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GB’S PLATINUM JUBILEE SET • FULL REPORT: LONDON 2022 SHOW

APRIL 2022 Volume 4, Issue 4 www.allaboutstamps.co.uk

STAMP CLASSIC GB
Why we love
the £5 Orange

PHILATE LIC
ADV EN T URES th stamps!
the world wi
Explore

SOUTHERN MAURITIUS
NEW ZEALAND RHODESIA

BARCODE CONFUSION THEMATICS GUIDE STAMP VALUES:

Will the swap scheme work? Frogs on stamps! Historic stamps of Danzig
 ATTENTION OWNERS OF LARGE/ VALUABLE COLLECTIONS –
from / respond to: Andrew McGavin
Are You THINKING of SELLING?
This is How The
Stamp Trade WorksPhilatelic Expert Lets You into his Selling Secrets so you can
benefit from a totally different (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 secret
source of supply? So, I bought my 1st stamp
mixture, (wholesale I thought), broke it into 50
smaller units, advertised it in Stamp Magazine
‘Classifieds’, and waited for the orders to roll
in… I’m still waiting, 51 years later !...
Wrong Offer ✗ Wrong Price ✗ Wrong Place ✗
(naïve seller) ✔ = H me but I was only 15 at the time!
ANDREW PROMOTING PHILATELY ON
THE ALAN TITCHMARSH SHOW ITV
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 afford. The 2nd to last boy wearing short
trousers in his school year, he religiously bought
Post Office 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 internationally published Stamp
‘Tips’ articles, appearing 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
51 years, in combination with Commerce and
Marketing Expertise, enabling him to create
synergies in ‘lifetime’ interlinked Stamp Selling
Systems, selling unit-priced stamps through to
handling collections & 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-Estimate
System Stamp Auction in the World, creating
records selling stamps to
2,261 different bidders from
54 different countries ‘in his
international auctions.
Andrew stopped collecting
stamps aged 18 reasoning
that his enjoyment of stamps
would be in handling them
and selling them… He
loves working in stamps
and looks forward to E’
Y AD
each philatelic day T
M TR
ES HE ET
E QU F T KL
R S O OO
IP E B
P T RE
‘T
O F
►licThree years later, attending my first pub-
2bidders seemed to buy everything, paying the
stamp auctions I wondered how some
highest price? It didn’t occur to me that they
were probably Auction Bidding Agents, paid
by absent (dealer) bidders to represent them. I
wondered why two collectors sitting side by side
muttered to each other “he’s a dealer” as if
that justified him paying the highest price…
…but did it really? What was the real reason?
How could a Dealer pay a higher price than a Col-
lector? It doesn’t make sense, does it? Collectors are
customers. Customers usually pay the highest price,
unless… for a Collector, this was…
Wrong Presentation ✗ Wrong Place ✗ evident that the problem for most Sellers of
therefore Wrong Price ✗
Fast-forward 48 years later  to a British
3al ►Stamp
Empire collection, lot #1 in an Internation-
Auction – Estimated at £3,000, but
we were the highest bidder at £21,000 – YES
– some 7×higher. Including Buyer’s Premium in
the extraordinary sum of £4,788 we actually
paid GBP£25,788= upon a £3,000 estimate…
however, we broke it down into sets, singles,
mini-collections etc. We made a profit. Some
might say it found its price. Others may say:
✗
Wrong Estimate Wrong Presentation ✗ are dealers – so that, essentially they are Dealer-
✗
Wrong Structure Wrong Protection of Price ✗ dominated auctions) – so that when you sell through
– Lucky for the seller that 2 well-heeled 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 obfuscation,
hopefully we can all agree:
The Secret is Simple –
it’s ALL ABOUT : TIMING
Plus the 3 Philatelic ‘P’s –
Presentation ✔Place ✔and Price ✔
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-dominated world,
it may even have disappeared. Well, there was
an insider Stamp Trade publication for Stamp
Dealers called “The Stamp Wholesaler”. There
was nothing that special about it – and you
would not have learnt much or found massively
reduced prices by subscribing then – BUT – it
was a forum, a paper focal point, a last ‘bastion’
in this on-line transparent world that we inhab-
it… whereby dealers (and auctioneers) can try
and communicate with each other. I published
my own articles there…
More recently in print, I discussed the outcome
of my 10 years’ simple research, asking dealers and
auctioneers ‘what is your biggest problem?’
To a man, (why are we almost all men), they re-
plied – “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 – because my answer would have been
entirely different (and I don’t treat it as a problem) – I
seek to satisfy more collector clients than any
other stamp auction
This is the reason why my company 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 even
sell £200K per annum).
5► Why is that? Because, as the world re-
volved the Stamp Market, imper-
ceptibly Changed, and incrementally –
Massively
So, although few will tell you this, it’s clearly
Stamps today is no longer absent 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 Customer-core. To be
fair, this is not true of all – but it is true of most
– so that a former competitor had 800 bidders
in a recent auction. In my most recent 18,933 lot
UPA 80th Auction we had 1,893 different bidders
from 51 different countries, 95% of whom were
Collectors. Some other well-advertised auctions
only have 200 bidders (a high percentage of whom
them – you’re paying up to 18% (including VAT)
seller’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 naturally must make
a profit 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 dealer’s £2,000+/- retail selling price -
BUT… now that we have identified the
problem…
Isn’t the Solution Staring us
Right in The Face ?
7► Why Pay an Auction to Sell to
Dealers: Sell to Collectors instead?
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 probably, to the
wrong person.
Why not direct that 40% cost you’re paying to
sell to Collectors instead? Sounds good, so why
hasn’t this been done before ?

8 ►Truth is, it Has been done before…
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 tak-
en, almost surreptitiously, in numerous different
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 Legislation just in-
troduced – 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! Obviously,
there would be an uproar…
9► How can you cut out the middleman
and sell to Collectors instead? Well, I
can think of two ways. 1). DIY - Do It Your-
self selling on eBay. That may be fine for lower
grade material – but, would you risk auctioning
relatively unprotected 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 amazing,
isn’t it? G have created huge numbers of orders from
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 first or even 2nd time so
prices may come down… Naturally, it’s not that
straightforward for a dealer 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…
Q.❱ What is the Collector’s
11► ‘Secret Weapon’?
L 19►
A.❱ It’s called the Unique
UPA Reducing Estimate
System...
This is a rather long explanation, I don’t want to
bore you, but 20 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 finds its price, is sold or virtually
given away... ✔ able to sell stock. Now is the time to let ‘time’ do
12► Any Scientist will tell you that
combinations of ingredients can produce
powerful results. So we created the unique
combination of my UPA Reducing Estimate 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 broken from a collection have sold.
UNIVERSAL PHILATELIC AUCTIONS
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
WE CAN
SAFELY
COLLECT
YOUR
STAMPS
NOW
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
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
This Unique Philatelic Selling System Formula is the
reason why we are the largest stamp auction in the
UK today with more than 2,250 different regular
bidders. E actual shipping cost at our expense. It sounds
In Hindsight Dealers warned me 20 years ago
that my idea wouldn’t work. 20 years later I think
I’ve proven that it does. (Reader: Please Request a
complimentary UPA catalogue – using 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 benefit 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
the ‘heavy-lifting’ and consider making ‘time’ work
for you, so that at UPA you can make time your
friend. I
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 specific areas. Some Collectors will not wish to
use time and systems to leverage price, others will
want to agree a specific 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-qualified Auction Valuer/Describer what
you have to dispose of and your options bearing
in mind your specific 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 replacement
retail value… CBS
16► What Happens then?A member of my
Team telephones/e-mails you to confirm
safe receipt. ‘Overnight’ valuations, unless simple,
are rare. Valuing stamp collections that have taken
tens of years to create takes time. Depending upon
your priorities / timescale I, or an experienced
member of my Team will contact you to discuss
your requirements 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 TD
17► How Strong is the Stamp and Cover
Market? Everybody knows that the
strongest areas are GB and British 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
weaker. Overall, Rarities throughout can command
their own price levels and real Postal History has
good demand.
18► What Should I Do Next?
Discuss your collection
with U P A. Contact Andrew or
an experienced member of his
Team now… BC
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
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
My Double Cast Iron Guarantee: We can
20 ►do a better job valuing your stamps in our
office 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. UU
21► Act NOW: Contact Andrew  or an
experienced member of his Team using
the on-line selling form at our website, by fax,
telephone or by mail. We’ll work harder for you
not to regret the decision to sell all or part of your
collection… CB
A
Andrew McGavin, Philatelic Expert,
Author, Managing Director
Universal Philatelic Auctions UPA
STAMP
COLLECTOR
APRIL 2022 Contents
www.allaboutstamps.co.uk
6 STAMP UPDATE 44 SOUTHERN RHODESIA
Published by Warners Group London 2022 report. Latest All About Our collecting guide provides historical
Publications plc, The Maltings,
Bourne, PE10 9PH Stamps Competition. Definitive stamps background to the former colony, and
update. Plus, the latest new stamps selects some interesting stamps issued
PUBLISHING
Publisher: Matt Hill between 1890 and 1950

EDITORIAL
16 GB STAMPS
Editor: Matt Hill The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is celebrated 50 CELEBRATED SETS
matthewh@warnersgroup.co.uk
with a new set of stamps from Royal Mail. How a move to modernise stamp design
Contributors: David Bailey, Christer Plus, your chance to win the stamps! and production matched a new mood on
Brünstrom, Ed Fletcher, David Gwynn,
Paula Hammond, Devlan Kruck, Stuart
the island of Mauritius, resulting in a
Leigh, Eva Mealing, Richard Stenlake. 18 MARKET INSIGHT classic set for today’s collectors to pursue
ADVERTISING The latest auctions and internet sales, our
Mark Dean regular ‘Stamp Detective’ column, and 49 STAMP STORY
mark.dean@warnersgroup.co.uk
Tel: 07503 707023 your price guide to stamps of Danzig The story of the longest road in the world
and the stamps that celebrate it
Kay Cotterrilll
kay.cotterill@warnersgroup.co.uk 28 COLLECTORS’ CORNER
Tel: 01778 395065
Our popular section brings together 59 THEMATICS
PRODUCTION special collecting guides to postcards, Paula Hammond looks at a rather morbid
Senior designer: Nathan Ward
nathanw@warnersgroup.co.uk
Post & Go, Cinderellas, and FDCs. Plus, but inevitable theme, and we take a look
Designers: Rajneet Gill, test your knowledge in our latest quiz at the many frog species to have hopped
Jackie Grainger, Mary Ward
stampcoinproduction@warnersgroup.co.uk on to postage stamps over the years
33 NEW ZEALAND EARLY ISSUES
MARKETING
Lauren Freeman David Bailey looks behind the catalogue to 66 POSTAL HISTORY
lauren.freeman@warnersgroup.co.uk
see how Zealand went from off-the-shelf We examine the correspondence to
SUBSCRIPTIONS solutions to stamps it could call its own, and from a young woman who was a
scm@warnersgroup.co.uk
Tel: 01778 392030
many of which are now considered classics British star of many silent films, and John
Scott continues his postal history travels,
PRINTED BY
Warners (Midlands) plc, The Maltings,
40 MUSEUM OF PHILATELY guiding us through the ephemera and
Manor Lane, Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH A remarkable collection explains the postal items reflecting the history of Sussex
DISTRIBUTION BY ongoing appeal of the £5 Orange.
Warners Group Publications plc Plus, the life of philatelist Alfred H. Caspary
West Street, Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH

SUBSCRIBE
Disclaimer
The views expressed by contributors are not
necessarily those of the publisher. Every care
is taken to ensure that the contents of the

TODAY!
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© WARNERS GROUP
PUBLICATIONS PLC 2022
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Canada Post recently used the famous ‘Machin’
portrait of the Queen on their stamps for the first
time. Read more about this and other new stamps
on page 12
70 CLASSIFIED ADS
Buy, sell and swap your stamps!
73 THE CHRONICLES
OF NOELLA BRAY
Our Victorian fiction series continues
74 ADVERTISER INDEX
Your A to Z guide to advertisers
featured in this issue. ADD TO YOUR
ALBUM, SUPPORT THE TRADE, AND BE SURE
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STAMP
COLLECTOR
Welcome
A WONDERFUL HOBBY… WITH A GLOBAL APPEAL
The recent London 2022 exhibition reminded me
of the global appeal of our hobby. Even with the
Covid restrictions in place for many countries, and
ongoing safety measures complicating things for
others, the show attracted collectors from around
the world, all keen to come together and celebrate
stamps and postal history.
It’s always nice for us self-effacing Brits to be given a vote of
confidence from fellow collectors from other shores, and there was a
lovely friendly atmosphere at the Business Design Centre, no doubt
many visitors appreciating just how challenging the organisation – and
enforced re-organisation – of the event had been.
It was also fantastic to chat to so many collectors, from near and far,
about Stamp Collector and the www.allaboutstamps.co.uk website.
Many non-UK collectors subscribe to the digital edition of the magazine,
saving money and not having to wait for the issue to make it’s way
across the waters, and it was great to see so many new recruits to the
Stamp Collector community!
This global theme is reflected in every issue of the magazine and
especially in this issue, with in-depth collecting guides to a variety of
countries’ stamps, including the beautiful early issues of New Zealand,
and the more modern definitives of Mauritius issued in the 1950s.
Wherever we are, whatever we collect, stamps, and stamp collecting,
make the world a little smaller and friendlier. Let the adventure continue!
Matt Hill, Editor
Keep in touch. Share your views, stamps and
thoughts with us: matthewh@warnersgroup.co.uk
Writing in this issue…
Devlan Kruck is a professional philatelist and philatelic
journalist, currently working for the Swiss-based
International Auctioneers David Feldman SA. In this
issue Devlan takes us on another tour of the Museum of
Philately, charting the history of the popular £5 Orange.
Paula Hammond has worked as a publisher,
copy-writer, ghost-writer, author, and journalist.
She’s written over thirty fiction and non-fiction
books as well as comics, poetry, and scripts for
DVDs and CD-ROMS. Paula writes our A to Z of
Thematics article on page 72.
The latest All About Stamps Competition is now open!
This time, to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee,
we’re asking you to create a one-page display using
stamps issued during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
See page 9 for details of how to enter.
 STAMP
UPDATE
THE SHOW DID GO ON!
After years of planning amidst a worldwide
pandemic, the London 2022 exhibition
finally took place in the capital in February,
and even a major storm couldn’t stop the
show going ahead.
Opening on the day after Storm Eunice
had battered the UK, the international event
attracted collectors and exhibitors from around
the world, though many had to endure travel
disruption and hair-raising landings to reach
a windstrewn London. By the time the event
opened, the weather had calmed, the many
frames of exhibits had been assembled, and the
philatelic celebrations could begin.
In addition to the exhibits, which were
changed half way through the event in order
to accomodate the volume of entries, the
world’s top auction houses, post offices, and
dealers offered their latest stock. The Faroe
Islands stand was particularly popular, with
renowned engraver Martin Morck (as featured
in the March issue of Stamp Collector) signing
his stamp artwork and meeting collectors.
The Stamp Collector stand was also popular,
with collectors buying back issues and taking
advantage of special subscription offers.
6 APRIL 2022
Quick Links
Page 9 All About Stamps Competition
Page 10 Barcode stamps reaction
Page 12 Latest new stamps
EXHIBITION RESULTS
World Stamp Championship
James Peter Gough (USA)
‘UPU and its Impact on Global Postal Services’
Grand Prix International
Vitoria Morani (Italy)
‘Tuscany 1836 to UPU: Letter mail in, from
and to Tuscany: routes, rates and charges’
Grand Prix National
Howard Hughes (United Kingdom)
‘The Maltese Cross’
Postal History – Best in Class
Vitoria Morani (Italy)
‘Tuscany 1836 to UPU: Letter mail in, from
and to Tuscany: routes, rates and charges’
Traditional – Best in Class
Joseph Hackney (United Kingdom)
‘The Half Lengths of Victoria’
Aerophilately – Best in Class
Bjorn A. Schoyen (Norway)
‘First United Kingdom Aerial Post 1911 –
The First Sustained Air Mail Service
in the World’
Revenues – Best in Class
Michael Mahler (USA)
‘U.S. Civil War Fiscal History Panorama’
Postal Stationery – Best in Class
Behruz Nassre-Esfahani (USA)
‘Persia, Qajar Postal Stationery 1876-1925’
Picture Postcards – Best in Class
Jenny Long (New Zealand)
‘A study of New Zealand Picture Postcards’
Open Philately – Best in Class
Iva Mouritsen (Denmark)
‘A Royal Ménage À Trois and
its Historical Consequences’
Modern – Best in Class
Guy Heyblom (Belgium)
‘Belgium’s Royal Portrait King Baudouin,
Type “VELGHE”’
Thematics – Best in Class
David Griffiths (United Kingdom)
‘Here be Dragons’
Literature (Printed) – Best in Class
James Peter Gough (USA)
‘The Postal History Of The
British collector Howard Hughes (left) won the Grand Prix UPU: The Postal Card’
National award for his comprehensive exhibit on the Maltese Literature (Digital) – Best in Class
Cross, the famous postmark first used in the 1840s Maurice Buxton (United Kingdom)
GBPS Website (www.gbps.org.uk)
The Postal Museum’s stand included a
Youth – Best in Class
fascinating display of woodblocks used to create
Dinda Alisha Rahima (Indonesia)
stamps designed by David Gentleman, ▶ ‘The Feather Friends’
www.allaboutstamps.co.uk
 THIS IS JUST A SMALL PART AJH STAMPS LTD Registered Business No:
OF OUR 2022 CATALOGUE THE LAURELS 24407076
MANCHESTER ROAD, ACCRINGTON LTD. Co No. 4110518
email: sales@ajhstamps.co.uk
LANCS, BB5 2PF Est: 1970
Web Page: www. ajhstamps.co.uk
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REF T500 REF T501 REF T502 REF T503
FREE GENUINE 1840 Id BLACK WITH FREE C. O. G .H TRIANGULAR FREE STOCK FREE GENUINE 1840 2d BLUE
EVERY GREAT BRITAIN BOX FILE CAT £130 WITH EVERY BOOK WITH WITH EVERY GREAT BRITAIN
A SUPERB MIX INC 500 DIFF OFF PAPER, COMMONWEALTH BOX FILE
EVERY FOREIGN BOX FILE
ALSO STAMPS ON & OFF PAPER INC KGVI BOX FILE INCLUDING ALBUM PAGES, LOOSE
& WILDINGS IDEAL FOR WTM ETC PLUS A SUPERB MIX INC 1,000 DIFFERENT
SUPERB MIX OF ON
ALBUM PAGES MOST REIGNS, MINT & CAT £90 OFF PAPER USED STC £100+ ALSO
& OFF PAPER EARLY
STAMPS ON AND OFF PAPER
CAT £900 6 REIGNS. A BAG CONTAINING
USED AND FDCs, ITEMS OF NOTE ARE 1841 ALBUM PAGES WITH A GOOD RANGE TO MODERN 1,000+
CAT £375 1d & 2d IMPERF PLUS QV TO 1/- GREEN. OF COUNTRIES, PLUS STAMPS LOOSE ON AND OFF PAPER & MIXED ALBUM PAGES WITH A
500 DIFFERENT GREAT BRITAIN OFF PAPER AND
TO SORT, WITH COUNTRIES A TO Z, ALSO AUCTION LEFT GOOD MIX OF COUNTRIES & £50+ FDC’s. ALSO SINGLE ITEMS 1855 1d & 2d QV TO
KEVII WITH VALUES TO 1/-, KGV WITH VALUES TO 2/6 OVERS CONTAINING STAMPS CAT £20+, MAKES THIS A GOOD 1/- 1887 GREEN AND RED KEVII TO 10d, KGV TO
SEAHORSE, KEVIII SET, PLUS KGVI WITH VALUES TO £1 OF BAGGED & PRICED ALBUM
SORT WITH BETTER ITEMS EARLY TO MODERN FOR JUST PAGES AND AUCTION LEFT OVERS 5/- SEAHORSE, KGVI TO £1 1939 AND QEII TO £10,
AND QEII TO £5 MAKES THIS A GOOD SORT WITH MANY MAKES THIS CAT £1,500 +
BETTER VALUES WITH A CAT PRICE OF £1,000+ FOR JUST WITH STAMPS CAT £20+
£149.50 PLUS £9.50 FOR £89.50 PLUS £9.50 FOR £89.50 PLUS £9.50 FOR £179.50 PLUS £9.50 FOR
DELIVERY BY DPD/Registered DELIVERY BY DPD DELIVERY BY DPD/Registered DELIVERY BY DPD/Registered
REF T504 REF T603 REF T604 REF T605 REF T606
GREAT BRITAIN BOX FILES FOREIGN SHOE BOX COMMONWEALTH CHANNEL IS, REGIONALS & IOM GREAT BRITAIN SHOE BOX, FREE
BUY REF T500 & T503 AND RECEIVE BOTH CRAMMED WITH ON AND OFF PAPER FOREIGN SHOE BOX SHOE BOX 1841 IMPERF 1d RED & 2d BLUE
FREE GIFTS, 1840 1d BLACK & 2d BLUE, COUNTRIES. ALL WORLD MIXTURE STATED TO BE CONTAINING ON AND OFF PAPER, CONTAINS STAMPS ON & OFF PAPER, CAT £130
AND WE WILL REPLACE 500 DIFFERENT A MINIMUM OF 1000+ DIFFERENT. ALSO ALBUM UNCHECKED A TO Z EARLY TO DEFINITIVES & COMMEMORATIVES, PLUS CONTAINING A GOOD MIX OF ALL 6 REIGNS
WITH 1,000 DIFFERENT TO MAKE THIS PAIR PAGES, LOOSE STAMPS AUCTION LEFT OVERS MODERN, LOOSE AND ON LEAVES, ALBUM PAGES FDCs ETC, ALSO SOME FROM 1d REDS TO MODERN INC STAMPS
OF BOX FILES A SUPERB SORT & VALUE CONTAINING STAMPS CAT £5+ THIS IS A VERY A GOOD MAINLY MODERN MIX, SETS & SINGLES, MINT & USED, A GOOD ON & OFF PAPER, INC SOME EARLY, IDEAL
FOR MONEY CAT AT £3,500+ AT JUST GOOD CHEAP SORT (NO GREAT BRITAIN) OVER BUT SOME EARLY MIXED IN, BETTER SORT FOR THESE POPULAR COUNTRIES, FOR WATERMARKS, ALSO ALBUM PAGES,
SINGLES, CHEAP LOT, 1000+ STAMPS, FOR JUST
4000 SOLD THE LAST 50 YEARS FOR JUST MAINLY USED, FOR JUST FDCs, MINT & USED SETS & SINGLES ETC
£310.00 PLUS £12.00 FOR
DELIVERY BY DPD £49.50 PLUS £4 POSTAGE £49.50 PLUS £4 POSTAGE £49.50 PLUS £4 POSTAGE £49.50 PLUS £4 POSTAGE
REF T602 REF T510
WORLD (NO GB) 12KG BOX THE FAMOUS ALL WORLD
BOX OF ALL WORLD COLLECTIONS
WOODEN TEA CHEST OF STAMPS
YES, THE ULTIMATE SORT WITH OVER 1,000 OF THESE SOLD IN THE
COMMONWEALTH AND FOREIGN (NO
LAST 40 YEARS, A MUST FOR COLLECTOR/DEALER OR ANYONE WHO
GREAT BRITAIN) AND NO STAMPS ON
REF T510
LIKES A GOOD SORT, INC COLLECTIONS, PACKETS, LOOSE STAMPS
PAPER A GOOD MIX OF COUNTRIES
ON & OFF PAPER, ALSO MIXED COUNTRIES IN VARIOUS BOXES &
AND SINGLE COUNTRY COLLECTIONS THE FAMOUS STOCKBOOKS OF WORLD ETC A GOOD MIX INC GB, C/W & FOREIGN
IN STOCKBOOKS AND ALBUMS AS
RECEIVED COULD BE ANYTHING 1,000S ALL WORLD WITH STAMPS CAT £50+ 1,000s OF STAMPS A LOT UNCHECKED ETC
OF STAMPS (EVERY BOX DIFFERENT) WOODEN WITH A RETAIL VALUE OF £1,300 AND WEIGHING APPROX 30 KILO
SUPERB LOT
TEA CHEST
£299.50 PLUS £15.00 DELIVERY HAVE YOU TRIED ONE YET FOR
BY DPD. OF STAMPS
£999.00 PLUS £28.00 FOR DELIVERY BY DPD
REF T623 REF T624 REF T626
COMMONWEALTH WOODEN HALF TEA FOREIGN WOODEN HALF TEA CHEST
GREAT BRITAIN WOODEN HALF TEA CHEST
CHEST CONTAINING COLLECTIONS, STOCKBOOKS, LOOSE
CONTAINING COLLECTIONS, STOCKBOOKS, LOOSE PAGES
CONTAINING COLLECTIONS, STOCKBOOKS, LOOSE PAGES PAGES & STOCKSHEETS, ALSO BOXES OF UNSORTED
STOCKCARDS, BOXES OF ON & OFF PAPER & LOOSE STAMPS,
& STOCKSHEETS, FROM QV TO MODERN INC CAPE OF MATERIAL, STAMPS LOOSE ON & OFF PAPER , &
FROM QV TO MODERN INC 1840 1d BLACK, 1d REDS AND A
GOOD HOPE TRIANGULAR, ALSO BOXES OF UNSORTED SINGLE STAMPS & AUCTION LEFTOVERS CAT £50+
GOOD SELECTION OF MINT & USED, ALL REIGNS, PLUS FDCs ETC,
MATERIAL, LOOSE STAMPS ON & OFF PAPER, COVERS & EACH, GOOD HIGH CAT LOT, EARLY TO MODERN,
A GOOD LOT, VERY HIGH CAT, WITH TOP VALUES AND AUCTION
AUCTION LEFTOVERS CAT £50+ EACH, SETS & SINGLES, STATED TO RETAIL £800+
LEFTOVERS CAT £50+ EACH, STATED TO RETAIL £800+
GOOD HIGH CAT LOT, STATED TO RETAIL £800+

£599.50 PLUS £20 £599.50 PLUS £20 £599.50 PLUS £20

FOR DELIVERY BY DPD FOR DELIVERY BY DPD FOR DELIVERY BY DPD
REF T627 REF T622
REF T607 WORLD (NO GB) MYSTERY
ALL WORLD WOODEN HALF TEA CHEST ALL WORLD FUN BOX MIX INC PACKET OF 500
INCLUDING COLLECTIONS OF FOREIGN, COMMONWEALTH, CHANNEL IN ½ BOX DIFFERENT OFF PAPER
INCLUDING LOOSE STAMPS
ISLANDS, IOM & GREAT BRITAIN WITH STOCKBOOKS, COLLECTIONS, A PLASTIC ZIP UP BAG OF
ON AND OFF PAPER PLUS
ALBUM PAGES, FIRST DAY COVERS STAMPS ON AND OFF PAPER UNCHECKED WORLD ON & OFF
CHILDREN COLLECTIONS,
BOXES AND PACKETS OF UNSORTED STOCKBOOKS OF WORLD ETC PAPER AS RECEIVED FROM VARIOUS
MATERIAL. AUCTION LEFT-OVERS A GOOD PLUS OTHER BITS, ALBUM PAGES, THE ODD COVER, EVERY BOX IS CHARITY, UNCHECKED WITH 700 GRAMS AND A PACKET OF
SORT FROM QV TO MODERN WITH STAMPS DIFFERENT (VIRTUALLY NO GB) 1,000s TO SORT 500 DIFFERENT OFF PAPER
CAT £50+ STATED TO RETAIL £400+
£89.50 PLUS £12.00 FOR £24.50
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FOR DELIVERY BY DPD

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www.allaboutstamps.co.uk
▶ whilst curator Douglas Muir signed copies of his
new book Just Large Enough, A Guide to The Postal
Museum’s Philatelic Collections which proved very
popular with visitors. George Tomlinson, Deputy
Curator of Philately at The Postal Museum, said: ‘It’s
great to be here and one of the things we’re keen to
tell collectors is that the Museum has some fantastic
resources for philatelists. Of course we have the Mail
Rail attraction and the Museum, but there are also
many records which would be of interest to any
philatelists researching a particular subject.’
Souvenirs created to celebrate the event included
a large first day cover, produced by Brian Austin
of Buckingham Covers, which featured the new
mini-sheet of David Gentleman stamps, along with
the original values issued during the 1960s and
1970s. Brian said: ‘We spent a long time arranging
the stamps and working out the best configuration
and eventually had to go for larger than A4. The
original stamps that are featured on the new mini- James Peter Gough (right) won the Stamp Championship for The Grand Prix International award went to Vitoria Morani
sheet are all on the cover’s reverse.’ his exhibit ‘UPU and its Impact on Global Postal Services’ (left) for his postal history exhibit on mail to and from Tuscany
The Royal Mail stand offered a range of
souvenirs, including a limited edition, numbered miniature sheet of the overcame many obstacles to ensure the show went ahead. ‘Frank deserves
recent David Gentleman set, and the new ‘barcoded’ definitive stamps. great credit for this,’ a source told Stamp Collector. ‘He deserves a peerage
Of course, with the challenges faced in the run up to the event, for his determination after what has been at least six years of planning. I
and with Covid restrictions still in force in certain parts of the world, am not sure many others would have remained so calm and controlled.’
there were some philatelists that were unable to attend the event, and Meanwhile, the many volunteers were also praised, with collectors
this, coupled with travel difficulties caused by storms, meant visitor coming together to change over the many exhibits half way through
numbers were lower than previous internationals. the show, in order to accomodate the many entries.
Members of both the trade and the organising committee were keen to
express their gratitude to Frank Walton, the Chairman of the event, who See more photos from the event in our London 2022 Gallery on page 56.

MEMORIAL LECTURE ON CARIBBEAN POSTAL HISTORY

The Stuart Rossiter Trust has announced that the 2022 Memorial
Lecture will be held at 5pm on Thursday 28 April at the home of the
Royal Philatelic Society London, 15 Abchurch Lane, London.
The special annual lecture will feature Simon Richards FRPSL who
will give a talk entitled ‘The Influence of Military History on Postal
History: Anglo-French Rivalry in the Caribbean’.
For over 100 years Britain and France struggled for control of the
lesser Antilles islands and the spices and sugar that they produced.
In a succession of conflicts, their rivalry would involve other
powers, Spain, Holland and the fledgling United States. A struggle
fought mainly at sea, communications were vital. A secure mail
packet service became a necessity and the lecture will examine the
introduction of the British packet service and how its development
was shaped by this military rivalry.
Simon is a Trustee and Treasurer of the Stuart Rossiter Trust. He
is a Vice President of the Royal Philatelic Society London, previously
its Treasurer and an international exhibitor and FIP Judge; he is
currently Chair of the ABPS Exhibitions Committee. He is a member
of the Society of Postal Historians and his exhibit ‘Mail by British ‘Prise de la Dominique’: Battle scene with French soldiers from frigates attacking on English
Packets from the West Indies 1663-1863’, won a large gold medal at garrison on Dominica, Winward Islands, circa 1784 (Library of Congress)
Stockholmia 2019, whilst his exhibit on the ‘Postal History of Savoy to
UPU’ won best in show at Autumn Stampex 2019. The Stuart Rossiter Trust is a Charitable Trust which promotes research
The lecture will be followed by wine and nibbles. Free admission is into the history of the postal services and to support publication in
only by non-transferable ticket on application to Rex Dixon FRPSL at this area to a high academic standard. For more detail, please visit
rexdixon@btinternet.com. Early application is advised. rossitertrust.com.

8 APRIL 2022 www.allaboutstamps.co.uk

 ALL ABOU T STAMPS COMPETITION
IN BRIEF
Celebrate the Platinum Stampex International,
the UK’s largest stamp

Jubilee and win! exhibition, will now take

place once a year. The
event, held in Islington and
organised by the Philatelic
The latest All About Stamps Competition is now open! This time, to Traders Society, will be
held this year between 28
celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, we’re asking you to create a one- September and 1 October.
page display using stamps issued during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II According to the PTS
exciting changes include the
addition of a ‘table-top zone’

T
he competition challenges on the Mezzanine.
collectors around the world to
produce a one-page entry using The Stamp Collector team are
stamps or postal history, with the delighted to be working with
overall winner receiving the All stamp engraver Martin MÖrck
About Stamps Medal, a £100 amazon voucher, to offer a series of limited
and a range of stamps issued during the reign of edition, signed prints of the
Queen Elizabeth II. artist’s work. The collectable
prints feature portraits of
What should I exhibit? figures including Mahatma
We’d like you to stick with stamps issued during Gandhi, Mother Theresa,
the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, and since we’re and stamp engraver Czeslaw
celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this year, Slania, all of which have been
displays reflecting any of the following topics are used for stamp issued. The
encouraged: How to enter prints will be available to buy
• The long reign of Queen Elizabeth II Put simply, you need to create a philatelic via the www.allaboutstamps.
• Historic moments during the reign presentation on a single page (A4 or slightly larger co.uk website. Make sure you
• Interesting stamps issued during the reign to accommodate postal history items). All entries hear about the sale of the
• The development of stamps since 1952 should be scanned or photographed at a resolution prints first by signing up to
of at least 300 dpi (not sure? don’t worry, just drop the free newsletter, just visit
The challenge is for your one-page (A4) display us an email and we’ll be happy to help). www.allaboutstamps.co.uk/
to tell a brief story using your stamps, explain Entry is FREE and Stamp Collector subscribers can account/register
a particular aspect of stamps, stamp collecting, enter twice if desired. Please visit the website to submit
production or design. In short, the judges will be your entry as a PDF or JPG file, just visit: www. Australia Post have
looking for the following: allaboutstamps.co.uk/virtual-events/stamp-displays continued their tradition of
• A well told story or explanation of a topic All entries will be shared on the allaboutstamps. issuing a postage stamp for
• A clear, accurate and engaging presentation co.uk website (subject to approval), and highlights Olympic gold medallists,
will also be published in the June 2022 issue of with a new stamp celebrating
The competition is open to both stamp collectors Stamp Collector magazine. The closing date for Jakara Anthony’s success in
and postal historians. Non-philatelic material (such as entries is 18 April 2022. Every entry will be judged the women’s freestyle skiing
ephemera, documentation, tickets) is also permitted, by an independent panel, with the top three entries moguls at the recent Winter
provided there is a philatelic element to the entry. then going to a public vote. Olympics in Beijing.

UK collector Howard Hughes

EBAY REDUCES FEE STRUCTURE has been awarded the Grand
Prix National at the London
eBay UK has launched a new fee structure in selected sellers… Whether it’s fee changes or other updates 2022 exhibition for his
‘Collectibles’ categories, targeting items priced under £10. on selling, eBay will continue to work with the seller exhibit on the Maltese Cross.
The reduction has been designed to help sellers improve community and listen to feedback when it comes to You can view a special video
margins. Annie Shields, Communications Officer, eBay improving the seller experience.’ presentation by Howard, all
UK, said: ‘Taking on board recent feedback from the The fixed charge will be reduced to from 30p to 10p about the famous postmark,
seller community, eBay has recognised the fee structure as per order for a total sales price up to £10. This change on the allaboutstamps.co.uk
a major challenge to the Collectibles community, where will apply to new listings after 1 February 2022. There is website. Just visit: www.
the typically lower price point inventory has been less no limit to number of listings or orders eligible, and the allaboutstamps.co.uk/stamp-
economical to sell. The fee reduction on items under £10 discount will be applied as part of a monthly credit. The guides/videos/the-maltese-
will tackle this problem head on, supporting Collectibles change applies to Business Sellers with a UK address. cross-postmark

www.allaboutstamps.co.uk APRIL 2022 9

 COLLECTORS REACT TO
‘BARCODED’ STAMPS NEWS

T
he world of philately is
reacting to the news that all
British definitive stamps will
feature barcodes (actually data
matrix codes) and existing
definitives will soon lose postal validity, as
reported in last month’s Stamp Collector.
Collectors quickly pointed out that what
Royal Mail are referring to as ‘barcoded
stamps’ actually feature something more
like a QR code or matrix code. But it
is the effect the new stamps, and what
their replacement of all previously issued
definitive stamps by January 2023 will have
on collecting that has raised most concerns.
‘Specialist Machin collectors in the future
will want at least one of each Machin
issued but they may be very expensive if
they are rare because people have used
them or handed them in on the exchange
scheme,’ said collector Richard Camp. ‘And
what about collectors who have built up a
collection over many years and then find Has the barcoded stamp scheme been thought through properly? At the time of going to print there are still many
they cannot use the stamps when they give unanswered questions, with both collectors and traders uncertain of how the exchange of old stamps will work
up collecting just because they do not have a
code on them?’ the swap involves – it needs to be clarified.’
The same concerns were expressed by Dealer and blogger Ian Billings shared WHAT WE KNOW (AND
members of the stamp trade, many of these concerns, having written a lengthy DON’T KNOW ) SO FAR
whom will have accumulated definitive letter to Royal Mail, including a ‘two-and-
stamps over the years and continue to use a-half page list of grey areas.’ Writing on • Commemoratives and Post & Go
these stamps for postage. The Philatelic his Norvic Philatelics blog Ian explained: stamps will remain valid.
Traders’ Society (PTS) told us they ‘will be ‘I believe that many dealers will continue
working with Royal Mail over the coming as before, but may rationalise their • Country definitives are likely
months to assist with communications to stocks, trading in the over-stocks for new to be demonetised.
the trade, to collectors and to members of stamps. But some older dealers who were
the public. Once exact details of the Swap contemplating retirement and wondering • The ‘swap-out’ scheme is likely to be
Scheme are defined, the PTS will work with which other dealer would want their extended well past the initially published
its members to ensure the impact of this stockholdings may use this as a reason to date of January 2023.
change is as smooth as possible.’ retire sooner, disposing of much of their
There are still many unanswered stock to Royal Mail on trade-in. • As the old stamps are exchanged, there
questions at the time of going to print. ‘Most collectors who have been collecting is likely be a huge number of the new
Allan Grant of Rush Stamps told Stamp for many years must have, at some time, barcoded stamps on the market, meaning
Collector: ‘As far as trade is concerned, it is thought long term, and about the eventual traders will have to sell them on the
technically a disaster. This effects all stamps disposal of their collections… they will now secondary market, as postage rather
issued since 1971, so there’s no fall-back be reassessing their options for the future… than as collectables.
value in respect of face value, they will only Newer collectors and those for whom this
be collectors’ items. It’s like the pre-decimal does not represent a threat should be looking • It is unclear if the changes include
stamps that had a high value, suddenly they to add to and complete their collections as definitive stamps in prestige stamp
have no postal validity.’ quickly as possible, while the stocks are still booklets, smiler sheets, and on
‘There are so many other factors that there to be bought. Never was “when it’s miniature sheets.
are unclear. We don’t yet know what the gone, it’s gone” truer.’
requirement will be for stamps from prestige • The barcoded stamps are being
books or smiler sheets. When you send them SHARE YOUR VIEWS! introduced to avoid forgeries, yet some
in you’ll need to send them special delivery to What do you think of Royal Mail’s plans have suggested the exchange scheme
ensure they are not lost, so swapping the stamps and how it will effect stamp collecting? Just could see many fakes being swapped
won’t be free. The public are not aware of what email: matthewh@warnersgroup.co.uk for legitimate stamps.

10 APRIL 2022 www.allaboutstamps.co.uk

 GB 1924-2016 COMMEMORATIVES UM
DATE SET U/M DATE SET U/M DATE SET U/M DATE SET U/M DATE SET U/M DATE SET U/M
1924 Wembley 11.50 1970 Cottages 0.20 1982 Christmas 1.00 1993 Greetings 8.50 2001 Christmas 4.30 2009 Eminent Britons 8.50
1925 Wembley 33.00 1970 Anniversaries 0.30 1982 COMPLETE YEAR 6.50 1993 Clocks 1.20 2001 COMPLETE YEAR 42.50 2009 Olympics 8.50
1929 P.U.C. 12.50 1970 Dickens 0.40 1983 Fishes 0.90 1993 Orchids 1.40 2002 Kipling Stories 8.50 2009 Christmas 6.50
1929 PUC WMK. SIDE 140.00 1970 Games 0.30 1983 Commonwealth 0.90 1993 Art 1.20 2002 Golden Jubilee 4.30 2009 COMPLETE YEAR 66.00
1929 PUC WMK. INV. 40.00 1970 Philympia 0.30 1983 Engineering 0.65 1993 Roman 1.20 2002 Occasions 4.25 2010 Album Covers 8.50
1935 Jubilee 3.50 1970 Christmas 0.20 1983 Uniforms 1.10 1993 Canals 1.20 2002 Coastlines 3.00 2010 Royal Society 8.50
1935 Jubilee Inv. 18.00 1970 COMPLETE YEAR 1.00 1983 Gardens 0.95 1993 Autumn 1.40 2002 Queen Mother 3.30 2010 Dogs and Cats 8.50
1937 Coronation 0.10 1971 Ulster 0.20 1983 Fairs 0.95 1993 Holmes 1.20 2002 Circus 4.25
2010 Stewart 6.00
1940 Centenary 2.70 1971 Literary 0.20 1983 Christmas 1.00 1993 Christmas 1.50 2002 Aircraft 4.25
1971 Gen. Annivs 0.25 1983 COMPLETE YEAR 6.00 1993 COMPLETE YEAR 18.00 2010 Mammals 8.50
1946 Victory 0.10 2002 C.wealth Games 4.25
1948 Wedding 12.50 1971 Universities 0.30 1984 Heraldry 0.95 1994 Railway 1.50 2002 Peter Pan 4.25 2010 LONDON 2010(6v) 9.00
1948 Liberation 0.10 1971 Christmas 0.20 1984 Cattle 1.10 1994 Greetings 8.50 2002 London Bridges 4.25 2010 Britain Alone 6.50
1948 Olympics 1.50 1971 COMPLETE YEAR 1.00 1984 Urban Renewal 0.95 1994 Paintings 1.50 2002 Pillar Boxes 4.25 2010 Stuart 6.00
1949 U.P.U. 0.30 1972 Explorers 0.30 1984 Europa 0.75 1994 Postcards 1.50 2002 Christmas 4.25 2010 Olympics 8.50
1951 Festival 0.10 1972 Gen. Annivs 0.25 1984 Summit 0.30 1994 Tunnel 1.20 2002 COMPLETE YEAR 50.00 2010 Railways 5.50
1953 Coronation 9.00 1972 Churches 0.40 1984 Meridian 0.95 1994 D-Day 1.25 2003 Birds of Prey 8.50 2010 Medical 5.50
1957 Scouts 2.00 1972 BBC 0.30 1984 Royal Mail 0.80 1994 Golf 1.50 2003 Occasions 5.00 2010 Pooh 5.50
1957 Parliament 0.20 1972 Christmas 0.20 1984 Council 1.00 1994 Four Seasons 1.50 2003 The Secret of Life 4.30 2010 Christmas 7.00
1958 Games 0.50 1972 S. Wedding 0.30 1984 Christmas 1.15 1994 Medical 1.30 2003 Fun Fruit & Veg 8.50 2010 COMPLETE YEAR 87.50
1960 G.L.O. 1.20 1972 COMPLETE YEAR 1.60 1984 COMPLETE YEAR 7.25 1994 Christmas 1.50 2003 Endeavours 4.75 2011 Gerry Anderson 6.00
1960 Europa 1.25 1973 E.E.C. 0.30 1985 Trains 1.30 1994 COMPLETE YEAR 19.50 2003 The Coronation 8.50 2011 Musicals 7.50
1961 P.O.S.B. 0.50 1973 Tree 0.10 1985 Insects 1.30 1995 Cats 1.50 2003 Prince William 3.10
2011 Magical Realms 7.00
1961 C.E.P.T. 0.10 1973 Explorers 0.45 1985 Composers 1.00 1995 Springtime 1.50 2003 Scotland 4.70
1985 Safety at Sea 1.00 1995 Greetings 8.50 2011 WWF 8.50
1961 Parliament 0.70 1973 Cricket 0.30 2003 Pub Signs 4.00
1962 N.P.Y. (ORD) 0.50 1973 Paintings 0.35 1985 Royal Mail 1.00 1995 N.Trust 1.50 2003 Transport Toys 4.00 2011 Shakespeare 6.00
1962 N.P.Y. (PHOS) 8.50 1973 Inigo Jones 0.30 1985 Legends 1.00 1995 Europa/Peace 1.20 2003 British Museum 4.70 2011 Morris 6.00
1963 F.F.H. (O) 0.50 1973 Parliament 0.25 1985 Film Stars 1.30 1995 Science Fiction 1.30 2003 Christmas 5.50 2011 Thomas 6.00
1963 F.F.H. (P) 8.50 1973 Wedding 0.25 1985 Christmas 1.00 1995 Shakespeare 1.25 2003 COMPLETE YEAR 60.00 2011 Olympics 8.50
1963 Paris (O) 0.10 1973 Christmas 0.70 1985 COMPLETE YEAR 8.00 1995 Communications 1.40 2011 Crown Jewels 7.50
1963 Paris (P) 1.50 1973 COMPLETE YEAR 2.80 1986 Industry 1.00 1995 Rugby League 1.50 2004 Locomotives 3.80 2011 Hanover 6.00
1963 Nature (O) 0.10 1974 Tree 0.10 1986 Comet 1.00 1995 Christmas 1.75 2004 Occasions 4.25 2011 UK A-Z Part 1 10.00
1963 Nature (P) 0.80 1974 Fire 0.35 1986 Birthday 1.00 1995 COMPLETE YEAR 19.50 2004 Lord of the Rings 8.50 2011 Christmas 8.00
1963 Lifeboat (O) 0.75 1974 UPU 0.30 1986 Nature 1.00 1996 Burns 1.40 2004 Northern Ireland 4.70 2011 COMPLETE YEAR 80.00
1963 Lifeboat (P) 15.00 1974 Britons 0.35 1986 Medieval Life 1.00 1996 Greetings 8.50 2004 Entente Cordiale 1.00 2012 Olympics - 4v 8.00
1963 Red Cross (O) 1.50 1974 Churchill 0.35 1986 Sports 1.30 1996 Greetings (Phos) 17.00 2004 Ocean Liners 4.60 2012 Roald Dahl 6.00
1963 Red Cross (P) 20.00 1974 Christmas 0.30 1986 Royal Wedding 0.30 1996 Wildfowl 1.50 2004 Horticultural 4.70 2012 Windsor 5.50
1963 Cable (O) 0.50 1974 COMPLETE YEAR 1.60 1986 Parliament 0.35 1996 Cinema 1.50 2004 Wales 3.40
2012 Britons 8.50
1963 Cable (P) 4.00 1975 Charity 0.05 1986 R.A.F. 1.30 1996 Football 1.80 2004 Society of Arts 3.50
1975 Turner 0.30 1986 Christmas 6v 1.10 1996 Olympics 1.30 2012 Comics 8.50
1964 Shakes (O) 1.20 2004 Woodland Animals 8.50
1964 Shakes (P) 3.50 1975 Architecture 0.40 1986 COMPLETE YEAR 8.80 1996 Women/Europa 1.50 2004 The Crimean War 4.30 2012 UK A-Z Part 2 11.50
1964 Geog (O) 0.90 1975 Sailing 0.35 1987 Flowers 1.00 1996 Childrens TV 1.50 2004 Christmas 4.30 2012 Fashion 8.50
1964 Geog (P) 8.00 1975 Railway 0.35 1987 Newton 1.00 1996 Cars 1.80 2004 COMPLETE YEAR 52.00 2012 Diamond Jubilee 10.00
1964 Bot (O) 0.90 1975 Parliament 0.15 1987 Architecture 1.00 1996 Christmas 2.85 2005 Farm Animals 8.50 2012 Dickens 8.00
1964 Bot (P) 8.00 1975 Austen 0.40 1987 St. Johns 1.00 1996 COMPLETE YEAR 37.50 2005 S. West England 3.50 2012 Space Science 7.00
1964 F.R.B. (O) 0.10 1975 Christmas 0.40 1987 Heraldry 1.00 1997 Greetings 8.50 2005 Jane Eyre 4.20 2012 Lest - Poppy 1.20
1964 F.R.B. (P) 1.75 1975 COMPLETE YEAR 2.20 1987 Victorian Britain 1.00 1997 Tudor 1.90 2005 Magic 3.50 2012 Christmas 9.00
1965 Churchill (O) 0.15 1976 Telephone 0.45 1987 Pottery 1.00 1997 Faith 1.70 2005 World Heritage 5.25 2012 COMPLETE YEAR 85.00
1965 Churchill (P) 0.60 1976 Reformers 0.45 1987 Christmas 1.20 1997 Terror Legends 1.40 2005 Trooping The Colour 4.30 2013 London Underground 6.00
1965 Parliament (O) 0.30 1976 USA 0.10 1987 COMPLETE YEAR 7.50 1997 Architects of the Air 1.90 2005 Motorcycles 3.50 2013 Jane Austen 6.50
1965 Parliament (P) 0.20 1976 Roses 0.45 1988 Linnean Society 1.10 1997 Horse 1.50 2005 Tastes in Britain 3.60 2013 Doctor Who 9.00
1965 Army (O) 0.25 1976 Culture 0.45 1988 Welsh Bible 1.10  3RVW2I¿FHV  2005 Classic ITV 3.60
2013 Great Britons 8.50
1965 Army (P) 0.50 1976 Caxton 0.45 1988 Sports 1.10 1997 Enid Blyton 1.85 2005 Smilers 7.00
1988 Transport 1.10 1997 Christmas 2.85 2013 Football Heroes 9.50
1965 Lister (O) 0.25 1976 Christmas 0.40 2005 Battle of Trafalgar 3.90
1965 Lister (P) 0.50 1976 COMPLETE YEAR 2.60 1988 Australia 1.00 1997 Golden Wedding 1.60 2005 Christmas 4.30 2013Coronation Anniversary 8.00
1965 Arts (O) 0.25 1977 Sports 0.45 1988 Armada 0.90 1997 COMPLETE YEAR 22.50 2005 COMPLETE YEAR 52.00  %XWWHUÀLHV 
1965 Arts (P) 0.70 1977 Chemistry 0.45 1988 Lear 1.10 1998 Endangered 2.20 2006 Animal Tales 5.25 2013 Auto Legends 8.00
1965 B.O.B. (O) 2.75 1977 S. Jubilee (5v) 0.55 1988 Christmas 1.25 1998 Diana 1.30 2006 England 8.50 2013 Merchant Navy 7.00
1965 B.O.B. (P) 3.50 1977 Government 0.15 1988 COMPLETE YEAR 8.00 1998 Queens Beasts 1.30 2006 Brunel 3.40 2013 Dinosaurs 9.00
1965 P.O.T. (O) 0.10 1977 Wildlife 0.50 1989 Birds 1.10 1998 Lighthouses 1.90 2006 Ice Age Animals 3.50 2013 Christmas 8.50
1965 P.O.T. (P) 0.10 1977 Christmas 0.50 1989 Greetings 4.00 1998 Comedians 1.90 2006 Queen’s Birthday 5.25 2013Childrens Christmas (2v)2.50
1965 U.N.O. (O) 0.25 1977 COMPLETE YEAR 2.40 1989 Food 1.10 1998 Health 1.50 2006 World Cup Winners 3.60 2013 COMPLETE YEAR 85.00
1965 U.N.O. (P) 0.50 1978 Energy 0.45 1989 Anniversaries 1.10 1998 Fantasy 1.90 2006 Architecture 3.60 2014 Childrens TV 12.00
1965 I.T.U. (O) 0.25 1978 Buildings 0.45 1989 Toys 1.10 1998 Carnival 1.50 2006 Portrait Gallery 8.50 2014 Working Horses 7.00
1965 I.T.U. (P) 1.40 1978 Coronation 0.45 1989 Ind. Arch. 1.10 1998 Speed 1.80 2006 Victoria Cross 4.40 2014 Remarkable Lives 8.50
1966 Burns (O) 0.15 1978 Horses 0.45 1989 Microscopes 1.10 1998 Christmas 1.70 2006 Sounds of Britain 3.60 2014 Buckingham Palace 6.00
1966 Burns (P) 0.50 1978 Cycling 0.45 1989 Mayor 1.00 1998 COMPLETE YEAR 16.00 2006 Smilers 5.50
2014 Great British Film 8.00
1966 Abbey (O) 0.20 1978 Christmas 0.45 1989 Christmas 1.20 1999 Inventors 1.50 2006 Christmas 5.50
1978 COMPLETE YEAR 2.50 1989 COMPLETE YEAR 12.00 1999 Travellers 1.50 2014 Sustainable Fish 9.00
1966 Abbey (P) 0.05 2006 COMPLETE YEAR 56.00
1966 Landscapes (O) 0.20 1979 Dogs 0.45 1990 150th Anniv. 1.50 1999 Patients 1.50 2007 Beatles 4.50 2014Commonwealth Games 9.00
1966 Landscapes (P) 0.20 1979 Flowers 0.45 1990 RSPCA 1.20 1999 Settlers 1.50 2007 Sea Life 8.50 2014 The Great War 9.00
1966 W. Cup (O) 0.15 1979 Elections 0.45 1990 Greetings 4.00 1999 Workers 1.50 2007 Sky At Night 4.20 2014 Seaside Architecture 8.00
1966 W.Cup (P) 0.15 1979 Racing 0.45 1990 Europa 1.00 1999 Entertainers 1.50 2007 Inventions 4.40 2014 Prime Ministers 9.50
1966 Birds (O) 0.15 1979 Year Of Child 0.45 1990 Queens Award 1.00 1999 Royal Wedding 0.85 2007 Slave Trade 4.20 2014 Christmas 10.00
1966 Birds (P) 0.15 1979 Rowland Hill 0.45 1990 Gardens 1.20 1999 Citizens 1.50 2007 Seaside 4.00 2014 COMPLETE YEAR 92.00
1966 Winners 0.05 1979 Police 0.50 1990 Hardy 0.20 1999 Scientists 1.50 2007 Grand Prix 4.40 2015 Alice In Wonderland 13.00
1966 Technology (O) 0.15 1979 Christmas 0.55 1990 Birthday 1.20 1999 Farmers 1.50 2007 Harry Potter 6.00 2015 Smilers 13.50
1966 Technology (P) 0.20 1979 COMPLETE YEAR 3.50 1990 Gallantry 1.00 1999 Soldiers 1.50 2007 Scouts 4.00 2015 Inventive Britain 10.00
1966 Hastings (O) 0.40 1980 Birds 0.45 1990 Astronomy 1.10 1999 Christians 1.50 2007 Birds 8.50 2015 Bridges 9.00
1966 Hastings (P) 0.40 1980 Railways 0.60 1990 Christmas 1.30 1999 Artists 1.50 2007 Uniforms 5.00 2015 Comedy Greats 9.00
1966 Xmas (O) 0.05 1980 London 0.50 1990 COMPLETE YEAR 14.00 1999 COMPLETE YEAR 17.50 2007 Diamond Wedding 4.50
2015 Great War 9.00
1966 Xmas (P) 0.05 1980 Landmarks 0.60 1991 Dogs 1.40 2000 Above and Beyond 1.50 2007 Christmas - 8v 7.00
2000 Fire and Light 1.50 2015 Magna Carta 8.00
1967 E.F.T.A. (O) 0.05 1980 Famous Women 0.55 1991 Greetings “Luck” 8.50 2007 COMPLETE YEAR 65.00
1967 E.F.T.A. (P) 0.05 1980 Q.Mother 0.10 1991 Science 1.10 2000 Water and Coast 1.50 2008 James Bond 4.50 2015 Battle of Waterloo 7.50
1967 Flowers (O) 0.30 1980 Music 0.55 1991 Greetings “Smile” 8.50 2000 Life and Earth 2.50 2008 Working Dogs 3.80 2015 Bees 9.00
1967 Flowers (P) 0.25 1980 Sports 0.55 1991 Space 1.10 2000 Art and Craft 2.50 2008 King & Queens 4.20 2015 Rugby World Cup 9.00
1967 Paintings 0.05 1980 Christmas 0.65 1991 Sports 1.10 2000 People and Place 2.50 2008 Smilers 18.00 2015 Star Wars 10.00
1967 Chichester 0.05 1980 COMPLETE YEAR 4.20 1991 Roses 1.50 2000 Stone and Soil 2.50 2008 Mayday 4.00 2015 Christmas 11.00
1967 Discoveries 0.10 1981 Folklore 0.75 1991 Dinosaurs 1.50 2000 Tree and Leaf 2.50 2008 Insects 8.50 2015 COMPLETE YEAR 112.00
1967 Christmas 0.05 1981 Disabled 0.75 1991 Maps 1.20 2000 Mind and Matter 2.50 2008 Cathedrals 4.00 2016 Shackleton 11.00
1968 Bridges 0.10  %XWWHUÀLHV  1991 Christmas 1.40 2000 Body and Bone 2.50 2008 Carry On 4.50 2016 Royal Mail 500 9.00
1968 Anniversaries 0.10 1981 National Trust 1.00 1991 COMPLETE YEAR 26.00 2000 Spirit and Faith 2.50 2008 Airshows 4.20 2016 Humanitarians 9.00
1968 Paintings 0.10 1981 Royal Wedding 0.35 1992 Wintertime 1.40 2000 Sound and Vision 2.50 2008 R.A.F. Uniforms 5.00 2016 Shakespeare 9.00
1968 Christmas 0.10 1981 D. Of Edinburgh 0.75 1992 Greetings 8.50 2000 COMPLETE YEAR 25.00 2008 Women 4.20 2016 90th Birthday 8.50
1968 COMPLETE YEAR 0.35 1981 Fishing 0.75 1992 Accession 1.20 2001 Hopes for the Future 2.60 2008 Christmas 5.00 2016 Great War 9.00
1969 Ships 0.35 1981 Christmas 0.90 1992 Tennyson 1.20 2001 Occasions 4.25 2008 COMPLETE YEAR 65.00
2016 Pink Floyd 9.00
1969 Concorde 0.20 1981 COMPLETE YEAR 5.50 1992 Olympics 1.50 2001 Cats and Dogs 8.50 2009 Design Classics 8.50
1982 Darwin 0.90 1992 Civil War 1.20 2016 Beatrix Potter 9.50
1969 Anniversaries 0.25 2001 Weather 1.75 2009 Darwin 5.00
1969 Cathedrals 0.35 1982 Youth 0.90 1992 G. & Sullivan 1.40 2001 Navy Submarines 2.60 2009 Industrial 5.50 2016 Gardens 9.50
1969 Investiture 0.25 1982 Theatre 0.90 1992 Green 1.20 2001 Double-Deckers 4.25 2009 Kings & Queens 5.00 2016 Great Fire of London 9.00
1969 Gandhi 0.20 1982 Maritime 1.15 1992 Euro-Market 0.20 2001 Fabulous Hats 3.60 2009 Endangered Plants 8.50 2016 Agatha Christie 9.00
1969 Technology 0.20 1982 Textiles 0.90 1992 Christmas 1.40 2001 Pond Life/Europa 3.60 2009 Mythical Creatures 5.00 2016 Mr.Men Little Miss 9.00
1969 Christmas 0.10 1982 Technology 0.40 1992 COMPLETE YEAR 17.50 2001 Punch & Judy 5.00 2009 Fire and Rescue 5.00 2016 Christmas 11.50
1969 COMPLETE YEAR 1.50 1982 Cars 0.90 1993 Swans 1.40 2001 Nobel Prizes 4.70 2009 Navy Uniforms 5.50 2016 COMPLETE YEAR 118.00

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 CANADA

Machin portrait graces

Canadian design
Canada Post has unveiled a stamp to commemorate the platinum jubilee of the
Queen, featuring the famous Machin design which has appeared on Britain’s
definitive stamps since 1967.
Since 1935, when then-Princess Elizabeth adorned a stamp for the
silver jubilee of her grandfather, King George V, Canada Post has featured
Queen Elizabeth II on more than seventy Canadian stamps. However, the first of our stamps to feature the Royal Mail’s
this new design marks the first time Royal Mail’s profile of The Queen, classic ‘Machin’ profile.’
sculpted by Arnold Machin, has appeared on a Canadian stamp. First The Platinum Jubilee stamp was designed by
appearing on a definitive stamp issued in 1967, the classic ‘Machin’ Paprika and printed by Colour Innovations. The
profile has been used by the Royal Mail ever since. issue includes a booklet of ten self-adhesive stamps; a pane of sixteen stamps,
The Platinum Jubilee stamp issue also features a Canadian emblem, created printed on water-activated gummed (WAG) paper; four collectible corner
by the Canadian Heraldic Authority, to celebrate this significant anniversary. blocks, and an Official First Day Cover, cancelled in Ottawa, Ont. The
Doug Ettinger, President and CEO of Canada Post, said: ‘Our iconic cancel is the commemorative emblem created for the platinum jubilee by the
national stamp program has a long-standing tradition of commemorating The Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Queen’s reign and her connection to Canada. We are proud to continue that
tradition by celebrating this historic 70-year anniversary with a new stamp, and Issue date: 7 February 2022, canadapost.ca

AUSTRALIA
Safety belt stamps
Australia Post has released a new stamp to
commemorate fifty years since Australia became the
first country in the world to legislate for compulsory
seatbelt wearing in front and back seats.
With road-user behaviour among state and
territory responsibilities, Victoria led the way in
passing seatbelt legislation on 22 December 1970.
New South Wales followed on 1 October 1971 and
all remaining states and territories passed legislation
by 1 January 1972.
Australia Post Group Manager Philatelic
Michael Zsolt said the anniversary of this world-
first achievement was more than worthy of being
recognised as part of Australia Post’s stamp program:
‘We have thousands of Australia Post drivers and
posties on the road every day right across the
country, so road safety is something that is close
to our heart,’ he said. ‘Even though it seems like
an obvious road-safety measure, the path leading
to legislation took years of research, campaigning
and public education, and it has helped to protect
Australian road users from fatality and serious injury
for five decades.’
Issue date: 25 January 2022,
australiapostcollectables.com.au

JERSEY
Seafood stamps
Jersey’s seafood features on a new set of Post & Go stamps, entitled ‘Harvest of the Sea’,
nicely complementing the new set from Guernsey (see page 12) to create a philatelic feast.
The Island of Jersey enjoys access to a wide range of seafood found in its
surrounding waters, often Atlantic in origin, fresh-caught each day and supplied to the
local fish markets and eateries. Local fishers often adopt sustainable catching methods
such as traditional potting methods for the lobster and hand diving for scallops.
These six Post & Go stamps are designed by local artist Ron Mills and depict Lobster,
Mackerel, Scallops, Turbot, Spider Crab and Jersey Oysters in a colourful modern
illustration style.
Ron Mills said: ‘As a designer and illustrator, it has always been my ambition
to design a set of stamps. I work in various artistic styles, so I thought a splashy
watercolour look would best represent the watery nature of the subject matter.’

Issue date: 17 February 2022, www.jerseystamps.com

12 APRIL 2022 www.allaboutstamps.co.uk

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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without obligation on your part to proceed. Either we will make
you a fair, binding private treaty offer, or we will recommend
inclusion of your property in our next public auction.

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we ask you to cover the return carriage costs only.

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IN BRIEF
Swiss Post recently revealed
the winner of the stamp design
competition, which challenged
members of the public to come up
with a stamp on the topic of hiking.
Over 600 entries were received, with
the top ten being put to a public
vote. This design will be issued as a
stamp in September.
The Journalists’ Association of Serbia
was founded on December 21, 1881
in Belgrade, under the name of the
Serbian Journalists’ Society. It is one
of the oldest professional journalist
associations in the world, and Serbia
Post recently celebrated the 140th
anniversary
of the
Association
with a single
stamp, with
a design
that reflects
the modern
aspects of
journalism.
New Zealand’s ‘Historic Ships of the
19th Century’ stamps feature paintings
by Sean Garwood depicting important
historic scenes. We see an 1843 trading
scene in Golden Bay near Nelson, an
1852 whaling expedition on American
whaling vessel the Charles W. Morgan,
settler ship the Mataura shown
navigating rough seas and the Felicity
and a fleet of sailing vessels in what was
known then as Blind Bay (now Tasman
Bay or Te Tai-o-Aorere).
14 APRIL 2022
GUERNSEY
Island cuisine on Post & Go
Guernsey Post’s latest Post & Go set celebrates the thick spread of butter or toasted.
island’s cuisine by depicting a selection of local The ‘UK Letter’ stamp shows Guernsey Biscuit,
recipes or popular local dishes on the six stamps. a savoury crusty roll with a soft, fluffy centre,
The ‘GY Letter’ stamp shows Guernsey Bean which is perfect for filling with local delicacies
Jar, which has been part of island life for centuries. including seafood, meats or cheese.
Traditionally this hearty one-pot dish made in The ‘UK Large Letter’ shows local lobster
an earthenware jar with beef shin, pig’s trotters, and shrimp; whilst the ‘EURO Letter’ features
onion, carrots, haricot beans, butter beans and bay Guernsey Gâche Melee (pronounced Gosh Mel–
leaves would have been eaten for breakfast. Today, are) a traditional Guernsey apple-based dessert.
it is often a tasty winter meal, and is enjoyed on The ‘ROW Letter’ shows more seafood, with the
Bonfire Night. local Chancre Crab, also known as Brown Crab,
Guernsey Gâche (pronounced Gosh) and often served in sandwiches or with salad and,
seen on the ‘GY Large Letter’ stamp is one of according to Guernsey Post, is a great addition to
Guernsey’s definitive specialties made with raisins, linguine or ravioli whilst the richer, brown meat
sultanas, and mixed peel. In Guernésiais, gâche inside the shell can be used as paté.
means cake, however this is more like a sweet fruit
bread. It is a popular tea-time treat served with a Issue date: 19 February 2022, guernseystamps.com
NORWAY
Explorer extraordinaire
Roald Amundsen, the Norwegian polar
explorer who led the first expedition to
reach the South Pole, has been honoured
with two new stamps from Norway.
Amundsen became the first person to
sail through the Northwest Passage with
the same ship, in 1993. He also studied
the Inuit lifestyle on King William Island,
north of the Canadian mainland. In 1910
he sailed to Antarctica with the polar
ship Fram, and it was with this ship that
he took on the expedition to the South
Pole. Together with four other expedition
members, he became the first to reach the
South Pole on 14 December 1911 – five
weeks before his rival Robert F. Scott.
In 1926, he flew with Lincoln Ellsworth
over the North Pole in the Italian-built
airship Norge piloted by Umberto Nobile.
Amundsen died in 1928 while searching for
Nobile’s failed expedition.
Issue date: 3 January 2022, posten.no/frimerker
www.allaboutstamps.co.uk
 SEE THE VERY LATEST NEW STAMPS AT: WWW.ALLABOUTSTAMPS.CO.UK/STAMP-GUIDES/NEW-STAMPS

MONACO
Motor-racing legends
Born in 1942 in Mainz (Germany), Jochen Rindt competed in his first
Formula 1 Grand Prix event in 1964, and his career is celebrated on a
new stamp from Monaco.
With an aggressive and spectacular driving style, he was considered
to be one of the best drivers of his era. In 1970, on the eve of the
Italian Grand Prix, he had four consecutive wins under his belt and
was sitting twenty points ahead of his competitors. A victory in Monza
would have secured him the world championship title.
However, during the practice sessions, Rindt lost control of his
Lotus 72, probably due to a mechanical fault. He was seriously injured
and was pronounced dead several hours later. The season continued,
and Rindt’s lead was such that he was posthumously crowned world
champion. A unique and tragic moment in the sport’s long history.
Meanwhile, Monaco celebrates two legendary racing cars in their
March 2022 issue, recalling the Vanwall motor racing team, and the Little known by the general public after disappearing from the scene
Benetton B19, which was driven to World Championship victory by too soon, Vanwall was a motor racing team that competed in Formula 1
Michael Schumacher. from 1954 to 1961, achieving nine victories in just 28 Grand Prix events.
The team’s name was a contraction of the names of its founder, British
industrialist Tony Vandervell, and his mechanical parts firm Thinwall.
Vanwall developed a high-performance, sturdy VW5 which won the first-
ever constructors’ world title in 1958, thanks to six wins by Stirling Moss.
Powered by a Renault V10 engine, the Benetton B195 enabled
Michael Schumacher to sail through the 1995 season, scoring nine
victories and his second world championship title, while Benetton
secured its first and only constructors’ world title.

Issue date: 8 March 2022, www.oetp-monaco.com

Butterfly gardening
The US Postal Service has issued two new
non-denominated stamps intended for
bulk mailings by authorised non-profit
organisations, which depict ‘Butterfly
Garden Flowers’.
The Butterfly Garden Flowers stamps
will be issued in coils of 3,000 and 10,000.
Each coil includes two designs, illustrations
of either cosmos or scabiosas, two flowers
USA
that butterflies love to visit. These, and
other flowers, play a vital role in preserving
populations of butterflies, pollinators that are
an incredibly important part of biosystems.
Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the
stamps with original art by Rigel Stuhmiller.
Stuhmiller used a combination of traditional
and digital tools to create the art. After
hand-carving the images into linoleum
blocks, she inked the blocks and pressed
them onto paper. The artist then scanned
the images into the computer and added
colour digitally. As in most traditional block
printing, the colour palette is limited.
With recent interest in supporting
pollinators, butterfly gardening as a hobby
has taken off. The requirements for a
successful butterfly garden are few: plenty
of sun, the right kinds of plants and no
pesticides. The garden can be as small as a
few containers on a sunny patio or as large as
acres of land in the country or in a city park.
Scabiosas are called pincushion flowers
because they resemble a pincushion loaded
with needles. Cosmos, also known as the
Mexican aster, grow on a sprawling plant
that produces a profusion of blossoms.
Adding these two plants to a well-planned
garden with lots of colour from native
plants will provide a beautiful haven for
butterflies and gardeners alike.

Issue date: 1 February 2022, usps.com

www.allaboutstamps.co.uk APRIL 2022 15


Platinum postage
Royal Mail celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of HM Queen Elizabeth II with a new
set of eight stamps that recall moments in her long reign
I
n case you missed it, this
year marks the seventieth
anniversary of the Queen’s
accession to the throne, on 6
February 1952. It’s the first
time a Platinum Jubilee has been
celebrated in the UK and we get an
additional bank holiday to celebrate
and hold street parties – the perfect
chance to reacquaint ourselves with
our neighbours after the trials of
the past few years. As with all royal
anniversaries and events (the Queen’s
Silver, Golden and Diamond Jubilees
were also marked with special stamp
issues from Britain), a range of
collectables are being issued to mark
the occasion, and post offices around
16 APRIL 2022
GB STAMPS
Below: panes from the
Prestige Stamp Booklet
the Commonwealth are revealing
their stamp designs.
Royal Mail’s stamp issue celebrates
The Queen’s dedication to service
during her reign, with each stamp
showing a different facet of her work
from Trooping the Colour to visits
across the United Kingdom, the
Commonwealth and the wider world
Simon Thompson, CEO, Royal
Mail, said: ‘These stamps are a
celebration of the second Elizabethan
Age and a tribute to a remarkable
lifetime of duty and public service.
We are honoured to be releasing
them to mark the occasion of the first
Platinum Jubilee in the UK’s history,
a momentous occasion.’
Platinum Jubilee souvenirs
There are, of course, much more
than just the eight stamps to collect.
The presentation pack features all
www.allaboutstamps.co.uk
STAMP DETAILS
Issue date: 4 February 2022
Printer: International Security
Printers
Process: Lithography
Format: Square
Size: 35mm x 35mm
Perforations: 14.5 x 14.5
Phosphor Bars: as appropriate
Gum: PVA
1st: Her Majesty The Queen
during a visit to the headquarters
of MI5, London, February 2020
1st: Her Majesty The Queen
with His Royal Highness The
Duke of Edinburgh during a tour
of the United States, Washington,
October 1957
1st: Her Majesty The Queen on
a walkabout in Worcester,
April 1980
1st: Her Majesty The Queen
during Trooping the Colour,
London, June 1978
£1.70: Her Majesty The Queen
after touring the Provincial
Museum of Alberta, Edmonton,
Canada, May 2005
£1.70: Her Majesty The
Queen during the Silver Jubilee
celebrations, Camberwell,
June 1977
£1.70: Her Majesty The Queen
during a tour of the West Indies,
in Victoria Park, St Vincent,
February 1966
£1.70: Her Majesty The Queen
at the Order of the Garter
ceremony in Windsor, June 1999

eight stamps, and features scroll work
accentuating the significance of the
seventy years milestone. The inside
of the pack includes imagery of Her
Majesty during previous Jubilees,
beginning with the Silver Jubilee in
1977 and a history of the celebrations
held at each Jubilee since then.
A 24-page Prestige Stamp
Book (PSB) is available, featuring
commentary by journalist and royal
specialist Robert Hardman, as he
looks back in detail at seventy years of
working at home and abroad. The book
is filled with a selection of photography
capturing key moments over the
years, contains all eight Platinum
Jubilee stamps perforated as ‘panes’
within the book plus an extra pane
of definitive stamps and four stamps
originally issued in 2012 and 2016.
The stamps in the panes
are printed litho, gummed,
phosphor bars as appropriate.
As is customary in recent
years, any PSB is accompanied by
a limited edition version. This
time the special version comes
in a linen feel folder with magnetic Platinum colour applied to retain the
closure and certificate of authenticity. original colour. This sheet is pressed
There is an edition limit of 1952, using a stainless-steel mould and a
to celebrate the anniversary, and heat press. This allows high detail
each prestige stamp book will be embossing and relief allowing elements
individually numbered on its back. of the original stamp image to shown.
Coin covers are available featuring The sheet is then trimmed to size and
different versions of the recently perforation holes added to the outside
issued £5 coin from The Royal edge. The replicas are available in two
Mint (from Brilliant Uncirculated at designs, Trooping the Colour, 1978,
£19.99 through to a Platinum Proof and the MI5 visit in 2020.
coin cover, priced £5,495 and limited There is a First Day Cover
to just 100 copies). However, it is the handstamp, an alternative and a non-
platinum replica stamp that may be of pictorial handstamp. The Tallents
more interest to philatelists. House postmark includes details of the
The replica stamps contain at least First Day of Issue alongside detailed
0.1g of platinum and comes in a scroll work Platinum Jubilee. The
presentation closure, decorated box alternative postmark includes the text:
and individual numbered certificate. ‘I have in sincerity pledged myself
As Royal Mail explain, these precious to your service’, a quote from Her
replicas are rolled to the required Majesty’s Coronation speech, 2 June,
thickness then laid between sheets of 1953. The London SW1 postmark
PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate). signifies Buckingham Palace, Her
The top sheet of PMMA then has a Majesty’s official London residence.
WIN THE STAMPS!
We have presentation packs to give away, courtesy of Royal Mail, in our regular
competition. For your chance to win just visit the website at www.allaboutstamps.
co.uk and answer the following question:
In what year did the Queen celebrate her Golden Jubilee?
Enter now at: www.allaboutstamps.co.uk/competitions
Closing date: 8 April 2022. Winners will be picked at random from all correct entries.
Editor’s decision is final. Good luck!
www.allaboutstamps.co.uk APRIL 2022 17
 MARKET Quick Links

INSIGHT
Page 20 Stamp detective
Page 22 Latest online sales
Page 24 Danzig price guide

AUCTION HIGHLIGHTS
PRICES INCLUDE BUYER’S PREMIUM UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED

LOVELY FRESH COLOUR

An 1867-80 2/- brown from plate
1 was one of the highlights of the
recent Spink sale of Great Britain
material. The stamp boasted a ‘lovely
fresh colour and with part original
gum’ and was described as ‘a very fine
example of this rare stamp.’

SOLD FOR £9,000

PONY EXPRESS TO LINCOLN
An 1860 cover addressed to Abraham Lincoln and delivered
via the Pony Express was the highlight of the recent sale of the
‘Erivan’ Collection of United and Confederate States Part VI,
at HR Harmer. Backstamped ‘Pony Express St. Joseph Aug 30’
with a ‘Running Pony’ in carmine, the cover featured an 1857
10c Green at upper right, tied by a ‘Saint Joseph Mo. Aug 31
1860’ datestamp, and the text ‘Needs no answer’ on the right
in what appears to be John George Nicolay’s handwriting. The
cover is thought to have been carried on the second eastbound
trip after the first rate reduction was published, and is one
of ten covers with the distinctive ‘carmine pony’ handstamp.
The lot description clearly stated the cover’s remarkable
rarity ‘but most importantly [this is] the only Pony Express
cover addressed to Republican nominee and future president
Abraham Lincoln in the midst of the 1860 election.’
The lot description explained: ‘This cover was carried via HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT
Pony Express to Abraham Lincoln from an unknown sender Another treasure offered by HR Harmer as part of the ‘Erivan’
in between the contentious convention of May 1860 and the Collection was a cover bearing an Alexandria, VA, 5c black
general election in November. During this time Lincoln was on buff postmaster provisional. Said to be ‘one of the most
quite reclusive, making few speeches and writing almost no historically significant United States covers’, the item also
letters. It is nearly impossible to imagine the future president’s featured a black ‘Alexandria D.C. Jul. 10’ datestamp with
mindset at this time, with both the Republican Party and the matching boxed ‘5’ and ‘Paid’ handstamps.
United States on the brink of war. The fact that the only Pony
Express cover addressed to Abraham Lincoln also bears one of SOLD FOR £89,400
the service’s rarest markings (the carmine Running Pony) only
enhances the appeal of this spectacular item. While we tend DESIRABLE KANGAROO
to err on the side of caution when using superlatives, the last An Australia £2 black & rose, with
time this cover was sold by Christie’s in 1991 it was said to be the variety ‘colour spot on map north
“considered by many to be the most important Pony Express of Bight’ was recently sold by Status
cover in existence.”’ International. With ‘nice original
gum and deep colours’ the item was
SOLD FOR £208,425 described as a ‘key Kangaroo stamp
and desirable with variety.

SOLD FOR £2,512

POSTMASTER IN PERSIA
The recent sale at Cherrystone Auctions featured a selection of Iranian rarities,
including this unused 1902 1kr rose-red, featuring Victor Castaigne violet initials.
Castaigne was the Belgian-born postmaster of Meched whose provisional stamps were
used for just ten weeks during 1902 before the stamps were deemed invalid. The lot
was described as ‘a great rarity, only a few unused examples are known to exist.’

SOLD FOR £7,075

18 APRIL 2022 www.allaboutstamps.co.uk
 Jersey Post & GO
Harvest of the Sea

17 February 2022

Tractors working in jersey

1 April 2022

6WDPSVDQGVRXYHQLUVKHHWOHWVDUHDOVRDYDLODEOHRQÀUVWGD\FRYHUVDQGLQ
presentation packs. Visit the website to see our full range and to order online.

W W W . J E R S E Y S TA M P S . C O M
Email: stamps@jerseypost.com or call us on +44 (0) 1534 616717
www.facebook.com/jerseystamps @JerseyStamps
MARKET INSIGHT

CHALON HEAD RARITY

The first part of the ‘Lionheart’ Collection
of New Zealand recently went under the
hammer at Spink. An imperforate 1/- blue
green of 1857-63 was sold for £14,000,
double the starting price. The classic stamp
was printed in Auckland by J. Richardson,
and featured good to large margins and
‘wonderful vivid colour’. The lot description
suggested the stamp was ‘surely one of the
finest examples of this very rare stamp.’

SOLD FOR £14,000

SPECTACULAR MULTIPLE
Spink’s sale of New Zealand material also included this block of
25 1/- yellow-green stamps, from the right of the sheet with part
‘postage’ marginal watermark.

SOLD FOR £10,000

ALBINO FRAME
This Antigua 1949 1/-
black and red-brown fine
mint, showing a double
JAPAN TO LONDON frame print, with the
The Cherrystone Auctions sale also featured many Japanese covers, including second frame in albino,
an 1875 cover to London, franked with a horizontal pair of 30sen grey, was recently sold by
foreign wove paper, tied by Tokyo Intaglio Cross, with ‘Yokohama Paid All Stanley Gibbons.
Sep 25’. The cover had travelled via San Francisco to London, and showcases
an ‘extremely rare usage of the 30sen horizontal pair on cover’. SOLD FOR £900

SOLD FOR £22,350

STAMP DETECTIVE
Our philatelic private eye spies another stamp set that’s likely to go up in value

The Bhor State Primitives

The stamps of the many Indian feudatory
states have a strong following among collectors
who are attracted to the more esoteric areas of
philately. The State of Bhor is located in today’s
Maharashtra State and during the stamp period
farming was its main economic activity. In 1901
the state had a population of slightly more than
137,000. Bhor State acceded to India in 1948.
Located just south of Mumbai, this nine-
gun salute state introduced its own postage
stamps in 1879. They were handprinted with
denominations of ½ anna and 1a. They are still
readily obtainable.
After 1895 the stamps were only used on official
correspondence within the state as the British
Indian post office handled all other kinds of mail.
In 1901 Bhor issued its third and last stamp.
It carries a denomination of ½ anna and it
shows the likeness of the ruler Pant Sachiv
Shankar Rao II Chimanji Rao (1854-1922).
The stamp was printed in red and lacked
both perforations and gum. Unlike the first two
stamps, the 1901 issue is not that easily located.
It was only used on official correspondence
within the state and usually on petitions to
courts or as postage due on mailings of legal
documents. It is not known when the use of the
stamp ended.
About £20 for a stamp in nice mint condition
would be a good price to pay. Genuinely
used the stamp is a lot scarcer and hardly ever
available. All kinds of multiples are rare.

20 APRIL 2022 www.allaboutstamps.co.uk

GUERNSEY STAMPS Available with all issues:
First Day Covers and Presentation Pack
AND COLLECTABLES
New Issues: 4th April 2022

Collect
Alderney Patois
Stamps

Voice-Vouaïe Guernsey Patois: Set of 8 stamps

Set of 8 stamps

52P 73P
73 79

Cha saonne migniet à St Anne (Bells sounding midnight at St Anne) Ma graond maire a trop pessaons (My grandmother has too many fish)

A PO RT RA
GU ER NS EY IT O F TH E
A PORTRAIT OF THE LA NG UA GE
GUERNSEY LANGUAGE
GUERNSE
Y
G UER NSE Y £1.35

£1.26 £1.35
PRE-ORDER
21.03.22 ye (A fishing boa
t in Braye Harbou
r)
u au port d’ Bra
En battay peckho

£1.10

Full Philatelic
IT OF TH E
product range
A PO RT RA NG UA GE
L’houm
LA A PORTRAIT OF THE (The m me dedans li
GU ER NS EY GUERNSEY LANGUAGE
available on our an in th le
e moon une ne porte
doesn’t pa
wear tr s di hardes

G U E R N SE Y
ousers)
GUE R NS E Y
website
Order Guernsey & Alderney stamps online or by tel: +44 (0) 1481 716486
email philatelic@guernseypost.com
Guernsey Stamps @guernseystamps www.guernseystamps.com

www.allaboutstamps.co.uk APRIL 2022 21

MARKET INSIGHT

LATEST INTERNET SALES

Your quick reference guide to recent online sales, in association with delcampe.net

France, 1F Cérès dull vermilion FSAT, Unissued 87f Concorde

1850, 4 fine margins & light (instead of 85f ) 1969 MNH (with Tobago, £1 QV lilac watermark
cancellation (with certif.) cert.), very rare ! Crown & CC used

SOLD FOR £6,746 SOLD FOR £2296 SOLD FOR £493

Vietnam, 5$ unissued Rooster 1955 Gersa

imperf. proof MNH

SOLD FOR £480 Puerto Rico, 80c yellowish green

Alfonso XIII 1890 used

SOLD FOR £451

Romania, Letter franked

with DDSG stamp
(Donau Danube Steam
Luxembourg, 1SGr carmine pink Ship Company) from
William II 1852 MNH Czernawoda 1867 to
Orșova (signed by AIEP
SOLD FOR £409 expert)

SOLD FOR
£2,225

Belgium, Vertical strip of four stamps for

registered letters, shifted perf. 2020
Germany, 25pf Bayern Flugpostmarke (airmail)
SOLD FOR £356 dark Prussian blue 1912 MNH

SOLD FOR £311.5

Buy and sell on Delcampe, more than

80 million collectables are waiting for you!

22 APRIL 2022 www.allaboutstamps.co.uk

 Court Philatelics
Quality supplier of on and off paper mixtures and collections - Price list free on request.
We are also interested in buying any of your surplus stamps on or off paper for payment
or exchange. Guaranteed full refund if not satisfied. Please E-Mail us if you would like to
receive our special offer 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 £3.00 for all collections ordered.
We will use latest Commems including very rare high values!

OFF PAPER MIXTURES

NEW! CANADA: Becoming very hard to find. A very colourful off paper mixture of Commems only
including scarce modern issues. Great variety. 2 oz £35.00, 1/4 lb £68.00.
FRANCE. An amazing collection of over 500 different Commemoratives only from 2015 to 2019 all
in complete sets!! List price £65.00.
JAPAN: A very colourful off paper mixture of Commems only including many modern issues. Great
variety. 2 oz £23.00, 1/4 lb £45.00.
BRTISH COMMONWEALTH: A new mix for us of all Commems and Large only. A very colourful
mixture with a great variety. 1/4 lb £30.00, 1/2 lb £62.00, 1 lb £120.00.
WEST EUROPE LARGE & COMMEMS ONLY. A very colourful off paper mixtures with no GB.
Includes Semi-Postals and High Values. ¼ lb £35.00, ½ lb £68.00.
QUEEN VICTORIA – KING GEORGE VI COMMONWEALTH. This one is a real gem and very rare.
Off paper and therefore no soaking required. We were lucky enough to buy a retired dealer/
collectors collection of albums and accumulations and was not sure what to do with it so have
decided to treat you all by busting the whole lot into one off paper mixture. As we do not sell stamps
individually or by catalogue value we have left that for you. Great interest for postmark collectors
as many of them will be now obsolete, and great for watermark, shade and perf varieties. Majority
being George V & VI but also contains Victoria and Edward. Limited supplies and once sold out will
probably not be seen again. Around 2,000 stamps per ¼ lb and must be a bargain at around 3p a
stamp. ¼ lb £65.00, ½ lb £125.00.

SPECIAL OFFER: Buy 1 lb World, 1 lb British Commonwealth and 1 lb West Europe Scoop for the
discounted price of £130. List price £150.00.
WORLD SCOOP. An Off paper mix scooped from our oddments tub. Emanating from Charities, Auc-
tions, personal collections etc. You will find 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.
BRITISH COMMONWEALTH SCOOP. Sold out over the last 8 months, we can now supply more of
our popular Off 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.
WEST EUROPE SCOOP. An Off paper mixture of small and large stamps with much earlier material.
Many better and unusual values. Approx. 10,000 stamps to 1 lb costing around ½ p each.
½ lb £28.00, 1 lb £55.00.

Vf]h]g\ COMMEMORATIVES & LARGE ONLY ON PAPER MIXTURES.

Further discount, purchase 2 items and deduct 5%, 4 items deduct 10%
WcaacbkYU`h\ AUSTRALIA ¼ lb £22.00, ½ lb £40.00.
AUSTRALIA HIGH VALUES ¼ lb £36.00, ½ lb £70.00.
AUSTRIA ¼ lb £35.00, ½ lb £68.00. BOTSWANA ¼ lb £18.00, ½ lb £35.00.
WE PRODUCE THREE WEEKLY 28+ PAGE STOCK LISTS CANADA ¼ lb £40.00, ½ lb £70.00. CYPRUS ¼ lb £30.00, ½ lb £58.00.
These go through the Commonwealth alphabetically in sequence
ESTONIA 2 oz £33.00. FAROES 2 oz £42.00, 1/4 lb £78.00.
FINLAND ¼ lb £20.00, ½ lb £39.00. FRANCE ¼ lb £23.00, ½ lb £42.00.
VUg]Wa]bhUbXigYXdf]WYXUhU FRENCH AFRICA ¼ lb £47.00, ½ lb £90.00. GERMANY ¼ lb £16.00, ½ lb £30.00.
aUl]aiacZ\U`Zg[WUhU`c[iY GERMANY HIGH VALUE COMMEMS ¼ lb £28.00, ½ lb £55.00.
Our price guarantee – as it has been since we started GERMANY SEMI-POSTALS ¼ lb £22.00, ½ lb £40.00. GREECE ¼ lb £31.00, ½ lb £60.00.
GUERNSEY ¼ lb £17.00, ½ lb £33.00. HOLLAND ¼ lb £18.00, ½ lb £35.00.
SECTIONS FOR VARIETIES AND COVERS HOLLAND SEMI-POSTALS ¼ lb £20.00, ½ lb £39.00. IRAN ¼ lb £30.00, ½ lb £58.00.
PTS and ADPS MEMBERS IRELAND ¼ lb £32.00, ½ lb £60.00. ISLE OF MAN ¼ lb £17.00, ½ lb £33.00
ITALY 2 oz £26.00, ¼ lb £50.00. JAPAN ¼ lb £22.00, ½ lb £41.00.
ESTABLISHED 35+ YEARS
JERSEY ¼ lb £17.00, ½ lb £33.00. LIECHTENSTEIN 2 oz £43.00, ¼ lb £85.00.
ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED
LITHUANIA 2 oz £33.00. LUXEMBOURG ¼ lb £39.00, ½ lb £77.00.
MALAWI ¼ lb £20.00, ½ lb £39.00. MALTA ½ lb £16.00, 1 lb £30.00.
RETAIL SHOP OPEN TO THE PUBLIC EVERY FRIDAY
NEPAL ¼ lb £20.00, ½ lb £38.00. NORWAY ¼ lb £23, ½ lb £45.00.
We are easy to find and have our own car park
SOUTH AFRICA HOMELANDS ¼ lb £22.00, ½ lb £40.00.
SPAIN ¼ lb £23.00, ½ lb £44.00. SWEDEN ¼ lb £23.00, ½ lb £45.00.
FULL RANGE OF ACCESSORIES AVAILABLE
SWITZERLAND 1/4 lb £23.00, 1/2 lb £45.00. THAILAND 1/4 lb £23.00, 1/2 lb £45.00.
“Hawid” and “Showgard” stamp mounts – probably the cheapest in the UK
U.S.A ½ lb £25.00, 1 lb £48.00.

Court Philatelics
WRITE, EMAIL OR PHONE FOR OUR LISTS
Please state any particular interests

B & S STAMPS Dept SCM, P.O Box 6198, Leighton Buzzard, Beds LU7 9XT.
RUSHCLIFFE HOUSE
17-19 RECTORY ROAD TEL: 01296 662420. E-mail: courtphilatelics@aol.com
WEST BRIDGFORD
NOTTINGHAM NG2 6BE PAYMENT: We accept cheque, postal orders or all major credit & debit cards. Paypal
Tel: 0115 981 6214 Email: chris@robinhood-stamp.co.uk payments can be made to courtphilatelics@aol.com or you can pay direct into our
bank: RBS, A/C no. 10088313, sort code 16-1620. NO MINIMUM ORDER.

www.allaboutstamps.co.uk APRIL 2022 23

 £4.10 £83

Australian eBayer emeraldbooksandstamps

from Victoria, recently had this 1 mark, wings
and DANZIG surcharged example, issued
September 1920, as a buy-it-now lot priced
at AU $7.80 (approximately £4.10) with This registered cover from Danzig to Stockholm, Sweden carries the three airmail stamps that
$4.80 shipping costs. made up the surcharged 1920 set, including the 40 pf, 60 pf and 1 mark values and the Danzig
across DEUTSCHES REICH overprint. The cover, described as having nice stamps, marks and
cancels, was recently offered by Aztec Collectables from Florida, at US$112.49 plus shipping.

HOW MUCH SHOULD I PAY FOR…?

Danzig air post stamps

Ed Fletcher summarizes Danzig’s fascinating early history before checking recent sales for
guidance on what you might pay to add Danzig air stamps and covers to your collection

D
espite a mere two
decades as a stamp
issuing authority,
Danzig enjoyed
more than half a
millennium of thriving city state
be ally against another would-be
enemy, and to keep Poles, Prussians,
Russians and Swedes off-balance
down to the 18th century and the
arrival of Napoleon Bonaparte, who
conquered Prussia in 1806 and, in

prosperity before 20th-century
madness ripped Danzig apart and
scattered her population to the
winds. In early medieval times
the confluence of the mighty river
Vistula with the deep coastal waters
of the Baltic Sea offered easy routes
to Scandinavia and to the wider
European continent. Geography and
geology provided an ideal site for the
growth of a bustling international
market. Grain, furs and luxury
goods transported on river barges to
Danzig quays filled the holds of ships
sailing to foreign ports. Gold and
silver flowed in, brought by foreign
merchants.
Inevitably Danzig’s wealth drew
envious attention; but the city always
managed to play off one would-
£16
the following year, declared Danzig a
semi-independent client state of the
French Empire. Napoleon renamed it
the Free City of Danzig; the name it
lost when Napoleon suffered defeat
by Prussia and her allies at the Battle
of Leipzig in 1814. Prussia then took
a turn at ruling Danzig; and when US eBayer Nowallp’s Stamp Emporium from Nebraska recently offered
Prussia became part of the German these 1921 – 1922 issues (40 pf, 60 pf, 1 mark, 2 mark, 5 mark),
Reich in 1871 Danzig fell into with colours including emerald, dull purple, carmine, bistre-brown, and
German hands. blue-violet. They were described as used and mint, in fine to very fine
World War One and its aftermath condition. The BIN price was US $21.65, plus $2.25 s&h.
threw all the cards into the air.
Poland argued that Danzig must
revert to its former Polish name – blocked Polish access to an open sea.
Gdansk – and become Polish once Germany, on the other hand, argued
again because Danzig’s entire land that 95% of the Danzig population
area, approximately 800 square were ethnic Germans who wished
miles, was already Polish territory; to retain their citizenship. A British
and that the existence of Danzig compromise proposed that as Danzig

24 APRIL 2022 www.allaboutstamps.co.uk

 MARKET INSIGHT

£83
£1.50

UK eBayer Scott Philatelics from Leicester, recently offered this 250

Another Aztec Collectables cover: this 1921 early airmail from Danzig to Stutgart carries mark black-brown large horizontal from the 1923 set at £1.50 plus
two 60 pf values from the 1921 set, as well as two interesting Danzig Trade Fair labels, shipping, describing the stamp as fine mint hinged.
also on the front face. The BIN price was US $112.49 (approximately £83), plus insured
overseas airmail shipping at $17.00.

had functioned well as a free city in 1 mark) circulated until 1923 when and olive branch, were surcharged, in
the past it ought to exist once again the gulden replaced the mark. On blue or in carmine, with values of 40
as the Free City of Danzig under the 1 October 1921, the Free City of pf, 60 pf, or 1 mark), together with an
protection of the League of Nations. Danzig became a member of the image of an aeroplane, or of wings, and
The Paris Peace Conference embraced Universal Postal Union (UPU). the name Danzig across ‘DEUTSCHES
the compromise and Freie Stadt Under the terms of the Versailles REICH’. The aeroplane image is
Danzig flourished. Treaty, Danzig citizenship depended on reversed on the 60 pf value.
Poland operated a local post residency. Germans living in the city On 3 May 1921 Danzig issued
office in Danzig where it issued lost their German citizenship, which 40 pf, 60 pf, 1 mark, 2 mark and
Polish stamps overprinted ‘PORT could be reinstated during the first two 5 mark stamps, designed by M.
GDANSK’. The city had its own post years of Danzig’s creation. Those who Buchholz. With Art Nouveau design
office at a different address, from chose to remain German, however, had influence obvious, they displayed an
where the first stamps of the Danzig to quit their property and reside beyond aeroplane flying over Danzig, with
Free City issued on 14 June 1920. Danzig’s borders. the inscription Flugpost Freie Stadt
They were stamps of the German In September 1920 three of Danzig. Colours included emerald,
Empire overprinted with different Germany’s 40 pfennig carmine stamps dull purple, carmine, bistre-brown,
values, and with the name Danzig depicting Germania, personification and blue-violet. On 15 May 1922 a 10
superimposed on Deutsches Reich. of the German nation, wearing her mark olive-green, similar in design to
The city’s currency (100 pfennig = octagonal crown and holding a sword the 5 mark, completed the set.

£62

£83
Aztec Collectables from Florida described this lot as a 1923 early registered
airmail cover from Danzig to Baden, postmarked June 23, 1923; with beautiful 1924 air post, set of five, 10 pf to 2½ gulden, never hinged; offered by
stamps and cancels. Its stamps include Danzig 25 mark (two), 50 mark and Cherrystone Auctions from New Jersey at US$85 plus shipping.
250 mark values. The BIN price was US $112.49 plus shipping.

www.allaboutstamps.co.uk APRIL 2022 25

 £74

£250

Hyperinflation pushed up the cost of airmail correspondence to alarming heights,

as seen from this 1923 Danzig 500,000 mark scarlet, imperforate corner margin
horizontal pair; lightly hinged, and offered by Cherrystone Auctions at US$100 plus
shipping costs.
Designs for the new issue of 1923
differed from the 1921-22 sets in
colours, values and watermark, but
with the overall depiction of an
aeroplane over the city, together with
the inscription Flugpost Freie Stadt
Danzig, unaltered. Values ranged from
40 pf to 500 marks.
October 1923 witnessed hyper-
inflationary values running to millions
of marks. The greatly simplified design
showed two aeroplanes within the
circle of a post-horn, with Freie Stadt
Danzig above the horn, and Flugpost
together with the value below the
curve of the horn. All four stamps in
the set were scarlet in colour.
New currency (100 pfennig = 1
gulden) resulted in new stamps and
a fresh design for the 1 May 1924
issue showing another aeroplane-over-
the-city image, and with Flug Post
inscribed on its wings. Values ranged
1930 Danzig Graf Zeppelin South America Flight postcard cover to
Seville, Spain; mailed on the Graf Zeppelin airship LZ 127 round-trip
from 10 pf to 2½ gulden; colours flight to Danzig. The seller, Aztec Collectables from Florida, described it
included vermilion, cerise, brown, as an exceptionally rare cover, with great stamps, cancels and zeppelin
deep-green and plum. markings. The stamps include a Danzig block of four 10 pf flug post
The next air stamps did not appear stamps cancelled on 12th May, 1930; and a 1 gulden deep-green from
until 1935. On the 10,15, 25 and 50 the same 1924 Air Post set. The lot price was US$337.50, plus insured
pfennig values an aeroplane flies to the overseas airmail shipping at $14.
right with the inscription Freie Stadt
Danzig looped above, with Flugpost
and the stamp’s value below. The 1
gulden (purple) value shows a view
from above, with the inscriptions on
and around the wings and fuselage.
In June 1937, as a final flourish
for the city’s air stamps, the Danzig
Philatelic Exhibition’s organizers
issued a souvenir sheet with a stamp
showing an aeroplane over Danzig’s
St. Mary’s Church.
Finally, in 1939, following a
plebiscite, Danzig became part of
Germany. During that year the 1935 Cherrystone Auctions from New Jersey USA recently offered
Danzig set was reissued with a new this 1938 air post set of four, 10 pf – 50 pf. never hinged; with
watermark consisting of swastikas. swastikas watermarks. The price was U.S. $37 plus shipping.

£19
£29.50 1935 set of air stamps; 10 pf to 1
gulden; fine used. Offered by Russian
eBayer suertealicia with a BIN price of
US $25.99 plus $4.99 postage.

5.99
UK eBayer i.b.redguy from Leominster recently
US eBayer superiorstamps from Minnesota recently offered this offered this German Cinderella item for £5.99:
interesting Danzig 1937 philatelic exhibition airmail souvenir a 1913 DANZIG from the Lost Colony Series;
sheet for U.S. $40.00 plus shipping. unmounted mint. Such publicity encouraged
German citizens to covet Danzig’s free city status.

26 APRIL 2022 www.allaboutstamps.co.uk

 Two great websites for
fine used stamps!
www.robstine-stamps.com
www.robstineextra.com
EUROPE COMMONWEALTH REST OF WORLD
Albania Latvia Aden Channel Labuan St Kitts-Nevis Algeria
Islands
Austria Antigua Leeward St Lucia Belgian Congo
Liechtenstein Christmas Islands
Ascension Island
Belgium St Vincent Brazil
Lithuania Australia Malaya
Cocos Islands
Bulgaria Bahamas Samoa
Malta Egypt
Luxembourg Cook Islands
Denmark Bahrain Sarawak
Mauritius French Colonies
Cyprus
Monaco Barbados Montserrat Seychelles
Estonia Dominica
Basutoland Honduras
Netherlands Morocco Sierra Leone
Faroes Bechuanaland Falklands/
Dependencies Agencies Italian Colonies
Bermuda Singapore
Finland Norway New Guinea
British Fiji Japan
Somalia
France Antarctic New Hebrides
Poland Gambia Korea North
British Guiana South Africa
German States Ghana New Zealand
Portugal British Southern Lebanon
Germany Honduras Gibraltar Nigeria Rhodesia
Romania Morocco
German Zones British Levant Gilbert + Ellice Norfolk Island South West
Africa Netherlands Colonies
West Germany Russia Ex Italian Gold Coast North Borneo
Colonies Sudan
Great Britain Northern Portuguese Colonies
West Berlin San Marino British Rhodesia Swaziland
Solomons Grenada Somalia
DDR Greece Nyasaland
Spain Tonga
British Virgins Hong Kong
Greenland Pakistan Thailand
Sweden Brunei India + States Trinidad +
Papua + Tobago Tunisia
Hungary
Burma Isle of Man New Guinea
Switzerland Tristan da
Iceland Cunha USA
Canada Jamaica Pitcairn
Ireland Vatican Turks + Caicos Venezuela
Caymans KUT Rhodesia
Italy Yugoslavia Ceylon Kuwait St Helena Zanzibar Yemen

Trading in stamps since 1982, I have been known

especially for fine used European material. Now, my
Please send me SC

range of Commonwealth stamps is equally strong The Commonwealth Booklet...................... T

from QV to QE2. Go to either website to see what
I can offer, or fill in the attached coupon to receive The Europe and Worldwide Booklet......... T
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 COLLECTORS’
CORNER
CINDERELLAS

Caldey Island
Located on the northern side of the Bristol Channel, Caldey Island can
be reached from Tenby in Pembrokeshire, writes Christer Brunström.
The island’s name is very probably of Norse origin and means Cold
Island. The Welsh call it Ynys Bǔr. The tiny island has a recorded history
going back some 1,500 years.
Caldey is one of Britain’s holy islands and it is home to an abbey
and a community of Cistercian monks who own the island which
currently has a resident population of forty, not counting the monks.
The island attracts many tourists who visit to enjoy the rich birdlife
and the many flowers.
In addition to the tourist industry, the monks make a living producing four stamps depict various church buildings on the island and they were
and selling perfumes and chocolate. They are particularly famous for sold as souvenirs.
their lavender perfume. During the Covid-19 restrictions, the monks’ A dab is a kind of flat-fish which is found in the waters surrounding
business has continued thanks to their online shop. Caldey. The word for fish in Greek (IX‫ڧ‬YZ) has a religious significance
Back in the 1970s, Caldey Island issued four different stamp-like labels as it represents the first letters in what can be translated as Jesus Christ,
all carrying the curious denomination of 2 dabs. They were not local Son of God, Saviour. Isn’t it amazing the kind of strange things you learn
carriage labels as the island was and still is served by the Royal Mail. The while studying Cinderella stamps?

STAMP QUIZ
Test your stamp knowledge with our monthly quiz (answers on page 30)

1 In philately, what does Key Type mean?

3

2 Which African country issued the first adhesive

postage stamp; and in which year? 4

3 What was the eight-word message at the bottom of

Canada’s 1898 Christmas stamp?

4 What is the caption at the bottom of the vignette seen on the USA
2c stamp in the commemorative set of 1898?
6
7

5 Which famous stamp forger was portrayed on

Micronesia’s 1986 22c issue?

6 Which country issued this attractive stamp in 1947?

7 What geological feature appeared on the first

El Salvador stamp of 1867?
9

8 What was the overprinted applied to Norway’s definitive

stamps by the Quisling government in 1940?

9 When and why was this stamp issued?

10 Which British colony’s stamps were overprinted in
1886 to provide Gibraltar with its first issues?

28 APRIL 2022 www.allaboutstamps.co.uk

 FIRST DAY COVERS
FDC fun and games
Trying to look up the Commonwealth Games can be rather confusing,
writes Brian Austin, but I think I am right in saying that the first ‘Official’
games to be held in the UK was in London in 1934 and I can definitely
say there were no commemorative stamps. The stamps first appeared for
the sixth Games which were held in and around Cardiff in 1958.
As well as the stamps there were also three special slogans in
Cardiff, Llanberis and Barry, ranging in price from £75 to £100, I
have shown Cardiff here.
In addition, at the games there is supposedly a Mobile Post Office,
a Court Post Office and a Parcel postmark, all very rare, and if you
ever come across them, whatever the condition, it would be worth
considering a purchase.
The RAFA Philatelic Society also produced a special registered
commemorative cover, which if you can find will, probably be
handwritten, and it does come with various CDS postmarks and we
have also seen it with the very rare Barry Hooded cancel. These typed
of cancels are very rare and mainly seen on later Victorian issues, but
SOCIETY NEWS
Chelmsford And District Philatelic Society’s recent meeting gave
members the chance to present a few frames on the subject of their
choice. Eric Lienhard’s presentation included envelopes with Cachets
for the Swiss town of Bethlehem; Paul Green described envelopes
and correspondence from the sunnier setting of Jamaica and the Up
Park camp, which served as a base for soldiers, an internment camp
during the Second World War, and an evacuation area during the
war for Gibraltar citizens who wished to leave for their safety. Chris
Norton concluded the first part of the afternoon meeting with a
display covering Christmas cards from Hong Kong. John Rawlins
commenced the second half of the meeting with recent purchases that
he has added to his collection, comprising envelopes with cachets
sent during the period of early flights in Canada including the Trans
Prairie route of the 1930s. John Copeland followed with a display
of Essex Post Offices illustrated on post cards over the years. Finally
Patricia Adams displayed a selection of Christmas seals from Norway
produced over the decades to generate funds for various charities.
For Society details contact Dave Everard on tel: 01245 465506;
email: davideverard@live.com
A meeting of the Great Britain Philatelic Society will be held on
Saturday 19 March at the Royal Philatelic Society, 15 Abchurch Lane,
London EC4N 7BW from 11am. The morning session will consist
of a display from David Poynton entitled Stamps Issued in Rolls
– KGV to QEII. David says: ‘The display shows the development
of stamp rolls for use in both vending and office affixing machines
from the very earliest trials through to the QE2 period where postal
rates were changing rapidly. A number of scarce coil leaders from all
reigns will be shown.’ The afternoon session, commencing at 2.15pm,
will consist of a display from Trevor Shimell entitled £sd Regionals
1958-1971. Trevor says: ‘This display provides a detailed study of the
Regional £sd issues of Great Britain from 1958 until 1971 including
their usages. On 18 June 1956 an announcement was made from
the House of Commons which stated that consultative committees
had been appointed to advise on “individual stamps for the regions
in small size showing the Queen’s portrait framed by heraldic or
www.allaboutstamps.co.uk
this one does seem to only appear for the Games, so if it was specially
produced or just found in a drawer at the time, we will probably never
know, but yet again a lovely cover to add to your collection.
symbolical subjects.” All designs contained the photographic portrait
of Queen Elizabeth II taken by Dorothy Wilding Ltd. on 15 April
1952. The first stamp issued was the 3d value on 18 August 1958.
A total of four different denominations were produced for Jersey,
Isle of Man and Guernsey, and seven for Northern Ireland, Scotland
and Wales. The last issued being the 9d value of Scotland on 28
September 1970.’ Full details of the Great Britain Philatelic Society
can be found at www.gbps.org.uk
The British Thematic Association has now opened its recordings
of past online Zoom thematic presentations to everybody. Seven
presentations ranging from Christmas Menus to Watermarks, Copper
to the Statue of Liberty are now available on the BTA website under
the ‘Events’ tab: www.britishthematic.org.uk. In future all Zoom
presentations will be opened to all after three months of the original
showing to BTA members.
The Kingston & District Philatelic Society has now established itself
at the new venue at the Day Centre at Claygate, Surrey. This venue
is still within easy reach of the centre of Kingston upon Thames,
has excellent facilities and a congenial atmosphere with excellent car
parking. We are also inviting new members from those who would
find Claygate more convenient to attend an evening meeting here
rather than at Surbiton. The Society has regular meetings on the first
Thursday and third Friday of each month, where interesting displays
have been viewed. Often suitably masked. Details of the Society can
be obtained by contacting the Hon Secretary, Brian Sole, FRPSL
on tel: 01932 220677; email: brian.sole@btinternet.com or via the
website: www.kingstonphilatelicsociety.com
SHARE YOUR SOCIETY NEWS!
Send your society news and events to us and we will include them
in a future issue of Stamp Collector …or why not become a Featured
Society and enjoy coverage on our website and in the Classifieds
pages of every issue? Just email: matthewh@warnersgroup.co.uk to
submit your updates or to find out more.
APRIL 2022 29
 POSTCARDS

Saving the children

The Rev. Benjamin Waugh is described as
‘the founder of the National Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Children’ on my
first illustration, an Edwardian postcard
published by that society.
Shocked by what he had seen when
working as a Congregationalist minister
in Greenwich, South London Benjamin
was moved to begin writing about the
need for social reform and then in 1884
to co-found the London Society for
the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
Five years later it had branches all on the back ‘These little ones, ragged and distressed, were rescued from a
over the country and was renamed the ‘home’ of indescribable filth… by helping the Society it is in your power
NSPCC. The name change perhaps also to bring a smile to the face of a sad child.’
reflected the success of five years of campaigning culminating with While they’re certainly a scruffy and grubby sibling group, they
The Prevention of Cruelty to, and Protection of Children Act 1889 don’t look undernourished so were they genuinely ‘rescued’? If so
being passed by Parliament. Previously minors had no legal protection how necessary was it to photograph this family group in this way? By
whatsoever, to the extent that the RSPCA when bringing a charge comparison, the publisher Bamforth produced a number of tugging at
of cruelty to a child before a court had to describe them as a ‘small the heartstrings postcards about the plight of the poor but these were
animal’ for the case to be heard. stage managed and didn’t use real victims of poverty and neglect. More
Our second illustration was published by Raphael Tuck on behalf of importantly the Bamforth cards sold in the thousands and got the
the NSPCC with the purpose clearly to shock. According to the schpiel message across with far greater success.

POST & GO

Update from Spain

It is some time since we looked at the Spanish Post and Strawberry Tree.
& Go, writes Stuart Leigh. The first stamps back The year ended with
in 2016, were released at the 48th Spanish Stamp stamps of cranes
Fair and depicted Madrid Town Hall and a statue and beachcombers
of King Felipe III, later at the fair two more stamps produced at the 57th
were issued with antique and modern post boxes, stamp exhibition in
and telegraph and digital mail equipment. These Santander, and finally an image of Notre Dame from
QUIZ ANSWERS
were subsequently issued from a kiosk at the main the 73rd Philatelic Autumn Exhibition in Paris.
Madrid post office – Chamartin. Later in 2016 at 2020 gave us a further eight issues commencing 1. A uniform design (often
the stamp fair in Zaragosa we saw another new set International Year of Plant Health, followed by used by several colonies)
showing bridges. 125th anniversary of the Cyclist Postman, Women with standard key plates to
In 2017 from the main post office came a pair in Olympic Sports, 100 years of airmail in Spain, insert a colony’s name and
of stamps showing philately and tourism, with with a special month long ‘Thanks to Essential a stamp’s value.
two more designs of a skateboard and video game, Workers – COVID 19’ with the last two issues of 2. Cape of Good Hope in 1853
followed by stamps showing a stamp and the the year from the 58th Stamp Exhibition in Madrid. when the first triangulars
cinema. The year concluded with new stamps of the Just seven new designs were issued last year, were issued.
Basilica of Santa Maria and Torre Salazar. celebrating the 75th anniversary of Spanish 3. ‘We hold a vaster empire
In 2018 there were eight new designs including Philatelic Service, the International Year of the than has been.’
specials for the 28th International Stamp Fair in Elimination of Child Labour, several designs for The 4. Farming In The West.
Essen as well as the 35th Asian International Stamp Holy Year of St. James and a set of two launched at 5. Bully Hayes.
Exhibition in Macao. the National Youth Stamp Exhibition in Oviedo. 6. Guadeloupe.
Nine designs followed in 2019, from International This year started with two issues, both on 10 7. A volcano.
Year of Indigenous Languages, Centenary of the January, featuring Mental Health and Covid19 and 8. V … for victory
Communications Palace, Stained Glass Window of the International Year of Glass, respectively. 9. 1948, to mark the third
Puerta de Sarmental for the Spanish National Junior Correos the Spanish postal service seems to be anniversary of the liberation of
Philately Exposition, 51st national stamp fair with engaging more with stamp collectors by regularly the Channel Islands.
the title of ‘Humour’; the stamps depicting the Bear bringing out new designs and issues at exhibitions. 10. Bermuda.

30 APRIL 2022 www.allaboutstamps.co.uk

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EUROPE, LATIN AMERICA & C. ASIA COMMONWEALTH

ALBANIA ECUADOR IRAQ POLAND ADEN&STATES COOK IS. JAMAICA PAPUA
ARGENTINA EL SALVADOR ISRAEL PORTUGAL ARAB PO’s CYPRUS K.U.T RHODESIA
AUSTRIA ESTONIA ITALY RUMANIA ASCENSION DOMINICA LABUAN SARAWAK
BELGIUM FINLAND LATVIA RUSSIA AUSTRALIA EGYPT LEEWARD IS. SEYCHELLES
BOLIVIA FRANCE LIECHTENSTEIN SERBIA AUST. STATES EIRE LEVANT PO SINGAPORE
BOSNIA GERMANY LITHUANIA SPAIN BAHAMAS FALKLANDS MALAYA S. LEONE
BRAZIL GREECE L’BOURG SWEDEN
BARBADOS FIJI MALTA S. AFRICA
BULGARIA GUATAMALA MEXICO SWITZERLAND
BERMUDA GAMBIA MAURITIUS SW. AFRICA
CHILE HAITI MONTENEGRO TURKEY
BR. HOUNDURAS GIBRALTAR N. BORNEO S.A. STATES
COLUMBIA HOLLAND NICARAGUA URUGUAY
BRUNEI GOLD COAST N’FOUNDLAND S.A. COLNS
COSTA RICA HONDURAS NORWAY U.S.A
BURMA GT BRITAIN N.ZEALAND ST. LUCIA
CUBA HUNGARY PARAGUAY VENEZUELA
CZECH OCCUPNS PERSIA IRAN YUGOSLAVIA CANADA HONG KONG NIGERIA ST. VINCENT
DENMARK ICELAND PERU CAYMAN IS. INDIA NYASALAND SUDAN
CEYLON INDIAN STATES PACIFIC IS. TANGANYIKA
Prefer: Mint Used Both CHANNEL IS. ISLE OF MAN PAKISTAN W. INDIES
Pre 1910 1910-45 Post WW2 ZANZIBAR

Michael G. Read
Poachers Retreat, Common Lane, Kings Langley,
Name: .......................................................................................
Address: ...................................................................................
+HUWV:'+33KRQH ...................................................................................................
e-mail: mg.read@btinternet.com ...................................................................................................
Visit our new website www.michaelgread.co.uk
Postcode ............................... Tel ...........................................
(VW<HDUVRI&DUHDQG$WWHQWLRQ SC

www.allaboutstamps.co.uk APRIL 2022 31

MIXTURES LIST. ALL ITEMS ON PAPER AND POSTALLY USED UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. LISTED BY 100g (ABOUT 3.5 OZ)
MINIMUM ORDER £25, PLEASE. ("DEFS" = DEFINITIVES; "HV" = HIGH VALUES ;"C/W" = COMMONWEALTH)
GREAT BRITAIN MIXTURES, £p PER 100g
K406 ALDERNEY . . . . . . . . 18.45 K111 COMMS/XM DECIMAL HV. 22.65 K143 ISLE OF MAN: . . . . . . 9.85 K222 PRE-DECIMAL MACHINS . 5.00
K399 CASTLES HV: . . . . . . . 10.55 K172 COMMS/XM.PRE-DEC HV . 19.85 K517 JERSEY POSTAGE DUES. . 25.45 K398 REGIONALS HV: . . . . . 35.25
K46 CHANNEL ISLES: DEFS . . 5.00 K112 DEFINS: HV . . . . . . . 8.45 K44 JERSEY: LARGE . . . . . . 8.85 K225 REGIONALS: . . . . . . . 5.00
K45 CHANNEL ISLES:MIXED . 6.90 K61 DOUBLE HEADS: . . . . . 4.25 K165 KGVI ONLY 1936-52: . . . 11.25 K235 SE-TENANTS DEFS . . . . 4.25
K51 COMMEMS ONLY: . . . . 7.75 K137 FRAMA: . . . . . . . . . 6.80 K407 LARGE 1ST AND 2ND: . . . 5.00 K296 WILDING DESIGN . . . . 6.75
K351 COMMEMS WITH XMAS: . 4.25 K108 GREETINGS/MULTIPLES . 8.45 K317 POSTAGE DUES: . . . . . 35.25 K216 WILDINGS HV . . . . . . 12.85
K104 COMMEMS:PRE DECS . . 6.10 K75 GUERNSEY: LARGE. . . . 8.85 K221 PRE GEORGE VI: . . . . . 18.45

LARGE FORMAT WORLD MIXTURES, £p PER 100g ENTIRELY COMMEMS WHERE INDICATED ‘COMM’
K468 ALBANIA: . . . . . . . . 17.75 K58 DENMARK: COMM HV . . 33.85 K158 JAPAN: COMM . . . . . . 14.05 K242 R.S.A: HOMELANDS . . . 18.45
K452 ANTIGUA: . . . . . . . . 22.65 K59 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. . 18.45 K166 KOREA (N): . . . . . . . 12.85 K443 RWANDA: . . . . . . . . 14.25
K14 AUSTRALIA: COMM. . . . 6.35 K68 EAST GERMANY: COMM . 11.35 K168 LESOTHO: . . . . . . . . 15.65 K475 SERBIA: . . . . . . . . . 12.85
K16 AUSTRALIA: COMM HV . . 24.75 K69 EGYPT: . . . . . . . . . 10.05 K448 LIBERIA: . . . . . . . . . 18.45 K463 SEYCHELLES: . . . . . . 17.05
K18 AUSTRIA: COMM . . . . . 22.65 K70 ETHIOPIA: . . . . . . . . 14.25 K169 LIBYA: COMM . . . . . . 11.60 K240 SOLOMON ISLANDS: . . . 18.45
K19 BAHAMAS: . . . . . . . . 14.25 K79 FIJI: . . . . . . . . . . . 17.05 K174 LUXEMBOURG: COMM . . 12.85 K376 SPAIN: COMM . . . . . . 4.95
K20 BAHRAIN: . . . . . . . . 14.25 K402 FRAMA: IRISH . . . . . . 5.00 K176 MALAWI:. . . . . . . . . 15.65 K257 ST. VINCENT:. . . . . . . 17.05
K26 BELGIUM: COMM . . . . 11.45 K420 FRAMA:REST OF WORLD. 5.00 K180 MALDIVE ISLANDS . . . . 17.05 K264 SWEDEN: . . . . . . . . 12.65
K28 BERLIN: COMM . . . . . 21.25 K88 FRANCE: COMM . . . . . 9.85 K182 MALTA: COMM . . . . . . 5.30 K173 SWISS: COMM . . . . . . 11.45
K30 BERMUDA: . . . . . . . . 14.25 K370 FRANCE: COMM HV . . . 36.65 K181 MALTA: COMM HV . . . . 16.35 K267 SWISS: COMM HV . . . . 13.90
K435 BOLIVIA: . . . . . . . . . 21.25 K100 GERMANY: COMM . . . . 5.00 K184 MAURITIUS: . . . . . . . 17.05 K270 SWISS: DEFS HV . . . . . 4.80
K32 BOTSWANA: . . . . . . . 14.25 K400 GERMANY: COMM HV . . 10.05 K185 MEXICO: . . . . . . . . . 14.25 K271 SWISS: SEMI-POSTALS . . 24.05
K36 BULGARIA:. . . . . . . . 17.05 K101 GERMANY: SEMI POST: . 24.75 K361 MONACO: . . . . . . . . 18.45 K276 THAILAND: COMM . . . . 16.35
K470 BURMA: . . . . . . . . . 18.45 K105 GIBRALTAR: . . . . . . . 12.85 K191 NAMIBIA: . . . . . . . . 18.45 K369 TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: . . 17.05
K454 BURUNDI: . . . . . . . . 17.05 K107 GREENLAND: . . . . . . 17.05 K192 NEPAL:. . . . . . . . . . 19.85 K440 TUNISIA: . . . . . . . . . 10.05
K467 CAMBODIA: . . . . . . . 14.25 K456 GUYANA/BR. GUIANA: . . 18.45 K196 NEW ZEALAND: COMM . . 10.75 K290 U.S.A: COMM. . . . . . . 7.75
K40 CANADA: COMM . . . . . 24.05 K118 HOLLAND: COMM . . . . 13.35 K363 NEW ZEALAND:COMM HV 35.25 K286 U.S.A: XMAS . . . . . . . 5.00
K360 CANADA: COMM HV . . . 35.25 K117 HOLLAND: XMAS. . . . . 6.35 K198 NIGERIA: . . . . . . . . . 15.65 K284 U.S: AIR MAILS: . . . . . 6.35
K38 CANADA: XMAS. . . . . . 4.25 K120 HOLLAND:SEMI-POSTAL . 12.85 K202 NORWAY: COMM HV . . . 33.85 K293 UNITED NATIONS: . . . . 21.25
K47 CHINA PEOPLE’S REP: . . 14.25 K128 ICELAND: . . . . . . . . 31.75 K201 NORWAY:LARGE/COMMS. 9.85 K294 VATICAN: COMM . . . . . 17.75
K445 COSTA RICA: . . . . . . . 13.55 K391 IRELAND: COMM. . . . . 11.25 K208 PAKISTAN:LARGE DEFS. . 10.05 K211 VIETNAM: COMM. . . . . 14.05
K465 CROATIA: . . . . . . . . 15.65 K410 IRELAND: COMM HV . . . 38.75 K434 PANAMA:. . . . . . . . . 18.45 K372 WALT DISNEY: COMM . . 10.05
K329 CUBA: COMM . . . . . . 11.45 K145 ISRAEL: COMM. . . . . . 18.45 K220 PORTUGAL: COMM . . . . 21.25 K301 ZAIRE . . . . . . . . . . 18.45
K350 CYPRUS: . . . . . . . . . 9.15 K149 ITALY: COMM . . . . . . 12.15 K474 PORTUGESE C/WEALTH . 12.85
K56 DENMARK: COMM . . . . 10.55 K155 JAMAICA: . . . . . . . . 17.05 K244 R.S.A: COMM . . . . . . . 12.85
WORLD MISSION MIXTURES, £p PER 100g CONTAIN COMMEMS, DEFINITIVES AND SOME HVs
K152 ALGERIA: . . . . . . . . 15.65 K102 GERMANY: . . . . . . . . 5.00 K481 LATVIA: . . . . . . . . . 14.25 K234 SCANDINAVIA: . . . . . . 5.00
K11 ARGENTINA: . . . . . . . 10.05 K318 GHANA: . . . . . . . . . 9.35 K429 LEBANON: . . . . . . . . 15.65 K239 SINGAPORE: . . . . . . . 14.25
K15 AUSTRALIA: . . . . . . . 4.25 K106 GREECE: . . . . . . . . . 7.95 K355 LITHUANIA: . . . . . . . 14.25 K401 SLOVAKIA: . . . . . . . . 6.10
K367 AUSTRALIA: DEFS HV. . . 7.05 K119 HOLLAND: . . . . . . . . 4.95 K175 LUXEMBOURG:. . . . . . 6.20 K460 SLOVENIA: . . . . . . . . 15.65
K364 AUSTRIA:. . . . . . . . . 6.35 K122 HONG KONG: . . . . . . 5.30 K381 MADAGASCAR: . . . . . . 18.45 K253 SPAIN: . . . . . . . . . . 5.00
K21 BANGLADESH: . . . . . 12.85 K319 HUNGARY: . . . . . . . . 11.45 K178 MALAYSIA: . . . . . . . . 8.65 K255 SRI LANKA: . . . . . . . 6.70
K450 BELARUS: . . . . . . . . 22.65 K131 INDIA: . . . . . . . . . . 7.00 K356 MOLDOVA: . . . . . . . . 19.85 K446 SUDAN: . . . . . . . . . 8.65
K27 BELGIUM: . . . . . . . . 6.35 K136 INDONESIA: . . . . . . . 10.75 K189 MOROCCO: . . . . . . . . 10.05 K262 SWEDEN: . . . . . . . . 5.00
K374 BELIZE/BR. HONDURAS . 19.85 K378 IRAN: . . . . . . . . . . 12.85 K373 N. ZEALAND: DEFS HV . . 12.85 K272 SWITZERLAND: . . . . . 4.25
K35 BRAZIL: . . . . . . . . . 10.05 K423 IRAQ: . . . . . . . . . . 14.25 K484 NETHERLAND ANTILLES . 19.85 K273 TAIWAN:. . . . . . . . . 17.05
K333 BRIT C/W:PRE QUE II . . 28.25 K139 IRELAND: . . . . . . . . 5.00 K195 NEW ZEALAND: . . . . . 4.25 K371 TANZANIA: . . . . . . . . 12.85
K42 CANADA: . . . . . . . . . 5.65 K140 IRELAND: DEFS HV. . . . 5.65 K204 NORWAY: . . . . . . . . 4.95 K277 THAILAND:. . . . . . . . 11.45
K39 CANADA: DEFS HV . . . . 5.65 K375 IRELAND: XMAS . . . . . 5.00 K424 OMAN: . . . . . . . . . . 14.25 K279 TURKEY: . . . . . . . . . 8.65
K432 CHILE: . . . . . . . . . . 15.65 K146 ISRAEL: . . . . . . . . . 10.05 K212 PHILIPPINES: . . . . . . 15.65 K291 U.S.A: . . . . . . . . . . 5.00
K305 CZECH REPUBLIC: . . . . 12.15 K134 ITALY: . . . . . . . . . . 7.00 K215 POLAND: . . . . . . . . . 6.35 K476 UKRAINE: . . . . . . . . 17.05
K396 CZECHOSLOVAKIA: . . . . 7.00 K490 IVORY COAST: . . . . . . 18.45 K219 PORTUGAL: . . . . . . . 9.35 K421 UN. ARAB EMIRATES: . . 14.25
K57 DENMARK: . . . . . . . . 4.25 K159 JAPAN:. . . . . . . . . . 6.35 K428 QATAR:. . . . . . . . . . 14.25 K442 VENEZUELA: . . . . . . . 15.65
K67 EAST GERMANY: . . . . . 4.95 K506 KAZAKHSTAN . . . . . . 5.00 K245 R.S.A: . . . . . . . . . . 5.00 K477 YUGOSLAVIA: . . . . . . 12.85
K379 ESTONIA: . . . . . . . . 14.25 K483 KENYA/UGANDA/TANZ.. . 12.85 K229 ROMANIA: . . . . . . . . 14.25 K303 ZAMBIA: . . . . . . . . . 14.25
K81 FINLAND: . . . . . . . . 4.25 K162 KENYA: . . . . . . . . . 7.00 K451 RUSSIA: . . . . . . . . . 12.15 K304 ZIMBABWE: . . . . . . . 8.65
K89 FRANCE: . . . . . . . . . 4.25 K471 KOREA - SOUTH: . . . . . 14.25 K387 SAN MARINO COMMEMS . 19.85
OFF PAPER GREAT BRITAIN MIXTURES, £p PER 100g
K515 CASTLES HV . . . . . . . 14.25 K129 COMM/XMAS PRE-DEC . . 6.10 K414 GREETINGS/MULTIPLES . 11.45 K164 PRE QUE II: . . . . . . . 24.75
K393 CHANNEL ISLES: . . . . . 12.85 K94 COMMS/XM PRE DEC HV . 15.65 K482 ISLE OF MAN: . . . . . . 24.75 K153 REGIONALS HV. . . . . . 84.25
K163 COMM/XM DECIMALS HV. 21.25 K97 DEFINITIVES . . . . . . . 5.00 K95 MISSION:. . . . . . . . . 4.95 K504 WILDING DESIGN . . . . 14.25
K171 COMM/XMAS DECIMALS . 7.00 K520 DEFINITIVES HV . . . . . 15.65 K501 PRE DECIMAL MISSION. . 5.30 K519 WILDING HV. . . . . . . 24.75

OFF PAPER FOREIGN MIXTURES, £p PER 100g

K135 AUSTRALIA: COMM HV . . 35.25 K142 CANADA: COMM HV . . . 56.25 K150 N. ZEALAND: COMM HV . 56.25 K368 WORLD LARGE: C.T.O. . . 4.25
K461 BRIT C/W PRE 1953: . . . 21.25 K395 E. GERMANY COMMEMS:. 12.15 K10 SOUTH AMERICA: . . . . 11.45 K299 WORLDWIDE, NO G.B: . 6.00
K352 BRITISH C/W. . . . . . . 7.05 K358 EUROPE WEST: LARGE . 8.45 K283 U.S. AIR MAILS: . . . . . 7.00

PLEASE REQUEST A FULL LIST OF PACKETS AND SPECIAL OFFERS.

A.C. STAMPS, 23 NOWER HILL,PINNER, HA5 5QR. U.K.
PHONE (020) 8954 3144; MOBILE 07850 330 682; email: acstamps@virginmedia.com
POSTFREE (INLAND ONLY); If paying by credit or debit card, please advise of the three figure CVC
on the back and expiry date or better still, please transfer directly to our bank account 2565 3989; 60-05-11
 Auckland, from St. Matthews
Tower, c. 1890-1910
(Library of Congress)

NEW ZEALAND’S FIRST STAMPS EXPLAINED

Behind the complexity

David Bailey looks behind the catalogue to see how Zealand went from off-the-shelf solutions to
stamps it could call its own, many of which are now considered classics

N
ew Zealand’s country. This guaranteed the Below, from left: constitutional framework for the
postal service rights of both Maori and Paheka the 2/- value of the future growth. That year, nine Post
began in 1840, (non-Maori) people to property 1898 set; an early Offices opened on both islands.
with the Treaty of and representation in Parliament. Richardson printing In 1841, New Zealand officially
Waitangi, signed It signalled the end of lawlessness on blued paper (image became a Crown Colony and control
by the Governor and over 500 in the North Island by bands of courtesy of Robert of the Post Office passed from New
Maori Chieftains all around the whalers and sealers. And it set a firm Siegel Auction galleries) South Wales to the GPO, who ran
things until 1848.
New Zealand’s first
stamps appeared in
1855 and were created
by Perkins Bacon.
Known as the ‘Full
Face’ stamps, they used
the portrait of Queen
Victoria by Alfred
Edward Chalon, which
depicts the Queen on
the occasion of her first
speech in the House
of Lords. The portrait
appears in the stamps
of nine other colonies.
And like all Perkins

www.allaboutstamps.co.uk APRIL 2022 33


Bacon’s stamps at the time, they were
recess-printed.
The plates were shipped to New
Zealand along with the first supplies
of stamps and printing passed to a
commercial printer: J Richardson.
The first three values were a 1d dull
carmine, a 2d dull blue and a 1/-
pale yellow green. But subsequent
printings show a considerable
variation in shades. The paper had
the star watermark and a supply was
sent out with the stamps and plates,
but Richardson was unhappy with
its quality and switched to a blue
tinted sheet. This was used from
1855 to 1857, when white papers
were used and a 6d value joined the
set. Paper types are a major factor in
the complexity of the early stamps as
New Zealand’s fledgling papermaking
industry worked to keep up with the
demands of its customers.
Experiments with separation
began in 1860 and continued
34 APRIL 2022
A mint 1d on soft white
paper from 1858
(image courtesy of
Robert Siegel
Auction Galleries)
Right: the original:
Queen Victoria by
Edward Chalon
Below, from left: the
2d blue, rouletted 7
from 1864, with full
roulettes at the top and
partial roulettes to the
right and bottom; a
cover from Dunedin to
Edinburgh, franked with
a 4d deep rose and 6d
red brown, perf 12. 1/2. for four years. They feature Printing in-house
The London Paid transit conventional roulettes with a variety In 1862, the use of stamps became
stamp is dated Jan 13 of shapes and gauges, pin roulettes, compulsory (previously, customers
1866 (images courtesy ‘H’ and ‘Y’ shaped roulettes and could pay in cash at the post office) and
of Robert Siegel ‘serrated perforations’ – a very fine the Government decided to set up their
Auction Galleries) arc roulette. own State Printing Works under
John Davis. As an employee, he was
www.allaboutstamps.co.uk
 EARLY STAMPS OF NEW ZEALAND

obliged to use up the original supply

of Large Star watermark paper, but
it is generally easy to tell these later
printings from the rare London
printings of 1845: most shades are
very different.
Printing was carried out in
Auckland until 1864 and then at
the new capital, Wellington. But
the stamps were also perforated or
rouletted at four centres around
the country: Auckland, Nelson,
Dunedin and Wellington, which all
used different gauges or styles of
separation and created another set of
varieties to absorb the specialist.
The perforations at Dunedin were The second sideface Otago in 1861. This had caused Meanwhile, in the rest of the
carried out unofficially, at the behest issue, printed in New a fresh influx of migrants and South Island, many forests had
of the local postmaster, who was Zealand. This issue turned Dunedin into a boom town. been cleared for sheep as the wool
being overwhelmed by the demand featured advertisements In 1863, its post office handled trade prospered, attracting yet
for stamps. on all values 1,354,000 items compared with more immigration, most of it from
Gold had been discovered in 607,000 for Auckland England and Scotland.

The top value of the first sideface The Post Office building and ship
issue by De La Rue (Robert Siegel in harbour, Wellington, late 19th
Auction Galleries); the first ½d century (Pump Park Vintage
value of the Pictorials: replaced by Photography / Alamy
a ½ green in 1900 Stock Photo)

www.allaboutstamps.co.uk APRIL 2022 35

 In the north, however, things were
very different. The North Island had
the highest concentration of Maori
who were under increasing pressure to
sell their land. The result was a long
period of civil wars - between Maori
and Paheka and between different
Maori clans. This went on until the
early 1870s. Down South, the boom
times didn’t last. New Zealand’s gold
deposits ran out and there was a
slump in the price of wool.
Facing a financial crisis, Colonial
Treasurer Julius Vogel took a bold
approach. He borrowed large sums
of money on the London money
markets (£10M by 1876) and
used it to subsidise a new wave of
immigrants and also on improving
infrastructure, with a national
railway network, telegraphs, roads
and port facilities. A side-effect
of this would be to open up the
interior of the North Island to
immigration, which had previously
been confined to the coasts. The
incentives worked; New Zealand’s
Paheka population grew from
256,000 in 1871 to 490,000 ten
years later, far eclipsing the Māori
population of under 50,000.
The ‘Side Face’ stamps
By the early 1870s, the Full Face
stamps had been in use for nearly
twenty years. Despite new plates,
new values, perforations and a
new range of colours, the set was
36 APRIL 2022
showing its age. And while recess-
printing produced sharp images
and intense colours, it was slow
and expensive when compared
to letterpress (surface printing).
Fortunately, De La Rue could
provide an alternative. From 1874,
they created a set of eight stamps
which featured the familiar profile
of Queen Victoria within a selection
of borders. Their platemaking was
to a very high standard, resulting in
minimal plate wear and no constant
varieties. But to look at, the set was
basic, functional and very similar to
all the other surface prints that De
La Rue were producing for Britain
and the Colonies. It has never
been popular with collectors and
for some key values, prices remain
lower than they might be. Due to
a change of rates, the 3d value was
very little used and the 2/- and 5s
values were mostly used fiscally –
www.allaboutstamps.co.uk
they were intended to a Parcel Post
service that didn’t start until 1887.
New Zealand had always used
dedicated stamps for postage and
revenue purposes, but in the early
1880s, it was decided to have one
set of stamps to do both jobs, which
meant changing the working on
the postage stamps to read ‘Postage
and Revenue’. The new stamps
were to be designed and produced
in New Zealand, so the Postmaster
General decided to hold a design
competition. The response was poor
The corrected spelling – in both quality and quantity, with
of Wakatipu only 85 designs from 35 entrants.
So local engravers W R Bock and A
E Cousins created something very
similar to the De La Rue designs,
using the existing portrait. However,
when new values were required,
they showed the Queen as she was
in real life. These later designs are
a departure from the De La Rue
pattern book, but looking at the 2½d
stamp it seems they didn’t check how
well their designs would reproduce at
postage stamp size; the ships in the
top corners are all but invisible.
The second side face issue is most
Tactfully, the 5d stamp famous for a short-lived experiment:
shows landmarks the ‘Adsons’. In 1893, an advertising
from both islands: Mt company Truebridge Miller and
Ruapeho in the North Reich was given one-year contract to
Island and Otira Gorge use the backs of stamps and telegrams
in the South; the for advertising. The resulting ads
8d features a Maori are a fascinating glimpse into the
war canoe larders, cupboards and medicine
chests of Victorian New Zealand
and have enabled the sheets to be
accurately plated. But the public
never took to them, complaining
that the ink stopped the gum
adhering to the paper and might
also be harmful. The experiment
was cancelled after one year.
The birth of the pictorials
1886 saw a milestone in New
Zealand’s history. Among the
Paheka, those people born in New
Zealand outnumbered immigrants
from elsewhere; it was a small
gap that would continue to grow.
There was a new consciousness of
nationhood along with a growing
sense that New Zealand’s unique
geography, fauna and flora made it
well worth a visit for recreational
or scientific purposes. Canada

had achieved Dominion status in
1867 and Australia, New Zealand
and South Africa sought the same
distinction for themselves. Then
in 1888, New South Wales had
launched their centenary stamp
set where only one stamp showed
Queen Victoria. It was time for
a new set of stamps that would
really put the country on the
map. The Post Office decided on
another competition, but this time,
entrants were steered away from
queen’s heads and told to ‘include
a representation of characteristic
or notable New Zealand scenery or
genre’. This freed up the collective
imagination and over 2,000 entries
were received, some to a very high
standard of finish. There was,
however, no overall winner and
the final set was the work of five
different people.
When it came to production,
the set would be printed by recess
and the plan was that increased
sales to collectors would make up
for the extra cost. It did, however,
cause problems for the Government
Printer, who only had the staff and
equipment for letterpress printing.
Plates were made by Waterlow –
another problematic process, at
the end of which a set that was
intended to have two stamp sizes
and two sheet formats ended up
with eight stamp sizes and six sheet
formats. Waterlow also printed
the first stamps and sent them out
with a set of plates. However, this
was not the set of plates that they’d
used for the first stamps. They
hung onto that one. And the set
they sent out is widely regarded
EARLY STAMPS OF NEW ZEALAND
as inferior, prompting suggestions
of deliberate sabotage of the New
Zealand printings in the hope of
being awarded the whole contract.
The set is also unusual in that
the only bi-coloured stamp is for
the popular 1d value, and set up
in sheets of only eighty stamps, so
Top, from left: the pink replacement stamps would take over
and white terraces twice as long to print. You can forgive
of Rotomahana were the Post Office for not realising
created by hot mineral this but Waterlow should have seen
springs cascading into a it and advised accordingly. In the
lake and were described event, Waterlow created three revised
as the 8th wonder of designs, in sheets of 240: a halfpenny
the world. Tragically, green, a penny red, using the design
they were destroyed of the original 4d and a 2d violet.
in a volcanic eruption The bi-coloured penny became a new
of 1886; Mount Cook 4d value.
appears on the top and Another error was the spelling of
bottom values Lake Wakatipu on the 2½d stamp.
It was originally spelt ‘Wakitipu’.
Above: two of New The error was corrected. But to
Zealand's parrot species, deter speculators, they printed more
both endangered today. copies of the ‘wrong’ stamp and mint
The Kea is the world's examples are now worth less than the
only Alpine parrot. The corrected version.
Kaka lives in forests The London printings were
available from 1898 and the stamps
Below: An early recess were printed in Wellington from
printing of Zealandia 1899, while run-ons of the Side Face
www.allaboutstamps.co.uk
issues made up for gaps in supplies.
Perforating all the different sheets
and sizes was such a nightmare that
Gibbons simply says ‘Perf 12 – 16’.
The Penny Universal
When New Zealand reduced postage
rates, the initial loss of revenue was
usually made up by increased usage
of the service, especially against
the background of an expanding
population. So in 1900, they took
the bold step of setting a 1d rate
for overseas mail as well as inland –
universal penny postage.
The idea had a hostile reception
abroad, especially in Australia and
the US who feared pressures on their
own revenue streams, but the stamp
was launched in 1900 and continued
in use until 1926, creating a near-
infinite number of shades, printings,
flaws and varieties to fascinate whole
generations of philatelists.
The stamps show the image of
Zealandia, who, like Britannia and
Marianne became the symbol of
her country. The name came before
the image; it was widely used as a
poetic alternative to plain old ‘New
Zealand’. She gained a face and body
in the mid-19th century, appearing
on the masthead of the Auckland
Weekly News from 1863 and lending
her name to a wide range of
consumer products.
The figure who appears on the
stamps was created by Waterlow
in London and was not initially
appreciated in New Zealand. But
the stamp sold well. By 1901, New
Zealanders were the world’s most
prolific letter writers, averaging 62
per person per year.
After her heyday during the
First World War, Zealandia was
gradually supplanted by the kiwi
as the national emblem. But she
still appears on New Zealand’s coat
of arms and no doubt looks out
from the pages many stamp albums
around the world.
Many thanks to Robert Siegel Auction
Galleries, NZ Post, NZ Stamps.org,
Te Ara the Encyclopaedia of New
Zealand, New Zealand History online
and New Zealand |Geographic.com
for images and information used in
this article.
APRIL 2022 37

(We always require GB postage but some values are more popular than others so please contact us by email or telephone where the sale value is £2000 or over).
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 )RU\RXUSKLODWHOLFLQVXUDQFHUHTXLUHPHQWV
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)&$UHJLVWHUQXPEHU)RUFRQILUPDWLRQRIRXUUHJXODWRU\VWDWXVSOHDVHYLVLWWKH)&$ZHEVLWHZZZIFDRUJXN
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 WUDQVLWRQO\FRYHUQRWDYDLODEOHWHUPVDQGFRQGLWLRQVDSSO\

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Serious buyer...
Every year we travel hundreds of miles throughout the U.K, Europe and Scandinavia, buying stocks,
collections and accumulation. And we've been doing this since 1970.

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accumulations, from better quality single items to complete dealer’s stocks. If it’s philatelic, we're interested.

Why offer your stamps to us?

For FOUR very good reasons:

ACCURATE VALUATIONS We have over forty years full time experience as a major buyer in the stamp trade and we buy from all the main
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www.allaboutstamps.co.uk APRIL 2022 39

 Your expert guide to
the world of philately
CURATOR’S PICK
The sweet and the bitter
In Britain around the year 1876, a £5 Orange stamp was equivalent to about £1,000 in
today’s money, writes Devlan Kruck. So why was it ever issued? A remarkable collection
explains this and much more about the British classic
I
t makes you think what on earth could anyone send that would
cost that amount of cash? But that’s not the half of it, because
one of the key inspirations and ultimately the driver behind the
Post Office in Great Britain producing these tangy adhesives was
that someone wanted to send a telegram costing £32. 2s. 0d.,
which in today’s money amounts to more than £6,000.
That is a lot of dosh but as we are about to find out, it is even more
in stamps. With 5s being the highest telegraph stamp at the time, it
required six sheets of 5s, that’s larger than the size of the telegram form!
So the genius of this often misunderstood citric fiver is that it is the size
of two 5s telegraph stamps but equal in value to a block of twenty. So,
with a £5 stamp, the same telegram form would accommodate £32.2s.0d
easily. By anyone’s standards that’s much better value for space.
And this is all artfully and succinctly illustrated in the exhibit ‘The
£5 Orange 1876 to 1902’ which is part of a dedicated collection on
this value, and is without doubt the finest and most comprehensive
study on this legendary and iconic Great Britain high value, listed in
the SG Specialised Volume One as SG133, 137, spec J128.
This unique display, which is being presented under the name ‘The
Nimrod Collection’, tells the story behind this issue from inspiration,
to die proofs, colour trials, specimens, issued stamps, officials, the
stamp’s interaction with unification, and also the varieties which
appeared as the plate became worn and damaged.
Of course this presentation covers the telegraphic use and the
transition from a ‘telegraph’ to becoming a ‘postage’ stamp. It
also includes a stunning usage on a docket accounting for monies
received in payment for unstamped bulk mail. This docket
bearing £24.10s.0d, is the most important £5 piece known, and
40 APRIL 2022 www.allaboutstamps.co.uk
extraordinarily eye
catching on account of it
including four of the £5
on blued paper plus four
of the £1 postage values
and a 10s, all difficult
stamps to locate used in
combination with any of
these valuable rarities.
The collection even
includes forgeries both
postally used – those put
through the postal system
in order to rob the
authorities of revenue
– and those produced
to deceive collectors, of
which there is a gorgeous
1928 Paris Forgery which is so called because it was discovered by
Robson Lowe in that city in that year. But it is worth pointing out
that had it not been for the impossible lettering (AQ), which appears
in the corners of this proof, it would by many dealers and collectors
have been taken as genuine.
Now what a lot of people don’t tend to realise is that the original
intention back in 1876 was to print this prestigious high value in
gold and not orange, and indeed there is a page dedicated to the
original colour trials in gold with examples overprinted ‘Specimen’
and those with no overprint, and these trials come from one sheet of
56 stamps, making these very rare indeed, especially in private hands.
In the end the costs of printing in this precious hue were too costly,
and the gold took on the carrot colour, so to speak, after trialling
various other inks such as green, claret, brown and mauve – all of
which are illustrated in this wonderful collection.
At the end of this exhibit are the die proofs produced in 1901
when King Edward VII came to the throne and these are the only £5
examples which no longer have the corner check-letters, the Inland
Revenue apparently no longer feeling there was a justifiable purpose
for them, and this was also the start of the demise of this stamp
because the need for them had dropped from a juicy 22,000 in 1896,
down to a rather bitter 2,000 in 1900, eventually resulting in the Post
Office abandoning the King Edward VII version of this previously
fruitful orange adhesive. So what started out as a sweetly genius
stamp, ended in a bit of a bitter end.

Eminent Philatelists
Alfred H. Caspary
(1877-1955)
If you go back couple of issues you’ll recall our
armour-plated Alfred F. Lichtenstein, and our next
legendary collector doesn’t just share his Christian
name with our shield-bearer, he quite literally
walked the same streets and pavements.
Alfred H. Caspary, also an American philatelist,
and often referred to in the same ilk as Lichtenstein
as ‘one of the greatest philatelists in the world’. He
has much in common with Lichtenstein; he was
a founder member of the Philatelic Foundation
Expert committee, which Lichtenstein set up,
and likewise Caspary is named on the American
Philatelic Society Hall of Fame, having been added
in 1977. Caspary was also given the honour of
signing the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists in
1953, although he was too unwell to travel to
England to sign it; his signature was obtained and
added later. Caspary was advisor to the Expert
Committee of the Royal Philatelic Society London
which speaks volumes, the level of respect the
industry had for Caspary was clear.
There are other similarities, such as our little
tale of Lichtenstein going under the pseudonym
‘Atlaticus’; Caspary is known to have done the
same when lending material to Life Magazine,
for an article published in 1954 entitled ‘Stamp
Album Worth $1,000,000’. Caspary donated
examples of his material under the pseudonym
‘Pacificus’. Which, if not a disciple of St. Francis
of Assisi, is a rather unpleasant parasitic insect.
Clearly elite philatelists of this era had some kind
of codename when loaning material, and given the
closeness these two giants of the philatelic realm
had between them, they must have agreed these
pseudonyms among themselves. Perhaps were
having a bit of a giggle at our expense. Whatever
the reason, it doesn’t alter the fact that Caspary
formed one of the greatest stamp collections in
philatelic history which included an exceptional
collection of the world and some very tasty
specialised studies of the infamous US Postmaster
Provisionals, Carriers and Locals, and Confederate
Postmaster Provisionals.
For example, in 1921 Caspary purchased the
unique cover known as the Alexandria Blue Boy,
which sold in a David Feldman SA auction for
US $1million, the highest price ever paid for a
US item, in 1981. It is a cover that has also been
in the collections of John Robert Boker, Jr. and
Erivan K. Haub.
Despite all this Caspary is something of an
enigma. Whilst he would lend material for study
he wasn’t the type of man to write articles or
rely upon a philatelic library. He possessed an
incredible amount of knowledge and detail across
the philatelic spectrum and could recount in
depth facts off the cuff, but it all seemed to be
stored in his head. A man with a great mental
capacity for information, and extraordinary
memory powers.
The other puzzle that is hard to reconcile is,
despite this gift of memory, he also appeared
absent minded about the stamps he’d purchased
and rather casual in the way he stored and
maintained his collection. It is noted in a number
of commentaries that Caspary didn’t arrange or
display his collection well and often rare items
would just be in envelopes and or loose on an
album page.
He also misplaced items he’d purchased, some
were lost. His albums were apparently shabby
and worn, which is odd because he is known
to have had high to unrealistic standards on
quality of material, often refusing to buy an item
because it didn’t meet his quality requirements.
And if asked to exhibit, which he was at the
1947 CIPEX, which you may recall Lichtenstein
was organising, he’d turned up with the material
in albums, unorganised, loose on pages and
needed the help of another to pick and decide
what should go on display, and indeed required
support in arranging it on the frames. It’s all a bit
of a conundrum.
However, this didn’t stop Caspary from
being one of the all time legendary collectors
and it has to be said that he was a shy, modest
and unpretentious man, some say to a fault.
But he was respected, liked by most and as
with Lichtenstein, if ‘Caspary’ appears on the
Provenance in any David Feldman SA auction
the item is held in awe and appreciation.
It’s easy to see why he is a legend but it is
a little more tricky to put a title on Caspary.
However, reading insights from the very select
few who were permitted to visit his home and
see his collection, and knowing his refusal to buy
what might be described as ‘current fads’, his
knowledge of the rarities of the world and his eye
for quality, you have to call Alfred H. Caspary,
The Philatelic Connoisseur.
www.allaboutstamps.co.uk
EXHIBITION
NEWS
The French Federation of Philatelic
Associations (FFAP) in cooperation
with Phil@poste and l’ADPhile
organises each year a major philatelic
promotional event known as
“Fête du Timbre” (formerly called
“Journée du Timbre”). La Fête du
Timbre is celebrated all around
France (almost 100 cities participate
each year) and is intended to be a
festive event, targeting to the largest
possible audience, primarily non-
philatelists, in order to let them
discover philately in all of its forms.
Find more details at: www.ffap.net/
Evenements/fete_du_timbre.php
HUNFILEX 2022 will take place
from 31 March to 3 April 2022
at a new venue – the Groupama
Arena (home of the Ferencvarosi
Sport Club). The address is:
Groupama Arena, Üllöi utca 129,
Budapest. The organisers have
advised that this venue is close
to the city centre and may be
an improvement on the original
venue (‘The Whale’). The change
of venue has been brought about
by national elections in Hungary
which will now be held on 3 April
and have resulted in ‘The Whale’
being requisitioned for one of the
political parties.
Exhibition news kindly provided by
the Federation of
European Philatelic
Associations
(FEPA). Find out
more at the website:
fepanews.com
The Museum of Philately is a unique
digital platform that captures and
preserves award winning collectors,
collections and rarities, as well
as providing the facility to track
provenance and pricing information.
Find out more at:
www.museumofphilately.com
APRIL 2022 41
 PRINZ STAMP ACCESSORIES
3 3…RQ8.RUGHUVEHORZ…
2YHU…SRVWIUHH8.RQO\2YHUVHDV3 3DWFRVW
INTERESTING &
UNUSUAL
BRITISH COMMONWEALTH FRANCE
100’s, the 1937 Coronation complete 1000’s from imperfs, good Sower,
mint or UNM plus a FU range, 1953 Merson and Mouchon types, strong mid
Coronation appears complete M & FU period inc War Orphan types, 1929 to
Cat about £500 £85.00 20Fr (4) 1936 Transatlantic pair, 1937
Louvre pair (M) 1950’s with all the
Earlier ranges inc Nova Scotia to 12 ½ ‘famous Men’ later to 2016. An excellent
c, New Brunswick to 12 1/2c good range basis Cat £7100+ £700.00
Transvaal (70+) to 10/=, Tasmania inc
Pictorial set, Tobago inc ½ d on 4d and GERMANY
½ d on 6d S‘Charges, Zululand with QV 1949-2000 100’s from 1949 Parliament
heads to 1/= inc ½ d mint block of 4, pair, Stamp Centenary, U.P.U Refugees
O.R.C, Levant to 12pi etc. a good lot Relief sets appear complete, Mariakirche
Cat £2000 £250.00 SDLU3RVWKRUQV+HXVVWR'0HWFZLWK
large number of sets to beyond 2000 cat
ANTIGUA well over £5000, much mint and FU
100’s from few KG5 inc 1935 jubilee, £625.00
1938 set ( M & FU) 1953, 1966,1970 sets
etc inc a few Barbuda to 1990’s Cat £640 100 better items inc 1926 Air set, 1933
£90.00 Chicago Flight 1RM 1926 Welfare all FU,
WKHUDUHó0N)8RQ¿VFDOSDSHU
Prinz stamp mounts are available in a wide range of sizes ARGENTINA S.G 150a (twice expertised) an UNM
and formats, made from archival grade materials, Prinz stamp 100’s from 1867 to 15c, 1873 60c, 90c, range inc 1935 Railways, 1938 Culture
PRXQWVRႇHUWKHSHUIHFWSURWHFWLRQIRU\RXUVWDPSV then 1923 set, 1954 and ’59 sets, large Fund, Gautheater, air etc, 1912 30pf Air,
Eva Peron Set of 4 mint, with useful to SI2I¿FLDOERWK:¶0NV)8
2012 £135.00 Cat £7700
7DNHDORRNDWRXUZHEVLWHZZZSULQ]FRXNIRURXUVSHFLDORႇHUV
2XUEXONSDFNHGJPVµNLORZDUH¶SDFNVRႇHUDZLGHUDQJHRI AUSTRIAN MILITARY POSTS
VL]HVLQEODFNEDFNHGRUFOHDUEDFNHG 170 inc. issues for Romania 1917 and
1918 sets (M) for Italy to 2L11, Turkish
Stamp mounts - mixed pack of strips Price Empire to 80c., few Serbia and Venezia
6%.: JPVLQZHLJKWEODFNEDFNHG … Giulia Cat £410 £60.00
6&.: JPVLQZHLJKWFOHDUEDFNHG …
CANADA
Many 100s from small heads to 10c,
Stamp Hinges
tablets set to 20c, maple leaves set,
 3DFNRIIROGHGKLQJHV …
1893 pair, good KG5 inc 1928 set with
Bluenose well centred, light CDS (scarce
Stockcards - with coverfoil in 100’s thus) 1930 set, KG6 fairly complete,
 VWULS[PP … extensive QE2 to 2008 with much value
 VWULS[PP … in the way of M/S etc £230.00
3ULQ]6\VWHP6WRFN3DJHV CAPE OF GOOD HOPE
6LQJOH6LGHG6WDQGDUGSXQFKHGSHU … 40 with triangular one of each value, the
GGG¿QHPDUJLQHG+RSHVHDWHG
'RXEOH6LGHG6WDQGDUGSXQFKHGSHU …
to 5/=, K.Ed set to 5/=, mainly mint.
Cat £640 £135.00
PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW ADDRESS!
ETHIOPIA
Many 100’s from 1919 to $3, 1930
Accession set, Surcharges, 1930
Coronation set, 1947 scarce surcharge
1952 Federation set, 1947 50th Anniv set
(no 30c) mint etc with later to 2014 with
8.FXVWRPHUVVHQGIRURXU numerous mint or UNM sets Cat £1100
brand new 2021-22 brochure £165.00
detailing the full range of Prinz
FAROES
SURGXFWV

£785.00
GREAT BRITAIN
QE2 range mint (mainly UNM) and FU
to 2012. Apart from anything else we
estimate £400- £500 ‘face’ Cheap lot
£265.00
Many, many 100s from imperf 1d reds
inc. strip of 3 s.t.b plate 8, 1d red perf
plates complete to plate 225 which is a
sound if heavily used copy, good range
surface printed to 2/6, ½d bantams (no
pl.9) 1887 Jubilee set, K.Ed to 5/=, KG5
to 10/=, KG6 inc. Square high vals, RSW,
1952 set, extensive QE to 2012 with
PXFKµIDFH¶WKHQUDQJHRI¿FLDOV
+XJHFDWYDOXH £575.00
GUATEMALA
Some 100’s from 1875 with 1881
Quetzals, 1886 to 150c, 1926 set, 1929
set, then 1956 Red Cross set (M) 1960
Red Cross etc Cat £450
£60.00
GUERNSEY
100’s from 1969 to £1, 1971 to 50p, M/S,
Sheetlets etc to 2000, similar range for
$OGHUQH\SOXVDIHZ+HUPORFDOV 
£125.00
GULF STATES
About 150 inc Dubai 1966 World Cup and
Few 100s from 1975 set M & Fu, good (QJODQG:LQQHUVVHWV))+0WR
later commems inc 1985 Lighhouses, 10r (no 3r) etc then Quatar inc O’Prints
Brochure can also be Aircraft, several M/S etc. Cat £450 to 10R, inc 1961 most to 10R. 1966 1r
GRZQORDGHGIURPRXUZHEVLWH £65.00 S’Charge etc cat £217 £30.00

FINLAND VENEZUELA
Very many 100’s from a couple roulettes 100’s from 18591r, 2r range Bolivar
(average) most Red Cross sets to types to 3b, later with many mint sets

Order online at - www.prinz.co.uk 2006inc 1930 mint and FU, 1917 etc,
Karelia complete, much more up to about
LQF7UXMLOOR+LJKZD\
Centenary etc Cat £650

or telephone - 01736 751910 2011. Cat £2500 £325.00 £90.00

Please note our new address! All offers subject to stock on seven days approval against full payment with order.
We accept all major credit cards. E-MAIL: gina@milsomstamps.co.uk

PRINZ PUBLICATIONS UK LTD GEOFF MILSOM STAMPS (PTS)

Unit 20a, Long Rock Ind Estate 5 Beechcroft Avenue,
Newport Road,
Longrock, CORNWALL TR20 8HX Stafford, ST16 1BJ
915815.07

TEL.01736 751910 www.prinz.co.uk Telephone:- (01785) 245564

Callers by appointment only

www.allaboutstamps.co.uk APRIL 2022 43

 From 1890 to 1905, during the first fifteen years of its postage stamp Mail crossing its Bechuanaland Additional stamps were also applied to BSAC mail crossing the
use, the British South Africa Company (BSAC) had only its Company border had to have additional stamps Mozambique border
Arms design, in a range of values and colours, to fix to its mail like this example applied at Mafeking

COLLECTING CLASSIC COLONIALS…

Southern Rhodesia
In this collecting guide Ed Fletcher provides historical background to the former colony of
Southern Rhodesia, and selects some interesting stamps issued between 1890 and 1950, noting
that creating a collection doesn’t have to be as expensive as you think

I
n 1853, the year in which
Cape of Good Hope issued
Africa’s first adhesive postage
stamp, the southern border
of what we now know as
Zimbabwe lay in territory more than
1,000 miles to the north of Cape
Town. In those days Zimbabwe
included several distinct cultural
and language groups with their own
natural borders, and with settlements
and trading centres spread across
an area three times the size of the
British Isles. Its native tribes had for
centuries subsisted on cattle rearing
supported by small-scale enterprises
including iron and copper smelting,
gold panning, textile weaving and
growing food crops. Trade and
communications within and between
the tribes relied, in those days, on
runners and message carriers. When
the first Europeans to venture into
the almost unknown region that later
became Rhodesia felt a powerful
human urge to write letters home
they had to hire runners or riders
to carry their correspondence to
a post office in the Cape of Good
Hope Colony. Later they could use
a slightly closer office in the South
African Republic (Transvaal).
Dutch Boers arrived in the 19th
century with plans to form new
Below, from left:
the Admirals issues (1924
-1929) were Southern
Rhodesia’s first stamps to
carry the colony’s name
Victoria Falls featured on
several of the Colony’s
stamps. This was the first,
issued in 1932
1935 issues for the
Silver Jubilee of King
George V featured the
monarch, the Falls and
several of Southern
Rhodesia’s wild animals
farming settlements that would
flourish beyond British control
and interference. Their treks out
of the south to find new territories
alerted Britons already settled in
the Cape of Good Hope to the
dangers of the increasing numbers of
Boers occupying more of southern
and central Africa. The British
government’s responses included
supporting British entrepreneur
and politician Cecil Rhodes and
his British South Africa Company
in their enthusiastic calls for the
colonization and exploitation of
Central Africa’s interior. Rhodes
hoped to raise funds that would

44 APRIL 2022 www.allaboutstamps.co.uk


finance a massive project to link
Cape Town with Alexandria in Egypt
via a rail network passing exclusively
through British colonies; and that
profits won from mining operations
in Central Africa would pay for the
rail system.
He sent one of his negotiators – a
linguist fluent in local native tongues
– to parley with King Lobengula
of the Matabele nation, the most
powerful tribe in the region. On
behalf of Rhodes, the negotiator
offered Lobengula 1,000 Martini-
Henry breach loading rifles and
100,000 rounds of ammunition,
together with cash payments of £100
per year in return for granting BSAC
a mining monopoly in his lands. To
the negotiator’s surprise, the king
accepted. On 29 October 1889
the British South Africa Company
STAMPS OF SOUTHERN RHODESIA
officially received its Royal Charter
from Queen Victoria. With the
Charter in his hands Cecil Rhodes
could now proceed to implement his
grand plan. The Charter’s wording
set no limits on the northern and
western bounds of the Company’s
territory. It also granted the Company
powers to raise its own police force
and to govern and develop any future
territories it gained, with the aim of
earning profits.
King George VI’s Rhodes recruited and trained a
Coronation issue in troop of volunteers known as the
1937 showed the King, Pioneer Column a few months later.
the Queen, Victoria In September 1890 the Pioneers, with
Falls and a steam train 500 BSAC Police in support, entered
Mashonaland to the north of Lobengula’s
tribal territories. They established forts,
commenced gold mining operations, and
created settlements.
A set of thirteen The Company had by that time
definitive stamps (½d obtained its own stamps in a range
– 5s) were issued for of values, with most displaying the
KGVI in 1937 Company’s arms. They were recess
printed in London by Bradbury,
Wilkinson & Co. Ltd and used on
internal mail carried by runners,
or by BSAC police riders. Any
mail leaving Mashonaland had
Right: the 1940 BSAC
Golden Jubilee set
included this 3d value
with a scene showing
Rhodes in peace
talks with Matabele
tribesmen
More of the attractive
designs in the 1940
BSAC Golden Jubilee set
www.allaboutstamps.co.uk
to be routed through Mafeking
where it received stamps of British
Bechuanaland before continuing its
journey. Within two years the BSAC
added Matabeleland to its territories
despite fierce resistance by Lobengula
and his Matabele tribesmen, whose
spears and Martini-Henry rifles
proved no match against the BSAC’s
recently acquired Gatling machine
guns. By 1894 Matabeleland was
fully integrated into the Company’s
postal system, though mail sent
via Beira required additional
Mozambique stamps during the early
stages of Matabeleland expansion.
Early white settlers shortly
afterwards began to call their new
homeland Rhodesia, and the BSAC
formally adopted that name in
1895, with Britain using it officially
from 1898. Stamps of the Company
first carried the new name in 1909
as an overprint on four values from
their 1897 arms of the Company
stamps which were also overprinted
with new values (5d and 2s). All
land to the south of the river
Zambezi took the name Southern
Rhodesia, while regions to the north
APRIL 2022 45
merged to form Northern Rhodesia
in 1911. In Southern Rhodesia
this marked the commencement
of thirty years vigorous economic
growth. Railway engineers, civil
engineers, mining engineers and
agricultural experts poured into
the country on wave-after-wave of
British emigration.
New communications routes,
including a bridge over the mighty
Zambezi, increased road and rail
travel, and especially postal traffic,
with a steady stream of new stamps
required. Scientific farming methods
introduced large scale tobacco and
citrus fruits enterprises. Railway
lines, telegraph wires and surfaced
roads soon cast a network across
the land; and by 1913 Southern
Rhodesia’s economy had grown to Martini-Henry rifle as used by the Matabele against the Pioneer Column
yield handsome profits. Within a
decade BSAC rule came to an end
as Southern Rhodesia achieved the uniform including a peaked cap. The Gatling machine guns to 1937. Two years later, 1932 saw
status of a self-governing British fourteen values range from ½d to 5s, in action against the a large format two-stamps issue (2d
Crown Colony in 1923. and the issue ran until 1929. Two Matabele and 3d) with a pictorial view of
The year 1924 witnessed a years later, in 1931, a new definitives Victoria Falls.
definitives issue known to collectors set with a half-left facing portrait of The Falls also featured on the 6
as Admirals. They depict a full-face the monarch in its central vignette, May 1935 George V Silver Jubilee
King George V wearing a naval also had fourteen values issues up stamps, on which the King shared

This stamp from the 1947 Royal Visit set shows Block of 1947 Victory stamps 1950 Southern Rhodesia Diamond Jubilee stamp
Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret

46 APRIL 2022 www.allaboutstamps.co.uk


the design with several wild animals.
Values included 1d, 2d, 3d and 6d.
To mark the Coronation of George
VI (12th May 1937) a large stamps
once more showing Victoria Falls
also had a steam locomotive crossing
the Zambezi Railway Bridge, as well
as portraits of the new King and
Queen. The same year also brought
the new monarch’s first definitives
– a thirteen values set (½d to 5s)
of small stamps bearing a head and
shoulders portrait of George VI in
military dress.
Despite the World War raging in
Europe and North Africa, 1940 saw
a handsome issue of large pictorials
to commemorate the British South
Africa Company’s Golden Jubilee.
The ½d displayed the Arms of the
Company flaked by a native warrior
armed with shield and spear, and
by a native bugler of the 1940
Imperial Forces. The 1d stamp
shows the hoisting of a Union Jack
at Fort Salisbury in 1890; while
the 1½d has a handsome portrait
of Cecil Rhodes. The 2d presents
a view of Fort Victoria with a mail
NEXT MONTH IN
STAMP
THE ADVENTURES
COLLECTOR
The stamps marking the opening of
THE PANAMA CANAL
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Join today and save on the cover price! See page 48 for details.
STAMPS OF SOUTHERN RHODESIA
coach at the fort gates; and the
3d shows Rhodes making peace
with native Matabele in 1896.
The Victoria Falls Bridge is shown
on the 4d; the 6d has a statue of
Southern Rhodesia’s first premier
(1925); while the highest value (1s)
depicts King Lobengula’s Kraal and
Salisbury’s Government House,
together with busts of Queen
Victoria and King George VI.
A Royal Visit in 1949 yielded
six stamps showing portraits of
the King, Queen and Princesses.
A handsome Southern Rhodesia
Diamond Jubilee stamp was issued
in 1950; and a five-stamps issue The figures involved in the slave
of large pictorials celebrated the trade have long created impassioned
colony’s medical services, agriculture, debate, as we seek to readdress our
architecture, water supplies, and imperial history. Many of these
transport services in a 1953 set controversial figures have also been
marking the Cecil Rhodes Centenary. honoured on postage stamps, so
should we remove them from our
Images courtesy of the following dealers who albums for good? Read the online
regularly have other Southern Rhodesia stamps article ‘Empire, race and… postage
for sale and/or auction: Daniel F Kelleher Auctions, stamps’ on the website at:
Grosvenor Philatelic Auctions, BC Stamps, www.allaboutstamps.co.uk/stamp-
Hip Stamps, Azuckuss, delboy999, tfphockey, guides/reassessing-colonial-stamps
1st4stamps1840, surlamer07, cbeal-uk8
ON SALE 8 APRIL
(SUBSCRIBERS GET IT SOONER AND CHEAPER!)
CONTINUE…
The design created by
‘LAWRENCE OF ARABIA’
PLUS…
The beautiful stamps promoting tourism around the
world • Joint issues explained… celebration and
collaboration on stamps • News, views, price guides,
and much more! Why not join the adventure?
www.allaboutstamps.co.uk APRIL 2022 47
COLLECTWITH
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 CLASSIC STAMPS IN DETAIL
Celebrated
Sets
David Bailey discovers how a move to modernise stamp design and production matched a new
mood on the island, with the result being a classic set for today’s collectors to pursue
L
ike many smaller colonies,
Mauritius had used De La
Rue’s key and duty plates
since 1910, to provide
serviceable stamps at low
prices. But they did nothing for the island.
And while plate and colour variations
appealed to specialists, there was nothing
to attract the general collector.
50 APRIL 2022
Mauritius
definitives 1950
Meanwhile, the island’s disparate
population had begun to come
together to seek more autonomy for
the island and representation for
themselves. After much negotiation,
a new Constitution was granted in
1947 to take effect in 1948. It gave
the vote to women, and abolished the
property qualification for voters. This
www.allaboutstamps.co.uk
enfranchised all adults who could pass
a simple literacy test and increased
the electorate from 12,000 people
to nearly 72,000. The Constitution
also set up a new Legislative Council
comprising nineteen elected members,
twelve appointed by the Governor and
three ex officio members. A General
Election was held in August 1948 and
the first Council met on 1 September.
When it came to a new set of stamps,
there was a useful precedent from
another Indian Ocean territory, the
Seychelles. In 1938, they had issued the
first Commonwealth pictorials to be
printed by photogravure.
This dramatically reduced the
time and skill required to produce
pictorial stamps. It created continuous
tone images, ideal for reproducing
photographs. It was cheaper than line
engraved. And it broke away from the
‘black vignette, coloured frame’ format
which had dominated Commonwealth
pictorials since the 1920s and was
looking decidedly dated after the war.
The stamps were printed by
Harrison, who had produced the

Seychelles stamps and would print a
similar set for North Borneo at the
same time.
1c Sugar Mill
Like Cornwall with its tin mines,
Mauritius is dotted with the chimneys
of abandoned sugar mills. Up until
the 1970s, it constituted 90% of the
economy but was suffering from falling
prices and intensive competition. Since
then, a government initiative has led
to diversification of the economy and
sugar now accounts for only 25% of
the island’s exports.
2c Grand Port
Grand Port is the site of the first
Dutch landing in 1598, when they
christened the island: Prins Mauritz
van Nassaueiland after the stadtholder
of the Dutch Republic.
In 1810, it saw a naval battle
between the British and the French
in which the Royal Navy suffered a
crushing defeat. Today, the old town
of Mahebourg and its surrounding
beaches are a popular tourist area.
3c Aloe plant
The Aloe Fibre plant grows wild
all over Mauritius and was once an
important industry. It was used to
make ropes and woven into ‘goni’,
or ‘gunni’ bags, for the transport of
sugar and other commodities. Now,
Aloe fibre offers an environmentally
conscious alternative to plastics and
the industry is seeing a revival.
4c Tamarind Falls
This cascade of seven waterfalls is one
of the most beautiful sights on the
island. However, you would not know
this from the stamp. A slightly better
picture was used on the QEII version.
5c Rampart Mountain
Standing 1,968ft (600m) tall, Rampart
Mountain has ladders to help hikers
get almost to the top and enjoy the
spectacular views. The final ascent to the
peak is for experienced climbers only.
10c Transporting cane
In 1950, ox carts like this were the
island’s main method of transporting
goods. Now, while a few farmers keep
the old traditions alive, ox-carts are
mainly used for tourist excursions.
12c Dodo and map
First sighted by Dutch sailors in 1598,
the Dodo was all but extinct by 1662
and now, no-one knows precisely what
it looked like. Semi-fossilised remains
show that the bird stood a little over 3’
tall and would have weighed 23-29lb.
www.allaboutstamps.co.uk
CLASSIC STAMPS IN DETAIL
But its appearance can only guessed
at from drawings made at the time,
which vary considerably in detail.
20c Legend of
Paul and Virginia
The Legend of Paul and Virginia
was published in 1788 and is set in
Mauritius under French rule. It tells
of childhood friends who fall in love
but run up against the class divisions
of 18th century French society. Author
Jacques-Henri Bernadin de Saint-
Pierre once lived on Ile de France (as it
then was) and based part of the novel
on a shipwreck he witnessed there. The
book was an important statement of
Enlightenment ideas about nature and
society but is little-known today.
25c Statue of La Bourdonnais
Bertrand-Francois Mahe, Comte de
La Bourdonnais became Governor
of Mauritius in 1735 and set about
the development of the island, He
established Port Louis as a naval base
and shipbuilding centre. He greatly
expanded the sugar cane industry and
planted other cash crops like pepper,
cinnamon and cloves. He also began
the rapid expansion of slave-ownership
on the island. By the late 18th century,
slaves accounted for 80% of the
island’s population.
APRIL 2022 51
 Celebrated CLASSIC STAMP SETS IN DETAIL
Sets

35c Government House, 2r 50c Port Louis

Le Reduit
The 18th century Government
House was built as a fortress by
Barthelemy David – the successor
of La Bourdonnais. It was still the
Governor’s Residence in 1950.
Named after Louis XV, this is the
island’s capital, administrative centre
and was once an important stop
on voyages to and from the East.
Today, it houses the Mauritius stamp
museum.

50c Pieter Both Mountain 5r Beach scene

A reminder of the former Dutch
presence on the island, this 820 metre
peak is topped by a rock, 10 metres
in diameter, balancing on top of it.
It is named after a Dutch Governor
General of the Netherland East Indies
who was shipwrecked and drowned
near Mauritius in 1615.
1r Mauritius deer
Also known as the Timor Deer, this
native of Indonesia was brought to
Mauritius in 1639 by Adrien van der
Stel. Today, the population is large
enough to allow hunting for sport.
Attracting tourists was a major strand
in the diversification of the economy
and with its diverse culture and
cuisine, scenic beauty, sub-tropical
climate and perfect beaches, the
island has much to offer.
10r Arms of Mauritius
This current coat of was granted in
1906 and shows two sugar plants, a
dodo and a sambar deer supporting a
shield plus the motto: ‘Star and key
to the Indian Ocean’. The shield itself
shows a ship, palm trees, a key and a
silver star and pyramid.

THE SET IN DETAIL

Used Mint
1c bright purple £0.19 £0.41
2c rose-carmine £0.19 £0.19
3c yellow-green £0.53 £3.38
4c green £0.19 £2.44 Collecting the stamps
5c blue £0.19 £0.19 The distinctive Harrison
10c scarlet £0.23 £0.60 photogravure sets have a big
12 cents olive-green £1.20 £2.44 following today. GB-based dealer
20 cents ultramarine £0.83 £0.19 Duncan Purves reports a strong
25c brown-purple £1.61 £0.34 demand for unmounted mint stamps,
35c violet £0.34 £0.19 which extends from the George VI
50c emerald-green £2.25 £0.41 issues to their successors from the
1r sepia £7.50 £0.19 reign of QEII.
2r 50c orange £16.50 £13.13 The online auctions offer a wide
5r red-brown £17.25 £13.13 variety of full sets, short sets and
10r dull blue £13.50 £28.13 singles in mounted or unmounted
mint. Used stamps are more difficult,
Values are taken from the Scott catalogue, converted to £ using the current and some values can be surprisingly
exchange rate, with permission from Amos Media. For more details on Scott hard to find in VFU. The usual rules
catalogues visit: www.amosadvantage.com apply; take your time, and always buy
the best you can afford.
52 APRIL 2022 www.allaboutstamps.co.uk
 Contact us to request our free catalogue
or to see our current selection of stock
Visit us at: www.northstaffsstamps.co.uk
Email: nstaffsstamps@yahoo.co.uk
Tel: 01782 818560
PO Box 2701, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST6 9AL
www.allaboutstamps.co.uk
56 FEBRUARY 2022

The longest road in the world
Postage stamps have often showcased a country’s engineering achievements and the ‘road’
and ‘bridge’ themes remain hugely popular, so surely any stamp depicting a highway 19,000
miles in length should take pride of place in a collection. Chris West certainly thinks so
T
he idea of building a
communication link
from one end of the
Americas to the other
was first mooted at
an event called the First Congress of
American States, held in 1889. The plan
was to build a railway. The idea was not
pursued, however. By the 1920s, the
USA was filling with Model T Fords
and a new idea, for a ‘Pan-American
Highway’, was presented to the Fifth
Congress in 1923. It was viewed more
favourably, though not actually agreed.
Planning began, but was interrupted
by the Great Depression. A formal
agreement to build the Highway was not
signed until 1937.
The USA and Canada already had
roads, so the construction work would
be in the other twelve countries on
the route. From the US border, the
Highway would run through Mexico
and Central America (where there were
still very few arterial roads), then down
the western edge of South America
to Valparaiso, where it would dog-leg
across to Buenos Aries.
The relationship between Mexico
and the USA has always been complex.
Resentment south of the Rio Grande
goes back to the war of 1846-8, when
the US drove Mexico out of West Texas,
New Mexico, Arizona and Southern
54 APRIL 2022
STAMP STORIES
The Brazilian Highway
Expedition, which spent
ten years traversing the
three Americas from
south to north, selecting
and charting the most
practical route for the
construction of the Pan-
American Highway, being
received by President
Roosevelt, c.1938
(Library of Congress)
The Pan-American
Highway has featured
on a number of stamps,
including a range of
1961 values from
Colombia, a 3c stamp
from Panama in 1957,
and this Mexican value
from 1950, one of
four designs issued to
celebrate the completion
of the Mexican leg of
the route
www.allaboutstamps.co.uk
California. In the 1930s, a radical
Mexican government nationalized US
oil interests in the country. However
once the Second World War broke
out, Mexico’s trade with Europe
was interrupted and it came to rely
more and more on dealing with the
USA. It entered the war on the allied
side in 1942, and as a result of this,
received substantial US investment. An
economic boom followed.
One result of this boom was that
Mexico embraced the Pan-American
Highway idea. The Mexican section was
completed in 1950, hence the illustrated
stamp, one of a set of four celebrating
the achievement. The two places
mentioned on it are Ciudad Juárez,
on the US border, opposite El Paso,
and Ocotal, a small town on Mexico’s
southern border with Guatemala.
Mexico was the first country to
complete its section, and it did so
without US aid. Other countries were
slower to do this, and required financial
assistance from Uncle Sam.
A high point in the Highway’s
construction was the opening of the
magnificent Bridge of the Americas
across the Panama Canal, in 1962.
The Canal Zone issued a special
stamp for this – a valuable error has
the bridge omitted!
The Highway now runs from
the poetically named settlement of
Deadhorse, in Prudhoe Bay on Alaska’s
Arctic Ocean coast, to Ushuaia, the
world’s most southerly city, 680 miles
from the edge of Antarctica – a journey
of around 19,000 miles.
Two caveats, however. First, the exact
route is open to debate. Neither Canada
nor the USA has formally designated
one, so road-trippers can pretty much
choose their own way through North
America (though there aren’t too many
ways out of Deadhorse). There are
various crossings into Mexico.
Secondly, there is still a gap in the
middle. Between Central and South
America lies the province of Darién,
where Balboa first saw the Pacific.
This is one of the world’s last great
wildernesses, with swamps, mountains
and rainforest. The Highway is yet
to cross this. Plans were mooted in
the early 1970s, but came to nothing.
It is a sign of the times that it has
now been effectively agreed that the
66-mile section between Yaviza in
Panama and Turbo in Colombia,
the Darién Gap, be left unspoilt.
Adventurers still make the crossing – it
can take several days – as do (another
sign of the times) poor migrants
ultimately seeking to enter the USA.
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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 TLwww.allaboutstamps.co.uk
TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL
 LONDON 2022 GALLERY
The London 2022 International Stamp Exhibition took place over eight days in Islington,
and saw collectors from around the world come together to celebrate philately.
See some of the sights from the show in our special gallery

Top: just some of the many exhibits on display during the show

Above: Mike Roberts poses with… Mike Roberts, one head of staffing for
the event (left) and the other the Commissioner General

Left: stamp engraver Martin Morck and Stamp Collector contributor

Armagan Ozdinc pose with the March issue of the magazine

56 APRIL 2022 www.allaboutstamps.co.uk

 Left: the Royal Philatelic
Society London hosted
the Roll of Distinguished
Philatelists signing ceremony
at their headquarters in the
City; the Roll was on display
at the Business Design
Centre before the signing

Below: The Postal Museum’s

George Tomlinson and Chris
Taft with the David Gentleman
exhibit of woodblocks and
wood engraving tools used
to produce some of the
designer’s memorable stamps

Left: Brian Austin of The official London 2022

Buckingham Covers poses catalogue is still available,
with the David Gentleman and serves as a wonderful
cover produced especially souvenir of the event.
for the show. The cover Just visit the website
featured the recently to get your copy: www.
released miniature sheet of allaboutstamps.co.uk/
Gentleman designs, along store/back-issues/
with the original stamps EXHIBITION
stamp-collector
CATALOGUE
BUSINESS DESIGN CENTRE
19 TO 26 FEBRUARY
PATRON H.M. THE QUEEN

28/01/2022 13:17

www.allaboutstamps.co.uk APRIL 2022 57

 TWO MAGAZINES,
ONE GREAT PRICE!
Receive both Stamp Collector and Coin Collector
for just £15.99 per quarter and save 20% on the cover prices

MÖRCK’S
MODERN
CLASSICS
DISCOVER THE STAMPS
OF RENOWNED ENGRAVER
MARTIN MÖRCK

PRICE GUIDE:
COOK ISLANDS
BACK OF THE
BOOK STAMPS
REASSESSED
WIN! ROLLING
STONES STAMPS
 A-Z THEMATICS
A deadly theme
There are said to be only two certainties in life: death and taxes, which
is perhaps why we’ve learnt to laugh at both, writes Paula Hammond.
And, while death may seem like a grim topic for a thematic, it’s one
that’s full of the interesting, the humorous, and the curious
P
ratchett’s Death loved cats and curry.
Bergman’s played chess. In Russia,
Death is a little old lady, while in
Mexico she’s personified as Santa
Muerte, whose colourful image
dominates Day of the Dead celebrations.
Most cultures feature an anthropomorphic
death. In modern times, it’s often an angel of
death, or a cloaked skeleton. From the Celtic
Morrigan to Egypt’s Osiris, ancient cultures
also had their own spirits, gods and goddesses
of death, and many have appeared on postage
stamps. Cyprus’ 1997 ‘Tales and Legends’ series,
for instance, purports to show a struggle between
Dighenis and Charon, although the image of the
scythe-carrying figure seems more like a Grim
Reaper than the legendary ferryman. San Marino’s
1965 four-stamp set features a more familiar-
looking Charon, with illustrations taken from
Dante’s inferno, to mark the 700th anniversary of
the author’s birth.
While it used to be the rule that everyone
shown on a postage stamp, apart from a nation’s
ruler, was dead, Equatorial Guinea’s 1972 stamp
stretched that to the bad-taste limit. The issue
featured an illustration of the dead bodies of
three cosmonauts who died in an accident
while returning to Earth. Ugly, terrifying, and
unnecessary are words used to describe this issue,
which has bizarrely become something of a must-
have for some collectors.
According to philatelic legend, Serbia’s
1904 stamp contains the hidden death-theme,
with a death mask of Serbian king Alexander
I Obrenovich, set between the profiles of
Karageorge and Peter I Karageorgevich.
(Alexander I Obrenovich was murdered by
Karageorgevich supporters.)
Fortunately not all death-themed stamps are
as grim. The USPS’s 2021, four-stamp Day of
the Dead Forever stamps are, in fact, very lively D IS FOR DEATH
collection and feature a family of decorated sugar
skulls, complete with Mom, Dad, and kids. And Why collect?
of course Mexico, where the Day of the Dead • Curious, grim, and
celebrations began, has issued a range of stamps interesting topic!
marking the tradition of remembering – and • History and mythology links.
celebrating the lives of – friends and family who • Large thematic that can be
are no longer with us. tailored to suit.
Dead Letter Offices are the place that letters go to • A real talking-point thematic.
metaphorically die. Despite the name, most postal
services work very hard to get these lost missives to Notable releases
their final destinations. Letters that do get sent back 1879, Canada, Dead Letter
into the postal system are often franked, stamped or Office stamp.
labelled as such, and Dead Letter collectables make 1966, USSR, The Alive
a great theme in their own right. Canada’s 1897 and The Dead.
Queen Victoria black is an especially lush example. 1972, Equatorial Guinea,
Thanks to the popularity of the horror genre, films dead cosmonauts.
and books about the undead abound, and characters 2003, Grenada Carriacou &
such as Frankenstein, Dracula, and the Mummy have Petite Martinique, Turn of the
all been celebrated on stamps. One of the earliest was Millennium, diseases, 50-cent issue.
USSR’s 1966 release, commemorating the popular 2021, USA, Day of the Dead
book and war-film, The Alive and The Dead. Forever stamps.
While death may be final, strange thematics like
this are sure to keep the hobby alive and kicking. Expand the theme
Mourning mail is a much-neglected
but fascinating topic.
Collecting links
The Postal Museum’s feature on
Miss-sent and Misdirected Mail
makes a good introduction to the
subject. See: www.postalmuseum.
org/collections/highlights/
philatelic-collection/british-postal-
markings/missent-mail
www.allaboutstamps.co.uk APRIL 2022 59
 The pool frog stamp released in the United
Kingdom in 2018, highlighting the distinctive
ecology of this species
A quick hop through
In this in-depth thematic guide, herpetologist (someone who studies amphibians and
reptiles) and philatelist, Steven Allain, takes us on a journey across the world in search
of stamps featuring frogs and toads
O
n Saturday 30 April, it
will be the fourteenth
Annual Save The Frogs
Day, a day with the
aim to help raise the
awareness of the plight of amphibians
globally. Currently 41% of amphibians
are threatened with extinction by the
end of the century, with threats such as
habitat loss, disease, and climate change
being the biggest factors.
As part of our stamp journey, we’ll
The European tree frog has been the subject
of many country’s stamps, but the most eye
catching is that released by Luxembourg in 1985
Australia celebrated the southern corroboree frog Mountain chickens are deep rooted in the culture of Monserrat,
in 1982, with this stamp demonstrating the species’ being the subject of a WWF stamp set released by the country
distinctive colouration in 2006
THEMATICS
frog stamps of the world
highlight what makes these species
particularly special among the 7,400
species of frogs known to science!
Common names are great, but the words
used to name species vary in different
languages and geographical locations,
so most scientists prefer to use scientific
names, especially for those species that
occur across a range of countries.
Starting close to home, Royal Mail
recently featured a species of frog
which not many people will be aware
is present in Great Britain. This is the
pool frog (Pelophylax lessonae), which Like the mountain in New South Wales. Unfortunately,
made an appearance in the 2018 chicken, the Hispaniolan they’re currently listed as Critically
‘Reintroduced Species’ special issue. giant tree frog was Endangered with fewer than 200
Pool frogs went extinct in England in also featured on frogs left in the wild. Thankfully,
the late 1990s, although they made collaborative stamps conservationists are working hard
a return in the mid-2000s thanks to with the WWF, released to safeguard this species, including
a reintroduction project run by the by Haiti in 1999 captive breeding at institutions such as
Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Taronga Zoo.
Trust. They’re currently restricted to You’d be forgiven for thinking that
a couple of sites in Norfolk, so you’re an animal called the mountain chicken
unlikely to come across them while would be a species of bird. However,
walking the dog. it’s a species of large frog, Leptodactylus
The UK isn’t the only country to fallax. It’s another Critically
feature rare frogs on their stamps – Endangered species but this time native
Australia has featured the southern to the Caribbean islands of Dominica
corroboree frog (Pseudophryne and Montserrat. Mountain chickens
corroboree). These black and yellow get their name from the fact that these
frogs are poisonous, and are found frogs were once a local delicacy, and
www.allaboutstamps.co.uk
 THEMATICS

Being the only toad native to Ireland, the natterjack toads were in the spotlight Despite being common across Europe, midwife toads have not featured on many
in 1995 through the circulation of this stamp stamps from the continent. The best is this example from Spain, printed in 1975

not surprisingly, they taste like chicken. here in the UK, but these small Ireland, mainly being found on coastal
Conservationists are currently trying to green frogs are quite widespread sites. They can be distinguished from
help the species recover from threats, across the rest of the continent. The other toads by having a yellow stripe
such as those of disease and habitat European tree frog (Hyla arborea) down their back. Extensive conservation
loss. Elsewhere in the Caribbean, is small green frog, growing to 5 efforts are aiming to ensure the survival
endemic frogs have been featured cm in length. Populations in some of their populations within the British
on the stamps of Haiti. The stamps European countries are declining due Isles, including reintroductions to
celebrated the giant tree frog (Osteopilus to pollution, and the destruction of formerly inhabited sites. In Britain, the
vastus, formerly Hyla vasta) which wetlands. The species is known for natterjack toad is listed as Endangered
is only found in Hispaniola, and is their loud calls, which sounds like but across Europe, natterjack toads are
threatened by habitat degradation and high-pitched chirruping. These calls Least Concern. This highlights how a
deforestation. This species like many, can often be heard emanating from species can have a varying conservation
has variable colouration, with some the vegetation surrounding a pond, or status throughout its range. Just because
individuals being brown, whereas other within the pond itself. If you’re ever it is common in one location, it doesn’t
may be grey, and others green. This visiting the continent, be sure to listen necessarily mean it will be common
variation helps the frogs to blend into out for them! elsewhere. This is especially true of
their surroundings, while also being Another species found across Europe species that have a large range, or one
able to survive in different habitats. is the natterjack toad (Epidalea calamita). that also extends to islands.
Did you know that Europe has Unfortunately, natterjack toads have Did you know that there is a group
tree frogs? They may not be present a restricted range here in the UK and of toads that carry eggs on their hind
legs, until they’re ready to hatch, at
which point the male deposits them
in a pond? They’re small, light brown
in colour, and very secretive (which
is probably why you’ve never seen
one). Six species are known, being
present across Europe and North
Africa. The most widespread of these
is the common midwife toad (Alytes
obstetricans), found across North-west
Europe and Iberia, with introduced
populations in Great Britain. They
can grow to 5 cm in length, and their
secretive behaviour often makes them
difficult to locate. Another quirk of
their biology is the fact that males make
a high-pitched beeping sound, which
has been likened to a smoke alarm with
a dying battery.
Other frogs have the ability to fly
(well, glide) from tree to tree in the
Cambodia released a stamp set in 1993 highlighting the diversity of gliding animals found in the country, Wallace’s tropics of South-east Asia. It may also
flying frog was among them along with a diagram showing where I’s gliding surfaces could be found surprise you to learn that you’re also

www.allaboutstamps.co.uk
 Malaysia is one of a handful of countries to display horned frogs
prominently on their stamps, including this example from 2007
able to find gliding snakes, lizards and
mammals here. Wallace’s flying frog
(Rhacophorus nigropalmatus) can be
found across the Malay archipelago,
named after the 19th-century biologist
Alfred Russell Wallace who collected
the first specimen. Despite their gliding
ability, these green frogs are quite large
and photogenic.
It may surprise you to learn that a
number of amphibians are extremely
well camouflaged. Natural selection
has acted to ensure that only those
with the best camouflage survive,
meaning that in some environments,
these frogs are extremely hard to
find. An example of one of the best
camouflaged frogs is the long-nosed
horned frog (Megophrys nasuta), found
in southern Thailand through to
Sumatra and Borneo. Looking down
on them, the horned frog looks just
like a pile of dead leaves. Thankfully,
Guttural toads are widespread across sub-Saharan Africa, this stamp produced by Lesotho in
1994 best captures this species
62 APRIL 2022
Living in leaf-litter, the small Seychelles frog is capable of easily blending in,
as demonstrated by a stamp released in conjunction with WWF in 2003
they’re listed as Least Concern
due to their wide geographical
range, although the species may
be multiple, containing currently
unrecognised ‘cryptic species’ that
are morphologically similar to one
another. The only real way to resolve
these sorts of issues is through the use
of DNA comparisons.
On the other end of the spectrum,
there are some frogs that wish to be
seen, such as the dyeing poison dart
frog (Dendrobates tinctorius), found in
northern South America. They advertise
the fact they’re highly toxic to would
be predators, in an attempt to stay safe.
This is known as aposematism. The
dyeing poison dart frog is a popular pet,
and currently listed as Least Concern.
This strategy works well for the most
part, although it can also lead to other
species evolving a similar colouration, in The dyeing poison dart There are a number of toxic
an attempt to mimic the toxic species. frog is brightly coloured amphibians found across the world
to warn predators that it (including some we’ve already met),
is toxic, as shown most of which display some level of
on this 1981 stamp warning colouration. Poison dart frogs
from Suriname get their name from the fact that the
tribes of South America tip their darts
with the poison skin secretions from the
frogs, to help them hunt monkeys and
other animals in the treetops above.
Some species of amphibians have a
huge natural range. The guttural toad
(Sclerophrys gutturalis, formerly Bufo
gutturalis) can be found throughout
most of sub-Saharan Africa. The
guttural toad is a generalists, meaning
that they can feed off of a wide variety
of food sources, and are tolerant
of a range of varying temperatures.
They can be found in a wide range
of habitats from lakes, savannahs,
and arable land. The Seychelles frog
www.allaboutstamps.co.uk

(Sooglossus sechellensis) is conversely, a
specialist with a specific habitat type
and temperature range it needs, to be
able to survive. This small brown frog
is one of a handful of representatives
that belongs to a unique family, only
found in the Seychelles. The Seychelles
frog only inhabits an area around
30 km2, making them extremely
vulnerable to threats like habitat loss,
and climate change, and invasive
species. The introduction of non-native
species to new areas can be a huge
problem for island restricted species,
as they have nowhere else to run to.
A country which is often thought of
when invasive species are mentioned
is New Zealand. The Hamilton’s
frog (Leiopelma hamiltoni) can now
only be found on Stephens Island.
Before the introduction of non-native
mammals from Europe (such as rats)
and Australia, these frogs were once
widespread across the lower South
Island, and upper North Island. Now
this species is now the focus of extensive
conservation efforts, in an attempt to
safeguard them from extinction.
Something else that’s important
to consider is the conservation status
of species, which we’ve highlighted
throughout for those species that have
a considerable risk of extinction. This
is often established by the International
Union for the Conservation of Nature
(IUCN) through their Red List, which
is compiled by experts working with
that particular species. If you’ve ever
heard that a species is endangered,
this classification will have likely been
assigned by the IUCN Red List. In
the 21st century, amphibians are going
through the perfect storm of factors
leading to declines. Aside from those
already mentioned, pollution and over-
harvesting are all leading to declines
in global populations. For many
THEMATICS
FROG AND TOAD STARTER CHECKLIST
… Edible frog (Pelophylax esculentus), Liechtenstein, 1974
… Galam White-lipped Frog (Amnirana galamensis), Gambia, 1982
… Greenhouse frog (Eleutherodactylus planirostris), The Bahamas, 1984
… Greater leaf-folding frog (Afrixalus formasinii), Mozambique, 1985
… Natterjack toad (Epidalea calamita), United Kingdom, 1986
… Fiji tree frog (Platymantis vitiensis), Fiji, 1988
New Zealand is … Surinam horned frog (Ceratophrys cornuta), Peru, 1988
known for its pride in
its native fauna, this … Marbled reed frog (Hyperolius marmoratus), Zambia, 1989
stamp from 1984 is
the first example from … Splendid leaf frog (Cruziohyla calcarifer), Honduras, 1995
the country featuring
an amphibian on a … Cinnamon frog (Nyctixalus pictus), Malaysia, 2007
postage stamp
… Bleeding toad (Leptophryne cruentata), Indonesia, 2011
… Venated gliding frog (Rhacophorus malabaricus), India, 2012
… Bushveld rain frog (Breviceps adspersus), Zimbabwe, 2014
… Green paddy frog (Hylarana erythraea), Thailand, 2014
… Fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina), Belarus, 2015
… Heredia robber frog (Craugastor escoces), Costa Rica, 2017
… Armoured mist frog (Ranoidea lorica), Australia, 2018
… American green tree frog (Dryophytes cinereus), USA, 2019
… Mediterranean painted frog (Discoglossus pictus), Malta, 2021
poorer communities in the developing toads which have been commemorated
world, amphibians are a vital and in stamp form. By reading this, my
numerous source of protein. It’s not wish is that your curiosity about
just the French that eat frog’s legs, amphibians has increased, and you may
it’s a common practise across south- even be inspired to collect philatelic
east Asia, Africa and the Americas. material which pays tribute to these
Due to this demand in frogs, and the fascinating creatures. I also hope I’ve
pet trade, a number of amphibian educated you about the diversity of
pathogens have been spread around the frogs and toads found around the
globe such as the amphibian chytrid world, and the threats that they face.
fungus which causes the fatal condition There are a number of resources out
chytridiomycosis. Amphibians have there if you wish to discover more
been a part of our planet’s fauna for about this often overlooked group of
300 million years, now however, they animals, which is another reason why I
face they’re greatest challenges as chose to include their scientific names.
humankind races to save them. Who knows which country will be next
That brings our quick whistle-stop commemorate frogs and toads on their
tour to an end. You’ve hopefully learnt a stamps, either way, they will certainly
little about the wide variety of frogs and be added to my growing collection!
www.allaboutstamps.co.uk APRIL 2022 63
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Suffragette and film star
The correspondence to and from a young woman over 100 years ago is brought to life by postal
historian Dane Garrod, who refers to her now forgotten fame as a British star of many silent films
T
here are times when
our interest in stamps,
postcards, letters, and
all that goes with this
wide-ranging hobby is
rewarded with an unexpected find, and
this is what this article is all about. A
lengthy look through four boxes of very
mixed postcards – probably at least
2,000 – that were stacked beside a stand
at an antiques fair at The National
Exhibition Centre in Birmingham
last November was rewarded when it
was realised that the same surname
kept appearing randomly. The first
box had to be revisited to take them
out, and from the four boxes a total
of 36 spanned a period 1911 to 1914
and were all addressed to the surname
Duke. Most were written to the mother
and father and were from their teenage
daughter Ivy.
From the surviving correspondence,
it can be seen that Ivy kept in constant
contact with her mother back in their
family home in Maida Vale, London,
and with her father who was working in
Madras, India. As a possible vulnerable
teenager, this brought comfort to the
parents to know all continued to be well,
and the first postcard which is from
November 1913 and has Ivy in Paris,
has a machine cancellation over the 10
centimes stamp. Telling her mother what
she had seen that day, Ivy said ‘pictures
66 APRIL 2022
COVER EXPLAINED
are beyond description’, ‘we saw
Faust’ and ‘the music was glorious’.
Meanwhile her father was in
Madras, India, and postcards are
sent to him there. With Christmas
1913 in sight, Mr G.A. Duke
arranged to come home to London,
via Brussels to escort his daughter
safely home. Expecting to see her
father on 16 December, Ivy wrote
to him after her mother gave her
the Shipping Company address in
Trieste so that he would receive the
card on his voyage home. She says
‘am expecting your wire any day’
and ‘with love from I.’
The latest of the three illustrated
postcards was to Ivy herself in
Brussels, Belgium, though whether
studying, holidaying or working
is not yet known. There are four
postal marks including the first
over the 5 centimes stamp which
has an unclear handstamp but
is timed ‘16-17’, which are the
post midday times before the two
small and also unclear circular
ring marks numbered ‘613’. Perhaps Ivy Duke in 1917 the message and the written address.
the postal worker was rushed with The ‘Votes for Women’ movement is
quantity, or just didn’t have enough ink a vast subject, but suffice to say that by
to hand! These would signify further June 1914 it had reached a pinnacle that
transmission, but fortunately the was suspended by the beginning of the
main postmark is vividly clear, stating Great War, but the years just before this
‘BRUSSEL / 18-19 / 6 . VI / 1914 / postcard was written were characterised
BRUXELLES’. What is interesting is by the suffragettes’ motto ‘deeds, not
words’. The writer has added the word
‘Suffragette’ between the name and local
address in Brussels where Miss Ivy Duke
had lodgings, but the level of involvement
3 is not known. The message mentions
4 the name ‘Hitchy-Koo’, which became
a musical revue three years later, so was
this early reference from a writer, a future
cast member, or signifying at this early
stage Ivy Duke’s involvement with the
film industry? And that’s how Ivy Duke
became known - as a British leading lady
of the silent screen who featured in 17
films between 1919 and 1929. Even so,
the postcard correspondence remains to
serve her memory well.
www.allaboutstamps.co.uk
 POSTAL HISTORY

1 Our first postcard is dated November 1913 when Ivy was in Paris,
and has a machine cancellation over the 10 centimes stamp.
the 5 centimes stamp which has an unclear handstamp but is timed
‘16-17’, which are the post midday times before the two small
and also unclear circular ring marks numbered ‘613’. These would

2 The second card sees Ivy writing to her father. Her mother gave
her the Shipping Company address in Trieste, so that he could read
signify further transmission.

the correspondence during his voyage.

4 The main postmark is vividly clear, stating ‘BRUSSEL / 18-19 /
6 . VI / 1914 / BRUXELLES’.

3 The third postcard (left) was sent to Ivy herself in Brussels,

Belgium. There are four postal marks including the first over

www.allaboutstamps.co.uk APRIL 2022 67

 Hand coloured Letter Paper depicting Marine
Parade and the Chain Pier, Brighton, engraved by
I. Jeavons and published by W. Grant, News Agent.
The Goat Carriage is at the extreme right

POSTAL HISTORY

Sussex
Sussex has been pulling in the crowds for centuries, writes postal historian John Scott, as his travels
across the country take him to the south coast in search of more ephemera and postal artefacts

E
ven in the 1820s, Pigot’s Hand coloured Note
Directory describes Paper of ‘The Pavilion,
Brighthelmstone, or Brighton’, engraved by J.
Brighton as we know Newman and published
it today, as ‘The seat of by H.H. Sugg
Royalty and the resort of rank and fashion’.
Originally a mere farmhouse,
Brighton Pavilion was transformed in
1784 as the favoured residence of King
George IV and was seen as ‘a truly
magnificent structure… of the greatest
munificence and the most refined taste’.
Unsurprisingly therefore Sussex is a
Mecca for the postcard collector but even
in the 1840s the promenaders could buy

a sheet of Letter Paper depicting now Paper with an image approximating to a

vanished features of the time – the Chain
Pier had been built in 1823 as a landing
stage for the Dieppe Packets but was
destroyed by a storm in 1896 and the last
Goat Carriage licence in Brighton was
issued in 1953 for giving children a ride
The cover of a booklet of ‘Views in Bognor’ published by W. Follett, the along Marine Parade. The advent of the
Postmaster in Bognor envelope shrank the size down to Note
postcard. Such views of the locality were
also sold to tourists in souvenir booklets,
using the same printing plates as the Note
Paper, and W.S. Follett, the Postmaster in
Bognor, identified a sufficient market to
procure designs from two of the leading
London printers, Kershaw and Newman.
The Post Office never envisaged

68 APRIL 2022 www.allaboutstamps.co.uk


that a private individual would want
to send a postcard, open for the world
to see, and they were intended for use
by businesses confirming orders or the
visit of a salesman. So, while continental
publishers were producing colourful
postcards for the public, in Great
Britain you could only send official
cards with an imprinted stamp. From
1894 privately printed cards to which a
postage stamp could be affixed opened
the floodgates, although initially the size
of the card was much smaller than those
in Europe. Court cards were allowed
from 1895 but were still smaller than
abroad but the German experience in
printing cards over many years gave
them the competitive advantage.
It was finally agreed in 1899 that
the larger sized card approved by the
Universal Postal Union was acceptable to
the British post office and so dawned a
new era for postcards which lasted until
the First World War. Novelty cards were
especially popular with many depicting
uniformed postmen, from whose bag
A Letter View Book containing photographs of Hastings published by Robertson
Printing Co. for sale by King Bros. in Hastings and St. Leonards
Above left: A Court Card
of the Memorial, Hastings,
published by Pictorial
Stationery, London,
and printed by them in
Holstein, Germany
Top right: A Brighton
postman depicted on a
Novelty Card posted in
the 1920s
dropped a string of photographic
views. Other cards minimized the
effort required of the sender by simply
requiring a cross to be inserted against
the requisite message, a practice which
had been used extensively in the First
World War on military postcards from
soldiers in the field.
A compromise between the postcard
and the envelope were the letter cards
containing a series of views which
were opened by tearing along the
perforations on each side. Unlike
postcards these were both printed and
published in the United Kingdom
and the many different styles often
indicate that they were registered at
Stationers’ Hall in London which
offered a modest degree of protection
from would be imitators. In later years
their use was expanded into advertising
for local businesses and, in the case
The Postal Souvenir Card contains advertisements and photographs of Eastbourne published by
Strange the Printer c 1900
www.allaboutstamps.co.uk
POSTAL HISTORY
Below: ‘News Up-to-date from Heathfield’ in
the Humoresque Series with a cross marked
against each appropriate message
F URTHER READING
A History of Postcards’, M.
Willoughby, London 1992.
‘Collecting Picture Postcards’, G.
Godden, Chichester 1996.
‘The Dictionary of Picture Postcards in
Britain 1894-1939’, A. Coysh, 1996.
of Eastbourne, a timetable for trains
between there and London. Although
lacking the glamour of the Edwardian
postcard such local productions are
both cheaper to buy and more difficult
to find which offers an opportunity to
the enterprising collector.
APRIL 2022 69
 CLASSIFIED ADS
STAMPS APPROVALS
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Also please send us your
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KGVI 1951 Festival High Values set used £6.00 www.bmclean.co.uk
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countries and Europa issues
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85 Higher Audley Ave, Torquay, South Devon, TQ2 7PG
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A to Z Sets, Thematics, Omnibus,
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Free lists FIRST DAY COVERS

Booklets. (R/E No. 69)
COMPETITIVE PRICES
USED STAMPS ONLY Free Price List of First Day Covers
- PROMPT SERVICE



1937 - 2012 and Commemorative Covers RUSHSTAMPS (RETAIL) LIMITED
From the following countries, P.O.Box 1 Lyndhurst, Hants SO43 7PP

 
Individually priced. STEVEN RILEY Tel: (023) 8028 2044
St Vincent, Granada, Barbados, 37 BADGER GATE, THRESHFIELD, Fax: (023) 8028 2981     
SKIPTON BD23 5EN
Bahamas & Virgin Islands     
923523.04

Email: stevenrileycovers@btinternet.com website: www.rushstamps.co.uk

Gerry Fisher E-mail: enquiries@rushstamps.co.uk
 !
14 Kelston Grove, Hanham,
Bristol, BS15 9NL
Tel: 0117 967 1563

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70 APRIL 2022 Please mention Stamp Collector when replying to any advertisement
Web directory
Scandinavia, Europa, Great Britain
Online listing for all Scandinavian countries, Great Britain
and Europa 1957 to present. Printed lists available.
Please write stating interests.
Great Britain 1839-1951
www.andrewglajer.co.uk ADVERTISE
B. McLean P.O. Box 323, ELLON, Aberdeenshire. AB41 7YA
• Email: info@bmclean.co.uk • Web site: http://www.bmclean.co.uk Andrew G Lajer Ltd
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BRIAN REEVE STAMP AUCTIONS Singles, sets and collections from around the World. or email:
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First Day Cover postal auctions. mark.dean@warnersgroup.co.uk
Many substantial lots are sold totally unreserved Rushcliffe House, 17-19 Rectory Road,

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Britain First Day Covers
Collectors (GBFDC)
The GBFDC was started over 25 years ago in
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to contact each other, enjoy sharing knowledge
and benefit from joint events and activities.
Find out more at: www.gbfdc.co.uk
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The GBPS was founded in
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this is certain to continue as new members
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visiting the website at: www.gbps.org.uk/join

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SC 04-22
 s of
h ro nicle
C l e vents,
s ed o n rea
ti o n ba
c dis tra c
M ea ling
p hi lateli by Eva
A
Part 13 - A Motive for Murder
am certainly charmed to make your acquaintance Mademoiselle
‘I Bry. Our mutual friend Monsieur King-Tenison informed me of
your reason for visiting Paris. The most distressing circumstance.
However, if I can help then I will.’
Noella sat opposite Doctor Legrand and thanked him for coming
so swiftly and asked, ‘Did you know Monsieur Leroux personally?’
Legrand said that he’d made his acquaintance through the local
stamp society and had numerous wonderful conversations about his
collection. ‘Gaston had many great stamps, a comprehensive worldwide
accumulation. He was well informed on the latest discoveries around the
world and employed agents and dealers across Europe to procure stamps
for his albums.’ Legrand looked at Noella for acknowledgement and she
spoke, ‘Do you think anyone could have taken an unhealthy interest
in any of his rare purchases? There seems to be no obvious motive or
anything missing, but as you are aware Dr Legrand the postal adhesive
is so small.’ The French philatelic scholar pinched his beard between his
thumb and index finger and nodded, and considered the implications
of what she had said. ‘That’s a perceptive observation, mademoiselle. I
think we should take a scientific approach to what stamps Gaston had
acquired, which might perhaps be desirable, although I find it hard to
comprehend that anyone would do such a thing for a humble stamp. If I
were to furnish you and Monsieur Le Queux with a list of the finer items
which included any recent significant expenditure, could you conduct
an audit to ascertain if your hypothesis has any basis?’ Noella nodded,
thinking of the several rows of stamp albums on the shelf behind Gaston
Leroux’s desk, and knowing that her fellow writer could gain them
access through his police chief friend Louis Lépine. It would then be
relatively straightforward to establish if any were missing. Although, she
knew that even that wouldn’t necessarily establish a motive, or more
importantly tell them who might have undertaken to kill the French
stamp collector. However, it was the only starting point Noella could
think of pursuing and so she urged the doctor to do what he could to
prepare such a list. On taking his leave he promised to contact a number
of individuals known to have been helping Leroux with the procurement
of rare stamps and also another gentleman in Strasbourg whom the
victim corresponded with in regard to a catalogue they were preparing
to feature new finds and discoveries Gaston had acquired. ‘Of course,
Mademoiselle, there is a possibility that Gaston himself kept such a list.’
It then occurred to Noella that she would need to speak with Lépine
to ascertain if any records of his financial transactions, or perhaps a list
of the stamps existed. If not, she reasoned she could, in the intervening
time before she heard back from Dr Legrand, gain access to see what can
be found in relation to Leroux collection.
William Le Queux was in his room writing a letter when Noella
knocked at his door. ‘Aha! My intrepid reporter. What have you
discovered from our scientist Legrand?’ Noella gave a concise outline
of her discussion with the eminent philatelist and the need to clarify
information with the police and if necessary ask for permission to
conduct a review of the murdered man’s collection. ‘This is so good
CHAPTER TWO
N TR IGUING CASE O
T H E I F
A M U R DE R I N PARIS
Miss Bry. Very ingenious. We can call on Lépine indeed, it is a good
theory, and what else is there to go on? If they have a list we can
take a look without delay, and if not then we must do the same in
anticipation for the information the doctor produces? Let me finalise this
communication with Tower Publishing about my invasion book. If I get
it published it will be a bestseller, I am sure.’
Le Queux smiled and returned to his letter writing. He’d talked much
to Noella on their journey to Paris about his novel which he hoped to
get printed in England within the year. It was a fiction depicting Britain
being invaded by coalition forces led by France and Russia. Le Queux
felt passionately about his tale and had already sent several letters to the
publishers during the last few days.
‘Let’s go Miss Bry, we can invite the police investigator to lunch. Are
you hungry?’
‘I’m ravenous William, but surely your police friend will be too busy
for that?’ Her reporter friend laughed.
‘But you do not understand the French man. There is always time for
food. And besides, we should extend some hospitality whilst explaining
our thoughts. He will digest it better. Ha! A little ‘word-play’ as the
English say!’ Noella smiled and followed as he strode out of his room
and down the staircase.
On arrival at the police headquarters, the lunch invitation was passed
to the desk sergeant, who disappeared and merely nodded on his return.
Shortly afterwards Louis Lépine appeared putting his coat on and
making his way out of the building. The two reporters followed.
In a nearby restaurant their enquiries about a list of stamps was
met with an affirmative, but the detective explained that one of his
officers had an interest in stamps and could not find any missing
material. ‘My officer thinks the list is not up to date, on account of
there being fresh acquisitions in the stamp albums which are not
contained on the inventory. Hence we ceased this line of enquiry,
until further information comes to light. If Mademoiselle Bry can
ascertain new details, we would of course be most grateful.’ Noella
glanced at her fellow writer who read her thoughts and asked if they
could again visit the scene and if Mademoiselle Bry could familiarise
herself with the contents of the stamp albums. Lépine finished his
cognac in one gulp and agreed to take them to Leroux’s apartment
without delay and call back for them
at the end of the day.
To be continued. Find
out in the next episode
what Noella discovers
within the stamp
albums, and
if Dr Legrand
can produce an
up-to-date list
of stamps.
73
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MODERN
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DISCOVER THE STAMPS R
OF RENOWNED ENGRAVE
MARTIN MÖRCK
07503 707023
Dear Very Important Philatelist,
or email:
PRICE GUIDE:

Is this the end of postage? About, two weeks ago as I type, Royal
COOK ISLANDS
BACK OF THE
BOOK STAMPS
REASSESSED
mark.dean@
Mail (The British Post Office) issued an unanticipated major
WIN! ROLLING
STONES STAMPS
warnersgroup.co.uk
announcement. I don’t wish to be alarmist, but this affects many, even
most of us – therefore being informed NOW may be important to
you so that you can take appropriate action …
Royal Mail (RM) Announcement: “Non-barcoded stamps can be
used as postage up until 31 January 2023. If you are able to use them
ADVERTISER’S INDEX
within this time — that’s great. If you aren’t going to be able to use
them up — that’s fine too — you can send them in to us and we’ll
swap them out for barcoded stamps. Our ‘Swap Out’ scheme will
AC Stamps. . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 MJ Promotions . . . . . . . . . 42
open on 31 March 2022” …
Here’s the unwritten agenda:
AJH Stamps . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Mrs Clifford . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
… but how long will RM ‘swap-shop’ operate, when will it close,
just how will it operate, and will there be ‘minumum’ sending
requirements that render existing definitives and commemoratives B&S Stamps . . . . . . . . . . . 23 North Staff Stamps . . . . . . 53
effectively useless in terms of under-pinning usability value … It is a
significant consideration in collecting modern for collectors to know Court Philatelics. . . . . . . . . 23 Philasearch. . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
that they can get something back ?
On the face of it - apparently, all very practical – but how does
invalidation of your existing mint decimal stamps impact our hobby? Delcampe . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Philatelink . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
I estimate that this anti-fraud high tech innovation, (or invalidation)
may save Royal Mail more than One Hundred Million Pounds Gary J Lyon . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Prinz Publications. . . . . . . . 43
liability to offer their service to the public (including collectors)
against pre-paid unused (non-barcoded) decimal postage currently
outstanding in the public domain. £100Million sounds like a huge Guernsey Post Office . . . . 21 Robstine Stamps . . . . . . . . 27
figure – but consider UPA has not bought a single postage stamp
from the Post Office in the past 10 years, we buy them in collections
G Milsom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Saracen Stamps . . . . . . . . .xx
bought from collectors … and we use more than £30,000= postage
face value per annum. Roll this out against a 60 million population
and millions of businesses. GP Keef . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Stanley Gibbons . . . . . . . . .xx
Presently, it appears that ‘Special Issues’, or Commemoratives as
we know them are excluded, and New Issues of such will continue H W Wood Ltd . . . . . . . . . . 39 The Stamp Group . . . . . . . 42
without barcoding … But, does this mean that if you continue to
collect non-barcoded special issues, that ultimately their face value
may become useless ? Good question. Jersey Post . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Tony Lester . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Ethically there may be issues too, because collectors (and
the General Public) have purchased postage stamps based upon Jerwood Philatelics . . . . . . 23 UPA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 3, 72
validity, closing the RM ‘swap-shop’ early or making it ‘inoperable’ (a
potentially likely scenario) to collectors and small-holders of stamps/
singles of multiple denominations by having minimum denomination John Curtin . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74, 75, 76
submissions … OR, highly likely - 6 month delays to service swapping
… You can just envisage it, can’t you? I can.
John Lamonby . . . . . . . . . . 42 Warwick & Warwick . . . . . .13
Over the years hundreds of collectors have told me that they
intend to continue collecting New Issues for as long as our Queen is
on the throne. How do you feel about this now ? MG Read . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 We Sell Stamps. . . . . . . . . .11
Will prices of decimal issues go up, or down? My view is ‘down’.
I also believe that as in year 2000 many collectors will draw the line
on New Issues NOW.
Will this affect the market overall? … Yes, potentially I can envis-

BUY & SELL NEWSLETTER

age more collector budget being directed into older/classic stamps
– rather than stamps that RM can print for one penny that have a
face-value of ONE Pound++!!
Finally, I strongly suspect that UPA will have to suspend ‘Loyalty
Post-Free Shipping’ and make a subsidised charge for postage. Don’t miss the
Don’t worry – no change imminent. This subject will run and run …
there will be developments … more will follow … brand new ‘BUY & SELL’
newsletter, emailed to
upastampauctions.co.uk thousands of collectors
or (UK collectors) telephone: 01451 861111 each month

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