New Testament,
began life in prison?
Spiritual messages
while incarcerated The oldest example in this theme
by the Romans in was St Paul the Apostle, an early
Judea in 57-59 AD Roman Jewish convert to
Christianity after experiencing a
RIGHT: St Paul, vision of the resurrected Jesus on
portrayed by Vatican the road from Jerusalem to
City in 1967 Damascus. He is claimed to have
written four of his letters which
now form part of the New
Testament in jail.
Epistle To the Ephesians, Epistle To
the Phillippians, Epistle to the
Colossians and Epistle to Philemon
are all thought to have been
quietude of a cell to which you are penned during Paul’s two-year
condemned, day after day, could be imprisonment by the authorities
conducive to creativity. Perhaps in Caesarea Maritima, the
that is why a remarkable number provincial capital of the Roman
 WORLD NEWS | AUCTIONS | GB COLLECTOR | LETTERS | COMMENT | COMPETITIONS FEATURES EVENTS | STRANGE BUT TRUE
province of Judea, in 57-59 AD.
He was subsequently taken for
trial in Rome, which led to his
eventual martyrdom.

Political philosophy
The medieval Florentine politician
and diplomat whose name
inspired a modern term for
political deviousness conceived
his most famous work during a
spell in prison.
Niccolò Machiavelli was accused
of conspiracy, incarcerated and
tortured in 1513 by the ruthless
Medici rulers of Florence, and
immediately after being freed he
wrote The Prince, a controversial
study of the art of despotism.
Published in 1532, five years after
his death, it explaining how a ruler
is not bound by ethical norms but ABOVE: The English adventurer Sir Walter Raleigh, ABOVE: The Florentine politician Machiavelli, portrayed by Italy in
by political expediency. portrayed by Great Britain in 1973, wrote The Historie 1969, conceived The Prince while imprisoned in 1513 and wrote it
The English explorer and of the World in jail in 1603-15 upon his release
Elizabethan courtier Sir Walter
Raleigh was locked up in the Tower ‘It is easy to imagine how the quietude of a prison
of London for over 12 years after
being implicated in the Main Plot cell might be conducive to literary creativity’
to depose the new King James I
(James VI of Scotland) in 1603. He
used the time well, writing The CONTRASTING ACCOUNTS
Historie of the World.
Despite its ambitions, the book At least two famous works in English imprisoned as a non-conformist from
only reached as far as the second literature were written in prison but have 1660-72, and it was published in 1678.
century BC. Published in 1614, its not been commemorated on stamps. In one
apparent contempt for ancient case that is quite surprising, in the other FANNY HILL
monarchs did nothing to endear its case less so! A complete contrast is the book completed
author to the King, who later had by John Cleland while he was incarcerated
Raleigh executed for violating a PILGRIM’S PROGRESS in Fleet Prison in London during 1748, as a
treaty with Spain while searching The best known is The Pilgrim’s Progress by result of a substantial unpaid debt.
for the mythical city of El Dorado John Bunyan, an allegory about the The Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure
in the Americas. experiences of a virtuous Christian trying (popularly known as Fanny Hill, after its
The first notable American to live a good life while surrounded by central character) was a lurid exposure of
literary figure in this theme was temptation. the life of a common prostitute, and can be
the philosopher and essayist Henry Bunyan (below left) was Puritan who had considered the first pornographic novel, .
David Thoreau, an advocate for fought for Parliament in the Civil War but It caused such a scandal that Cleland
simple living and better found his religious freedoms restricted (below right) had to disavow it in court, and
governance, and for withdrawing after the restoration of King Charles II. He an unexpurgated version was not legally
support from what he considered wrote the book in Bedford Gaol, while published for a further 100 years.
unjust governments.
He spent only one day in the
clink, in Concord, Massachusetts,
in 1846, for refusing to pay his taxes
because he objected to the money
being spent on a war against
Mexico (his tax bill was then paid
anonymously on his behalf), but it
led him to write his widely
circulated essay, Civil Disobedience,
published in 1849, which is known
to have influenced the likes of
Mahatma Gandhi and Martin
Luther King.
Long before Adolf Hitler became
the scourge of the world, he was a
revolutionary threat to

JANUARY 2019 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 79

PRISON LITERATURE
ABOVE: The German dictator Adolf Hitler,
portrayed by Germany in 1942, dictated part of
Mein Kampf while behind bars
Germany’s Weimar Republic, sent
to prison after leading the aborted
Beer Hall Putsch by his National
Socialist Party in Munich in 1923.
During his eight months in
Landsberg Prison in Bavaria, he
dictated the first volume of his
notorious biography and political
manifesto Mein Kampf (My
Struggle), published in 1925.
Freedom fighters
In the same era, a statesman of a
very different calibre, Mohandas
‘Mahatma’ Gandhi, was
imprisoned by the British colonial
authorities on many occasions,
both in South Africa and in his
native India, for powerfully but
peacefully promoting his
unacceptable political views, in
particular that India should be an
independent country.
It was during his time in
Yerwada Jail in Pune, in 1922-24,
that Gandhi began to write The
Story of My Experiments with Truth,
a huge autobiographical work
which was published in weekly
instalments in his own journal,
Navjivan, over the next five years.
While serving with the Red
Army in the later stages of World
War II, in 1945, the Russian writer
Alexander Solzhenitsyn was
arrested for writing privately to a
friend criticising Soviet leader
Joseph Stalin. As a result, he was
sent to a forced labour camp in
Siberia, where he toiled for eight
years until being released upon
Stalin’s death in 1953.
Remarkably, he managed to
record his experiences on scraps of
paper, and used these notes to
create the powerful novel One Day
in the Life of Ivan Denisovich.
80 www.stampmagazine.co.uk JANUARY 2019
Published in 1962, this was the first
account of Stalinist repression
which was distributed openly in
the Soviet Union.
Solzhenitsyn later wrote The
Gulag Archipelago, tracing the
history of forced labour camps.
The American civil rights
campaigner Martin Luther King
was arrested in 1963 for breaching
laws preventing public
demonstrations against racial
segregation. It was while
languishing in jail in Birmingham,
Alabama, that he wrote Letter from
Birmingham Jail, in which he argued
that people have a moral
responsibility to break laws which
they know are unjust.
As an example he cited the
Boston Tea Party of 1773, the
famous protest by American
colonists against British rule and
taxation without representation.
King went on to assert that
freedom is never voluntarily given
by the oppressor, but it must be
demanded by the oppressed.
A more recent example of writing
produced in the context of political
ABOVE: The American
essayist Henry David
‘Some of the writers who have produced
Thoreau, portrayed works of literature from prison cells were
by the USA in 1967,
wrote Civil political dissidents, or prisoners of war.
Disobedience after a
day in prison in 1846
Others were simply men who strayed
outside the law’
ORIGINAL SADIST
The infamous French aristocrat the
Marquis de Sade was imprisoned for his
immoral lifestyle and then wrote luridly
about it in his prison cell.
He is said to have written Justine
(published in 1791) and 120 Days of Sodom
(not published until 1904) while
incarcerated in the Bastille in Paris from
1784-89. Full of sexual deviancy, violence
and blasphemy, they were responsible for
coining a new word, sadism.
Although he was an aristocrat, and
active in radical politics, the Marquis
somehow survived the French Revolution,
but Napoleon later had him confined to an
insane asylum.
Perhaps it is no surprise that he has not
yet featured on a French stamp, but his
books are still the subject of academic
study and France is a famously libertine
country, so who knows?

persecution came from the South
African anti-apartheid activist (and
later President) Nelson Mandela,
who was convicted of sabotage in
1964 and given a life sentence.
He would be locked up for
almost 27 years in prison, initially
on the infamous Robben Island
and latterly in Pollsmoor Prison
and Victor Verster Prison, before
being released in 1990.
During this period, Mandela
collated material which would later
be published in the
autobiographical Conversations With
Myself, published in 2010, much of
which is based on his jottings,
diary extracts and letters.
Prisoners of war
A small but significant role in the
history of literature written in
WORLD NEWS | AUCTIONS | GB COLLECTOR | LETTERS | COMMENT | COMPETITIONS FEATURES EVENTS | STRANGE BUT TRUE
ABOVE: The Indian independence campaigner
Mohandas ‘Mahatma’ Gandhi, portrayed by India
in 1948, began to write his autobiographical
partwork The Story of My Experiments with
ABOVE: The Soviet captivity has been played by Truth while he was in jail in 1922-24
dissident Alexander prisoners of war.
Solzhenitsyn, wrote The first of several famous
The Gulag historical figures in this bracket is
Archipelago about his the Venetian merchant and
time in a labour explorer Marco Polo, who was
camp, as recalled by captured by the Genoese during a
Russian postal war between the Italian city states
stationery in 2008 some time after returning to
Europe from his pioneering travels
in the Far East.
While held captive in 1296-98, he
whiled away the hours by
recounting his adventures to his
BELOW: The cellmate, Rustichello de Pisa, who
American human was a writer. Rustichello
rights activist subsequently turned them into a
Martin Luther King, book, The Travels of Marco Polo,
portrayed by USA in published in around 1300.
1999, wrote Letter The accuracy of the account was
from Birmingham been questioned but it was detailed
Jail in 1963 and influential, kick-starting
Europeans’ fascination with the ABOVE: The South African freedom fighter and
exotic East at a time when contact later President Nelson Mandela, portrayed by
with China was extremely limited. South Africa in 1994, recorded his 27 years of
More famous still is the deposed imprisonment in Conversations With Myself
Emperor of France, Napoleon
Bonaparte, who was exiled to the authorities on suspicion of
remote Atlantic island of St Helena espionage in 1917, after travelling to
after his final defeat at the Battle of Europe to serve as an ambulance
Waterloo in 1815. driver during World War I but
With escape effectively attracting the attention of the
impossible from this open prison, censors for the views he expressed
he was treated like a celebrity and in his letters home.
lived in some comfort, spending His partly autobiographical and
much of his time dictating his partly satirical short novel The
Memoirs to his private secretary. Enormous Room, published in 1922,
They were first published in 1829. was based on his experiences in
The American writer E E the camp, and the characters he
Cummings, who was a pacifist, met there.
was held in a prisoner-of-war camp The Austrian philosopher
for three months by the French Ludwig Wittgenstein made the
JANUARY 2019 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 81
PRISON LITERATURE

ABOVE: The Venetian explorer Marco Polo, portrayed by Italy in 1954, recounted the stories of his
travels to his ghost-writer while he was a prisoner of war in 1296-98

notes for his Tractatus Logico- Thomas Malory, who is thought to

Philosophicus (Logico-Philosophical
Treatise) during the nine months
he spent in an Italian prisoner-of-
war camp in 1918-19, after being
captured during the final days of
World War I.
Discussing the relationship
between language, science and
reality, in 526 numbered
propositions, it was published in
1921 and was the basis for his
PhD thesis at the University of
Cambidge.
Law-breakers
Some of the most famous writers
who produced work from their
prison cells were neither political
dissidents nor military captives but
simply men who strayed outside
the law.
An early example was Sir
have written Le Morte D’Arthur, the
most fêted medieval version of the
legend of King Arthur, in Newgate
Prison in London in 1468-70, after
becoming involved in a rebellion
against King Edward IV.
A knight of the realm he might ABOVE: The deposed French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, portrayed by
have been, but Mallory also seems St Helena in 1971, dictated his Memoirs while in exile on the island
to have been a thug with a
considerable criminal record,
having been accused or convicted
of scores of armed robberies,
extortion and even rape.
The Spanish author Miguel de
Cervantes, in contrast, revealed
that he conceived his classic novel
Don Quixote while confined to a
debtors’ prison in Seville in 1597,
after auditors found irregularities
in his accounting while he was
working as a navy purchasing
agent and government tax collector.

BLACK MARX
This extraordinary West German meter mark of 1969 commemorates
Soul On Ice, a series of essays by the American political activist (and
later Black Panthers leader) Leroy Eldridge Cleaver, written in
Folsom State Prison in California in 1965 and published in 1968.
Cleaver had been convicted of rape and intention to murder in 1958
(he argued, controversially, that the rape of a white woman by a black
man was an act of political rebellion), but his writings were very
influential in the black power and Marxist movements.
He later renounced his radical past and became a Mormon and a
conservative Republican. ABOVE: The American He was used to losing his
writer E E Cummings, freedom, having earlier been held
portrayed by the USA captive as a slave for five years in
in 2012, based The northern Africa by Ottoman
Enormous Room on pirates. Fortunately, the success of
his experiences in a his novel, published in two parts in
prisoner-of-war 1605 and 1615, brought an end to
camp in 1917 his money troubles.
The British-Irish playwright
Oscar Wilde was at the peak of his
fame when he was convicted of

82 www.stampmagazine.co.uk JANUARY 2019

 WORLD NEWS | AUCTIONS | GB COLLECTOR | LETTERS | COMMENT | COMPETITIONS FEATURES EVENTS | STRANGE BUT TRUE
gross indecency with a man in
1895, in an era when homosexuality
was illegal.
Two years’ hard labour in the jail
at Reading in Berkshire destroyed
his health, but he was able to
describe his spiritual journey
through life in De Profundis, an
intensely personal letter to his
former lover Alfred Douglas in
1897, published posthumously.
In exile in France after his
release, Wilde went on to describe
the harshness of prison life in a
long poem, The Ballad of Reading
ABOVE: The 500th anniversary of Sir Thomas Malory’s Le Morte D’Arthur,
Gaol, published in 1898.
written behind bars, was marked by stamps from Great Britain in 1985
A contemporary American
detainee was the humourist ABOVE: The British-Irish playwright Oscar
William Sydney Porter, writing as Wilde, portrayed by Ireland in 2000, described
O Henry. Charged with prison life in The Ballad of Reading Gaol in 1898
embezzlement in 1896, he ran away
to Honduras (which had no United States, was duly convicted,
extradition treaty with the USA) and was sent to prison in
the day before his trial was due to Columbus, Ohio, from 1898-1901,
begin, wrote his most famous but he continued to despatch pieces
collection of short stories, Cabbages for publication from his cell.
& Kings, in a hotel in Trujillo, in the His pseudonym helped to conceal
process rather ungratefully coining the fact that the amusing stories his
the phrase ‘banana republic’ to readers were enjoying had been
describe his host country. written by a convicted felon
Eventually he returned to the serving time. ■
ABOVE: The Spanish novelist Miguel de Cervantes, portrayed by Spain in
1983, conceived Don Quixote in a debtor’s prison in 1597
‘Miguel de Cervantes was held captive for
five years by Ottoman pirates long before
being confined to a debtors’ prison’

ABOVE: The American humourist O Henry, portrayed by the USA in 2012,
wrote Cabbages & Kings while on the run from justice, and other short
stories when serving a jail sentence in 1898-1901
LEFT: The Austrian
philosopher Ludwig
Wittgenstein,
portrayed by Austria
in 1989, began
compiling his
influential treatise in
an Italian prisoner-of-
war camp in 1918-19
FALLING POUND
One important American
literary figure who
composed in custody but is
unlikely to receive
philatelic recognition in
the immediate future
was the modernist poet
Ezra Pound.
His long uncompleted
poem The Cantos is widely
acknowledged as a great
work, but the expatriate
Pound was an apologist for
fascism and antisemitism,
and part of it was written
while he was interned in
American-occupied Italy at
the end of World War II,
accused of treason.
He was declared unfit
for trial, but was later
incarcerated for 12 years
in a psychiatric hospital.

JANUARY 2019 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 83

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Select Your 1st 500 Stamps FREE
Regardless of Catalogue Value!
Your 1st Trial World MixBag
is supplied FREE, simply Select the Best
– up to 500 stamps FREE, – Return the Rest
Contrary to what you might think, or have been
told... You really don’t have to spend a fortune to
enjoy collecting stamps; read on to discover the
reasons why...
You go to a stamp fair. You order on line. You bid in
an auction – almost always, if you’re buying ‘identi-
fied’ stamps, even cheap stamps, they’re priced
against catalogue value aren’t they? Why do
‘ stampy’ things have to be done this way?
One of the biggest problems when I collected
stamps all those 47 years ago, (before girls came
along), was that the stamps I wanted always seemed
to cost more than I could afford! So… just what is
it that made me collect stamps this way ?
Q: What made me collect stamps this
way? – A: Catalogue Values !
Yes, catalogue values… That’s not to say
that there’s anything wrong with catalogue values
per se. But, there’s a simple answer, true even decades
later, and even today. It was/is the philatelic industry
norm. This is how ‘philatelic’ things are done
BUT, I set out to break industry norms, creating my
enormously popular off-paper world mixtures club
more than 30 years ago. Some who were collectors
then, have returned and are still ‘Avon/Omniphil’
Collectors today. Some of those collectors have ‘pro-
gressed’ their collections, so that they now bid in my
‘No Hidden Extras’ Universal Philatelic Auctions – also
known as ‘The Collector’s Secret Weapon’
Hindsight is a wonderful thing isn’t it ?, but…
With the benefit of hindsight I suppose the prob-
lem was that I hadn’t set my collecting boundaries to
my budget, but it’s so easy to say that now. But why
does everything you collect have to be related to
catalogue value ?
The simple answer is… it Doesn’t !
Wouldn’t You enjoy picking stamps at low unit
prices regardless of catalogue value? Wouldn’t You
enjoy forgetting the prices? Wouldn’t You enjoy the
thrill of making a ‘find’ and paying pence to do so…?
Well, Now You Can. If you’re a real collector, not an
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www.upastampauctions.co.uk Go to Mixtures
AvonMixtures
SEE COUPON BESIDE INDEX
P.O. Box 10, Tewkesbury, Glos, GL20 8YX Tel/Fax: 01684 299278
MIXTURES ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR VERY ADVANCED COLLECTORS – TAKE MY UPA £55 AUCTION OFFER 85
It’s NOT a club, but it feeels like one…
It’s NOT a club where you, like me, may remember
‘swapping stamps’ but it feeels like one, and in order
for You to Test my Avon World/Country Mixtures I’m
offering you the opportunity to select up to your
1st 500 stamps free, so You can see for Yourself how
much fun there is to be had from the trial mixture
bag we’ll send you…
Send NO money Now: So where’s the catch ?
Simply, If You don’t like the idea of picking up to
your 1st 500 stamps FREE and returning the rest,
then that’s the catch. If You don’t like the idea of
forgetting catalogue prices and paying ‘pence’ each
per stamp you select – then this offer is not for you.
If You collect ‘high-end’ stamps costing £100’s each
then probably this is not for you too…
…BUT, If you, like I used to, enjoy sorting through
stamps, seeing what you may find, enjoying the
simple pleasure of adding inexpensive stamps to
your collection, regardless of catalogue value – then
this is for You... and I’m making it easy to get
you started… All you need to do is complete the
coupon NOW, it’s located beside the index in this
magazine OR just telephone or apply on-line via
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mixtures plus the chance to select other country
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A
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Terms: Start/Stop service anytime. UK collectors, aged 18+
wanting to put the fun back into collecting are pre-qualified,
send NO money Now. Overseas clients may be required to
provide a deposit. Collectors in a few Countries cannot be
serviced, please enquire. One offer per philatelic household.
SM 01/19
 GB THEMES

Pictures of health
Public health services and advances in medical treatment are achievements Britain
can be proud of. How have they been celebrated on the country’s postage stamps?
■ Report by Jeff Dugdale

T
he closely related subjects of RIGHT: 2010 Medical
medicine and public health Breakthroughs 60p,
services represent a strong celebrating total hip
theme in Britain’s commemorative replacement surgery
stamps, addressed on a regular
basis since the mid-1960s.
Besides a handful of major sets,
mainly noting medical research
and discoveries, some heroes in the
history of healthcare have been
honoured in other issues.

Two sets, issued 16 years apart,

celebrate major technological
advances in the diagnosis and
treatment of patients.
In 1994 the Medical Discoveries
set of four used dramatic graphics
to illustrate ultrasonic imaging
(developed at Glasgow University),
scanning electron microscopy
(developed at Cambridge
University), magnetic resonance
imaging (or MRI, developed at the
Universities of Aberdeen and
Nottingham) and computed
tomography (or CT scanning,
developed by EMI).
In 2010 the Medical
Breakthroughs set of six employed
even more eye-catching imagery
and name-checked individual
scientists associated with a range of
achievements.
One was CT scanning again,
developed by Godfrey Hounsfield
in 1971. The others were the
discovery of how the malaria
parasite was transmitted by
mosquitoes, made by Ronald Ross
in 1897; the antibiotic properties of
penicillin, discovered by Alexander
Fleming in 1928; artificial lens
implantation, developed by Harold
Ridley in 1949; heart-regulating
‘beta blocker’ drugs, devised by
James Black in 1962; and total hip
replacement surgery, pioneered by
John Charnley in 1962.
BELOW: 1970 This was in fact the third time
Anniversaries 9d, Fleming’s discovery had been
showing Florence commemorated, after stamps
Nightingale nursing released in 1967 and 1999.
wounded soldiers
during the A five-stamp set in 2003 marked
Crimean War the 50th anniversary of the
discovery of the structure of the
DNA molecule in 1953 by two
scientists working at Cambridge
University: Francis Crick, who was
British, and James Watson, who
was American.
Amusingly, their pioneering
work delineating the double-helix
model of DNA structure was
treated in cartoon-style, with
parodies of boffins completing the
genome jigsaw, showing a genetic
resemblance to apes, climbing a
double-helix in a game of snakes
and ladders, contemplating genetic
engineering and predicting
patients’ medical futures.
Stamps in other issues have
credited individual achievements
in medicine and healthcare.
For example, Joseph Lister, who
developed antiseptic surgery, was
celebrated in 1965 and 2010, and
Edward Jenner, who created the
smallpox vaccine, in 1999 and 2010.
Chemists featured for helping to
develop pharmaceutical treatments
against disease include Dorothy
Hodgkin, who pioneered X-ray
crystallography, in 1996 and Max
Perutz, who revealed the structure
of haemoglobin, in 2014.
Elizabeth Garret Anderson and
Marie Stopes, ground-breaking
advocates of women’s health and
family planning, were portrayed in
2008, and Judy Fryd, the tireless
campaigner for improved care
for mentally handicapped
children, in 2009.

86 www.stampmagazine.co.uk JANUARY 2019

 WORLD NEWS | AUCTIONS | GB COLLECTOR | LETTERS | COMMENT | COMPETITIONS FEATURES EVENTS | STRANGE BUT TRUE
checklist
DATE ISSUE STAMPS
1963 Red cross centenary congress 3
1965 centenary of Antiseptic surgery 2
1967 British Discovery & invention 1
1970 Anniversaries 1
1971 Anniversaries 1
ABOVE: 1994 Medical Discoveries 25p,
1975 health & handicap Funds 1
illustrating the use of ultrasonic imaging
during pregnancy 1976 telephone centenary 1
1981 Duke of edinburgh’s Award scheme 1
RIGHT: 1998 50th Anniversary of the National 1984 British council 1
Health Service 63p, hailing the free medical care 1986 industry Year 1
available to the British public
1987 st John Ambulance 4
1989 Royal Microscopical society 1
1994  Medical Discoveries 4
1995 Peace & Freedom 1
1996  Famous Women 1
1998  National health service 4
1999  the Patients’ tale 4
1999  the scientists’ tale 1
2001  Nobel Prizes 1
2003  Discovery of DNA 5
2006  Modern Architecture 1
2006 National Portrait Gallery 1
2006 Victoria cross 1
2008 Women of Distinction 2
2009  eminent Britons 1
2010  Royal society 2
ABOVE: 1981 Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards Service 22p, depicting cardiopulmonary resuscitation 2010 Age of the stewarts 1
2010 Medical Breakthroughs 6
In 1998 the 50th anniversary of the Seacole, who both volunteered to
2014 Remarkable lives 1
National Health Service was care for wounded soldiers during
celebrated by a set of four stamps the Crimean War in the 1850s, were 2015 inventive Britain 2
with abstract designs, each based honoured in 1970 and 2006 2016 First World War, 3rd issue 1
on a photograph of two hands. respectively, and Elsie Knocker and 2017 First World War, 4th issue 1
An adult hand holding a child’s Mairi Chisholm, who set up first-
2017 ladybird Books 1
hand alluded to free medical aid facilities close to the Western
prescriptions, one hand taking Front in World War I, in 2017.
another’s pulse to outpatient A district nurse was shown in
appointments, hands forming a 1976, and a hospital nurses with a of Surgeons in 1505, and one in the
heart shape to blood donors, and patient on a stretcher in 1999. The 1981 Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
hands cupped in a cradle to the 2006 Victoria Cross set lauded the set illustrated cardiopulmonary
delivery of babies. heroism of army doctor Captain resuscitation (CPR).
The first medical service Noel Chavasse in rescuing injured
commemorated on British stamps, soldiers from no-man’s land in A unique issue in the history of
however, was a charitable World War I. British stamps was the 1975 Health
organisation, the St John A stamp in the 2010 Age of the & Handicap Charities 4½+1½p
Ambulance, in 1987. Four designs Stewarts miniature sheet noted the design, showing a disabled figure
illustrated volunteer brigades foundation of Edinburgh’s College in a wheelchair. At a time when the
helping unwell members of the basic rate for sending a 1st class
public, and transporting an organ
for transplant.
‘Besides a handful of sets noting letter was 4½p, 25% of its selling
price was a voluntary donation by
medical discoveries, a number of the purchaser.
Only a handful of practising Although commonly used in
doctors and nurses have appeared healthcare heroes have been many other countries, this concept
on stamps. did not catch on in Britain, and was
Florence Nightingale and Mary
individually honoured’ never repeated. ■

JANUARY 2019 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 87

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Calls are charged at the same rate as standard Uk landlines and are included as part of any inclusive or free
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Z33EN UNORTHADOX STAMPS One of the most
unusual collections we have ever seen assembled, with
everything except normal stamps. Including triangular
stamps, self-adhesive ‘free form’, map shaped stamps,
gold foil round (circular) stamps, diamond shapes, ‘3
dimensional’ and others. 100+ different mint and used
unorthodox stamps. ................................Price £11.50
PS438 POP STARS A glorious collection of pop stars
stamps. With British, Foreign mint and used stamps.
Includes: The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, Bob
Marley, Michael Jackson, Oasis, Aerosmith, Pink Floyd,
Kiss, Led Zepplin, Metallica, AC-DC and Def Leppard.
Over 100 stamps in sets, singles, miniature sheet, also
includes Royal Mail Beatles’ covers. The entire impres-
sive collection. .............................................Price £31
SA 92 SOUTH & CENTRAL AMERICA A fantastic
accumulation of comprising of only unmounted mint
stamps in part sheets, multiples, blocks and singles
ranging from older engraved stamps to the more
recent. Includes: Nicaragua, (Underprints noted) Chile,
Colombia, Argentina, Venezuela, Panama, Paraguay,
Uruguay, Brazil, Mexico & Dominica. This hoard of
unsorted unmounted mint stamps, is unchecked for
catalogue value and is estimated at over one thousand
five hundred (1500) unm. mint stamps. For sale at the
low price of only. ..........................................Price £48
NY124 THE THREE KINGS King George V, King Edward
VII and King George VI. A collection of British colonials,
unmounted mint stamps. In singles and blocks. Ap-
proximately 100+ stamps, low price to clear. Price £12
VR7 GREAT BRITAIN POSTAL HISTORY 1d BLACK
VALUABLE COVER Issued to commemorate the first
known use of the 1d Black. This scarce cover is
illustrated with the Mulready design and bears an im-
perforate 1d Black stamp (four margins). Issued by the
Royal Mail ex-special exhibition sheet tied to the cover
with superb red Maltese Cross postmark. In addition,
the cover bears duel Royal Mail official postmarks both
“Bath” one dated 2/5/15 exactly 175 years to the day
of the first 1d Black ever postmarked. A second official
Royal Mail postmark in Red inscribed “Bath” 2/5/1840
ties Royal Mail 1d Black and 2d Blue commem. stamps
to the cover on first official day of issue 6/5/15. The
cover’s restricted issue of only 75 must surely make
this highly desirable cover one of the rarest of all Royal
Mail 1d Black commemorative covers. .........Price £38
BX486 BOXING A fine collection of boxing stamps over
80 stamps in blocks and singles, including champion
boxers such as Muhammad Ali. Mainly fine CTO used,
mint noted, with Great Britain Royal Mail 2012 Olympic
Games Gold Medal Boxing stamps. ...........Price £9.75
AF418 AFGHANISTAN A specialised collection of
stamps from this war-torn country. Comprising of both
mint and used Afghan stamps in blocks and singles
with miniature sheets. Strength is in used commemora-
tives, noted earlier mono-coloured crudely printed early
Afghan stamps. A lovely lot unchecked for catalogue
value and containing hundreds of Afghanistan stamps.
.....................................................................Price £18
STR25 GREAT BRITAIN Postal History Cover for the
British Postal Strike of 1996 Covers of this official
postal strike are much rarer than those of the previous
GB postal strike of 1971. The cover was sent from
the UK to St. Helena, and bears a Brit. Local stamps
overprinted “Postal Strike Delivery” and surcharged £1.
Postmarked 6/8/96 in addition a paper cachet inscribed
Emergency UK Postal Strike Overseas Post; as well as
St. Helena stamp tied to the cover with a Jamestown
St. Helena Pmk Dated Sept 96. ...............Price £12.50
BA.47 BAHAWULPUR, PAKISTAN AND BANGLADESH
A lovely collection of mint Bahawulpur, plus Pakistan
and Bangladesh. Over 160 different mint and used
stamps .........................................................Price £16
SJ92 GREAT BRITAIN 1961 Post Office Savings Bank
Error on SG624. (3d value). A most impressive and
amusing error due to a shift of the Orange colour, the
owl in the top right-hand corner of the stamp has
turned and is looking sideways. Unusual to find such
an impressive error turn up over 44 years after it was
issued. We can offer the shifty-eye owl error, unm. mint,
(together with normal stamp for comparison). Price £8
R339 HORSE RACING A fine specialised collection
of Great Britain superbly illustrated commemorative
horse racing covers; with Royal Mail Horse Racing
stamps and official Royal Mail Jockey Club Postmarks.
Includes: Newmarket, Haydock Park and Greenwood –
races for: Sprint Cup and Stewards Cup and more. The
whole collection. ............................................Price £7
LU328 LUNDY ISLAND A superb collection of unmount-
ed mint British local stamps of Lundy Island in blocks,
large multiples and singles + miniature sheets. Starts
off with King George VI period. “Lundy & Atlantic Coasts
Air Line Ltd.” Following on to Puffin stamps overprinted
with 1950s & 1960s stamps on to more recent. With
lots of “Puffin” stamps, definitives, commemoratives &
Air Mail stamps. Hundreds of unmounted mint Lundy
stamps. ..................................................Price £27.50
F.95 MARINE LIFE A spectacular specialised of fish and
sea life. Includes just about every type of fish imagin-
able plus seals, dolphins, shells. A “virtual aquarium” of
over 500 fish stamps mint and used……. Price £39.50
NK39 North Korea An unusual collection of D.P.R.
(North) Korean stamps including controversial and high-
ly political propaganda communist stamps depicting its
Kim-Jong-Il, father of the current leader Kim-Jong-un.
Includes scarcer blocks, se-tenant and single stamps.
Over 100 stamps. ...................................Price £10.75
BX.20 MUHAMMAD ALI Scarce mourning cover for
one of the greatest Boxer’s ever. Otherwise known as
Cassius Clay. The cover depicts Muhammad Ali with
personal quote from U.S.A President Barack Obama.
Only 50 covers exist worldwide with illustrated official
Royal Mail Postmark 4/6/2016 the memorial date. .....
................................................................Price £11.75
SAA144 SAAR A specialised collection of Saar stamps
includes used, but mostly unmounted mint in blocks
and singles including some complete sets. Over seventy
stamps from the German Saarland. ..............Price £11
TUC.97 TONY BLAIR POLITICAL COVER The historic
Trade Union Congress cover for the 100th anniv. of the
first T.U.C of 1868. Superbly illustrated it bears a G.P.O.
T.U.C. stamp tied to the cover with a pictorial G.P.O.
Manchester T.U.C. PMK dated 29/5/1968. Remarkably
it was re-posted to commemorate the visit of Tony
Blair, the Prime Minister to the T.U.C. Conference in
Brighton, bearing official Royal Mail BTN, PMK, dated
9/9/1997… ................................................. Price £18
SCI.8H ALBERT EINSTEIN A special cover commemo-
rating the 100th Anniversary of Einstein’s theory of rel-
ativity. The illustrated cover depicts Einstein and bears
a Royal Mail commemorative officially postmarked by
the Royal Mail with Mount Pleasant 11/05/16 postmark.
In combination with Jersey Einstein commemorative
issue tied to the cover with large circular red Theory of
Relativity cachet dated 11/05/16. The cover came from
a severely restricted issue of only 60 covers. Price £18
DOM.23 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Unusual investors
group of Dominican miniature sheets. A duplicated group
of unmounted mint better higher catalogue items, with
a catalogue value of over £140. Also includes a small
collection of Dominica stamps not counted in the £140
catalogue value ............................ Special low price £25
M332 MOROCCO An interesting & unusual group of
Morocco stamps, includes French Morocco, Spanish
Morocco, British P.O’s in Morocco. Dating back to circa.
1940’s including overprinted stamps. ........Price £9.90
IS.231 ISRAEL A superb collection of Israeli stamps. All
unmounted mint with descriptive tabs. Well over 100
different & first day covers ............................Price £15
E481 ETHIOPIA A valuable collection of Ethiopian
stamps dating back to circa 1898 Abyssinian issues
with many older stamps of the 1930s to 1950s. Includ-
ing scarcer early Air Mail overprints and ranges through
to more recent issues. Approx. 100 different Ethiopian
stamps. ..................................................Price £19.50
E2R.18 GREAT BRITAIN THE ULTIMATE ROYAL COVER
The rare cover which celebrates four generations of
Royalty was from a severely restricted issue of only 80
covers. Bearing Royal Mail miniature sheet depict-
ing the Queen Mother, H.M. Queen Elizabeth II, Prince
Charles, and Prince William. Special stamp issue,
postmarked on the Queen’s Birthday 21.04.18 with of-
ficial Royal Mail Royal postmark. The cover also depicts
Prince George of Cambridge. ..................Price £13.75
MA92 GREAT BRITAIN RARE IMPERFORATE MACHIN
STAMPS ½p imperforate pair printed on thin paper,
these were printed octagonal by special authority of the
Post Office at Somerset House. Sought after and miss-
ing from most Machin stamp collections ...... Price £28
LOT K3 GREAT BRITAIN, COMMEMS & DEFINS.
UNSORTED ACCUMULATION With stamps in blocks,
multiples and singles. Items noted include Traffic
Light Gutter Pairs and miniature sheets. Well over 500
stamps, only unmounted mint. .....................Price £18
GB32EP GREAT BRITAIN ACID RAIN ERROR STAMP
A super GB stamp error has recently come to light. The
error a “must” for any complete GB collection shows a
“full stop” at the base of the 24p denomination. As it is
a constant error only one such stamp appears in each
sheet of 100 stamps. So, it is 99 times scarcer than
the normal stamp (SG1629). Many serious GB stamp
collectors are now realising that their collections are
incomplete without this important value denomination
variety. We offer the Acid Rain error stamp, together
with normal stamp for comparison. ...........Price £8.75
UN872 UNITED NATIONS A lovely collection of only un-
mounted mint stamps, many in sets. Contains several
plate number blocks as well as single stamps. Approx.
120 mint United Nations stamps plus miniature sheets.
……………………………..………….Price £9.80
MA275 MALTA A quality collection of Maltese un-
mounted mint stamps. Over 100 stamps dating back to
King George VI to more modern................Price £11.50
 WORLD NEWS | AUCTIONS | GB COLLECTOR | LETTERS | COMMENT | COMPETITIONS FEATURES EVENTS | STRANGE BUT TRUE
EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS

Rough justice
A satirical postcard sent to a police station in 1910 asks
officers to show sympathy to law-breaking suffragettes
■ Report by Norman Watson

I
t is exactly a century since the
first British women were
permitted to vote in a General
Election, on December 14, 1918,
after a 50-year campaign which
had led to some of the most violent
protests in British political history.
The most militant women
agitating for the right to vote, the
‘suffragettes’, had protested with
acts of increasing vandalism in the
1909-14 period, from attacking
politicians and works of art to
setting fire to postboxes and
public buildings.
Both sides of a picture postcard
sent in 1910 hint at the fate of the
suffragette footsoldiers who were
caught in the act and apprehended
by the police.

The picture side of the satirical

card reproduced a caricature by
Alfred Leete (originally for the
weekly magazine London Opinion)
of a prim suffragette being
heavy-handedly carted away by no
fewer than three policemen, with a
tramp jokingly asking whether she
can ‘spare a copper’.
Posted from Scarborough in the
North Riding of Yorkshire on
September 19, 1910, and franked
with a King Edward VII ½d stamp,
the card was sent anonymously but
addressed specifically to Police
Constable Tipper, at Hayfield Police
Station in Derbyshire.
Perhaps with a specific incident
in mind, it appealed for sympathy
for the protesters: ‘Don’t be hard
with the sufferagette (sic). Yours
sincerely, Votes for Women.’
Postcard publishers often
depicted the women’s suffrage
‘Postcard publishers often
depicted the women’s suffrage
campaign negatively, and seldom
minced their words’
ABOVE: The picture
side of an Edwardian
postcard reproducing
a caricature by Alfred
Leete, of a lone
suffragette being
arrested by three
policemen
RIGHT: Posted on
September 19, 1910,
the anonymous
message asks a police
constable not to treat
suffragettes too
harshly
campaign negatively, and seldom Many believed that criminality
minced their words. The women should not be allowed to escape
involved were portrayed as punishment, but there was also
unattractive, emotionally unstable some acceptance that women had
and intellectually inferior to men. to maintain momentum towards
When suffragettes were hauled gender equality, and had no legal
before the courts, the punishment means by which to achieve it.
rarely reflected the crime. Prison
sentences of up to nine months The suffragette ‘scare’ peaked in
were handed down for breaking 1912, when a number of high-profile
windows, and 18 months or two institutions felt it necessary to close
years for an arson attack, which as a precaution against damage by
appeared harsh compared with the militants. These included the
those given to male criminals. British Museum, the National
Public opinion was divided. Gallery and Kensington Palace. ■

JANUARY 2019 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 91

 ATTENTION OWNERS OF LARGE/ VALUABLE COLLECTIONS –
Are You THINKING of SELLING?
This is
HOW THE STAMP TRADE WORKS
Philatelic Expert Lets You into his Selling Secrets so you can beneit from
a totally diferent (and New) Selling Experience
1 If You want to learn how the stamp
trade works, please read on… When I
was 15, I did. I wondered if there was some se-
cret source of supply? So, I bought my 1st stamp
mixture, (wholesale I thought), broke it into 50
smaller units, advertised it in Stamp Magazine
‘Classiieds’, and waited for the orders to roll in…
I’m still waiting, 48 years later !...
7 Wrong Price 7 Wrong Place 7
Wrong Ofer
(naïve seller4 = H me but I was only 15 at
the time!)
2 Three years later,  attending
irst public stamp auctions I wondered
how some bidders seemed to buy everything,
my
paying the highest price? It didn’t occur to
me that they were probably Auction Bidding
Agents, paid by absent (dealer) bidders to rep-
resent them. I wondered why two collectors sit-
ting side by side muttered to each other “he’s a
dealer” as if that justiied him paying the high-
est price…
About The Author � Andrew found his
Father’s stamps at the age of 10. A year later at
Senior School he immediately joined the School
Stamp Club. He ‘specialised’(!) in British, but
soon was interested in Queen Victoria which he
could not aford. The 2nd to last boy wearing
short trousers in his school year, he religiously
bought Post Oice New Issues on Tuesdays
with his pocket money. He soon found that he
enjoyed swapping / trading stamps as much as
collecting them. Aged 19, eschewing University
he quickly found a philatelic career in London,
leading to creating his own companies in
stamps. Andrew has authored many interna-
tionally published Stamp ‘Tips’ articles, appear-
ing on Local Radio and National TV promoting
Philately with Alan Titchmarsh. Andrew’s area of
expertise is unusual – in so far as his grounding
in collecting and wide philatelic knowledge has
given him a deep understanding of Philately.
He has studied Philately for the past 45 years,
in combination with Commerce and Marketing
Expertise, enabling him to create synergies in
‘lifetime’ interlinked Stamp Selling Systems, sell-
ing unit-priced stamps through to handling col-
lections & Rarities up to £700,000 each. Today
Andrew is fortunate to be co-owner with his
Wife, of Universal Philatelic Auctions (aka UPA)
– the Largest No Buyer’s Premium Reducing-Es-
timate System Stamp Auction in the World, cre-
ating records selling stamps to 2,261 diferent
bidders from 54 diferent countries in his latest
auction. Andrew stopped collecting
stamps aged 18 reasoning that his
enjoyment of stamps would be in
handling them and selling them…
REQUE
ST MY
THE TR
A
FREE B
ANDREW PROMOTING PHILATELY ON OOKLE
THE ALAN TITCHMARSH SHOW ITV
92
by Andrew McGavin
…but did it really? What was the real reason?
How could a Dealer pay a higher price than a
Collector? It doesn’t make sense, does it? Col-
lectors are customers. Customers usually pay
the highest price, unless… for a Collector, this
was…
Wrong Presentation 7 Wrong Place 7 Sellers of Stamps today is no longer absent
therefore Wrong Price7
3 Fast-forward 48 years later 
to a British Empire collection, lot #1 in
an International Stamp Auction – Estimated
at £3,000, but we were the highest bidder at
£21,000 – YES – some 7×higher. Including Buy-
er’s Premium in the extraordinary sum of £4,788
we actually paid GBP£25,788= upon a £3,000 es-
timate… however, we broke it down into sets,
singles, mini-collections etc. We made a proit.
Some might say it found its price. Others may
say:
7
Wrong Estimate Wrong Presentation 7 auctions) – so that when you sell through them
7
Wrong Structure Wrong Protection of Price 7 – you’re paying up to 18% (including VAT) sell-
– Lucky for the seller that 2 well-healed
bidders saw the potential value that day
or it could have been given away… the seller
could easily have lost out couldn’t he? or she?
So, by un-peeling the layers of obfusca-
tion, hopefully we can all agree:
The Secret is Simple –
it’s ALL About: TIMING,
Plus the 3 Philatelic ‘P’s –
Presentation 4Place 4and Price 4
4 Understanding the problem… 
I always remember the car trade had
their own little ‘bible’ – Glass’s Guide. I’ve no
idea, I’ve not even looked - in this internet-dom-
inated world, it may even have disappeared.
Well, there’s an insider Stamp Trade publica-
tion for Stamp Dealers called “The Philatelic
Exporter”. There’s nothing that special about
it – and you won’t learn much or ind massive-
ly reduced prices by subscribing – BUT – it is
a forum, a paper focal point, a last ‘bastion’ in
this on-line transparent world that we inhabit…
whereby dealers (and auctioneers) can try and
communicate with each other. I publish my own
articles there…
Recently I discussed the outcome of my 10
years’ simple research, asking dealers and auc-
tioneers ‘what is your biggest problem?’
To a man, (why are we almost all men), they
replied – “my biggest problem is
stock, if I can get more of the right
stock I can sell it easily”
Strange that, nobody ever asked
me the same question back – be-
cause my answer would have been
entirely different (and I don’t treat
it as a problem) – I seek to satisfy
collectors
This is the reason why my compa-
ny has such massive advertising. This
is the reason why we spend up to 8%
of turnover – up to £200,000 per annum
in marketing costs. (Most dealers don’t
‘TIPS O
F even sell £200K per annum).
DE’
T
5 Why is that? Because, as the world
revolved the Stamp Market, imper-
ceptibly Changed, and incrementally –
Massively
So, although few will tell you this, it’s
clearly evident that the problem for most
stock – but absent collectors in the place
they choose to sell their stamps in. Simply
put, other Dealers, Auctions, Stamp Fairs have
not invested in marketing to have a strong Cus-
tomer-core. To be fair, this is not true of all – but
it is true of most – so that our nearest compet-
itor ‘Apex’ had 800 bidders in a recent auction.
In my most recent 20,000+ lot UPA 65th Auction
we had 2,261 different bidders from 54 different
countries, 95% of whom were Collectors. Some
other well-advertised auctions only have 200
bidders (a high percentage of whom are dealers
– so that, essentially they are Dealer-dominated
er’s commission and the buyer is paying up to
25% and more in Buyer’s Premium, credit card
fees, on-line bidding fee, delivery and insurance
etc… AND all of that so that your stamps
may be sold, wait for it – TO DEALERS
(and some collectors), but Dealers, that nat-
urally must make a proit to survive…
6 Now, let’s examine the cost
implications – Example:  Your
stamp collection sells in public auction for
£800. Upon a 25% buyer’s premium, the dealer
pays £1,000 and it could be more. He breaks
it into £2,000+ selling price (much lower and
he’ll go out of business). The auction charges
you a seller’s commission of up to 18% (VAT
included) upon the £800 sale price. This is
GBP£144. Therefore you receive approaching
£656 – which is approximately 33% of the deal-
er’s £2,000+/- retail selling price - BUT… now
that we have identiied the problem…
Isn’t the Solution Staring us
Right in The Face ?
7 Why Pay an Auction to Sell
to Dealers: Sell to Collectors in-
stead ?In our example with buyer’s premium,
sellers commission, lotting fees, extra credit
card charges, VAT and even insurance - you’re
already being charged in different ways up to
40% of the selling price to sell, possibly or prob-
ably, to the wrong person.
Why not direct that 40% cost you’re pay-
ing to sell to Collectors instead? Sounds
good, so why hasn’t this been done before ?
8 Truth is,  it Has been done be-
fore…Sometimes the ‘old’ ways are the
best ways aren’t they? But in today’s enthusiasm
to obscure the obvious so that money may be
taken, almost surreptitiously, in numerous dif-
ferent ways, (without us apparently noticing
until we see the cheque in our pocket) – the
transparent ‘seller pays’ has been deliberately
‘obscured’ – so much so that, amazingly, the
latest 2017 European Auction Selling Legisla-
tion just introduced – now requires auctions
that charge ‘buyer’s premiums’ to warn the
buyer in advance. Just imagine going into the
petrol station, and being warned that the price
you’re paying to put fuel in you tank is not the
real price, you have to pay a premium! Obvious-
ly, there would be an uproar…
9 How can you cut out the
middleman and sell to Col-
lectors instead?  Well, I can think of two
ways. 1). DIY - Do It Yourself selling on eBay.
That may be ine for lower grade material – but,
would you risk auctioning relatively unprotect-
ed rare material on eBay ? We don’t and we’re
professionals, so we should know what we’re
doing. Or 2). Cut out the extra middle-man. Use
my company UPA, which reaches collectors
instead. Here’s how it works: Continuing from
our previous Example:
The auction sold your stamps to a dealer for
£1,000 – but You received circa £656
UPA sells them to collectors for you for up to
£2,000 – even after 40% commission you receive
up to £1,200. Up to £544 more. Now that’s amaz-
ing, isn’t it? G
10 Sounds Good Andrew, but
Can You ‘Deliver’?  Obviously,
nothing is as simple as that, and as we auction
stamps to collectors some collections may
‘break’ to the example £2,000+/- but the stamps
may be sold for more or less – especially as we
reserve all lots at 20% below, (Estimate £2,000
= £1,600 reserve) and not everything sells irst
or even 2nd time so prices may come down…
Naturally, it’s not that straightforward for a deal-
er either – he may sell at a discount to ‘move’
stock OR, like many dealers he may be sitting
on the same unsold stamps, that you see time
and time again, in dealer’s stocks years later
and still at the same unattractive prices… So,
I think it is more reasonable for you to expect
up to 36% to 50% more, indirectly or directly via
my Collector’s Secret Weapon: Universal
Philatelic Auctions, which moves material more
quickly, by incrementally reducing estimate (and
reserve) price in a structured selling system…
11 Q.❱ What is the Collector’s
‘Secret Weapon’?
A.❱ It’s called the
Unique UPA Reducing
Estimate System... L
This is a rather long explanation, I don’t want
to bore you, but 17 years ago, when my wife and
I set up Universal Philatelic Auctions I detected
that the stamp trade’s biggest problem then was
not what sold – but what didn’t sell… So,
because I didn’t want to try to keep on offering
the same either unsaleable or overpriced stock
I created the unique UPA Reducing Estimate
(and reserve) Selling System. Simply put, if a
lot doesn’t sell in the 1st auction we reduce the
estimate (and reserve) by 11% and unlike other
dealers and auctions WE TELL YOU – ‘US’
= once unsold. If unsold after the following
auction we reduce by a further 12% and WE
TELL YOU ‘US2’, if unsold after a 3rd UPA
auction we reduce by a further 13% and WE
TELL YOU ‘US3’ and so on till the lot inds its
price, is sold or virtually given away...4
12 Any Scientist will tell you
that combinations of ingredients can
produce powerful results. So we created the
unique combination of my UPA Reducing Es-
timate System, married (in stone), with UPA’s
fair ‘NO BUYER’S Premium’ policy, PLUS each
lot carries my total ‘no quibble’ guarantee –
this formula is the reason why within the span
of 4 auctions (one year)… 90%-95% of lots bro-
ken from a collection have sold. This Unique
Philatelic Selling System Formula is the rea-
son why we are the largest stamp auction in
the UK today with 2,261 different bidders in
my recent auction.E
UNIVERSAL PHILATELIC AUCTIONS SM 01/19
4 The Old Coalyard, West End, Northleach, Glos. GL54 3HE UK
Tel: 01451 861111 • Fax: 01451 861297
www.upastampauctions.co.uk • info@upastampauctions.co.uk
Contact UPA: 01451 861 111
UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIAL:
Dear Folk at UPA,
I’ve dealt with the public for 37 + years, and as
both a consumer, and a businessman, I have
created huge numbers of orders from all over
the world from a complete range of suppliers
from all aspects of our daily lives.
But I don’t believe I have ever encountered
such sensitivity, such kind thought, such
understanding as I have with you in our
initial meeting, our subsequent successful
transaction, and now this.
I recall well the item you highlight, and
realise that this one item has such colossal
personal value, I could never part with it.
It has been an absolute pleasure dealing
with yourself, and I am more than willing for
you to use this e-mail as commendation to
others who may be thinking of disposing of
their collection.
Many, many thanks for a memorable
experience, and I will try to emulate your
thought and care in my own business sphere.
Yours sincerely
D. E. B. Bath, UK
In Hindsight Dealers warned me 17 years
ago that my idea wouldn’t work. 17 years later
I think I’ve proven that it does. (Reader: Please
Request a complimentary UPA catalogue – us-
ing the contact details further below)
13 OK, Cut to the Chase
Andrew, what’s the offer? All
of my Selling Systems are based upon
selling to Collectors Globally, so that
95% of stamps sold by UPA are sold directly
to Collectors. If you wish to beneit by
up to 50% or more, depending upon your
circumstance and type of material, by cutting
out the middleman – then this offer may be
for you. Generally ‘time’ is the enemy in our
lives, and for most dealers not being able to
sell stock. Now is the time to let ‘time’ do
the ‘heavy-lifting’ and consider making ‘time’
work for you, so that at UPA you can make
time your friend. I fax, telephone or by mail. We’ll work harder for
14 AND the SMALL PRINT? Some
lots are too small in value for us to offer
this system. Other lots may not be suited to selling
in this manner (e.g. surplus mint British decimal
stamps best used for postage) – especially if the
market is heavily compromised by stock overhang
in speciic areas. Some Collectors will not wish to
use time and systems to leverage price, others will
want to agree a speciic price and know that they
are paid precisely this amount. No client is treated
like a number and no client is forced like a square
peg into a round hole. M
15 OK, What Do I Do Next?
a). You contact UPA to discuss with
Andrew or a highly-qualiied Auction Valuer/
Describer what you have to dispose of and your
options bearing in mind your speciic interests
/ requirements
b). If you wish, get a 2nd opinion, but
investigate what type of auction / dealer you
are dealing with. Is it a Dealer’s auction with
relatively few collectors? Can you see where
/ how the Dealer sells? If you can’t easily see
any pricelists or high quality selling catalogues
– that Dealer may sell your stamps to other
dealers…
c). Finally you ask U P A to collect your
stamps, insure in transit for an estimated re-
placement retail value…C B S
16 What Happens then?  A mem-
ber of my Team telephones/e-mails
you to conirm safe receipt. ‘Overnight’ valu-
ations, unless simple, are rare. Valuing stamp
collections that have taken tens of years to
create takes time. Depending upon your priori-
ties / timescale I, or an experienced member of
my Team will contact you to discuss your re-
quirements and the options available to you for
the sale of your collection. Provided only that
you feel well-informed and comfortable do we
agree strategy T D
17 How Strong is the Stamp
and Cover Market?  Everybody
knows that the strongest areas are GB and Brit-
ish Empire. Post-Independence / QEII material
sells but if hinged at considerable discount.
Mint hinged material pre 1952 is regarded as the
industry ‘norm’ and therefore desirable – but
genuine never-hinged commands a premium.
Europe sells but at reduced levels, Americas
is good, as generally is Asia but the ‘heat’ has
come off China which is still good – and Russia
which can still be good. East Europe is weak-
er. Overall, Rarities throughout
can command their own price
levels and real Postal History
has good demand.
18 What Should I Do Next?   Dis-
cuss your collection with U P A. Con-
tact Andrew or an experienced member of his
Team now… B C
19 Guarantee: I want You to be
absolutely Sure So If You’re not
sure we’ll transport and return your stamps for
FREE up to £200 in actual shipping cost at our
expense. It sounds generous (and it is), but it’s
far less than the cost of driving 100+ miles each
way and 3 to 6 hours in your home valuing your
stamps U
20 My
tee:
Double Cast Iron Guaran-
 We can do a better job valuing your
stamps in our ofice than in your home. If you
don’t agree I’ll pay you an extra £50 for you to pay
somebody trusted to open the boxes and put your
albums back, in the same place, on the shelf they
came from. U U
21 Act NOW: Contact Andrew or
an experienced member of his Team
using the on-line selling form at our website, by
you not to regret the decision to sell all or part
of your collection…C B
A
Andrew McGavin, Philatelic Expert,
Author, Managing Director
Universal Philatelic Auctions UPA
93
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Send details to What’s On, Stamp Magazine, MyTimeMedia Ltd,
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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

February 13-16 Ljubljana, Slovenia. Contact: & Exhibition Centre, 1 Raffles Autumn Stampex
uK Ipirc711@gmail.com stockholmia2019@meetagain.se Boulevard, Suntec City, Singapore Venue: Business Design Centre,
Spring Stampex www.alpeadria.eu/exhibitions info@stockholmia2019.se 039593. 52 Upper Street, Islington,
Venue: Business Design Centre, www.stockholmia2019.se Contact: Association of London N1 0QH.
52 Upper Street, Islington, aprIL 12-13 Singapore Philatelists Contact: Philatelic Traders Society,
London N1 0QH. uK JuLy 6 Tel: +65 6261 6688 PO Box 290, Lingfield, Surrey
Contact: Philatelic Traders Society, ABPS Northern National Exhibition uK Fax: +65 6265 5998 RH7 9AX
PO Box 290, Lingfield, Surrey Venue: Dewars Centre, Glover Street, Midpex 2019 aspsingapore1989@gmail.com Tel: 01342 830225
RH7 9AX Perth PH2 0TH. Venue: Warwickshire Event www.singpex.com Fax: 01342 837888
Tel: 01342 830225 Contact: Exhibition Secretary, Centre, Leamington Spa, info@thepts.net
Fax: 01342 837888 Association of British Warwickshire CV31 1XN. auguSt 23-25 www.thephilatelictraderssociety.co.uk
info@thepts.net Philatelic Societies Contact: Steven Harrison, NOrWay
www.thephilatelictraderssociety. Tel: 01424 251169 56 Woodberry Drive, Sutton Coldfield, Nordia 2019 NOVeMber 28-30
co.uk exhibiting@abps.org.uk West Midlands B76 2RH Venue: Quality Hotel, Grålum, MONacO
www.abps.org.uk sharrison500@btinternet.com Sarpsborg. MonacoPhil 2019
March 28-31 www.sites.google.com/site/midpex Contact: Nordia 2019, Postboks 2700, Venue: Musée des Timbres
SLOVeNIa May 29-JuNe 2 St Hanshaugen, N-0131 Oslo, Norway et des Monnaies,
Slovenija 2019 SWeDeN JuLy 31-auguSt 4 mail@nordia2019.no 11 Terrasses de Fontvieille,
Venue: Mekinje Cloister, Polceva Pot Stockholmia 2019 SINgapOre www.nordia2019.no 98000 Monaco .
10, 1241 Kamnik. Venue: Waterfront Congress Centre, Singpex 2019 International Contact: Club de Monte Carlo
Contact: Slovenija 2019 Organising Nils Ericsons Plan 4, Stamp Exhibition SepteMber 11-14 Tel: +32 474 84 84 39
Committee, Ptujska 23, SI-1000 Stockholm, Sweden. Venue: Suntec Singapore Convention uK www.monacophil.eu

ABOVE: Visit the beautiful city of Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, for Stockholmia 2019, which will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Royal Philatelic Society London

Every care is taken to ensure the details published are accurate, but we cannot be responsible for any errors or cancellations. You are advised to check with the event organisers before setting out.

94 www.stampmagazine.co.uk JANUARY 2019

ALL WORLD Buying
British Stamps
NEW ISSUES Current Market Values

COUNTRY OR THEME

FREE MONTHLY LISTS BUYING & SELLING

DISCOUNTED GB POSTAGE DAILY
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(We always require GB postage but some values are more popular than others so please

SERVICE AVAILABLE contact us by email or telephone where the sale value is £2000 or over).

Buy %
FACE VALUE (FV) of FV Criteria

IAN OLIVER Stamps 1p to 49p

Stamps 50p tp 99p
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55%
60%
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Sorted by value
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5 BEECH ROAD STIBB CROSS Stamps £2.00 to £10 80% Sorted by value
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TORRINGTON DEVON EX38 8HZ First (1st) Class NVI Stamps (self-adhesive) 67% Commemorative
First (1st) Class Christmas Stamps 70% URGENT! - All Christmas Stamps
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TEL: 07941 39 14 66 First (1st) Class NVI Stamps (self-adhesive) 70% Deinitive Queen's Head
FAX: 01805 601111 Second (2nd) Class NVI Stamps 67% Commemorative Stamps
Second (2nd) Class Christmas Stamps 72% URGENT! - All Christmas Stamps
E-MAIL: iansnewstamps@gmail.com Second (2nd) Class NVI Stamps (lick and stick) 67% Deinitive Queen's Head
Second (2nd) Class NVI Stamps (self-adhesive) 72% Deinitive Queen's Head
First Class LARGE NVI (self-adhesive) 75% ALL TYPES (£1.01)
First Class LARGE NVI (lick and stick) 70% ALL TYPES (£1.01)
Second Class LARGE NVI (self-adhesive) 75% ALL TYPES (79p)
Second Class LARGE NVI (lick and stick) 70% ALL TYPES (79p)
The History & Local Post of 1st Class Signed For Delivery Stamps 75% All types (£1.77 and £2.11)
Special Delivery Stamps 80% (£6.50 >100g and £7.30 >500g)
RATTLESNAKE ISLAND, LAKE Europe & Worldwide NVI Stamps 50% Up to 40 grams
ERIE Europe & Worldwide NVI Stamps
Presentation Packs & Year Books
55%
52%
Up to 10g, 20g, E, 60g & 100g
from 1971 to 1998
Revised and Updated - 2009 Presentation Packs & Year Books 57% from 1999 to 2011
Presentation Packs & Year Books 62% from 2012 to 2015
Presentation Packs & Year Books 67% 2016 & 2017
Presentation Packs & Year Books 75% 2018
This modern edition contains Prestige Booklets 55% up to 1998
More Local History Prestige Booklets 60% 1999 to 2016
Prestige Booklets 70% 2017 to 2018
Additional Detail of the Ford Tri-Motor Booklets with Stamps up to 26p 50% folding & retail etc
Booklets with Stamps from 27p to 68p 55% folding & retail etc
All Stamps including 2009 issue Smiler Sheets 60% Lick & Stick Gum
Smiler Sheets 65% Self-adhesive Gum
Over 200 Illustrations ISLE OF MAN 25%

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England

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DAVID WALDIE (PHILATELINK LTD),
Sorry credit card facililties not available 13 REDPATH CRESCENT, GALASHIELS,
BORDERS, TD1 2QG, UK. 
29November2018
 WHAT’S ON: AUCTIONS To include an event in this listing, we need at least two months’ notice.
Send details to What’s On, Stamp Magazine, MyTimeMedia Ltd,
Suite 25, Eden House, Enterprise Way, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 6HF.
UK & WORLDWIDE AUCTION E-mail: guy.thomas@mytimemedia.com

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

December 10-12 Contact: Daniel F Kelleher Auctions Tel: 01752 698089 Lancashire BB5 5JP.
englIsh-language
InterasIa Tel: +1 203 830 2500 richardswpa@outlook.com Contact: AJH Stamps, postal sales
Venue: Suite A, 13/F Shun Ho Tower, Fax: +1 203 297 6059 www.swpa-stamp-auctions.com The Laurels, Manchester Road,
24-30 Ice House Street, Central, info@kelleherauctions.com Accrington, Lancashire BB5 2PF county
Hong Kong. www.db.kelleherauctions.com December 15 Tel: 01254 393740 county@stampauctions.co.uk
Contact: Rob Schneider bIelefelDer sales@ajhstamps.co.uk www.stampauctions.co.uk
Tel: +852 2868 6046 December 12 Venue: Windelsbleicher Strasse 174, www.ajhstamps.co.uk
mayfaIr
info@interasia-auctions.com aJh stamps 33659 Bielefeld, Germany.
info@mpastamps.com
www.interasia-auctions.com Venue: The Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Contact: Bielefelder-Auktion January 11-12
www.mpastamps.com
Spa, Clayton-le-Moors, Tel: +49 521 431 943 Dutch country
December 11 Lancashire BB5 5JP. auktionshaus@bielefelder-auktion.de auctIons moWbray
soler y llach Contact: AJH Stamps, www.bielefelder-auktion.de Venue: Auction Gallery, The Stamp mowbray.stamps@xtra.co.nz
Spain & Spanish Colonies The Laurels, Manchester Road, Center, 4115 Concord Pike, www.mowbrays.co.nz
Venue: Beethoven 13, Accrington, Lancashire BB5 2PF December 16 Wilmington, Delaware 19803, USA.
08021 Barcelona, Spain. Tel: 01254 393740 taKahashI Contact: Russell Eggert saJal phIlatelIcs
Contact: Soler y Llach Fax: 01254 382274 Venue: Auction Gallery, 4th Floor, Tel: +1 302 478 8740 brian@brian-reeve.com
Tel: +34 93 201 87 33 sales@ajhstamps.co.uk Shintaro Building, 6-6-19 Ginza, auctions@dutchcountryauctions.com www.brian-reeve.com
info@soleryllach.com www.ajhstamps.co.uk Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan. www.dutchcountryauctions.com
sanDafayre
www.auctions.soleryllach.com Contact: Takahashi Stamp Company
stamp@sandafayre.com
December 15 Tel: +81 3 573 5370  January 12
www.sandafayre.com
December 11-14 south West takashistamp@nifty.com somerset
Kelleher phIlatelIc auctIons www.takahashistamp.com Venue: Hill Farm, Hemyock, unIversal
United States, Great Britain & Venue: 2nd Floor, The Watermark, Cullompton, Devon EX15 3UZ. info@upastampauctions.co.uk
Worldwide Stamps & Covers Erme Court, Leonards Road, January 9 Contact: Somerset Stamp Auctions www.upastampauctions.co.uk
Venue: Unit 53, 22 Shelter Rock Ivybridge, Devon PL21 0SZ. aJh stamps Tel: 01823 681358
Lane, Danbury, Connecticut, Contact: South West Venue: The Dunkenhalgh Hotel & shirley@somersetstampauctions.com vance
CT 06810, USA. Philatelic Auctions Spa, Clayton-le-Moors, www.somersetstampauctions.com mail@vanceauctions.com
www.vanceauctions.com

LOT TO BE DESIRED englIsh-language

onlIne sales
The December 15 auction to be held by illustrating St Elizabeth feeding the hungry DalKeIth
Bielefelder in Germany includes this rare (5pf+15pf green), giving water to the thirsty www.dalkeith-auctions.co.uk
miniature sheet issued by Germany in 1933, with (10pf+30pf red), clothing the naked (20pf+60pf Delcampe
an interesting exhibition postmark. blue) and caring for the sick (50pf+150pf brown), www.delcampe.net
The sheet was released to mark the 10th all overprinted ‘1923-1933’ in black.
mccusKer
anniversary of Nothilfe (Welfare Fund) charity Complete sheets are catalogued at around www.jamesmccusker.com
stamps, a programme started specifically to £2,000 mint and £15,000 used. This particular
moWbray
raise funds for those living in the occupied example is not postally used but has the special
www.mowbrays.co.nz
territories of the Rhineland and the Ruhr, and cancellation of the 1935 international stamp
later extended to cover the whole country. exhibition in Königsberg. phIlatIno
www.philatino.com
It reprises the complete 1924 set of four, Bidding starts at €2,500 (about £2,200).
rasmussen
www.bruun-rasmussen.dk
regency
www.regencystamps.com
rogers
www.michaelrogersinc.com
sammarInese
www.filsam.com
sanDafayre
www.sandafayre.com
sKanfIl
www.skanfil.no
stamp center
www.thestampcenter.com
stampfaIr
www.stampfair.com
stanley gIbbons
www.stanleygibbons.com
torres
www.antoniotorres.com
trafforD booKs
www.traffordbooks.co.uk

Every care is taken to ensure the details published are accurate, but we cannot be responsible for any errors or cancellations. You are advised to check with the event organisers before setting out.

96 www.stampmagazine.co.uk JANUARY 2019

 MILLSTAMPS

See samples above of what we send out with many more available.
TO RECEIVE YOUR SELECTION CONTACT US BY POST, PHONE OR EMAIL.

Send to: Millstamps 14 Spinney Ivybridge Devon PL21 9TU. 07972 846242 millstamps@hotmail.com
 WHAT’S ON: FAIRS To include an event in this listing, we need at least two months’ notice.
Send details to What’s On, Stamp Magazine, MyTimeMedia Ltd,
Suite 25, Eden House, Enterprise Way, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 6HF.
UK STAMP FAIR E-mail: guy.thomas@mytimemedia.com

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

DECEMBER 10 272 Dyke Road, DECEMBER 16 Time: 10am-4pm FARNHAM JANUARY 6
SUTTON COLDFIELD Hove, BN1 5AE. AMERSHAM Contact: M J Perriman (stamps, postal history) BOTLEY
(stamps, postal history) Time: 10am-4pm (stamps, postal history, Tel: 01903 244875 Venue: Upper Hale Village (stamps, postal history)
Venue: The Trinity Centre, Contact: M J Perriman postcards) Hall, Wings Road, GU9 0HN. Venue: Women’s Institute,
Church Hill, Mill Street, Tel: 01903 244875 Venue: Jubilee Scout Hall, DECEMBER 22 Time: 10am-4pm North Hinksey Lane, OX2 0LT.
B72 1TF. Rectory Hill, HP7 0BT. ADDLESTONE Contact: Solent Stamps Time: 9am-1.30pm
Time: 10am-3.30pm HULL Time: 10am-4.30pm (stamps, postal history, Tel: 01489 582673 Contact: T Brittain
Contact: JRS Fairs (stamps, postal history) Contact: David Milton postcards) Tel: 07957 158299
Tel: 01785 259350 Venue: St James Centre, Tel: 01895 637283 Venue: Community Centre, MORLEY
169 First Lane, Hessle, Garfield Road, KT15 2NJ. (stamps, postal history) WORTHING
DECEMBER 13 HU13 9EY. BOWDON Time: 10am-4.30pm Venue: St Mary’s Church Hall, (stamps, postal history,
PLYMOUTH Time: 9.30am-4pm (stamps, postal history, Contact: David Milton Commercial Street, LS27 8HZ. postcards)
(stamps, postal history) Contact: H V Johnson & Co postcards) Tel: 01895 637283 Time: 9.30am-4pm Venue: Heene Community
Venue: Guildhall, Tel: 01909 563394 Venue: Mercure Hotel, Contact: H V Johnson & Co Centre, 122 Heene Road,
Armada Way, PL1 2ER. Langham Road, WA14 2HT. CRAWLEY Tel: 01909 563394 BN11 4PL.
Time: 10am-4pm KEYNSHAM Time: 10am-4pm (stamps, postal history) Time: 9.30am-3pm
Contact: Solent Stamps (stamps, postal history) Contact: Howard Hatton Venue: St Paul’s Methodist DECEMBER 30 Contact: Chris Rapley
Tel: 01489 582673 Venue: The Fear Institute, Tel: 0161 766 9031 Church Hall, Woodfield Road, BRACKNELL Tel: 07711 677760
Keynsham High Street, RH10 8ER. (stamps, postal history)
DECEMBER 14 BS31 1DG. DRONFIELD Time: 10am-4pm Venue: British Red Cross JANUARY 11
EXETER Time: 9.30am-4pm (stamps, postal history) Contact: M J Perriman Centre, 21 Martins Lane, LONDON
(stamps, postal history) Contact: Kevin Noble Fairs Venue: Coal Aston Village Tel: 01903 244875 RG12 9EN. (stamps, postal history)
Venue: Clyst St George Parish Tel: 07599 001101 Hall, Coal Aston, S18 3AY. Time: 9am-1pm Venue: Royal National Hotel,
Hall, Woodbury Road, EX3 0RE. Time: 9.30am-4pm DECEMBER 29 Contact: T Brittain Bedford Way, Russell Square,
Time: 10am-4pm SITTINGBOURNE Contact: H V Johnson & Co EALING Tel: 07957 158299 WC1H 0DG.
Contact: Solent Stamps (stamps, postal history, Tel: 01909 563394 (stamps, postal history, Time: 9am-4pm
Tel: 01489 582673 postcards) postcards) JANUARY 1 Contact: Kate Puleston
Venue: Carmel Hall, MAIDSTONE Venue: Polygon Complex, FELBRIDGE Tel: 020 8946 4489
DECEMBER 15 Ufton Lane, off West Street, (stamps, postal history) Ealing Parish Church, (stamps, postal history,
BRIGHTON ME10 1JB. Venue: Royal British Legion St Mary’s Road, W5 5RH. postcards) JANUARY 12
(stamps, postal history) Time: 10am-3.30pm Hall, British Legion Village, Time: 10am-4pm Venue: Felbridge Village Hall, DERBY
Venue: Church of the Good Contact: Chris Rapley New Road, Aylesford, Contact: T Brittain Crawley Down Road, RH19 2NT. (stamps, postal history)
Shepherd Hall, Tel: 07711 677760 ME20 7NL. Tel: 07957 158299 Time: 9.30am-3.00pm Venue: Nunsfield House
Contact: Chris Rapley Community Hall, 33 Boulton
Tel: 07711 677760 Road, Alvaston, DE24 0FD.
Time: 9.30am-3.30pm
JANUARY 5 Contact: H V Johnson & Co
BECKENHAM Tel: 01909 562927
(stamps, postal history,
postcards) EASTBOURNE
Venue: Azelia Hall, (stamps, postal history,
Croydon Road, BR3 4DA. postcards)
Time: 9am-3pm Venue: St Mary’s Church Hall,
Contact: David Rennie, Decoy Drive, Hampden Park,
Bromley & Beckenham PS BN22 9PP.
Tel: 020 8778 7001 Time: 9.30am-3pm
Contact: Chris Rapley
HASTINGS Tel: 07711 677760
(stamps, postal history,
postcards) MANCHESTER
Venue: Christ Church, (stamps, postal history)
London Road, St Leonard’s on Venue: Sale Grammar School,
Sea, TN37 6GL. Marsland Road, Sale, M33 3NH
Time: 9.30am-3pm Time: 10am-4pm
Contact: Chris Rapley Contact: George Wewiora
Tel: 07711 677760 Tel: 0161 427 2101

HUDDERSFIELD TELFORD
(stamps, postal history) (stamps, postal history,
Venue: St Thomas Community postcards, coins)
Centre, Manchester Road, Venue: Belmont Community
Longroyd Bridge, HD1 3HU. Hall, off Tan Bank car park,
Time: 9am-4pm Wellington, TF1 1HJ
Contact: A Campbell Time: 10am-3pm
Tel: 01484 681559 Contact: Richard Camp
Tel: 01952 405458
LEICESTER
(stamps, postal history, JANUARY 13
postcards) WOKINGHAM
Venue: Derby Room, The (stamps, postal history)
Holiday Inn, St Nicholas Venue: St Crispin’s Centre,
Circle, LE1 5LX. London Road, RG40 1SR.
Time: 9.30am-3.30pm Time: 10am-3pm
Contact: John Suschitzky Contact: T Brittain
Tel: 0116 235 0441 Tel: 07957 158299

Every care is taken to ensure the details published are accurate, but we cannot be responsible for any errors or cancellations. You are advised to check with the event organisers before setting out.

98 www.stampmagazine.co.uk JANUARY 2019

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 WHAT’S ON: SOCIETIES To include an event in this listing, we need at least two months’ notice.
Send details to What’s On, Stamp Magazine, MyTimeMedia Ltd,
Suite 25, Eden House, Enterprise Way, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 6HF.
SELECTED UK PHILATELIC SOCIETY E-mail: guy.thomas@mytimemedia.com

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

December 13 Venue: Jubilee Hall, Time: 7.30pm Venue: Bostonway Community Venue: Scarborough Library, Members’ Displays:
bristol ps St Barnabus Church, Contact: David Allen Centre, Bostonway, FY4 4YB. Vernon Road, YO11 2NN. Letter M
Philatelic Quiz & Raffle Church Road, Hadleigh, Tel: 01730 261244 Time: 7.30pm Time: 7pm Venue: 132b Priory Street,
Venue: Redland Park United SS7 2EJ. Contact: David Bond Contact: Chris Phillips SA31 1LR.
Reformed Church, Time: 7.30pm taunton sc Tel: 01253 767763 Tel: 01723 368475 Time: 7pm
Whiteladies Road, BS6 6SA. Contact: Laurence Gardiner Banknotes part 2 Contact: C Williams
Time: 7.30pm laurencewgardiner1 by John Cowlin rochDale ps solihull ps Tel: 01267 236680
Contact: Mike Breward @hotmail.com Venue: Kilkenny Court, Display by David Hudson Presidential Display
Tel: 01179 567853 Clifton Terrace, A2 7QL. Venue: Unitarian Chapel, Venue: Solihull Cricket & January 10
January 3 Time: 7.30pm Clover Street, OL12 6TP. Tennis Club, Marsh Lane, bristol ps
solihull ps maiDstone & Contact: Chris Catley Time: 7.30pm Solihull B91 2PF. 1-Sheet Competition
Up to 16 Sheets: miD-kent ps Tel: 01884 798370 Contact: Peter Grimshaw Time: 8pm Venue: Redland Park United
A New Theme Members’ Displays: Tel: 01706 367240 Contact: Paul Woodness Reformed Church, Whiteladies
Venue: Solihull Cricket & Letters P, Q, R January 8 Tel: 01564 776879 Road, BS6 6SA.
Tennis Club, Marsh Lane, Venue: St Paul’s Church Hall, axe Vale sc royal sutton Time: 7.30pm
Solihull B91 2PF. Boxley Road, Maidstone, Alphabetic Competition: colDFielD ps January 9 Contact: Mike Breward
Time: 10.30am ME14 2AH. Letter H Golfilately by Jim Gray bromley & Tel: 01179 567853
Contact: Paul Woodness Time: 7.30pm Venue: Bradshaw Rooms, Venue: Sutton Coldfield beckenham ps
Tel: 01564 776879 Contact: Brian Stonestreet Silver Street, Axminster, Methodist Church, South Display by Chris Sands burnley &
Tel: 01622 675784 EX13 5AH. Parade, Sutton Coldfield Venue: Public Hall, Bromley District ps
December 17 Time: 7.30pm B72 1QY. Road, Beckenham, BR3 5JE. President’s Night
FernDown & west January 7 Contact: Nicholas Arrow Time: 10.30am Time: 7.30pm Venue: Central Methodist
moors p&pc petersFielD & Tel: 01297 552482 Contact: Steven Harrison Contact: David Rennie Church, Hargreaves Street,
Christmas Events District ps Tel: 0121 313 0671 Tel: 020 8778 7001 Burnley BB11 1DU.
Venue: Day Centre, Members’ Displays blackpool & Time: 7.30pm
Library Road, off Victoria Venue: Petersfield Community FylDe ps scarborouGh ps carmarthen & Contact: Dr Barry Evans
Road, Ferndown, BH22 9JP. Centre, Love Lane, GU31 4BW. The Secretary Entertains Members’ Night District s&pc Tel: 01282 616156
Time: 7.30pm
Contact: Paul Barry
Tel: 01258 821261 SCOTTISH POSTAL HISTORY WEEKEND
south miDlanDs
sc
Sixty members gathered to enjoy six major ‘Additional ½’ mailcoach tax mark.
Arms & Legs
Venue: Barford Memorial Hall, displays at a weekend joint meeting of the Society On the Sunday, Ian Evans led off with a study of
Church Street, Barford, of Postal Historians and the Scottish Postal History Spanish mail, featuring censored Civil War covers,
CV35 8EN. Society in Edinburgh in October. and Norman Watson rounded off the proceedings
Time: 1.30pm Saturday morning featured Ian Anderson’s by showing Penny Black anomalies and postal
Contact: John Gledhill
collection of West African travelling post office history from the 1918 Armistice.
Tel: 01789 842112
covers, followed by Peter Chadwick’s talk on the There were also a selection of interesting
December 19 subject of unusual charges on pre-stamp mail. 16-sheet displays, with collectors limited to just
Grimsby & In the afternoon, Robin Sherman showed two minutes each to introduce their subjects, on
District ps
material from the Gilbert & Ellice Islands, and Bill pain of incurring the wrath of organising secretary
Germany by Tony Beesley
Venue: Grimsby Central Hall, Shand displayed covers struck with Scotland’s David Kindley!
Duncombe Street, DN32 7EG.
Time: 7pm
Contact: Trevor Smith
Tel: 01469 572354

wakeFielD ps
Christmas Social & Displays
Venue: Standbridge Lane
Community Centre,
Kettlethorpe, WF2 7NP.
Time: 7pm
Contact: Philip Reynolds
Tel: 07805 509469

December 21
herne bay ps
Christmas Supper &
Displays
Venue: Herne Bay United
Church Hall, High Street,
CT6 5NG.
Time: 7.30pm
Contact: John F G Mills
Tel: 01227 787070

January 2
benFleet & ABOVE: Peter Chadwick delivers his presentation of unusual charges found on pre-1840 postal history
District ps
Informal Meeting & Bourse

Every care is taken to ensure the details published are accurate, but we cannot be responsible for any errors or cancellations. You are advised to check with the event organisers before setting out.

100 www.stampmagazine.co.uk JANUARY 2019

 Fine
British
Commonwealth
1840 - present

COME AND SEE US AT YORK STAMP SHOW, JAN 18th-19th

Website: http://www.nstaffsstamps.com
North Staffs Stamps
PO BOX 2701 Email: nstaffsstamps@yahoo.co.uk
Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 9AL Ebay: www.stores.ebay.co.uk/whitepeakplodder
Tel: 01782 818560 www.stores.ebay.co.uk/North-Staffs-Stamps
British Commonwealth 1840 - 1970
mainly priced from £10-£1,000.
GB.12 GREAT BRITAIN AIR Mail Unadopted Essay Imperfo-
rate, depicts Queen Elizabeth II and aircraft “£” high value
denomination. Ex-special exhibition sheet. .... Price £7.25
GB.4K GREAT BRITAIN Postal History Cover for British
Parliaments enactment of the stamp act. Commemo-
rating the 250th anniv. of the Stamp Act. In 1766 the
controversial stamp act was a major cause of the
American Revolution. Benjamin Franklin appealed to the
British House of Commons and the act was repealed.
The historic cover of which only fifty exist, bears the
Royal Mail illustrated ship postmark dated 1/11/15. The
cover also depicts the 1766 British One Penny Stamp
which pre-dated the famous 1d Black Stamp of 1840
by sixty-four years. ................................. Price £19.50
J477 JAPAN A superb collection of Japanese stamps
with fantastic selection of used commemoratives
includes interesting group of Japanese occupation
stamps of World War II for Burma, Malaya and Manchu-
ria. Hundreds of different Japan stamps. . Price £17.25
N-MO27 MONACO A fine collection of Monaco stamps
dating back to early issues of the 1920s through to the
1950s and on to more recent issues. Superior engraved
stamps. The collection of over 100 different only con-
tains unmounted mint stamps. ..................... Price £13
KGVI23 KENYA, UGANDA & TANGANYIKA King George
VI impressive stamp error. The 1c. Black & Red Brown
Flamingo definitive stamp with impressive colour shift
of the black colour (King George VI head) shifted to
the left revealing a white area on the right of the oval
frames interior superb unm. Mint King George VI error.
.................................................................. Price £4.75
WD399 WALT DISNEY A fantastic collection of only
unmounted mint stamps covering the Walt Disney theme
mostly British Commonwealth countries noted including
Lesotho, St. Vincent, Grenada, Sierra Leone, Antigua, Turks
& Caicos Islands, Anguilla, Maldives & Barbuda. Other
countries noted include Bhutan, Gambia, and stamps of
the Union Island. All the favourite Disney characters are
included, namely Mickey & Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck,
Goofy. Famous Disney films includes 101 Dalmatians, the
Lion King, Hunchback of Notre-Dame and Pocahontas.
Several complete sets in miniature sheetlets format plus
a mass of other Disney stamps. Hundreds of stamps, plus
special mint sheetlets. …................................... Price £23
WE378 WESTERN EUROPE Mostly Western Europe,
an attractive collection of mint and used stamps with:
Switzerland, Yugoslavia, San Marino also noted Eire,
Italy, Spain and Greece – strength in older Yugoslavia.
Contains several hundred different European stamps. .
.................................................................. Price £8.75
RN4 GREAT BRITAIN HMS Victory Cover Issued for
the 250th Anniv. of the launching of Nelson’s Flagship,
HMS Victory. “The pride of the British Navy”, the oldest
commissioned warship in the world. Bearing a Royal
Mail ensign stamp and cancelled with a Royal Mail il-
lustrated ship postmark dated 7/5/15 – only 100 covers
were issued. ............................................. Price £8.75
MI349 MALDIVE ISLANDS An impressive stamp collection
of only unmounted mint blocks of Maldive Island Stamps.
The collection is rich in thematic commemoratives.
Several hundred mint Maldive Islands stamps. . Price £16
M884 MEXICO A superb accumulation of only
unmounted mint Mexican stamps, including sheets,
multiples, blocks and singles. Well over 400 unmounted
mint Mexican stamps and several miniature sheets.
Many older beautifully engraved unmounted mint
stamps, all genuine, with a catalogue value of approx.
£200. ........................................................... Price £29
T.180 TITANIC An impressive collection of Titanic
limited edition postcards, commemorating the sinking
of the Titanic ship in 1912. Cards depict the ill-fated
ship, passengers and crew from original photographs of
1912. An important historic collection of over 25 differ-
ent postcards........................................... Price £17.50
BH44 BHUTAN The collection from the Himalayan King-
dom of Bhutan comprises solely of unmounted mint
stamps with blocks and singles and miniature sheets. A
glorious lot of well over 100 unmounted mint stamps.
................................................................ Price £11.50
NZ108 NEW ZEALAND A superb collection of New Zea-
land stamps dating back to King George V follows on to
King George VI issues, onto early Elizabethan stamps to
more recent issues; containing several hundred stamps
in mostly fine used condition. Unchecked for catalogue
value, this is a great specialised lot to build upon.
Several hundred different NZ stamps. ... Price £16.50
RS387 RUSSIAN STATES After the collapse of the Soviet
Union in 1991, several Russian states issued stamps
independently. Many issues were provisional and for local
use only, some issues were not recognised by the U.P.U
and were outside the scope of Stanley Gibbons catalogue.
We offer an unusual collection of these elusive Russian
States including: Tartarstan, Batum, Amurskaya, Ukraine,
Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Karjala, Kazakstan, Belarus, Komi,
Moldova & Uzbekistan; with mint and used (CTO) plus
miniature sheets, includes; inverted overprint errors of
Ukraine and scarcer unlisted stamps. An unusual and
exotic collection of well over 100 stamps. ......... Price £21
MZ112 MOZAMBIQUE COMPANY An impressive old
collection of the stamps of the Mozambique Company
dating back to the 1930s and earlier. With mint and
used stamps in singles and blocks including postage
dues and early air mail issues. The stamps are classi-
cally engraved and superbly printed approx. 80 stamps.
.................................................................. Price £9.75
GB 93 CONCORDE An essay for the 1959 G.P.O. Concorde
stamp. A submitted design for the 4d denomination in blue
unwatermarked, imperforate with large margin. Unmounted
mint essay ex-exhibition sheet. ............................ Price £12
E2R.GP1 GREAT BRITAIN Rare Machin gutter pair
cover One of the most sought-after Machin defini-
tive covers. The Royal Mail illustrated cover bears the
scarce blue 2nd class definitive Machin gutter pair with
gold coronation anniv. Royal Mail crown design Gutter
Pair. The cover is postmarked with the official London
E2R Coronation anniv. postmark dated 1/1/13. This is
of postal history importance as the Machin Coronation
Gutter Pair is scarce as mint, but rare used on First Day
cover. ........................................................... Price £27
M27A CORONATION STREET A specialised and most
unusual thematic collection of Coronation Street
stamps with complete unm. mint sets. From various
British Local Islands, including scarcer High Values
and several £1.00 values. Personalities depicted on
stamps include: Jack & Annie Walker, Stan & Hilda
Ogden, Ken & Irma Barlow, Jack & Vera Duckworth,
Martha Longhurst, Ena Sharples, Mike & Alma Baldwin,
Kevin Webster, Raquel Wolstenholme, Ray Langton, Liz
McDonald, Alf Roberts, Bet Gilroy, Curly Watts, Emily
Bishop, Martin Platt, Leonard Swindly, Elsie Tanner, Reg
Holdsworth + others ..................................... Price £12
SJ120 MEDICAL Stamps with specialised lot of Anti-TB
and Red Cross stamps. Also Anti-Malaria stamps Red
Cross Stamps back to the 1940s or earlier up to more
recent. With nursing, doctors and all forms of medicine.
A most interesting subject rarely offered for sale ideal
for anyone with some medical knowledge to form a
valuable collection. ......................................... Price £7
RW986 RAILWAYS & LOCOMOTIVES A fantastic
thematic collection of locomotive and railway stamps.
The specialised collection contains several hundred
train stamps with many scarcer unmounted mint blocks
included, plus F.D.Cs, also several scarcer local issues,
specimen stamps, proofs and progressive proofs, lots
of higher $ stamps and £1 values; also many Railway
and locomotive miniature sheets. A glorious collection
for any philatelic railway enthusiast. ............ Price £28
QE1 MARITIME POSTAL HISTORY A pair of scarce
official Cunard covers in superb condition. First cover
posted on the last sailing of the liner ‘Queen Elizabeth’
with PAQUEBOT illustrated ship postmark dated 15
November 1968, last call at Southampton. Second
cover for the ‘Queen Elizabeth’ final Transatlantic
voyage posted on arrival. Unusually the cover has a
British postage stamp but postmarked with New York
USA paquebot postmark dated 28 October 1968. Both
covers for only. .......................................... Price £8.30
SP.23 SPACE An unusual collection of space and space
exploration miniature sheets. Impressive lot includes
astronauts, cosmonauts, moon landings, Apollo issues.
All manner of spaceships and planets. 40 different
space miniature sheets including scarcer uncatalogued
and imperforate issues. ............................... Price £14
SP914 SPORTS A superb collection of sports stamps
from many countries which includes miniature sheets
and sport related covers including scarcer signed
covers. Hundreds of sports stamps plus covers and
miniature sheets. ......................................... Price £16
AD.23 ADEN & YEMEN A specialised collection of
stamps from war torn Yemen and Aden. Approx. 80
plus stamps with mint & used. Dating back to 1950’s
includes issues for Aden states. Qu’aiti state in Hadhra-
maut & Kathiri state of Seiyun. ................ Price £11.25
E39 TIBET Fantastic group printed on rough and thin
‘Native Type’ paper including listed stamps and some
shades and colours which appear not to be listed in
Gibbons Catalogue. Included are blocks and singles some
used on covers. Due to crudeness of the printing of this
type of Tibet stamps, there is no way we can guarantee as
genuine. If just some of the listed stamps were genuine
the Catalogue Value would be hundreds of pounds. We
have decided the safest way is to treat them as suspect
and possible forgeries. As such we are offering them for
sale at the knockdown price only. ...................... Price £13
GB85 GREAT BRITAIN An important error on the 1966
Battle of Hastings 6d. value. The wrong colour gold leaf
was used in error on the Queens Head. Error – yellow gold
instead of normal bronze gold. We can offer the unmounted
mint error plus normal stamp for comparison. ..Price £7.50
M82 MILITARY UNIFORMS A superb collection of Military
Uniform stamps, includes: unmounted mint and used stamps,
with blocks and singles. Hundreds of Military Uniform stamps.
……………………………………………Price £13
TO ADVERTISE HERE CALL TEL: 01689 869 852 FAX: 01689 869 874
STAMP SHOPS

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Please ring in advance to book appointment.
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countries; your period and mint or used www.stampmagazine.co.uk
preference. www.michaelgread.co.uk

104 www.stampmagazine.co.uk JANUARY 2019

 WEB DIRECTORY
WEB DIRECTORY YOUR GUIDE TO THE BEST PHILATELIC WEBSITES

FEATURED WEBSITES www.philatelie-gaertner.de

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A comprehensive listing
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www.gbstamps.co.uk worldwide /
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Visit our site and send for
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Compare and save!

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www.michaelkay.co.uk
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totals £31+
www.robinhood-stamp.co.uk
Singles, sets and collections from around the World.
Retail Shop open every Friday.
PO BOX 920, RICHMOND, SURREY TW9 9FN Rushcliffe House, 17-19 Rectory Road,
West Bridgford, Nottingham. NG2 6BE
TELEPHONE:- 020 8940 7777 FAX:- 020 8940 7755 Tel: 0115982
Tel:0115 9826152
6152

JANUARY 2019 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 105

TO ADVERTISE HERE CALL TEL: 01689 869 852 FAX: 01689 869 874
CLASSIFIED GUIDE TO THE SPECIALISTS
APPROVALS BRITISH COMMONWEALTH

GB AND KG VI Collectors List 1 Indian Feudatory

States. List 2 Convention both for Crown and
COMMONWEALTH New Age Albums List 3 earlier or other
issues of the Indian States
APPROVALS !!would help Imperial Collectors!!
Court Fees, Revenues, Postal History
GVI TO 2016 FINE USED STAMPS or you may send a wants list for a irm quote
! ALWAYS BUYING Indian States
AT 75% OR MORE
PO Box 1096. Sunderland. SR3 1WZ
DISCOUNT ON SG CATALOGUE Tel: 01915 235 811 Mob: 07764 830 136
PRICES, WANTS LISTS Email: bill@sunstamps.co.uk
WELCOMED. POSTAGE PAID
BOTH WAYS.

E PICKUP,
8 FAIRDOWN AVE,
WESTBURY, WILTSHIRE,
BA13 3HS
TEL: 01373 865474,
EANDVPICKUP@HOTMAIL.COM

BRITISH COMMONWEALTH

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BASIC MINT AND USED AT A MAXIMUM OF HALF SG CATALOGUE
Our price guarantee – has been for the last 35 years!
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REGULAR LISTS Specialist in Great Britain
Retail Shop open every Friday First Day Covers
Free illustrated Price List with over 100
B & S STAMPS pages of First Day Covers and
RUSHCLIFFE HOUSE, 17-19 RECTORY ROAD WEST BRIDGFORD, NOTTINGHAM. NG2 6BE Commemorative Covers
Tel: 0115 981 6214 alan@robinhood-stamp.co.uk
STEVEN RILEY
37 BADGER GATE, THRESHFIELD,
SKIPTON BD23 5EN

“ NEW ZEALAND” FOREIGN

NZ $225 (inc. p & p) French Colonies

PO Box 99988, Newmarket, Auckland 1149, NZ
www.campbellpaterson.co.nz
(Pre-Independence)
Send today for our
Email: service@campbellpaterson.co.nz monthly buy/bid sale
luxury illustrated
catalogue - also listing
every stamp in our
extensive stocks from the French Colonies.
Prompt, friendly service since 1966.
Complete catalogue always on our website.
Discounted starter packs for newcomers
to this wonderful collecting area.

4 Ascot Close. Eastbourne BN20 7HL

g.isher243@btinternet.com
Tel. 01323 721444 www.frenchcolonies.com

106 www.stampmagazine.co.uk JANUARY 2019


EUROPE • GERMANY
UM, Mint, Used, East and West Europe
A D Stamps, 72 Lowerhouses Lane,
Huddersfield HD5 8JW
Tel: 01484 318987 or
adyer@adstamps.co.uk for current lists
Lists also available on website:
www.adstamps.co.uk
Federal USA State
DUCK HUNTING STAMPS
for details and price list, contact
John Wells
P.O. Box 222, Waltham Cross, Herts EN8 8GS
Tel: 01992 628976
E. mail: john.wells123@btinternet.com
2018
9 4
Tel: 01386 841923 Email:blomeield@aol.com
MY NEW LISTING OF
KING EDWARD VII
IS NOW AVAILABLE.
SEND FOR YOUR COPY.
Do YoU CoLLECT BRITISH STAMPS?
We offer Great Britain stamps from Queen Victoria through to 2018 mint and used.
We can send you approvals please let us know your interests. Or you can send us
your wants lists by post or email. You will be impressed by our competitively priced
stamps. Discounts available including 20% on first selection.
Robert Williams
1 Butt Hill Drive, Prestwich, Manchester M25 9PL
Tel: 0161 798 4734 riw@isaglo.com
TO ADVERTISE HERE CALL TEL: 01689 869 852 FAX: 01689 869 874
FOREIGN
6
EASTERN EUROPE NEW U/M COLLECTIONS AVAILABLE
SCANDINAVIA HUNGARY, POLAND,
AUSTRIA, BALKAN COUNTRIES, CZECHOSLOVAKIA,
WEST BERLIN, ETC.
HUNGARY, POLAND, USSR
DANZIG, EAST GERMANY,
Germania Stamps
DENMARK, FAEROES, GREENLAND FINLAND,
ICELAND, NORWAY, SWEDEN
www.germania-stamps.co.uk
germaniastamps@gmail.com
Free lists sent on request, or download
from www.djmkerr-stamps.com
D J M KERR
PO Box 7082, Grantown on Spey AUSTRALIA USED 1913 - 2009
PH24 2WW Tel/fax 01479 831374 FAROE ISLANDS MINT AND USED 1860 - 1985
E-mail: david@djmkerr-stamps.com
paid
To ADVERTISE HERE
CoNTACT JAY JoNES
jay.jones@mytimemedia.com
GREAT BRITAIN
GB POSTAGE
FOR SALE FROM 85%
FACEVALUE
Reduce the cost of your mailings .Values supplied in
100’s @ 90% £50 mixed bags at 85% of face value. 73
Weekly lists of stocks values available by fax.
No charge for mailing costs but minimum order can be viewed/downloaded from our website
required £200
JOHN CURTIN LIMITED
International Stamp Dealer
P.O. Box 31,
Sunbury - on - Thames,
Middlesex, TW16 6HD Ask for our World Rush Express No.69 (with big discount)
Tel: 01932 785635 (24 hrs)
Fax: 01932 770523
e-mail: jcbuying@btinternet.com
K & C Philatelics
THE GB SPECIALISTS in
QUEEN VICTORIAN STAMPS AND
COVERS, PRE-STAMP
AND IRISH ITEMS
PO Box 5003, Danbury CM3 4JU, UK.
Tel/Ans: 01245 223120
Do visit our expanded website: new material
added daily at
www.kcphilatelics.co.uk
JANUARY 2019 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 107
TO ADVERTISE HERE CALL TEL: 01689 869 852 FAX: 01689 869 874
CLASSIFIED GUIDE TO THE SPECIALISTS
GREAT BRITAIN POSTAL AUCTIONS

MY NEW FULL-COLOUR
BOOKLET OF OFFERS
OF GREAT BRITAIN, no. 168,
WILL BE AVAILABLE
ON 1st JANUARY.
SEND FOR YOUR COPY TODAY.

Do you collect
GB?
Then join

THE GREAT BRITAIN

PHILATELIC SOCIETY
For further details contact:
VICTORIA LAJER Postal Auction
membership@gbps.org.uk With Free Catalogues
www.gbps.org.uk IRELAND No Buyers Premium Low Commission Rates
Good Material Always Wanted
R.A.J Philatelics 35 Castlecombe Drive Wimbledon
GREAT BRITAIN WE BUY IRELAND London SW19 6RN www.raj-stamps.co.uk
STAMPS Generous prices paid for postal history,
GB used in Ireland, high value overprints,
WANTS BUYING errors, booklets, coils, covers (except post
Collections and 1960 FDC), revenues, or any specialist or
LISTS rare items of Ireland. Good collections
fine single items
WELCOME always of interest.
POSTAL HISTORY 15 0 0 – 19 2 0 Write or telephone:

MacDONNELL WHYTE LTD

MARTIN TOWNSEND 102 Leinster Road, Dublin 6, Ireland.
Telephone: (+353-1)4977449
P.O. Box 10, Hitchin, Herts. SG4 9PE
Fax: (+353-1) 4977440
Tel & Fax: 01462 420678 Members: PTS, BDF, ASDA, APHV, IPTA Postal Auctions
martin@martintownsend.com Wide variety of Commonwealth and
www.martintownsend.com Foreign, mixed lots, sets and
…LISTS!…LISTS!…LISTS!...
singles, with no extra charges, in
INSURANCE our regular monthly auctions.
IRELAND 2012 LIST Contact us for free catalogue.
MINT & USED, SETS & ODD VALUES,
L & R Stamps (ADPS)
INSURE YOUR COLLECTION IN DEPTH COVERAGE 1922 - DATE 12 Townsend Close,
ALL RISKS - NO EXCESS Wyton, Huntingdon, PE28 2AR
LISTS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR Tel: 01480 464552
REPLACEMENT VALUE
S tam ps, Postcards, Coins, D iecast m odels,
NEW ZEALAND, SUDAN e-mail: info@lrstamps.co.uk
D olls Houses M odel Railw ays etc. & BIRD THEMATICS
TO ADVERTISE HERE
STAMP INSURANCE SERVICES ALL LISTS FREE ON REQUEST
C G I Services Limited
PLEASECONTACT
29 Bowhay Lane, Exeter, EX4 1PE A.R.BALLARD
Tel: 01392 433 949
mail @stampinsurance.co,uk
PO BOX 780, LONDON SE13 5QA
TEL/FAX 020 8852 7031
JAY JONES
Authorised & Regulated by the email; arballard@hotmail.co.uk jay.jones@mytimemedia.com
Financial Conduct Authority

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE www.stampmagazine.co.uk

108 www.stampmagazine.co.uk JANUARY 2019
 TO ADVERTISE HERE CALL TEL: 01689 869 852 FAX: 01689 869 874
STAMP AUCTIONS THEMATICS

ALL WORLD NEW ISSUES &

MODERN THEMATIC DEALER
10,000+ SETS AND
SHEETS IN STOCK
Royalty, Queen Elizabeth II, Birds,
WWI, WWII, Aviation, Concorde, Ships,
Titanic, Trains, Art, Christmas, Fish,
Whales, Sharks, Reptiles, Wild Animals,
Popes, Churchill and many more!
W4 Stamps and Collectables
Erwyn Rentzenbrink
106 Kimberley Park Road
FALMOUTH
TR11 2DQ, United Kingdom
erentzenbrink@hotmail.com
07468 488 506
stores.ebay.co.uk/
w4stampsandcollectables

See What’s on
Auction on page 96 TO ADVERTISE HERE CONTACT

in this issue JAY JONES

jay.jones@mytimemedia.com

JANUARY 2019 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 109

 JOHN LAMONBY
FINE BRITISH ADHESIVES

MY CHRISTMAS LIST....

....IS READY NOW.

Or find my latest listing
at www.johnlamonby.com
FOREMOST JOHN LAMONBY Our new listing of
FINE BRITISH ADHESIVES Great Britain is ready now
ON QUALITY
Callers by appointment
211 Old Castle Street, Portchester,
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appointmentPO16 9QW, Great Britain,
211 Old Castle Street, Portchester,Tel: 02392378035
Hampshire PO16 9QW Great Britain, TEL: 02392378035
Orders may be faxed to us on 02392201096 or E-mail us on lamonby@aol.com
E-mail: lamonby@aol.com www.johnlamonby.com
929541.08
ESTABLISHEDwww.lamonbyandallen.co.uk
IN PHILATELY FOR OVER 35 YEARS
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 WORLD NEWS | AUCTIONS | GB COLLECTOR | LETTERS | COMMENT | COMPETITIONS | FEATURES | EVENTS STRANGE BUT TRUE
STRANGE BUT TRUE

Desert island fix

The remote and almost uninhabited archipelago claimed to have inspired the story
of Robinson Crusoe was in no need of a stamp issue. In 1910, it got one anyway
■ Report by John Winchester

ince the first issue privateer Alexander

S of 1853, almost
every stamp of
Chile had carried a
Selkirk had lived as a
castaway for four years,
inspiring the 1719 novel
portrait of Christopher by Daniel Defoe.
Columbus, which is odd Of course, the islands
given that the great had no genuine postal
navigator never visited requirements, and the
the country. But the national government
1910 issue was the intervened, not wanting
strangest of all. the country to be the
A group of speculators butt of philatelic jokes.
persuaded postal Its solution was to make
officials to add a little the overprints generally
extra intrigue to the available throughout
country’s philatelic ABOVE: Chile 1910 1p, and the ‘Islas de Juan Fernandez’ overprint apparently for use on a desert island Chile, thereby negating
output by arranging for their scarcity value.
several values in the 1905 series, recess-printed by the American As a result, collectors can find covers bearing ‘Islas de Juan
Bank Note Company of New York, to be locally overprinted ‘Islas Fernandez’ overprints from all over Chile, with the possible
de Juan Fernandez’, and in some cases surcharged too. exception of the islands themselves!
It was a scam which was sure to attract international attention, The speculators had one extra trick up their sleeves, however.
because the remote and almost uninhabited archipelago, 400 In two different positions on sheets of the 5c on 12c value, the
miles from the mainland, was reputed to be the location of ‘Z’ in ‘Fernandez’ appears as either ‘2’ or ‘7’, creating at least one
‘Robinson Crusoe’s Island’ — the place where the Scottish extra level of scarcity. ■

NEXT MONTH
PLUS
■ The hazardous life of
By George! a river postman
■ Malta’s awkward 1922
The untold story behind the special Self-Government set
issues at the 2010 Festival of Stamps
■ New Zealand railway
commemoratives
■ Flags as a theme in
British philately

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AJH STAMPS....................................84 MAYFAIR PHILATELIC AUCTIONS .......19

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............................................................................................................................................................ ARROWFILE ...................................112 MICHAEL G. READ ............................18
............................................................. POSTCODE........................................................ SM 01/19
05/17

POST TO: Universal Philatelic Auctions, 4, The Old Coalyard, MICHAEL G. READ (GV1) ...................37
West End, Northleach, Glos. GL54 3HE, UK : 01451 861111 BILL BARRELL..................................11

Do it now and I'll round your Free offer up to £30 MILLSTAMPS ...................................97
CDD STAMPS ...................................76
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I collect the following countries / areas: NORTH STAFFS ..............................101
............................................................................................................................................................ CORBITTS .................................. 34, 46
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GUSTAMPS .............................. 90, 102 AUCTIONS.................................... 103
NAME ...............................................................................................................................................
ADDRESS ........................................................................................................................................
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............................................................. POSTCODE........................................................................
TELEPHONE..................................... E-mail ................................................................................. J.R.MOWBRAY ...............................110 SWAN ........................................ 26, 73
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861111
UPA ............................ 13, 44-5, 49-65
West End, Northleach, Glos. GL54 3HE, UK ERWOOD PHILATELICS .....................76
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