THE WORLD’S BEST PHILATELIC MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2022

TM
MAGAZINE

Cyprus’ perfect Our verdict on the

portrayal of new Commonwealth
King George VI Games stamp issue

Before stamps
The postal history of
Glasgow up to 1840
Martyrs!
China’s 1932 definitives are as
poignant as they are collectable

Great Britain’s
country definitives
enter the digital age

300 not out

The 1960 Post Office
Tercentenary twosome
www.stampmagazine.co.uk £4.99
COLLECTING GROUP
Selling your stamp collection?
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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
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ACT NOW
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Warwick & Warwick Ltd., Chalon House, Scar Bank,

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Auctioneers and Valuers Tel: (01926) 499031 • Fax: (01926) 491906
www.warwickandwarwick.com Email: patrick.collyer@warwickandwarwick.com

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 The best way to buy
COLLECTIONS ?
Thank you to Stamp Magazine readers for your very positive response to this series of advertisements.
I help collectors like you to build single-country collections of Europe, Commonwealth and Overseas. (No GB.)
Achieve a meaningful and quality collection over time and save money too. I offer collections in printed albums,
ranges on pages, stock card lots with better items, and some rarer stamps individually. Unlike auctions, you can
buy direct today, the price asked is simply the price you pay, no buyer's commission, no extra VAT, everything is
post free in UK (even large boxed lots) - affordable prices plus fuller describing!
+ Starting a new country? Find a BULGARIA CEYLON
solid base to start, at an excellent 8119 : 1879-1940 mint (hinged) and used collection 8131 : 1872-1899 mainly used range of Q. Victoria
price. on large Yvert printed leaves, from 1879 10c used new currency issues, with 172 to 96c (cat c£150)
(SG 3 cat £200), 25c, 50c (latter average), 1881 set and good selection of 1882-1892 surcharges (38
used, 1884 "3" on 10st used, "50" on 1F used (SG 40 stamps) .............................................................. £50
+ Or advance your own favourite cat £475), "5" on 30st used, "15" on 25st used, most
COLOMBIA - TELEGRAPHS
collection to a new level. later 19th century used, 1920s most spaces filled
7909 : Mainly mint range, all different except 3
with mint, 1930s range mint and used, plus Dues,
Sunday Delivery. High cat in the classics. (350 pairs, includes better 1902-1904 issues, ex-Hiscocks
Here are a just few of the lots available collection (41 stamps) ..................................... £120
stamps) ............................................................ £225
to buy NOW as we go to press : COLOMBIA - TELEGRAPHS
BELGIUM 7910 : ex-Hiscocks study accumulation, fairly com-
plete for basic issues including some difficult items
8118 : 1849-1939 mint (hinged) and used collection
such as 1905 10c perf 10½ (Hiscocks 51), 1906 5P
on large Yvert printed leaves, from Medallions 20c to
(Hiscocks 62), plus many shades, types and sub-
40c imperf, 1c to 40c perf, later 19th century incl
types, ideal for further study (200++ stamps) £300
1866 Lions, 1869 with 8c, 1F used, 1884 to 2F,
1893with tabs to 2F (both), 1912 2F with tab mint CYPRUS
and 5F with tab used, various Red Cross, 1921 8195 : 1924-1989 mint collection (mostly light hinge)
Montenez set mint (both 5F), 1922 Houyoux set in Duchy album (English size, green multiring binder,
mint (SG 349/73 less one cheap 25c, cat £170), BULGARIA plain pages) from 1924 KGV to 18pi, 1928 Views to
1925 Stamp Centenary mint, 1929 high values basic 5767 : 1885 50 on 1F Lion (SG 40 cat £750) mint 18pi, 1934 Views with 6pi, 9pi, 1935 Silver Jubilee,
set mint (SG 501/04 cat minimum £190), 1929 Anti- (illus) (1 stamp) ... ........................................... £100 KGVI 1938 Views to 34pi, QEII 1955 set (SG 173/87
TB mint, 1929/31 Express mint, 1930 Anti-TB mint, cat £120), 1960 ovpts set (SG 188/202 cat £140),
1931 Anti-TB mint (SG 593/99 cat £90), and others BULGARIA 1962 Views to £1 and most later sets to 1989 incl1985
to 1939 plus Dues, Officials, Parcels, WWI Occups 5142 : 1932 Strasbourg Flight set mint light hinge Views to £5. (weight 2kg) ................................ £200
etc, plus extra loose (duplicates? or to fill gaps in the (SG 323/25) (3 stamps) .. ................................ .£75
above?) (weight 1 kilo) .................................... £350 CYPRUS
BULGARIA 8196 : 1902-c1986 used collection in Dutchy album
BERMUDA 5772 : 1933 second Balkan Olympics set mint light (English size, green multiring binder, plain pages),
7881 : 1938 KGVI mint light hinge most values to 1s hinge (SG 326/32 cat £1100) (illus) (7 stamps) ...£275 with 1902/04 Edwards to 18pi, 1912 etc KGV various
including the good 3d (SG 114 cat £50) plus large to 9pi and a few pictorials, 1938 KGVI set (SG 151/
format 2s, 2s6d. Cat minimum £185 (14 stamps) £60
BULGARIA
63 cat £55), QEII nearly complete through to c1986
6730 : 1959 First Stamps both miniature sheets
B.O.I.C. (weight 2 kilos) ................................................ £100
unmounted mint (SG MS1139 a/b cat £150 (2
8151: 1942-1950 unmounted mint definitive sets stamps) ... ......................................................... £40 CZECHOSLOVAKIA - MUSIC
with M.E.F. 1943 set (SG M11/21 cat £90), Eritrea 7786 : 93-page well written up display collection, on
the two "B.A." sets (SG E13/25, E26/32 ,cat £175),
BULGARIA
Czech composers Dvorak, Smetana, Janacek,
Somalia the three sets (SG S1/9, S10/20, S21/31, 6729 : 1953 Flowers min sheet unmounted mint (SG
Martinu, with stamps, min sheets, pictorial postal
cat £138), Tripolitania the three sets (SG T1/13, MS931a cat £70) (1 stamp) ... .......................... £25
stationery all periods, older view cards, and some
T14/26, T27/34, cat £138). Total cat £541 (67 stamps) supporting material (e,g, early real photos 1879 of
......................................................................... £250 Smetana and wife), through to recent, much unusual
material. (Weight 5 kilos, large box) .............. £495
DENMARK
7579 : 1864-1944 mint (hinged) collection written up
on English-size Simplex leaves, with 1875 Numerals
various from 40 ore to 50 ore (fresh), 1904 and 1905
Christian sets plus shades (SG 104/118 cat £285),
1907 Frederick set (SG 121/30 cat £180), 1913 Chris-
S EP TE M tian to 10K virtually all values incl the good ones (cat
BER 202 £1000++), 1918 most "27 ore" surcharges, 1920 North
2 Schleswig, 1924 Danish Post incl se tenant blocks,
BURMA 1925 Airs to 25 ore, 1926 "7 ore" surcharges, 1929
8160 : 1937 KGV 10R mint light hinge (SG 16 cat Cancer, 1930 Birthday set, 1937 Windmills se ten-
£275) ................................................................ £100 ant blocks, through to 1944, plus Newspaper, Offi-
CEYLON cials, Dues, generally very fresh condition and light
8130 : 1857-1870 mainly used range of Q. Victoria hinge. Cat £3000++ (about 400 stamps) ......... £450
with 1857 1d, 2d, 6d, 1s used but cut close, ½d
imperf used (4 margin) and perf (mint, minor faults),
1861-1867 nice range of engraved heads (16) to 2s
(couple with faults, mainly sound), 1864 ½d mint.
Usual condition for early Ceylon, high cat value (23
stamps) ............................................................ £150
Hundreds more lots...
Tell me your interests?

40+ years in the same

successful format. Just
JOHN BAREFOOT
PO Box 873, YORK YO31 6GL telephone 01904 400648
ask for our monthly list -> e-mail JBarefootL@AOL.com website : www.jbarefoot.co.uk
 TM
MAGAZINE

WELCOME
IN THIS ISSUE
Great Britain collectors might find at
least two unexpected stories in this
month’s news coverage (see page 22).
It might come as a pleasant surprise
that Royal Mail has opted to reissue the
country definitives with data matrix codes, ensuring
that England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
retain their own distinctive stamps. Many of us had
suspected the opportunity might be taken to drop a
series which must generate little revenue.
On the other hand, it might come as an unwelcome
shock that the company has simultaneously decided
to cease publication of its Philatelic Bulletin, the
monthly magazine whose primary role was to inform
subscribers about new issues. Ironically, this move is
explained away in terms of financial viability.
These institutions are of similar vintage, with
country definitives having been introduced in 1958
and the Bulletin in 1963. Six decades later, it
appears, it remains profitable to produce stamps
which few people use on their mail, but not to
produce a booklet telling collectors about them.
In truth, the chief reason for the demise of the
Bulletin is that it is no longer useful. When stamp
issues were announced six to eight weeks in
advance, it could promote sales and kick-start plans
for first day covers. Now the information is routinely
embargoed until days before the on-sale date (yes,
even for the philatelic service’s own publication), by
which time it is too late. 36 Who were the Martyrs of the Revolution lionised by China in 1932?
It’s a sign of the times. Royal Mail rarely passes up
an opportunity to issue more stamps, but equally
rarely makes the effort to give collectors any
meaningful advance notice.
8 WORLD NEWS
GUY THOMAS, Editor France abolishes 1st class post,
guy.thomas@dhpub.co.uk while Israel produces a political
issue for marketing overseas

Stamp Magazine, David Hall Publishing Ltd, Suite 6G,

Eden House, Enterprise Way, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 6HF 10 NEW ISSUES
(please mark correspondence either ‘Editorial’ or ‘Advertising’) The mighty Mississippi river is
venerated by a pictorial set from 14 Fancy cancels fetching fancy prices
the United States
Art Editor Publishers
Alexandra Bourdelon David Hall Publishing Ltd
Advertisement Sales Consultant
Tel: 020 3855 6105 (UK) 14 AUCTION HIGHLIGHTS
Tel: +44 20 3855 6105 (rest of the world) Big prices for rarities from the
Jay Jones
jay.jones@dhpub.co.uk Subscriptions USA, Great Britain, Rhodesia,
David Hall Publishing Ltd, 3 Queensbridge,
Group Advertisement Manager Bavaria and Bechuanaland
The Lakes, Northampton NN4 7BF, UK
Rhona Bolger
Tel: 0844 243 9023 (UK)
rhona.bolger@dhpub.co.uk
Tel: +1 866 647 9191 (USA & Canada)
Subscriptions Executive Tel: +44 1604 828748 (rest of the world) 20 GB NEW ISSUE
Beth Ashby-Njiiri help@stamp.secureorder.co.uk
Full details of the set of eight
Chief Executive Current & Back Issues
Owen Davies Tel: 01795 662976 celebrating the Commonwealth
www.mags-uk.com Games in Birmingham
Printers
William Gibbons & Sons Ltd ISSN 0307-6679
22 GB COLLECTOR
USA Stamp Magazine, ISSN 0307-6679, is published monthly by David Hall Publishing Ltd, Suite 6G,
Eden House, Enterprise Way, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 6HF, UK. The US annual subscription price is New country definitives for the
108USD. Airfreight and mailing in the USA by agent named WN Shipping USA, 156-15, 146th Avenue, digital age, and the closure of
2nd Floor, Jamaica, NY 11434, USA. Periodicals postage paid at Brooklyn NY 11256. US Postmaster:
send address changes to Stamp Magazine, WN Shipping USA, 156-15, 146th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Royal Mail’s Philatelic Bulletin
Jamaica, NY 11434, USA. Subscription records are maintained at DSB.net Ltd, 3 Queensbridge, The
Lakes, Northampton, NN4 5DT, UK. Air Business Ltd is acting as our mailing agent.
26 LETTERS
Can home-made stamps pass
through the post? Do first day
covers need better catalogues? 22 New lease of life for country definitives

4 www.stampmagazine.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2022

 CONTENTS
SEPTEMBER 2022 | Volume 88, Number 9 | www.stampmagazine.co.uk

45 1938 pictorials of Cyprus 48 How the postal system worked in Glasgow before the introduction of stamps 73 A good reason to go to war?

20 Commonwealth Games new issue 54 Reassessing the 1960 General Letter Office set 57 Victorian postal markings showing a lack of delicacy

FEATURES 31 TALKING POINT COMPETITIONS

Institutional collections can rarely
display their gems in public. Would
36 CHINA’S MARTYRS it be better if they didn’t exist? Win a Pride
OF THE REVOLUTION presentation pack!
One of the Chinese Republic’s 45 COMMONWEALTH Or a copy of our
most evocative stamp issues is a CLASSICS GB price guide!
great collectable, with its many A fine portrait of King George VI
See page 33
varieties and overprints. But was the highlight of the 1938
just who were the six martyrs it pictorial definitives of Cyprus
honoured in 1932?
54 EARLY ELIZABETHANS ‘Sadly, we rarely get to see the
48 POSTAL HISTORY Two sharply contrasting designs
OF GLASGOW celebrated the Tercentenary of the treasures held by the UK’s three
Studying pre-stamp postal history General Letter Office in 1960
allows us to put the reforms of major institutional collections’
1840 into context. Take Glasgow, 57 VICTORIANA
for example, where the General Unusual manuscript markings on a
see page 31
Post co-existed with the local Penny Red cover of 1855 hint at the
Penny Post Victorians’ stoic attitude to fate SUBSCRIBE
60 WHAT’S ON
‘Glasgow’s Penny Exhibition, auction, fair and society
Take advantage of our
special subscription offer
Post operated from dates for your diary
and have Stamp Magazine
1800 to 1840’ 73 STRANGE BUT TRUE delivered to your door.
The Polish stamp consciously See page 58
see page 48
designed to encourage the United
States to go to war

SEPTEMBER 2022 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 5

CORINPHILA – YOUR CO
WILL BE IN THE BEST CO
Just a few items from our forthcoming auction
ex Dr. Ambrose (1994)

ex Dublin Find (1899)

ex Earl of Crawford (1912)

ex Sir John Dodd (1962)

3rd state 1868 repair

To Madagascar!
Only two „Penny Pinks“ known ex Tito Giampocaro (1996)

CORINPHILA AUCTIONS – A TRADITION OF SUCCESS

As the oldest stamp auction house in Switzerland, situated in the
international financial centre of Zürich, we at Corinphila Auctions
really know the market.

The most specialised philatelic knowledge, fastidious presentation

and an international customer base with strong purchasing power
guarantee the highest prices.
NSIGNMENT
M PA N Y
www.corinphila.ch

ex H.R. Harmer, GB auction (Oct. 1966) from the famous ‚John

ex R. Lowe auction (Dec. 1979) Coulston Esq., Lancaster‘
ex Spink (Dec. 1997) correspondence find (1986)
ex Hassan Shaida (1992)

ex E. F. Zenker collection (1989) ex Mercurphila Auction (1984)

ex Dublin Find (1899) ex TES collection (1995) ex Christies (1990)

CONSIGN NOW !
CORINPHILA AUKTIONEN AG
Next Corinphila Auction: WIESENSTR 8 · 8032 ZURICH · SWITZERLAND
Phone +41-44-3899191
28 November – 3 December 2022 www.corinphila.ch

Separate ‚hard bound‘ Auction Catalogues for

‚one country‘ or ‚single owner‘ a specialty
We are quite willing to discuss larger holdings in
CORINPHILA VEILINGEN BV
your own home. AMSTELVEEN ∙ NETHERLANDS
Phone +31-20-6249740 · www.corinphila.nl
Latest date for consignments: 5 September 2022
 WORLD NEWS

Israel’s pro-life issues

marketed only in USA
A set of ‘pro-life’ (anti-abortion) label
sheets produced by Israel Post is being
marketed exclusively in the United States,
in the wake of the US Supreme Court
overturning the federal protection of
abortion rights.
The Honor Life set of four comprises
sheets of 12 Star of David definitives with
se-tenant labels showing maternity
symbols, ‘celebrating the beauty and
sanctity of life’.
Their borders feature portraits and
anti-abortion quotes from Maimonides, the
medieval Jewish philosopher, Mother
Teresa, the Albanian humanitarian worker,
and two US Presidents, John F Kennedy and
Ronald Reagan. Corporation, a worldwide agency based in Israel Post website in July.
The My Own Stamp sheets (equivalent to New York, apparently with an American The protection of abortion rights in the
Great Britain’s generic Smilers and audience specifically in mind. United States, established by the Rowe v
collector’s sheets) are being marketed by They are available from the IGPC website, Wade ruling in 1973, was controversially
the Inter-Governmental Philatelic but there was no mention of them on the overturned in June by the Supreme Court.

Falklands celebrates Civil War centenary

Stanley’s new status marked by Ireland
The Falkland Islands has released a set of four stamps celebrating The latest stamp
the granting of city status to its capital, Stanley. in Ireland’s
Stanley was one of eight new cities created by the Queen in May as Decade of
part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, with towns in British Centenaries
Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies allowed to apply for series marks the
the title for the first time. anniversary of the
The photographic designs show Christ Church Cathedral, the outbreak of the
Secretariat Building, Government House and an aerial view of houses. Irish Civil War
All include the official jubilee logo. in 1922.
Stanley, also known as Port Stanley, has a population of only Based on a
around 2,500. It was named after Edward Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of painting by Mick
Derby, who was British Prime Minister in the 1850s and 1860s. O’Dea, the
domestic-rate
design illustrates
the shelling by the
National Army of
the Four Courts in
Dublin, after they
had been occupied
by dissident
republicans.
The war
resulted from disagreements between nationalists over the
acceptability of the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921. The treaty had
established the Irish Free State, but as a British dominion rather than
as a republic, and had allowed Northern Ireland to opt out.
The war raged from June 1922 until May 1923, the Free State
government prevailing with British support.

8 www.stampmagazine.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2022

 WORLD NEWS AUCTIONS | GB COLLECTOR | LETTERS | COMMENT | COMPETITIONS | FEATURES | EVENTS | STRANGE BUT TRUE
1st class post to be NEWS IN BRIEF

abolished in France > The theme of the

exhibition at Autumn
Stampex from
September 28 to
France is set to abolish 1st class post at the end of this year, and the October 1 will be
2nd class service may also become slower. Africa. Invited
The country’s lettre prioritaire red definitive stamp for next-day displays from
specialist societies
delivery, priced €1.43, will be discontinued on January 1. will accompany the
The standard postage rate will then be the lettre verte green competitive exhibits.
definitive, priced €1.16, which sees letters delivered in an
environmentally friendly way (with no use of internal airmail flights, > New Zealand
released a Welcome
for example) but not necessarily by the following day.
In fact, target delivery times for lettre verte mail are set to be World Cup Back stamp issue in
June, prior to
increased from two days to three.
La Poste will cater for urgent messages by offering an e-letter
service, priced €1.49. Customers will be able to upload a document
mascot stamps reopening its
borders to tourists
on July 31 after
more than two
of up to three pages on a website before 8pm, to have it printed and Host nation Qatar has launched two years of restrictions
delivered the next day. stamps featuring the official mascot of the imposed in
The company says it is responding to demand. The average 2022 FIFA World Cup. response to the
household sent 45 items by lettre prioritaire in 2010, but this had La’eeb is based on a traditonal ghutra pandemic.
dropped to just five in 2021. headdress, and does not appear to have any
> The newly
legs with which to kick a football! renovated and
expanded Egyptian
Postal Museum, at
the Central Post
GB Congress Office in Cairo, now
comprises 15 halls
exhibiting more than
descends on 3,000 items, from
the pharaonic era to
modern times.
Birmingham > Germany’s
popular Sindelfingen
Birmingham hosts this year’s Philatelic trade fair and
Congress of Great Britain, from exhibition has been
resurrected as
September 8-11. Postgeschichte Live
The theme of the event is organised (Postal History Live),
philately, with input from local, specialist and its first
and national societies, international incarnation will be
held in Ulm on
Jersey’s Post & Go organisations and the philatelic trade.
The Kay Goodman Lecture will be given by
October 27-29.

Bill Hedley, President of the Federation of > Macau postponed

stands with Ukraine European Philatelic Associations, and there
is a full four-day programme of talks,
a stamp issue
planned for July 20
to ‘reduce
Jersey Post & Go stamps showed continuing support for the displays and dinners. population mobility’
people of Ukraine with a special overprint available from July 18 The venue is the Jurys Inn Hotel in Broad during an outbreak
until August 10. Street, in the city centre. For details contact of coronavirus.
Crest of Jersey designs vended from the Jersey Post the organisers, the Association of British
Headquarters and Broad Street kiosks in St Helier carried the Philatelic Societies. Visit www.abps.org.uk
> The Royal
Philatelic Society
additional message ‘We stand with Ukraine’. London has
Jersey has waived postage charges for mail addressed to Ukraine published
since March, just after the Russian invasion in February, to help
families caught up in the conflict to stay in touch. Gibbons going Portuguese India by
Luís and Eduardo
Barreiros, a study
off the market? of the stamps and
postal history of
Goa up to 1900,
Britain’s biggest stamp dealer and catalogue priced £66.
publisher Stanley Gibbons is planning to
> Ten countries
delist from the Alternative Investment which distribute
Market, a sub-market of the London Stock stamps through the
Exchange, saying the costs of remaining IGPC have issued
listed outweigh the benefits. miniature sheets
marking the 25th
The move requires the support of anniversary of
shareholders at an extraordinary general the death of
meeting in August. Princess Diana.

SEPTEMBER 2022 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 9

 WORLD NEWS
NEW ISSUE

The many states of the

mighty Mississippi
he United States has celebrated the

T majesty of its biggest river system by

issuing a set of 10 Forever
(domestic rate) stamps entitled The
Mighty Mississippi.
One photographic design represents each
of the 10 states along the 2,300-mile course
of the river, and they come se-tenant in a
pane arranged to correspond roughly with
their north-to-south and west-to-east
geography .
The wider picture is that, thanks to major
tributaries such as the Missouri and the
Ohio, the Mississippi system draws water
from no fewer than 31 American states (not
to mention two Canadian provinces). It has a
drainage basin of 1.2 million square miles,
which is about 40% of the US mainland.
It is also vital to the economy as a
superhighway. More than 175 million tons of
freight is transported up and down the river
annually, much of it in barge-tows which
can be more than 1,000ft long.
The Minnesota stamp shows the
Mississippi’s quiet headwaters of Lake
Itasca, inside Itasca State Park.
The Wisconsin stamp has an autumn view
of the Great River Road, the scenic driving
and cycling route which follows the entire
course of river.
The Iowa stamp features the paddlewheel
steamboat American Queen, one of the
classic Mississippi vessels which have been
romanticised in literature and film.
The Illinois stamp has a sailing yacht
passing limestone bluffs adorned with
autumn foliage, one of many spectacular
bankside views on rural stretches.
The Missouri stamp shows the skyline of
the city of St Louis at dusk, punctuated by
the huge Gateway Arch near the confluence
of the Mississippi and Missouri.
The Kentucky stamp features a sunset at
Wickliffe, just downriver from where the
Ohio River spills into waterway, doubling
its volume.
The Arkansas stamp shows forest,
farmland and a levee, one of the flood
control barriers which protect cities and
navigation in the lower reaches, and The stamp for the state of Mississippi twin-span Crescent City Connection bridges
prevent the main flow of the river from shows cypress trees dripping with Spanish in New Orleans, the port city close to where
changing its course. moss in a bayou, one of the wild, brackish the river empties into the Gulf of Mexico.
The Tennessee stamp illustrates a wetlands which characterise the lower river On the back of the pane of 10 is a map of
towboat pushing cargo barges upriver and its delta. the central United States, detailing the river
towards the city of Memphis. The Louisiana stamp features the and its major tributaries.

10 www.stampmagazine.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2022

BILL BARRELL LTD - COLLECTIONS OF
BRITISH POSTAL HISTORY.
Over the last few months we have purchased some superb collections of GB postal history and can offer some
fine village/town studies. Others available, all offered subject unsold.

Barrowden, Rutland Bridport, Dorset Cockshutt, Shropshire Empingham, Rutland Great Easton, Leics &
collection of cancellations and date collection of cancellations collection of date stamps Under Uppingham
cancellations stamps 1904-1992 1913-1960 (10 items). 1906-1973 (8 items). Rutland 1878-1928
1904-1953 (6 items). (27 items). £100.00 £30.00 £35.00 (7 items). £60.00
£75.00

Gretton, Northants Isle of Wight collection of Little Casterton, Rutland Stamford, Lincs Whissendine, Rutland
collection of date postal history 1773-1842 collection of cancellations collection of duplex Collection of
stamps 1878-1928 (9 items). £175.00 1912-1913 (9 items). cancellations cancellations 1895-1991
(4 items). £30.00 £90.00 1882-1890 (10 items). (14 items). £130.00
£45.00

'Chester Station'.
Bedale, Yorkshire collection of
Penny Post hand 'Chester/Station'
stamp collection squared circle
1816-1839 (5 items). cancellations
£165.00 1894-1908 (15 items).
£90.00

PO Box 10494, Grantham, Lincolnshire,

NG31 0HS, United Kingdom
01476 594698
e-mail: bill@barrell.co.uk website: www.barrell.co.uk
UPA VIP Series: ‘Because’ …

Sometimes Collectors
Get a Raw Deal, don’t they ?
The problem with most stamp auctions is not what they
sell, but how they sell it …
1. Imagine, you drive into a Petrol Station,
with fuel at 150p per litre it is expensive, so
you limit your fuel purchase by putting £50
worth fuel into your tank. Then you go in to
pay, and the cashier asks you for £65 … how
can that be ? Yes, £15 (30%) more. You
are infuriated, £65 for £50 worth of fuel! No
chance … you would rather empty your tank
first, than pay such an iniquitous premium.
2. That’s the reason why in 2017 European
Auction Selling Legislation introduced
– required auctions that charge ‘buyer’s
premiums’ to warn the buyer in advance.
Of course, we are no longer in the EU, but
that has not stopped Buyer’s Premiums and
other charges lifting the hammer cost of your
stamps, by as much as a further 30% above the
‘hammer’ price that the stamps were actually
sold to you at.
3. You really don’t need to imagine – because
this is still what happens in most stamp
auctions. Further, there is no distinction
between when you are buying stamps that are
7. Determine how You wish to be treated Here …
actually owned by that auction, and when you
are buying stamps that are being sold on behalf
of a vendor. Is this fair ?
4. That is why Universal Philatelic Auctions
(UPA) steadfastly refuses to charge any buyer’s
premium or other charges, because at UPA
collectors are treated like the Very Important
Philatelists (VIPs) that they are.
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 AUCTION HIGHLIGHTS

UNITED STATES 1869

Waterbury fancy cancels
The most celebrated of the United States’
19th-century ‘fancy cancels’ covers came
up at H R Harmer’s sale on June 24.
Posted from Waterbury to New Haven,
Connecticut, on November 29, 1869, it has
three very bold strikes of the legendary
‘Running Chicken’ cancellation, tying three
examples of the the 1869 1c buff.
One clear Waterbury datestamp is
accompanied by portions of two further
datestamps which are illegible.
Hand-made fancy cancels, generally
carved out of cork, brought out the artistic
flair in many postmasters in the days
before cancellations were standardised.
The most famous exponent was John Hill of
Waterbury, whose work is highly prized.
Used around Thanksgiving time, the
‘Running Chicken’ was probably, however,
intended to be a turkey! SOLD BY H R HARMER £259,970

UNITED STATES 1846 GREAT BRITAIN 1840

Baltimore provisional
Another highlight of H R Harmer’s sale was the only surviving
cover bearing the 1845-46 postmaster’s provisional stamp of
Baltimore, Maryland.
The 10c black on bluish paper, bearing the endorsement of
Postmaster James Buchanan, has full frame lines on three sides
and is tied by two strikes of the ‘Paid’ cancellation and one of the
‘10’ oval handstamp, both in blue.
A blue Baltimore circular postmark at left is partly obscured by a
red ‘Barnum’s City Hotel’ oval cachet, but the entire, addressed to
Annapolis, is dated January 5, 1846.
Only one other example of the stamp is recorded on bluish paper,
off cover, even though it is thought to have been in use from the time
the postal reforms took effect in 1845. It predated the printing on
white paper, which first appeared later in January 1846, and of
which five examples are recorded on cover.
This cover’s previous owners include Arthur Hind and Alfred
Caspary, but it was being auctioned for the first time since 1975.
Mulready posted to India
Spink’s sale of the Klempka Family collection of Great Britain
(part one) on June 21 included many treasures from the dawn of the
stamp era, with the highest realisation achieved by a stunning
Mulready cover.
One of only two known stamped Mulreadys sent to India, the 2d
postal stationery envelope was uprated with five Twopenny Blue
adhesive stamps to pay the 1s rate.
It was posted from Bristol to Ajmeer on October 1, 1840, and
subsequently redirected to Agra.
The stamps, printed from plate 1, were cancelled by the Maltese
cross of Bristol, struck in orange, with a circular datestamp
applied on the reverse. One stamp was also tied by an undated
postmark of Clifton.
The front was endorsed in manuscript ‘via Falmouth/Red Sea’,
and the reverse had various Indian postmarks and additional
charges totalling 12a (presumably 8a in Ajmeer, 2a in Agra and 2a
in Cawnpore).

SOLD BY H R HARMER £129,941 SOLD BY SPINK £75,000

14 www.stampmagazine.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2022

 WORLD NEWS AUCTIONS GB COLLECTOR | LETTERS | COMMENT | COMPETITIONS | FEATURES| EVENTS | STRANGE BUT TRUE
Prices quoted exclude buyers’ premiums

GREAT BRITAIN 1840 BECHUANALAND 1888

Notice to postmasters ½d surcharge variety
Another star turn in the The top realisation at
Klempka collection was Grosvenor’s auction
an extremely rare on June 16 was for
example of the Post an eye-catching
Office notice ‘to all variety from the
postmasters’ in April 1888 provisional
1840, advising them of surcharges of
the imminent issue of the Bechuanaland.
first postage stamps and This was the ½d on
postal stationery. 3d pale reddish lilac
Affixed as specimens and black, showing
were two copies of the the broken ‘f’ in
Penny Black, a vertical ‘One/Half-/Penny’.
pair printed from plate It’s a constant
1a, with check letters variety from the 11th
QA-RA. stamp on the 5th row
The notice states that in each setting of 60.
specimens of the The overprints
Mulready stationery were carried out
were originally enclosed locally in December 1888 by P Townshend & Co in Vryburg, on a
too, but that the 2d stamp stamp originally typographed by De La Rue in England and issued in
was ‘not yet ready’. The January of the same year.
text gives instructions on how to recognise genuine stamps and how Only five unused examples are known, and one of them is in the
to cancel stamped mail and pre-paid stationery. Royal Philatelic Collection. This one was in fine condition, with most
One of the stamps had a horizontal crease, and the notice itself a of its original gum intact, and came with a BPA certificate, essential
couple of peripheral repairs, but this is a superb exhibition piece, given the number of forgeries that exist.
one of very few copies remaining in private hands. A single used example of the stamp is also recorded.

SOLD BY SPINK £48,000 SOLD BY GROSVENOR £6,000

BAVARIA 1849
1kr strip in rare shade
Christoph Gärtner’s auction of June 20-25 offered an attractive
rarity from the first issue of Bavaria.
The used horizontal strip of three of the 1849 1kr, printed
from plate 1, was in the sought-after deep black shade.
Furthermore, the right-most stamp in the strip showed the
‘two white diamonds connected’ plate flaw in the upper-right the foot. They were neatly cancelled with the ‘mill wheel’ 196
value tablet. handstamp of Marktbreit.
All three stamps were from the bottom edge of the sheet, with
good margins and continuous dividing lines evident at right and at SOLD BY CHRISTOPH GÄRTNER £5,550

RHODESIA 1916
‘Imray front’
Stanley Gibbons’ sale of the David Spivack collection of
Rhodesia’s Admirals series of 1913-19 included the
spectacular ‘Imray front’.
This philatelic cover front from Salisbury to London,
dated January 18, 1916, bears most of the stamps on
sale at the time, totalling 17 values from ½d to £1.
Some of the varieties are rare, such as the £1 (perf
14) with a deep purple frame, not recorded anywhere
other than on this front.
The absence of the 10s value is thought to be due to
its unavailability at Salisbury post office at the time. SOLD BY STANLEY GIBBONS £4,500

SEPTEMBER 2022 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 15

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 GB COLLECTOR
NEW ISSUE
Commonwealth Games
in the heart of England
O
n July 28 Royal Mail issued a set of
eight stamps to celebrate the
Commonwealth Games, which were
hosted this year by Birmingham and the
West Midlands.
The four-yearly festival of sports and
culture took place from July 28 to August 8,
with 72 nations and territories coming
together to compete in 280 medal events in
19 sports and eight para sports.
This was the 22nd edition of the
Commonwealth Games, which were
inaugurated in 1930 as the British Empire
Games and later went under the title of the
Empire & Commonwealth Games.
Great Britain previously issued stamps
20 www.stampmagazine.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2022
for the Games when they were held in
Cardiff in 1958, in Edinburgh in 1970 and
1986, in Manchester in 2002 and in
Glasgow in 2014.
Designed by Interabang, with distinctive
and dynamic illustrations by the Greek
artist Charis Tsevis, the stamps show a
selection of the sporting disciplines
involved, including three para events.
All the designs also feature the newly
adopted logo of the Commonwealth Games
Federation, although not the logo of
Birmingham 2022.
Printed in litho by Cartor Security
Printers, the stamps are available in
se-tenant strips of four.
1st class SYNCHRONISED DIVING
Divers from across the Commonwealth
demonstrated their poise and precision at
Sandwell Aquatics Centre, in 12 events
ranging in height from the 1m springboard
to the 10m platform.
1st class BOXING
Boxers showed their strength and stamina
in 16 categories at the National Exhibition
Centre in Solihull, from men’s flyweight to
super heavyweight and women’s minimum
weight to middleweight.
1st class PARA TABLE TENNIS
Also hosted by the NEC was the high-speed

and high-intensity game of table tennis, and six women’s events, including team and
with its 11 events, comprising three men’s, individual all-round competitions. Rhythmic
three women’s, one mixed doubles and four gymnastics added a further six.
para categories.
£1.85 MOUNTAIN BIKING
1st class PARA POWERLIFTING A challenging off-road course in Cannock
Besides the 16 weightlifting events at the Chase forest awaited the competitiors in
National Exhibition Centre, there were four the two mountain biking events, for men
para powerlifting categories, providing a and for women, testing endurance and
demanding test of upper-body strength and balance as well as bravery.
mental resolve.
£1.85 ATHLETICS
£1.85 GYMNASTICS The track and field athletics programme at
Synonymous with grace and style, the the newly renovated Alexander Stadium in
artistic gymnastics schedule at Arena Birmingham comprised 58 medal events
Birmingham comprised eight men’s events and a fully integrated para sport
programme, showcasing speed, strength,
PRICES agility and endurance.
Set of 8 stamps £11.20 £1.85 WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL
Making its debut appearance at the
Presentation pack £12.10
Commonwealth Games was 3x3 (three-a-
Stamp cards £3.60 side) basketball, a fast-paced format of the
First day cover £14.10 game showcased at a temporary stadium at
Coin covers from £17.50 Smithfield. The four events were for men’s,
women’s and wheelchair teams.
WORLD NEWS | AUCTIONS GB COLLECTOR LETTERS | COMMENT | COMPETITIONS | FEATURES | EVENTS | STRANGE BUT TRUE
ADDITIONAL PRODUCTS
The presentation pack contains information
about the sports, the venues and the
Queen’s Baton Relay, and the packaging
includes the official Birmingham 2022
hologram.
First day covers and stamp cards are
available as usual.
VERDICT
COMMEMORATIVE WORTH
The Commonwealth Games reliably get
a stamp issue when held in Britain
QUALITY OF DESIGN
Colourful and vibrant, the illustrations
do a fine job of bringing competitive
sport to life
WOW FACTOR
Although the stamps would look good
on your mail, sadly the event passes
many people by
SEPTEMBER 2022 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 21
 GB COLLECTOR

Country definitives
reborn with addition
of data matrix codes
A new set of country definitives with data matrix codes is issued on For each set of three, first day covers are offered with the choice
August 11, ending months of speculation as to whether these of a Tallents House postmark or one from the relevant national
stamps would be discontinued in the digital era. capital. A presentation pack is available for all 12 stamps together.
There are 2nd class and 1st class values for domestic postage, It remains to be seen how easy it will be to find these stamps in
and a £1.85 value for the basic airmail rate, for each of England, post offices; availability has been patchy in recent years, and largely
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, making an initial set of 12 dependent on local demand, which is stronger in some of the home
stamps in all. nations than in others.
These retain three of the four existing designs for each nation, in a Country definitives have existed since 1958, for Scotland, Wales
larger format and with the addition of a data matrix code in a and Northern Ireland, and since 2001 in the case of England. The
matching colour. As with Machin definitives, the code is separated current designs were introduced in 1999-2001.
from the design by a
simulated perforation.
The England designs
feature the three
lions, the crowned lion
supporting the shield
of St George and the
oak tree (with the
Tudor rose design for
higher airmail rates
omitted).
The Scotland
designs feature the
saltire, the rampant
lion and the thistle
(with the tartan design
for higher airmail
rates omitted).
The Wales designs
feature the leek, the
dragon and the
daffodil (with the
Prince of Wales’
feathers design for
higher airmail rates
omitted).
The Northern
Ireland designs
feature the basalt
columns of the Giant’s
Causeway, the
patchwork of fields
and the linen slip case
(with the vase pattern
design for higher
airmail rates omitted).
The stamps are
printed in litho by
Cartor, as in recent
years, but they are
self-adhesive for the
first time.

22 www.stampmagazine.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2022

 WORLD NEWS | AUCTIONS GB COLLECTOR LETTERS | COMMENT | COMPETITIONS | FEATURES | EVENTS | STRANGE BUT TRUE
Royal Mail shuts down NEWS IN BRIEF

its Philatelic Bulletin > Royal Mail’s

holding company,
Royal Mail plc, has
Royal Mail is ceasing publication of its Philatelic Bulletin, the monthly been renamed
booklet which gave subscribers details of new issues along with International
features on historic British stamps. Distributions
It will be discontinued following the August edition, ending 59 Services. This is not a
rebranding of the UK
years of continuous publication since 1963. postal service, like
Subscribers were sent a letter in July explaining that ‘our the infamous and
subscriber base has been in decline for some years’ and ‘it is no short-lived Consignia
longer viable to keep the magazine running without a very steep exercise in 2001, but
the company has said
price rise’. The reduction in readership presumably reflects a
it is considering
decline in collecting modern stamp issues, although sales figures splitting Royal Mail
are not released by Royal Mail. from its international
Along with independent publications, such as Stamp Magazine, the logistics arm, GLS.
Bulletin has been constrained by the ever tighter embargoes
> The postal
affecting news of stamp issues. Royal Mail subscribers frequently services regulator
pay for and receive a set before they are provided with any Ofcom has declined
information about it, undermining the booklet’s primary purpose. to allow Royal Mail
to offer parcel
tracking as part of
its universal service
The Penny Black as obligation (as
distinct from its
parcels operations).
a crypto collectable USO rules do not
permit this because
its VAT exemption
Digital art based on the Penny Black is being marketed to would create unfair
collectors in the form of non-fungible tokens. competition.
Created by a company called BlabarLab, in many
contrasting colours, the CryptoPenny NFTs are offered with
> Around 115,000
Royal Mail workers
varying corner letters and in the same ratios as the original who are members of
stamps: 240 copies are available from ‘plate 1a’, for example, the Communication
compared with only eight from ‘plate 11’. Workers Union voted
A total of 3224 pieces will be offered, with relative scarcity to take strike action
in July, as did 2,400
artificially built in, as is the norm for NFT collectables. of the company’s
The first plate of 240 went on sale at the end of July on managers who are
established NFT marketplaces OpenSea and Rarible. members of Unite.
The company says the CryptoPenny is ‘a hybrid of past and Dates of disruptions
were undecided as
present history, collecting and digital art’. It plans to create a
we went to press.
virtual display space in the metaverse, with competitive
exhibitions open to owners of the NFTs. > Slogan postmarks
used in July noted
Dog Awareness
Week and the
Digital codes New edition of British Commonwealth
Games.

on Machins are Stamp Market Values > Postal workers in

Britain suffered
‘carbuncles’ The 2023 edition of Stamp Magazine’s price 9000
ITEMS
more than 1,600
attacks by dogs in
2023

LISTED

guide, British Stamp Market Values, is on the year to March

In an interview with The Guardian sale from August 12. 2022, 39% of them at
newspaper, the founder of the Handwritten Updated and improved from last year’s front doors, 30% in
driveways, and 23%
Letter Appreciation Society ripped into the issue, it gives market prices for all GB through letterboxes.
data matrix codes which have been added to stamps and philatelic products issued
all definitive stamps this year. since 1840, including definitives, > In interviews in
Dinah Johnson described the digital commemoratives, regional issues, July, Royal Mail
Chairman Keith
appendages on Machins, which have carried booklets, officials, postage dues, Post &
■ EVERY GREAT BRITAIN ISSUE SINCE
Williams told The
the same portrait of the Queen since 1967, Go, Smilers and presentation packs. And
1840 From the publishers of
■ DEFINITIVES, COMMEMORATIVES,
BOOKLETS
■ OFFICIALS, POSTAGE DUES, SMILERS,
■ REAL MARKET VALUES, NOT CATALOGUE POST & GO
PRICES Times the business
as ‘a monstrous carbuncle on the face of a it’s more clearly laid out, easier to use BSMV COV2023NBC.indd 1
faces extinction if
much-loved and elegant friend’. and cheaper than comparable price guides. doesn’t change, and
The phrase was borrowed from the Compiled by current and former editors of the magazine, with BBC Radio 4’s Today
that consumers no
Prince of Wales, who coined it in 1984 to pricing provided by specialists in each field, it lists realistic market longer require letter
describe a modern extension to the values rather than the inflated selling prices you’ll find in some big deliveries on
National Gallery in London. dealers’ catalogues. Saturdays.

SEPTEMBER 2022 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 23

 AUGUST 2022
GUERNSEY STAMPS NEW ISSUES
AND COLLECTABLES Available to buy with all
issues: First Day Covers
and Presentation Pack

175th Anniversary of The Book of Heart of

the Alderney Breakwater Ebenezer Le Page the Forest Part 3
Set of 4 stamps: Issue date: 24.08.2022 Set of 6 stamps: Issue date: 24.08.2022 Single Stamp: Issue date: 24.08.2022

The full Guernsey and Alderney Philatelic

product range is available to order on our www.guernseystamps.com
website or by calling +44 (0) 1481 716486 FIND GUERNSEY STAMPS ON:
or emailing philatelic@guernseypost.com
 GREAT BRITAIN
POSTAL HISTORY
and STAMPS
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 YOUR VIEWS

LETTER OF THE MONTH

Hybrid faked stamps capable of passing

GET IN TOUCH
These pages are devoted to giving
you the opportunity to have your
say. Whether you want to praise or
complain, suggest or advise, add
information or correct it, or just get
something off your chest, we’d love
to hear from you.
Send your letters to:
Stamp Magazine, David Hall
Publishing Ltd, Suite 6G, Eden
House, Enterprise Way,
Edenbridge, Kent TN8 6HF
through the postal system unnoticed
I’ve been having some fun, testing how audacious, invalid or fraudulent a stamp has to be
before Royal Mail notices.
My first success was proving that any old tat will pass through the British postal system
unchallenged, so long as it is accompanied by a low value Machin with phosphor bands.
Three-dimensional Bhutan stamps, forgeries of Tibetan issues and even German stamps
portraying Hitler have sailed through.
Another result was proving my theory that nobody knows who in the chain has applied a
biro or marker cancel. Drop these same envelopes back in the postbox, and they pass
freely through the mail a second time.
The latest challenge has been to see whether the new data matrix codes on definitive
stamps actually work as an anti-fraud device.
I married the unpostmarked code from a used 2nd class Machin to a 1971 2p Machin
gummed on top of some unprinted margin from a prestige stamp book. It was obviously
botched, and it had no security overlay and the wrong number of phosphor bands. I even
drew a guilty-looking sheep on the envelope.
Nevertheless, the letter arrived safely, and the hybrid franking received a perfect
cancellation!
Thus far, I have noted that data matrix stamps arrive uncancelled as often as the
old-style definitives did, and they are just as reusable.
One suspects Royal Mail has hired Inspector Clouseau as its security advisor.
Eric Eunson, via e-mail

Or send an e-mail to:

guy.thomas@dhpub.co.uk

The Editor reads all letters, but is

unable to answer them all
personally. We reserve the right to
edit letters for publication.

Cover collectors ABOVE: Homemade ‘stamp’ concocted from a 1971 2p Machin, an unpostmarked data matrix code cut from a used 2022
deserve a better 2nd class Machin and some random unprinted selvedge, which passed through the postal system as if genuine

choice of catalogues
I found your feature about first day
covers from the lesser-known producers
(July issue, page 38) most informative, as
it is very difficult to establish details
about covers from the latter years of the
20th century.
Many years ago my second cousin gave
me his collection of covers, from the 1960s
to the 1980s, and I have been hoping to
learn more about them, and fill any gaps.
Unfortunately, the cover catalogues are not
much help.
One brand is a glossy colour
publication, but is edited and published
by a leading cover producer, so it is
hardly a neutral source.
The other brand is much thicker, and has
more illustrations of the items I am
interested in, but the text is too vague and
there is little use of colour.
Stanley Gibbons catalogues appear to
ignore first day covers entirely.
Frederick Mysen, Minehead
Forgotten specialism
back in the limelight
I would consider myself one of the bigger
first day cover collectors in the UK today, so
what a pleasant surprise it was to see a
substantial feature on the subject (July
issue, page 38) from a mainstream
magazine publisher.
I can also tell you that the dealers I have
spoken to were delighted by it.
Particularly pleasing was that it was
obviously written by someone who had an
inside line on the sector, and who had
access to some interesting and unusual
covers and to information that is not
widely known.
As you suggest, first day cover collectors
sadly live in the shadows of the philatelic
world, so it is great when someone is brave
enough to evangelise about our corner of
the hobby.
Richard Edwards, via e-mail
When first day covers
lost their innocence
Your feature on first day covers (July issue,
page 38) brought back many happy
memories of when I collected them in
my youth.
I remember the delightful ‘woodcut’
covers produced by Benham from 1968, for
example, and Wessex and another producer
(probably Stuart) offering four different
covers for the Story of Wedgwood prestige
stamp book panes.
I feel that the hobby changed, and not for
the better, from the late 1970s when
large-scale producers dominated.
Additionally, the huge number of covers
offered in 1981 for the Royal Wedding issue
and 1982 for the Maritime Heritage issue
(the year of the Falklands conflict) meant
they became big business, and led to a loss
of innocence.
S Phillipson, Bournemouth

26 www.stampmagazine.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2022

 WORLD NEWS | AUCTIONS | GB COLLECTOR LETTERS COMMENT | COMPETITIONS | FEATURES | EVENTS | STRANGE BUT TRUE
SOAPBOX
Britain’s transition to new-style definitive stamps was poorly thought out, and confusing for the public.
But it does offer opportunities to find or create some great modern postal history, says Alastair Gunn

All of us are probably

aware that Royal Mail is
demonetising definitives
without data matrix
codes on January 31,
2023. But the decision
has caused quite a lot of
confusion with the
general public, and the
details have raised many
questions for collectors.

WHEN?
The date was apparently
chosen simply because
the announcement was
made on February 1,
2022, so it allowed
precisely a year for the
changeover.
It would certainly have
been easier for everyone
if the deadline was
something easy to
remember, such as the
last day of the year.

WHAT?
Exactly which stamps
will be demonetised is
also confusing. ABOVE: A 2021 2nd class blue upgraded (approximately) to 1st class by means of three of the 2022 10p aqua green
It would have been
simple enough if all
stamps without digital codes were
affected. In reality only certain issues
are, and Royal Mail is continuing to
produce new stamps without codes, in
the form of special issues. That’s not a
great help.
A simple mantra of ‘stamps with codes
are good, stamps without codes are bad’
would have been a far clearer message
to put into the public arena.
WHERE?
So, which stamps are being
demonetised? From the images shown,
the Royal Mail website implies it is just
Machins, and notes that ‘special stamps
with pictures on and Christmas stamps
will remain valid.’
That might sound simple at first
glance, but it leaves issues from some
sources in a grey area.
Machins appear alongside special
issues in many commemorative
products, such as retail booklets,
prestige stamp books and miniature
sheets. Is Royal Mail really saying some
stamps on such panes and sheets will be
valid, and some won’t?
Again, it’s not very clear messaging.
The whole process was poorly thought
out, and could remain a running sore for
some time.
MIXING THINGS UP
As an enthusiast of modern postal
history, however, I want to look on the
bright side. There are unexpected
opportunities here. Covers which can
only exist within a limited time period
are always interesting.
During the transition period, postage
can be paid using a wider variety of
Machin definitives than usual. Obviously
most will have just the old-style 1st
class and 2nd class values, or just the
new ones, but think outside the box. Use
a mix of old and new on the same cover
when possible.
Just collecting the basic coded
Machins on cover will be a challenge in
the future, as there is so little stamped
mail these days. Mixed frankings will
surely be scarce.
Combinations paying higher rates or
sent to overseas destinations will be
even more uncommon. And don’t forget
that finding make-up values on cover is
far harder than finding non-value-
indicators. It always is.
NAILING THINGS DOWN
How long these new definitives will be
available is an open question, as the
Queen will not live forever. It is quite
possible that Machin designs with data
matrix codes might have a very short
period of usage.
If you doubt the collectability of
modern postally used Machins, try to
find examples on cover of the earlier
stamps with security overlays and
die-cut slits, from 2009 onwards.
Putting together a decent selection is
now a major challenge.
So, prime the people to whom you send
birthday and Christmas cards to open
them carefully and return the covers to
you. That’s the start of a great
collection, for free…
Alastair Gunn

SEPTEMBER 2022 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 27

 YOUR VIEWS

Some small-scale cover producers also dabbled Foreign stamps getting

with the Channel Islands and Isle of Man British biro cancels
I was attracted to the July issue by the front cover, with its William Taylor first day cover. It’s bad enough when Royal Mail scribbles
I collected such covers in the 1960s to 1980s, and often wish there was more reference on British stamps, instead of cancelling
material that would increase my knowledge and enjoyment of them. them properly, but why do the same to
There is something special about a first day cover, that can never be replicated by mint United States stamps?
stamps, which just pass from stock book to stock book without ever fulfilling the purpose Over the past few months, I’ve had
they were created for. unfranked letters from America where
To add some information to your feature (July issue, page 38), other readers might be postal workers have done just this.
interested to know that Cotswold, as well as possibly Stuart and Mercury, used to produce Do they seriously think that I’ll steam off
covers for Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, Gibraltar (briefly) and possibly even the unfranked stamps and send them back to a
Falkland Islands. crony in the States so that he can or she
I can find no record in any catalogue of when this activity ceased, so this is another re-use them?
example of ‘unexplored potential for research’. Bob Paterson, Newbury
Trevor Broad, Cricklade

Country continuity
As someone who uses a lot of Scotland
stamps on ordinary and holiday mail, I’m
pleased to see that Royal Mail is reissuing
country definitives with data matrix codes.
It would have been a shame if these
became a footnote in philatelic history.
Norman Hudson, Chester

You can’t beat

the cistern!
I was intrigued to see a United Nations
issue (designed by a British artist) marking
World Toilet Day last year.
The idea was to raise awareness of the
plight of people who live without access to
ABOVE: Cotswold first day cover for Jersey’s 1986 Halley’s Comet commemorative stamp issue safely managed sanitation, but it might also
inspire a new collecting theme.
On second thoughts, I hope Royal Mail
Philately can benefit Write-up rapture, but does not pick up on this idea for one of its
18-stamp issues.
dementia sufferers market melancholy Russ Walker, Glasgow

Having been a keen philatelist for over 70
years, my father has recently been
diagnosed with dementia. Thank goodness
for the joy of stamps!
As he browses his collection, he goes
around the world in an hour. He visits
countries that existed when he was a boy
but are no longer there, and recognises
names and places from decades ago.
He remembers things from his childhood
that bring back fond memories, and he can
pick up the same album an hour later and
his journey starts all over again.
He can sort kiloware, and will then sort it
out all over again the following day. He
hasn’t forgotten what his collection
contains, it’s just that his brain has no room
to take in any more information.
To me, this is just one reason why
philately is the best hobby in the world.
Vic Darlington, Alresford
I have started mounting my collection of
early Switzerland, writing it up in
PowerPoint, and it gives me tremendous
joy to see the pages coming together.
However, the market is quickly going
downhill. Ordinary material is unsellable,
or only sellable at very low prices.
Switzerland in particular seems to have
hit a wall.
That was one of the reasons that I
chose to specialise in first issues from
various countries. They will be the last
stamps standing.
You can get very melancholic when you
remember that you paid 60-70% of
catalogue value for an item 35 years ago,
and could now have it for 5%.
But the good news is that you can
now build nice collections for very
little money.
Allan Brink, Monterrey, Mexico

28 www.stampmagazine.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2022

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19th/20th September Sale
Our September Auction includes a fine B.C. collection Est.
£12,000-14,000, many mixed box lots from £30 upwards, Foreign incl.
one country collections, B.C. one country collections and items incl.
Canada, Cyprus, Gibraltar, Ireland KGV controls, Malta, and many
others, G.B. incl. 1840-1970 collection in Windsor album Est. £6,000,
QV Line Engraved and Surface Printed collections, KEVII-KGV
collections and items, QE incl. errors, early Booklets, Postage Dues etc.

On-line bidding via Easylive.

WE’RE LOOKING FOR COLLECTIONS

Do you have a collection you have been given and would like it to
go to someone who will appreciate it and spend time on it?
Do you no longer have the time to spend on your collection and want
it to go to someone who will enjoy It?

We’re always looking for collections to buy or put In our auctions and
with the stamp trade thriving at the moment, there’s no better time to
sell your collection. If you would like a free, friendly valuation for your
stamp collection please give us a call on 01926 634809 or email
us tonylester@btconnect.com.
CONTACT US TODAY FOR A FREE COPY OF OUR NEXT CATALOGUE.

TO: Tony Lester Auctions Ltd (01926) 634809

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

TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL
COURT PHILATELICS
We are also interested in buying any of your surplus stamps on or off paper for

Buying & selling

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, £6.00 / 1/2 lb, £8.00 / 1 lb and £4.00 for all collec-
tions ordered. We will use latest Commems including very rare high values!

FOREIGN & COMMONWEALTH ON PAPER MIXTURES.

SPECIAL OFFER NO.2 Buy 1 lb Aus, Canada, N.Z & U.S.A for the discounted price
USA & transatlantic
of £62.00.
AUSTRALIA On paper charity mix, includes modern with dream variety, many Com-
mems and high values, collected from a school-teacher in the Outback. Approx. 2500
stamps / 1 lb. 1 lb £18.00, 2 lbs £34.00.
Postal history
CANADA Sold out before, we have been fortunate to get fresh stocks from the increasingly
difficult country. A colourful on paper charity mixture from the Canadian Save the Chil-
dren Fund of Commems, Defins, Large Pictorials and high values. ½ lb £11.00, 1 lb £20.00.
NEW ZEALAND On Paper charity mixture with Commems and higher values includes
STAMPEX INTERNATIONAL
difficult to find modern. Supplied to us exclusively by a N.Z Charity. Approx. 2500 Business Design Centre, stand T8
stamps / 1lb. ½ lb £11.00, 1 lb £20.00.
U.S.A. An on paper charity mixture with stupendous variety. There can’t be many London N1 0QH, 28 September - 1 October
mixtures so attractive and with such good count. Approx count 3500 to 4000 stamps. 1lb
£16.00, 2lbs £30.00.
EUREKA! We’ve found it. This has to be our best world mixture yet. At least 85%
commems with a staggering variety with around 100 countries/states (yes we have found Stephen T. Taylor
stamps from that many). Much modern and many high values included. Our SUPER
WORLD 100. ½ lb £28.00, 1 lb £55.00, 2 lbs £105.00. 5 Glenbuck Road
GENUINE FOREIGN CHARITY! All charity packets received from overseas and those Surbiton, Surrey KT6 6BS
marked ‘Foreign Stamps Only’ are separated. Here is your chance to buy it by the kg. Over-
seas packets from our experience may contain high value GB including the very elusive Phone: 01372 468566
recent high value Commems. Guaranteed unpicked direct from the donor. 1 kg Box £80.00.

OVERSEAS FOREIGN & COMMONWEALTH CHARITY MIXTURE

With over 120 Charity sources in this country it is not surprising that this is the ultimate
info@stephentaylor.co.uk
mixture of Foreign & Commonwealth stamps essentially on paper. Enormous variety https://stephentaylor.co.uk
and mostly modern as it is collected from offices on a day to day basis. Many h. values as
many are Air mail values and a lot will never be seen in approval books! 1 lb £30.00, 2 lbs
£55.00, 4 lbs £105.00. Your American dealer in Britain
BRITISH COMMONWEALTH We have taken the best stamps from around the Com-
monwealth to give you this superb mixture of mostly Commemoratives. Great variety
with no GB, India, or Pakistan, but a great selection from Africa, Indian Ocean, the
Caribbean & Pacific. Much modern (you’ll find many stamps that are not even in the
catalogue yet!) & many h. values. A very superior mixture. ½ lb £33.00, 1 lb £65.00.
EUROPEAN COMMEMORATIVES New in the spring again it has been remarkably
successful. Mostly Commemoratives from all corners of Europe (No GB). Great variety
with high values and semi-postals. Includes very interesting stamps from the new Russian
States, Iceland, Faroes, Greenland, Vatican, Monaco, San Marino, United Nations and
Liechtenstein. A must for all collectors of Europe. ½ lb £28.00, 1 lb £55.00.
CHANNEL ISLES & ISLE OF MAN An On Paper mixture of Jersey, Guernsey, Alder-
ney and I.O.M containing a wealth of variety, strong in Commems, Booklets, Greetings
& h.values. ½ lb £18.00, 1lb £35.00.
IRELAND CHARITY On paper. This emanates from convents throughout the Republic,
is mostly modern with a wealth of Commems. Price 1 lb £16.50 / lb, 2 lbs £30.00.
JAPAN An on paper Charity mixture, great variety with many Commems and modern. 1
lb £25.00, 2 lbs £48.00.
FAR EAST Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore. A very colourful on paper mixture
including many modern issues and high values. ¼ lb £13.00.
PORTUGAL A very colourful and modern on paper mixture. 2 oz £13.00, 1/4 lb £25.00.
MIDDLE EAST A great on paper mixture covering Jordan, U.A.E, Kuwait, Iran,
Bahrain, Iraq, Oman, Lebanon and others. Includes high values and many unusual. 1/4
lb £24.00, 1/2 lb £45.00.
RUSSIAN STATES A modern very colourful mix includes Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania,
Moldova, Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus and Ukraine. ¼ lb £34.00 ½ lb. £65.00.
NEW! SWEDEN CHARITY Becoming very hard to find, includes a very good percent-
age of hard to find Commems and modern. ½ lb £12.00, 1 lb £22.00.
SWITZERLAND A very clean charity mix, incl. many commems and Semi-postals. ½ lb
£21.00, 1 lb £40.00.

COMMEMORATIVES & LARGE ONLY ON PAPER MIXTURES

Further discount, purchase 2 items and deduct 5%, 4 items deduct 10%
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 BERMUDA 1/4 lb £18.00,
1/2 Lb £32 BOTSWANA ¼ lb £18.00, ½ lb £35.00 CANADA ¼ lb £40.00, ½ lb £70.00
CYPRUS ¼ lb £30.00, ½ lb £58.00 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
FRENCH AFRICA ¼ lb £47.00, ½ lb £90.00 GERMANY ¼ lb £16.00, ½ lb £30.00
GERMANY HIGH VALUE COMMEMS ¼ lb £28.00, ½ lb £55.00 GERMANY
SEMI-POSTALS ¼ lb £22.00, ½ lb £40.00. GREECE ¼ lb £31.00, ½lb £60.00
GUERNSEY ¼ lb £17.00, ½ lb £33.00 HOLLAND ¼ lb £18.00, ½ lb £35.00 HOL-
LAND SEMI-POSTALS ¼ lb £20.00, ½ lb £39.00 IRAN ¼ lb £30.00, ½ lb£58.00 IRE-
LAND 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 JERSEY ¼ lb £17.00, ½ lb £33.00
LATVIA 2 oz £33.00 LIECHTENSTEIN 2 oz £43.00, ¼ lb £85.00 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. NEPAL ¼ lb £20.00, ½ lb £38.00 NORWAY ¼ lb £23, ½ lb £45.00
SOUTH AFRICA HOMELANDS ¼ lb £22.00, ½ lb £40.00 SPAIN ¼ lb £23.00,
½ lb £44.00 THAILAND 1/4 lb £23.00, 1/2 lb £45.00 U.S.A ½ lb £25.00, 1 lb £48.00.

COURT PHILATELICS
Dept SM, P.O Box 6198, Leighton Buzzard, Beds LU7 9XT.
TEL: 01296 662420 • E-mail: courtphilatelics@aol.com
Payment: We accept cheque, postal orders and all major credit & debit cards. Paypal
payments can be made to courtphilatelics@aol.com or you can pay direct into our bank:
Cooperative, A/C no. 69958274, sort code 08-92-99. NO MINIMUM ORDER.

Many of the gems of philately are secreted away in institutional collections, rarely to be
seen in public. But then the same applies to much of the material in private hands
he new season of the
T Royal Philatelic Society
London will begin on
September 15 with a display of
material from the Royal
Philatelic Collection, focusing
this year on New Zealand.
This annual tradition is
restricted to members
only, and RPSL members
are fortunate in having the
opportunity to see part of
this fabulous collection
every year. Others rarely
get the chance.
The UK is blessed with
three major institutional
collections, the others
being held by The Postal
Museum and the British
Library. But the sad fact is
that their treasures are
rarely seen. Indeed, the
opportunities are
becoming ever fewer.
Sadly, considerations
such as insurance,
conservation and lighting
conditions are making it
increasingly rare for their
material to be put on
public display, for
example in the ‘court of
honour’ at major stamp
exhibitions.
Museums invariably
have limited space, so it
will be only on rare
occasions that a small
part of their material goes
on display. Where
exhibition space is
available, it has to be used
to appeal to the wide range
of visitors, and not just to
the philatelic community.
The British Library does
have 1,000 display frames
showcasing part of the
Tapling Collection and
other stamps, but this can only
be a fraction of what it has.
The former National Postal
Museum used to display the
Phillips Collection but, for
reasons of conservation, this
can no longer happen. Whilst
BURIED TREASURE
the collection has since been
digitised, this cannot compare
with seeing the actual material.
Douglas Muir, the newly
retired Senior Curator of
Philately at The Postal Museum,
ABOVE: The British Library has 1,000 display frames, but these can showcase
only a small fraction of its fantastic philatelic collections
‘Considerations such as insurance,
conservation and lighting conditions are
making it increasingly rare for material
from the institutional collections
to be put on public display’
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Do you delight in the existence of institutional collections?
Or despair that you may never get to see what they hold?.
E-mail your comments to guy.thomas@dhpub.co.uk
WORLD NEWS | AUCTIONS | GB COLLECTOR | LETTERS COMMENT COMPETITIONS | FEATURES | EVENTS | STRANGE BUT TRUE
TALKING POINT
recently wrote a new guide to its THE AUTHOR
philatelic collections, and it is
an almost cruel tease of what
will rarely be seen ‘in the flesh’.
Richard West is
Stamp Magazine’s
Editor at Large
and a Past
President of the
There are many who believe National Philatelic
institutional collections should Society
not exist, and are angered
when individuals donate
rarities to them. Their
thinking is that the
material should be freely
available to be acquired by
private collectors.
The truth is that
philatelic treasures may
just as easily disappear
from view for many years
in the care of individuals.
Only a small percentage of
collectors display what
they have. Auctions
frequently dispose of
collections whose
existence was hitherto
unknown.
I take the view that
‘national’ collections are
invaluable, not least in that
the material they hold has
frequently come from
official sources and
therefore provides, under
one roof, the complete
picture essential for those
undertaking research.
If we are unable to see
much of these collections,
perhaps we should be
encouraging more private
collectors to show their
material, at events such as
the national exhibitions.
Rather than competitive
exhibits, these could be
simply displays. No rules,
no medals, no judges, no
prizes, just an opportunity
for the owners to take
pleasure in showing parts
of their collection and for
visitors to enjoy seeing them.
It does seem such a pity that
there is so much philatelic
treasure that may never be seen
again, and that some may never
know existed. ■
SEPTEMBER 2022 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 31
 For your philatelic insurance requirements,
contact H W Wood Limited, the preferred
insurance broker for stamp collectors and
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transit* give us a call, we have a range of
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H W Wood Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
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(*transit only cover not available, terms and conditions apply).

Buying British Stamps

Current Market Values
BUYING & SELLING
DISCOUNTED GB POSTAGE DAILY
BUYING GB DECIMAL MINT STAMPS 1971 to 2022
(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).

CATEGORY OF STAMPS BUYING (% of Face Value) CATEGORY OF STAMPS BUYING (% of Face Value)

1st Class - 55% 1st Class Large - 68% We pay 50% Face Value
New Royal Mail Barcode Stamps Definitive and Regional Stamps Sorted by value and segregated into clear
2nd Class - 55% 2nd Large Letter - 68%
1p to £10 including all 1st class and bags each containing just 50 stamps.
Fixed Values 1p to 50p - 55%
2nd class stamps. We also need the 1/2p segregated
Fixed Values £1 to £5 - 68% e.g. 50 x 7p, 50 x 7.5p (not mixed)
(e.g. all stamps from 1971 to date which will not
we don’t have any £1.85, £2.55, £3.25 or ABSOLUTELY NO Commemoratives or
be valid for postal use after 31st January 2023)
£4.20 so these especially welcome. Christmas Stamps
1st Class Stamps - 50% (all types)
Post & Go & Commemorative
Commemorative and Christmas Stamps 2nd Class Stamps - 55% (all types)
‘E’ European and Worldwide stamps Up to 10g, 20g, 40g, 60g and 100 grams
Sorted by value in bags of 100 stamps 1p to 39p - 48%
These stamps will remain valid for postal use We pay 75p per stamp.
(smaller amounts accepted) 40p to 97p - 53%
after 31st January 2023
£1 to £10 - 58%

Commemorative and Christmas Stamps We pay 47% face value

Commemorative Presentation Packs,
Made up in mixed bags containing £50 Lots must include a wide range of We pay 50% face value.
Year Books and all Booklets
or £100 face value different values.

Our buying prices are subject to change without notice, so please visit our website or call for latest prices before sending any stamps.

“We buy Gold for cash”

www.philatelink.co.uk
Call for a quote

Email: philatelink@btinternet.com DAVID WALDIE (PHILATELINK LTD), eBay Selling Service

13 REDPATH CRESCENT, GALASHIELS, High Prices Realised! • Low Commission Fees
LANDLINE: 01896 759703 MOBILE: 07510 312271 BORDERS, TD1 2QG, UK. Contact Dave Waldie for Details or Visit
15 July 2022 12:03 PM
 WORLD NEWS | AUCTIONS | GB COLLECTOR | LETTERS | COMMENT COMPETITIONS FEATURES | EVENTS | STRANGE BUT TRUE
COMPETITIONS

COMPETITION COMPETITION
Spot The Stamp Royal Mail prizes

WIN
a copy of British Stamp
WIN
a Pride presentation pack
Market Values 2023 from Royal Mail
We have a copy of British Stamp Market 9000 ITEMS
LISTED
2023
Values 2023, the authoritative annual
price guide from the publishers of
Stamp Magazine, to give away to one
eagle-eyed reader.
For your chance to win, simply take a
close look at the enlarged detail of a GB
stamp shown below, and see whether you
can identify it. All you have to do is tell us
the stamp’s face value, the name of the ■ EVERY GREAT BRITAIN ISSUE SINCE 1840
■ DEFINITIVES, COMMEMORATIVES, BOOKLETS
From the publishers of

■ OFFICIALS, POSTAGE DUES, SMILERS, POST & GO

set it is from and the year of issue.

■ REAL MARKET VALUES, NOT CATALOGUE PRICES

Send your answer on a postcard (or

sealed envelope), with your name and address, to Spot The Stamp
(Sep), Stamp Magazine, David Hall Publishing Ltd, Suite 6G, Eden We have a presentation pack of the Pride stamp issue to give away to
House, Enterprise Way, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 6HF. each of 12 lucky winners, courtesy of Royal Mail.
The closing date is September 8, 2022, and the first correct The set of eight stamps marks the 50th anniversary of the LGBTQ+
answer drawn from our postbag will win the book. Good luck! community’s first Gay Pride rally in London.
To enter, visit www.stampmagazine.co.uk/competitions, answer the
Terms & Conditions: Entry is open to UK question below and fill in your contact details. The closing date is
residents with a permanent UK address, except
employees (and their families) of David Hall
September 8, 2022. Winners will be drawn at random after that date.
Publishing, its printers and agents. Winners
must be aged 18 or over. Only one entry per Terms and conditions apply. Please note that your data will be managed in compliance with
household is permissible. Prizes are not GDPR law. Our privacy policy can be found at www.mytimemedia.co.uk/privacy
transferable to another individual and no cash or
other alternatives will be offered. The promoters
reserve the right to amend or alter the terms of
competitions. The winner will be chosen from
all correct entries received by the closing date
QUESTION
stated. The decision of the judges is final, and no
correspondence will be entered into. Please note Where was the official starting point of the first
that your data will be managed in compliance
with GDPR law. Our privacy policy can be found at Gay Pride rally in London in July 1972?
www.mytimemedia.co.uk/privacy

COMPETITION WINNERS

FA Cup presentation pack

The answer to our competition question in the June issue was
Leeds United, and the 12 lucky winners whose correct answers
were drawn at random were Simon Maisey from Swindon,
Paula Anscombe from Whitby, Andrew McElvaney from Redcar,
Keith Ruffles from Cardiff, Ronan Walker from Peebles,
Michelle Kelly from Norwich, Leslie Price from Droylsden,
Alison Macdonald from Newcastle upon Tyne, Andrzej
Szymanski from London, Adrian Bold from Blackpool, David
Deacon from Capel, and Mark Huck from Newcastle upon Tyne.

Spot The Stamp

The Spot The Stamp winner from the June issue is A J Kearns
from Haddington, who correctly identified the mystery stamp
(right) as the 13p value from the 1984 Christmas set,
illustrating the Holy Family.

SEPTEMBER 2022 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 33

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CHINA 1932 MARTYRS ISSUE

National heroes
China’s 1932 Martyrs of the Revolution definitive series honoured
the men who overturned an ancient Empire and forged a hopeful
Republic in 1911-12. But its story also reflects the turmoil in
which the country remained embroiled until the 1940s
■ Report by John Winchester

revolution had deposed the issuing stamps to honour its printers, De La Rue, whose design ABOVE: Chinese

A last Emperor of China in

1912, but it took 16 long
years to reunite the huge country
under a single centralised
republican government.
By the time Chiang Kai-shek had
led the Chinese Nationalist Party,
the Kuomintang, to military
victories which ended the Warlord
Era in 1928, all the leading
revolutionaries were dead. Many of
them had met a violent end.
Now that the Republic was on a
more stable footing, however, one
of the Kuomintang’s priorities was
heroes. A definitive series
portraying the founding father of
the Republic, Sun Yat-sen, would
be followed closely by another
portraying a selection of Martyrs of
the Revolution.
Study of these stamps offers a
remarkable insight into the
political upheavals in China, from
the 1910s all the way to the 1940s.
De La Rue design
The Directorate General of Posts
and Ministry of Communications
sought advice from the London
solution was a strange one.
Apparently Mediterranean rather
than oriental in its inspiration, it
Republic 1932
Martyrs of the
Revolution stamps
featured fluted classical columns honouring Deng Keng
reminiscent of the 1911 Hermes (½c), Chen Ying-shih
and Iris stamps of Greece, and a (1c), Liao Zhongkai
central portrait encircled (in the (3c), Zhu Zhixin (8c),
case of the Martyrs set) by a Song Jiao-ren (10c)
laurel wreath. and Huang Xing (20c)
A dentate frieze at the top bore
the sunburst emblem of the
Kuomintang at its centre, while the
denominations were in Chinese
script at the top and western
numerals at the bottom.

36 www.stampmagazine.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2022


THE REVOLUTION
China’s succession of Emperors could be traced back more
than two millennia, to 221 BC, and the ruling Qing Dynasty
almost three centuries, to 1644. By the end of the 19th century,
however, the Empire was weak.
Defeat in the two Opium Wars resulted in the granting of
trade concessions and territory to the European powers, while
the Taiping Rebellion sparked a long and bloody civil war.
The Sino-Japanese War demonstrated that Japan had
emerged as the stronger regional power, and then the Boxer
Rebellion against foreign influence provoked an invasion by an
eight-nation alliance, resulting in an embarrassing military
occupation of Beijing.
Support for imperial rule was draining away, and
revolution was in the air.
DISSIDENTS
The rallying point for dissidents was the Tongmenghui
(Revolutionary Alliance), founded in 1905 by led by a
westernised doctor, Sun Yat-sen.
It steadily recruited intellectuals (many of them educated
outside China), civil servants, businessmen and, significantly,
members of the armed forces.
A series of uprisings in 1910-11 were unsuccessful, until a
single incident acted as a flashpoint for revolution, which
would lead to the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty.
UPRISING
In October 1911, a group of revolutionaries were preparing
bombs in a safe house in Hankou, when one exploded.
The three survivors were executed, but perhaps more
significantly the authorities found a register of revolutionaries,
including an alarming number of members who were army
officers. They began to round up suspects, and the
revolutionaries’ hands were forced.
The army base nearby mutinied, launching the Wuchang
ABOVE: 1912 Commemoration of the Revolution $1, portraying Sun Yat-sen
London printings colour, and $1, $2 and $5 values
Die proofs for the Sun Yat-sen issue printed in two colours.
were approved in January 1931 and It was immediately apparent,
the first consignment of seven however, that the deeply symbolic
denominations arrived in Shanghai sunburst emblem was shown
in August, comprising 1c, 2c, 4c incorrectly, with a double-line
and 20c values printed in a single inner circle. Attempts to fill in the
WORLD NEWS | AUCTIONS | GB COLLECTOR | LETTERS | COMMENT | COMPETITIONS FEATURES EVENTS | STRANGE BUT TRUE
Uprising. This quickly sparked the wider Xinhai Revolution,
named after its timing in the traditional Chinese calendar.
The revolutionaries captured Nanjing, China’s second city.
Sun Yat-sen, who had been fundraising in the United States,
hurried home and was promptly declared provisional
President of the Republic of China.
POWER STRUGGLE
The Qing regime was still in control of the capital, Beijing, but
its military commander, Yuan Shikai, offered to secure the
abdication of the five-year-old Emperor, Puyi, in return for
being named President of the Republic.
He succeeded, and was sworn-in in March 1912. A set of
stamps celebrating the Revolution, portraying Sun, was
accompanied by a similar set celebrating the Republic, and
portraying Yuan.
Yuan, however, had personal ambition to rule as an autocrat.
He used his military powerbase to initiate a crackdown on the
republicans, now organised as the Chinese Nationalist Party,
later known as the Kuomintang (KMT).
Despite their success in parliamentary elections, Sun and
other Kuomintang leaders were forced into exile in 1913, and
their attempt to effect a second revolution failed. In December
1915 Yuan proclaimed himself Emperor.
His coup proved unpopular, yet it was his health that
resolved the issue. After only 83 days as Emperor, Yuan
stepped down due to illness. Within three months he was dead.
AFTERMATH
Unfortunately, Yuan’s death left a power vacuum. Central
government collapsed, and China was left leaderless and
divided. For the next decade, power was exercised largely by
the ‘warlords’, the leaders of military cliques and regional
factions who were frequently in conflict with each other.
Attempts to restore unity did not come to fruition until 1928.
ABOVE: 1912 Commemoration of the Republic 2c, portraying Yuan Shikai
void between the lines using a
woodblock proved unsatisfactory,
and it became necessary to order a
design correction and reprint.
This second consignment was
despatched from London in late
September, by means of the
SEPTEMBER 2022 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 37
CHINA 1932 MARTYRS ISSUE

ABOVE: 1931-37 Sun Yat-sen 4c green and $1 sepia and brown, illustrating the change made to
the Kuomintang sunburst emblem between the first and second London printings

SUN YAT-SEN
Born in China but educated by Americans in Hawaii and influenced by
Christian missionaries there, Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925) was the senior
Trans-Siberian Railway, and only ABOVE: Proof of the figure in the revolutionary movement, and is still revered as the
narrowly escaped the clutches of vignette of Chen founding father of the Republic.
the Japanese army, which had Ying-shih for the Having spent much of his early life in exile, including a period in
launched its invasion of Manchuria Martyrs series, London, Sun realised that China needed to modernise, and that this
in north-eastern China. engraved by De La would require a revolution.
Rue in London He co-founded the Tongmenghui (Revolutionary Alliance) in 1905,
Peking printings and served as the Provisional President of the Republic in 1911-12,
Sending consignments of stamps before being forced to flee as Yuan Shikai took power.
by this route was not to be risked He led an unsuccessful second revolution against Yuan in 1913,
again, so that was the end of the revived the Kuomintang (Nationalist Party) in 1919, and established a
‘London printing’. Whilst the republican government in the south which would eventually defeat
engraving of the master dies for the warlords in the north.
future stamps would continue to be He died in 1925, so he never lived to see the reunification of the
done by De La Rue, the plates country by the Kuomintang, under his protégé Chiang Kai-shek.
would be made up for recess
printing by the Chinese Bureau of
Engraving & Printing in Beijing.
Subsequent stamps in the series
therefore become known to
English-speaking collectors as the
‘Peking printing’ (although the
official name for the city at the time
was actually neither Peking nor
Beijing, but Peiping).
This Sun Yat-sen definitive
design would remain in regular
use until 1937, and would be
revived briefly in 1946. The series
eventually extended to 13 values,
from 1c to $50, with some changes
of colour and overprints.

Martyrs series
Meanwhile, after a careful selection
process, six men were chosen to be
celebrated as Martyrs of the
Revolution.
All were Kuomintang stalwarts
and associates of Sun Yat-sen. Four
of them were victims of
assassination, while one had been
killed in action and one had died of
natural causes.

38 www.stampmagazine.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2022

 WORLD NEWS | AUCTIONS | GB COLLECTOR | LETTERS | COMMENT | COMPETITIONS FEATURES EVENTS | STRANGE BUT TRUE
LEFT: Block of eight
of the ½c brown from
the 1932 Peking
printing, showing the
imprint of the Chinese
Bureau of Engraving
& Printing and the
plate number 4

RIGHT: Imprint block

of four of the 13c
green with the 1938
provincial overprint
for Sinkiang, applied
due to the
devaluation of the
local currency

50c) are also found as ‘low’ types,

Photographs supplied by their
families were sent to De La Rue for
vignettes to be engraved, the idea
being that each martyr would be
portrayed on two denominations.
The original set of 12 comprised
values of ½c, 1c, 2½c, 3c, 8c, 10c, 13c,
17c, 20c, 30c, 40c and 50c.
Recess printing was in sheets of
200, arranged as 10 rows of 20 and
divided into four panes of 50, on
unwatermarked wove paper,
perforated 14. The marginal
imprint ‘Chinese Bureau of
Engraving & Printing’ occurred
twice at the top and twice at the
bottom, with a plate number.
Martyrs varieties
Recess printing requires the paper
to be moistened, and as it dries it
shrinks in the direction of the
grain, creating small differences in
the sizes of the stamps. All values
of the Martyrs series therefore
occur as ‘high’ types, with a height
between 22mm and 22½mm, while
six of them (½c, 1c, 3c, 10c, 30c and
with a height of 21½mm.
The ‘low’ varieties can be further
subdivided into two different
settings: ‘low and close-spaced’,
with a horizontal gap of 2½mm
between impressions, and ‘low and
wide-spaced’, with a gap of 3½mm.
Perforation was not very precise,
LEFT: The 10c and 40c so the distinction can be difficult to
from the Martyrs determine on an individual stamp.
series used (along
with three $1 Hall of Postage rates
Classics stamps) on There is some debate about the
an early airmail letter issue dates of the Martyrs stamps.
posted from Shanghai It is generally accepted that the
to France in 1932 8c, 10c, 20c, 30c and 40c were
released on August 13, 1932, and
some researchers add the 13c and
17c to that list.
Others, including the ½c, 2½c and
50c, certainly appeared later, the
timing probably governed by the
availability of Sun Yat-sen stamps
to make up postage rates.
BELOW: A mix of Sun Some Martyrs denominations
Yat-sen and Martyrs had no Sun Yat-sen equivalent,
stamps on the such as the ½c for newspaper and
reverse of a 1938 local printed-matter rates. Greatest
airmail cover from use was made of the 1c (also
China to Britain, via available in booklets), for local
Hong Kong Airways letters weighing up to 100g,

ABOVE: The left-hand character in the inscription at the bottom of the Martyrs stamps differs
between the 1932 Peking printing (left) and the 1940 Hong Kong printing (right). Specialist
collectors call this unique signature the ‘secret mark’

SEPTEMBER 2022 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 39

CHINA 1932 MARTYRS ISSUE

LEFT: Martyrs 1c and

Sun Yat-sen 2c
stamps overprinted
to mark the 30th
Anniversary of the
Republic in 1941

RIGHT: Martyrs 4c
lilac from the New
Peking printing,
overprinted in 1943
for use in the
Japanese-occupied
region of Shansi

although in this case there was a
Sun Yat-sen equivalent.
In contrast, there was no rate that
the 3c could prepay by itself, its
only use seeming to be as a
make-up value. rates. With the inauguration of
In an age when aviation was domestic airmail routes across
developing rapidly, it was not long China, they can sometimes be
before some of the stamps were found on first-flight covers, which
being used to make up airmail is a specialist area in itself.

THE MARTYRS
song JiAo-Ren
A member of revolutionary groups such
as the Huaxinghui from 1903, Song
Jiao-ren (1882-1913) was forced into exile
in 1904, but became a founder member of
the Tongmenghui the following year.
After studying western political thinking
in Japan, he returned to China in 1910, and
following the 1911 Revolution he helped to
transform the Tongmenghui into the
Nationalist Party, the Kuomintang.
He led the party to success in China’s
first democratic election, and was on
course to be named Prime Minister,
making clear his intention to curtail the
powers of the President, Yuan Shikai.
In 1913 he was assassinated, shot by a
lone gunman in Shanghai, probably on the
orders of Yuan.
■ 1932 peking issue: 10c, 17c
■ 1940 hong hong issue: 2c, 28c
hUAng Xing
Having studied modern warfare in Japan,
Huang Xing (1874-1916) was a founder
member in 1903 of the Huaxinghui (China
Revival Society), a secret revolutionary
organisation dedicated to the overthrow of
the Qing dynasty.
He also helped Sun Yat-sen establish
the Tongmenghui in 1905, and it was while
leading an unsuccessful uprising in
Canton in 1911 that he lost part of one
hand in battle, acquiring the nickname
‘The Eight-Fingered General’.
A key figure in the 1911 Revolution (when
Sun was overseas), he later organised
opposition to the regime of Yuan Shikai.
Forced into exile in 1914, he returned
to China after the death of Yuan but
died soon afterwards and was given a
state funeral.
■ 1932 peking issue: 20c, 40c
Chen Ying-shih
Also known as Chen Qi-mei, Chen Ying-
shih (1878-1916) was one of many
revolutionaries who joined the
Tongmenghui while studying in Japan, in
1906. He also brought the future
Kuomintang leader, Chiang Kai-shek, into
the movement.
An active member of the Shanghai-based
secret society the Green Gang, he
participated in the Wuchang Uprising which
kick-started the 1911 Revolution, leading
the forces which briefly occupied Shanghai.
Yuan Shikai’s rise to power forced him
to flee to Japan with Sun Yat-sen, helping
to reorganise the revolutionary
movement in exile. On returning to
Shanghai in 1916, he was assassinated by
emissaries of Yuan.
■ 1932 peking issue: 1c, 50c
■ 1940 hong hong issue: 25c

40 www.stampmagazine.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2022

 WORLD NEWS | AUCTIONS | GB COLLECTOR | LETTERS | COMMENT | COMPETITIONS FEATURES EVENTS | STRANGE BUT TRUE
‘Of the six Martyrs of the Revolution, four
had been assassinated, one had been killed in
action and one had died of natural causes’
Provincial overprints Hong Kong printing
Over the next 15 years, Martyrs Japanese aggression was
stamps would be reprinted, increasingly a threat to national
overprinted, surcharged and security, and therefore to stamp
repurposed, making them production.
fascinating collectables. After its invasion of Manchuria
Early varieties result from the in 1931, Japan launched a full-scale
overprinting of the series, from war in 1937, sweeping into northern
1933 onwards, due to local China and capturing Beijing,
devaluations of the currency. Shanghai and the capital, Nanjing.
Stamps were given a single-line The Chinese central government
ABOVE: Martyrs 50c green from the New Peking printing, overprinted at the five-character overprint for the had to relocate to Chongqing.
top in 1943 for use in Japanese-occupied North China and at the bottom in exclusive use of provinces such as Stamp production was
1944 for the Death of Wang Jingwei, a collaborator with the Japanese Sinkiang, Szechwan and Yunnan. transferred to the safer confines

ZHU ZHIXIN DENG KENG LIAO ZHONGKAI

Also known as Chu Chih-hsin, Zhu Zhixin
(1885-1920) was one of the early
dissidents nicknamed the ‘Comrades’,
and a prominent member of the
Tongmenghui from its earliest days.
In 1905 he completed the first
translation of The Communist Manifesto by
Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels into
Chinese.
He took part in the Canton Uprising led
by Huang Xing in 1911, in which he was
wounded. However, he was better known
as a writer and polemicist than as a
soldier, becoming one of the key
propagandists against Yuan Shikai.
He was killed in a skirmish while
trying to negotiate a ceasefire near
Guangzhou in 1920.
■ 1932 Peking issue: 8c, 13c
■ 1940 Hong Hong issue: 21c
Deng Keng (1886-1922) was the
revolutionary soldier who became Sun
Yat-sen’s chief adviser on military
matters, and a significant commander in
the field.
He was an active participant in the
Canton Uprising led by Huang Xing in
1911, but had to flee to British-controlled
Hong Kong after its failure.
Later he rose to became a
Lieutenant-General in the Chinese
Revolutionary Army and Chief of Staff of
the Guangdong Army.
In 1922 he was shot as he alighted from
a train at Guangzhou station, and died two
days later. The identity of the assassin
was unknown, but a rival revolutionary
was implicated.
■ 1932 Peking issue: ½c, 2½c
■ 1940 Hong Hong issue: 4c
Born in the USA, the son of a Shanghai
banker, Liao Zhongkai (1876-1925)
returned to China at the age of 17 and in
1903 went to Japan to study politics. Two
years later he joined the Tongmenghui.
On the founding of the Republic of China
he became a leading financier, and a
member of the executive committee of the
Kuomintang, eventually becoming
Minister of Finance for Guangdong.
After Sun Yat-sen’s death he was one of
the most powerful figures in the
Kuomintang, arguing for close relations
with the Chinese Communist Party.
He was assassinated in Guangzhou in
1925 shot as he stepped from his car.
Fellow Kuomintang leader Hu Hanmin
was suspected of ordering the attack.
■ 1932 Peking issue: 3c, 30c
■ 1940 Hong Hong issue: 5c, 15c

SEPTEMBER 2022 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 41

 CHINA 1932 MARTYRS ISSUE

of Hong Kong, the British colony RIGHT: Martyrs 1c

far to the south, and it was there
that a new issue of the Martyrs
stamps was prepared in 1940.
Recess-printed by the city’s
Commercial Press, it naturally
became known to collectors as the
‘Hong Kong printing’.
This set consisted of 19
denominations, including new
values of 2c, 4c, 5c, 15c, 21c, 25c and
28c (leaving the six different
portraits occupying either two,
three or four values apiece). There
were also shade or colour changes
for the existing 8c, 10c, 13c and 20c.
Stamps printed in Hong Kong
can be found with or without a
watermark, and perforated 12, 12½
or 13 (sometimes a compound of
these), rather than 14.
Perhaps the most intriguing
difference, however, is the ‘secret
mark’ in the last (left-most)
character in the ‘Republic of China
Postal Authority’ inscription at the
bottom of the design. A gap
between two vertical strokes was
filled in, creating a ‘signature’
unique to the Hong Kong printing.
yellow-orange from
the New Peking
printing, overprinted
at the top for use in
Japanese-occupied
Mengkiang (Inner
Mongolia) and at the
bottom when postage
rates were revised
Bureau of Engraving & Printing in redrawn and re-engraved but
occupied Beijing was ordered to lacked any overprint.
produce stamps for Japanese- Many further overprints were
controlled regions of northern deployed in Japanese-occupied
China. It reprinted the 1c, 8c, 10c, regions until the end of the war in
20c, 30c, 40c and 50c Martyrs on a 1945, including unusual half-value
poor quality of paper that more overprints (due to currency
closely resembled newsprint. fluctuations) which later reverted
Stamps from this ‘New Peking to full values.
printing’ were marginally wider Well beyond the original issues
than their 1932 forebears, and were by the Chinese government, this is
generally overprinted. An anomaly a complex area of study for the
was the 8c red-orange, which was specialist collector. ■

New Peking printing

In 1941, 10 denominations of mixed
Sun Yat-sen and Martyrs stamps
were given a three-sided overprint
to note the 30th Anniversary of the
Republic of China.
Less festively, the Chinese

DID YOU KNOW?

Sun Yat-sen adapted Abraham Lincoln’s ‘Of the
people, by the people, for the people’, slogan to
form his ‘Three Principles of Nationalism,
Democracy and People’s Livelihood’.
In 1942 a United States issue marking the fifth
anniversary of China’s resistance to Japanese
aggression brought the two statesmen together
on the same stamp design.
Besides their portraits, it had a map of China,
the Nationalists’ sunburst emblem and
bilingual inscriptions.

ABOVE: China 2011 stamps celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Xinhai Revolution of 1911,
illustrating soldiers taking part in the Wuchang Uprising and leading revolutionaries including Sun
Yat-sen (centre), Song Jiao-ren (to his right) and Huang Xing (to his left)

42 www.stampmagazine.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2022

 THIS IS JUST A SMALL PART AJH STAMPS LTD Registered Business No:
OF OUR 2022 CATALOGUE THE LAURELS 24407076
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REF T500 REF T501 REF T502 REF T503
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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 £14.00 FOR £59.50
DELIVERY BY DPD OR REG POST £59.50 PLUS £4.75 POSTAGE & INSURANCE £59.50 PLUS £4.75 POSTAGE PLUS £4.75 POSTAGE & INS £59.50 PLUS £4.75 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
LIKES A GOOD SORT, INC COLLECTIONS, PACKETS, LOOSE STAMPS
PAPER A GOOD MIX OF COUNTRIES REF T510 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
ALL WORLD WITH STAMPS CAT £50+ 1,000s OF STAMPS A LOT UNCHECKED ETC
RECEIVED COULD BE ANYTHING 1,000S
WOODEN WITH A RETAIL VALUE OF £1,300 AND WEIGHING APPROX 30 KILO
OF STAMPS (EVERY BOX DIFFERENT)
SUPERB LOT
TEA CHEST
£299.50 PLUS £16.00 DELIVERY OF STAMPS
HAVE YOU TRIED ONE YET FOR
BY DPD. £999.00 PLUS £29.00 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 £22.50 £599.50 PLUS £22.50 £599.50 PLUS £22.50

FOR DELIVERY BY DPD FOR DELIVERY BY DPD FOR DELIVERY BY DPD
REF T627 REF T622
REF T607 WORLD (NO GB) MYSTERY
THE WHOLE WORLD IN SUITCASE 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 INC 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 1,000s FROM QV TO MODERN WITH DIFFERENT (VIRTUALLY NO GB) 1,000s TO SORT 500 DIFFERENT OFF PAPER
STAMPS CAT £100+ STATED TO RETAIL £400
£99.50 PLUS £14.00 FOR £29.50
£299.50 PLUS £22.50 DELIVERY BY DPD PLUS £5.00 POSTAGE & INSURANCE
FOR DELIVERY BY DPD

OUR 'T' NUMBERS ARE ALWAYS AVAILABLE

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DEALERS YOU
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Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Send to: Millstamps 14 The Spinney Ivybridge Devon PL21 9TU. 07972 846242
 WORLD NEWS | AUCTIONS | GB COLLECTOR | LETTERS | COMMENT | COMPETITIONS FEATURES EVENTS | STRANGE BUT TRUE
COMMONWEALTH CLASSICS

In for a pound
Cyprus largely reworked existing designs for its King George VI pictorial series in
1938, but they were impressively topped off with a fine portrait of the new monarch
■ Report by John Winchester

S
tamp issues for Cyprus RIGHT: Cyprus
needed to tread delicately. 1938-51 £1 scarlet
Resentment simmered and indigo, with its
between the Greek majority and fine engraved portrait
the Turkish minority on the island, of King George VI
and neither side had much time for
the colonial authorities.
The 1928 pictorial set
commemorating 50 years of British
rule, printed by Bradbury
Wilkinson, had generally opted for
neutral designs, reflecting historic
architecture rather than modern
reality, but the £1 top value had
been a gentle reminder of just who
was in charge, by way of a portrait
of King George V.
Six years later, a pictorial
definitive series printed by
Waterlow retained the emphasis on
past glories, with small profiles of
the King but no high-value
portrait design.

In 1938, a new definitive set was

required for King George VI, and
Waterlow was again awarded the
contract. Should it replicate the
1934 images, simply updating the
monarch’s head, or create entirely
new designs?
It was decided to repeat all but
two of the 1934 images, but the
firm’s chief designer, Leonard
Fryer, was instructed to provide
several additional designs to
complete a larger set of 13, ranging
in value from ¼pi to £1.
One was a portrait of the King, pictorials, with an eye-catching with the Multiple Script CA
initially intended as the 9pi design. arched frame. watermark, line-perforated 12½.
It was such a pleasing composition, As with the remainder of the set,
however, that it was elevated to it redeployed the distinctive script The new definitives were placed
both the 90pi and £1 values. for the country name which had on sale on May 12, 1938.
been introduced by Bradbury In January 1942, 2pi and 3pi
The design used a narrower Wilkinson in 1928. denominations were added to the
format than any of the previous Engraved by J A C Harrison, series, reusing existing designs.
from a photograph by Bertram Two years later, the 1pi and 2pi
MARKET VALUES Park, its centrepiece was a fine
head-and-shoulders portrait of the
appeared with perforations of 13½
x 12½ and 12½ x 13½ respectively.
King, in the uniform of the There were further changes in
The mint set of 19 has a catalogue value of £250, Admiral of the Fleet. 1951, when the ½pi and 1½pi were
and a used set £55. Those figures are dwarfed by The 90pi was recess-printed in printed in new colours and a 4pi
the pricey perforation variety of the 1pi orange. mauve and black, and the £1 in denomination was added, making
scarlet and indigo, in sheets of 60 a total of 19 stamps. ■

SEPTEMBER 2022 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 45

ALL WORLD
NEW ISSUES
COUNTRY OR THEME
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IAN OLIVER
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The History & Local Post of
RATTLESNAKE ISLAND, LAKE
ERIE
Revised and Updated - 2009
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Additional Detail of the Ford Tri-Motor
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 PHILATELIC QUIZ: GENERAL COLLECTORS…
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Q: What made me collect stamps that
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The simple answer is… it Doesn’t !
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SM 09/22
47
GLASGOW 1790-1840
Ticket to Clyde
The postal history of Glasgow offers a revealing case study of how mail services in
Britain used to work, before the ground-breaking reforms of 1839-1840
■ Report by Alastair Gunn
ABOVE: Engraved image of Glasgow, billed as the ‘Second City of the Empire’, in around 1840, showing part of the bustling port and the New Bridge
any collectors ignore
M pre-stamp postal history
because they prefer to
focus on stamps, or because they
see it as too complex or obscure.
But examining covers from the
years before 1840 can be a very
good way to help you understand
the postal system as a whole.
Concentrate on one town or city,
and you might be surprised by
what you can learn. Let’s take
Glasgow as a case study.
Growth of Glasgow
Glasgow began life as a rural
village on the River Clyde, but it
ABOVE: The ‘Glas/Gow’ handstamp on a 1793 entire to Edinburgh, unusually grew into a medieval bishopric and
struck on the front alongside the address in 1611 was created a royal burgh.
48 www.stampmagazine.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2022
By the 1700s it had become one of
Britain’s major ports for
transatlantic trade with North
America and the West Indies.
The most significant growth,
however, was prompted by
19th-century industrialisation, as
Glasgow became an important
centre for textiles, chemicals and
engineering, most notably
shipbuilding.
The city’s population was just
43,000 in 1780, but 147,000 by
1820 and 760,000 by 1900. It was
widely hailed as the ‘Second City
of the Empire’.
During the same period, mail
was transformed from being a
luxury for the rich and powerful to
 WORLD NEWS | AUCTIONS | GB COLLECTOR | LETTERS | COMMENT | COMPETITIONS FEATURES EVENTS | STRANGE BUT TRUE
ABOVE: Early example of the first Glasgow postmark to include a date, in
this case July 19, 1800. Introduced in January that year, the first type
showed the month before the day, but these were reversed in later versions

being a necessity for the middle

class. As elsewhere in Britain and
around the world, the postal ABOVE: Entire from Glasgow to Edinburgh sent on March 16, 1821, with a manuscript postage rate of 7d.
service became a medium of mass The double-circle datestamp incorporates the mileage mark ‘405-G’, and an ‘Additional ½d’ handstamp
communication. denotes the Scottish tax on letters carried by mail coaches

Early postal system

Until 1839, however, the British
postal system was limited,
antiquated and expensive.
It was created primarily to move
items from one post town to
another, with postage rates
depending on country of origin,
distance covered and weight.
It was predicated on the concept
that the recipient of an item paid
the fee, which could be very
inefficient if he or she declined
the letter, or simply couldn’t afford
to pay for it.
Indeed, for many postage was
unaffordable. Sending a letter from
Scotland to London in 1796 cost 8d,
which was more than a day’s wage
for a typical female worker in a ABOVE: An 1828 letter addressed to Campsie, with both ‘Glasgow Penny Post’ (head office) and ‘Lennoxtown Penny Post’
cotton mill. (district office) handstamps, as well as the ‘Additional ½d’ tax mark
Envelopes were not in use, so a
typical letter was an ‘entire’: a of handstamped cancellations from London and ‘G’ denoting Glasgow.
single sheet folded and sealed with 1740, when Postmaster Daniel A variety of other types of
wax to provide security. Montgomerie introduced a circular dated cancellation appeared
In the case of Glasgow, you need ‘Glas/Gow’ mark. subsequently, and other postmarks
to consider pre-stamp postal Early cancellers were hand- progressively came into use,
history in two sections: the General carved from wood, in some cases including ‘post paid’, ‘too late’,
Post and the Penny Post. with a fancy frame, so they ‘missent’ and ‘ship letter’
produced poor strikes in handstamps.
The General Post comparison with later metal Look out for the ‘Additional ½d’
A ‘burgh post’ existed within datestamps. At least 20 different marks, which come in many
Glasgow by 1630, but it was a types are recorded in the 18th varieties. They are evidence of a
messenger service and whether century, nearly always struck on uniquely Scottish tax on letters
other mail was carried is not clear. the reverse of entires. carried by mail coaches between
The Glasgow postal system was Unboxed two-line datestamps 1813-39.
probably established in 1662, and were introduced in 1800. In 1808 a
the city’s first official postmaster mileage mark ‘405-G’ was added, The Penny Post
was probably J Graham, who was with ‘405’ being the mileage from Glasgow also had a local mail
in position until 1664. service, the Penny Post, which
The earliest known post office operated from 1800-40.
was the house of John Alexander, ‘Handstamped cancellations In contrast to the General Post, it
who served as Postmaster
from 1674-91.
date from 1740, two-line operated mainly on a pre-payment
basis. Although the basic rate was
Glasgow manuscript postmarks datestamps from 1800 and 1d, it could cost more.
on letters are known, but a major Letters could move between the
development was the introduction mileage marks from 1808’ Penny Post and General Post

SEPTEMBER 2022 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 49

GLASGOW 1790-1840

systems, but both sets of rates and

charges would have to be paid.
Initially the Glasgow Penny Post
system had a Head Office, a City
Receiving House in Gallowgate,
and two district offices, in
Parkhead and Kilpatrick.
Eventually it grew to 17 city offices
and 37 district offices.
District offices were something
like suburban post offices, and
could double as district offices for
towns other than Glasgow.
Handstamped postal markings
from the early period are hard to
find. The earliest recorded from
Gallowgate is from 1804, for
example, and the earliest known
‘Glasgow/Penny Post’ initial mark
ABOVE: An 1828 packet letter from Jamaica to Glasgow which used the Penny Post for the final leg of its journey and shows the
from the Head Office is from 1827.
handstamp of the Parkhead district office. The manuscript postage rate was altered twice, from 2s 3d to 4s 10d and ultimately 4s 11d
Later cancellations are many,
(comprising 6d for the packet rate, 2s from Falmouth to London, 2s 4d from London to Glasgow, and 1d for the Penny Post). The ½d
varied and often confusing, but can
handstamp for the Scottish mail coach tax was applied in Falmouth, as this was a forwarding office for Scottish mail
be identified from the letters ‘RH’
(receiving house), ‘EX’ (exchange)
or district office names. ‘Letters could move between the Penny Post
Most awkward are the
handstamps of the district offices
and General Post systems, but both sets of
after mid-1829, when they became a
boxed series of numbers which
rates and charges had to be paid’
were regularly changed. Which
numbers applied to which offices
in which years is an area of
ongoing research. RIGHT: Entire of April
16, 1830, bearing a
Postal reform Glasgow circular
A watershed in British postal datestamp and the
history was December 5, 1839, ‘10’ boxed numeral
when postage became pre-paid by mark of the Penny
the sender of an item, allowing the Post district office in
service to become much more Lennoxtown. This
efficient in the long term. particular numeral
A headline rate of 4d per ½oz was in use only in
was introduced, although this was 1829-30; at other
not quite a universal postal rate; for times Lennoxtown
example, a 2d rate applied for local used 11, 12, 13 or 18

ABOVE: Cover from Glasgow to Edinburgh posted on December 10, 1839, with the manuscript ABOVE: Cover from Glasgow to Paisley posted on December 15, 1839, within
‘4’ denoting the 4d postage rate, which lasted little over a month; 4d was the headline rate the 4d rate period but taking advantage of the 2d charge applying to post
for letters weighing up to ½oz towns within eight miles of each other

50 www.stampmagazine.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2022

 WORLD NEWS | AUCTIONS | GB COLLECTOR | LETTERS | COMMENT | COMPETITIONS FEATURES EVENTS | STRANGE BUT TRUE
LEFT: The shortest-
lived postmark of the
Glasgow Penny Post
was the hexagonal
handstamp which
was introduced in
November 1839. The
service ceased on
January 9, 1840, with
the introduction of
uniform penny
postage

mail travelling up to eight miles.

Postal items sent at the 4d rate are
hard to find, because it was short-
lived, lasting little over a month.
A second watershed was January
10, 1840, when uniform penny
postage was introduced, reducing
the basic postage rate to 1d
nationally, and thereby making it
realistically affordable to many
more people.
There is a strong argument that
both of these transformations were
more important than the most
historically visible change, the
advent of the adhesive postage
stamp in May 1840.
Together, the changes removed
ABOVE: With the introduction of pre-payment at the end of 1939 it was important to identify paid post.
the need for local penny posts, but
A variety of marks were used, and this cover sent to London on January 16, 1840, has three of them. The
paved the way for the arrival of
rarest is the rectangular ‘Paid At Glasgow’, with a ‘1’ in the middle; fewer than a handful are known
many, many more postal markings,
in Glasgow and elsewhere. ■

FIND OUT MORE

Scottish postal history has
been thoroughly
researched, making this
area much less challenging
than it otherwise might be.
For the pre-stamp period,
the core book is Postal
Markings of Scotland to 1840
by Bruce Auckland, first
published in 1985 and
updated in 1995.
ABOVE: Entire posted from Glasgow to Hamilton on December 21, 1840, in the early months of uniform
penny postage, with the double rate paid by two Penny Blacks with Maltese cross cancellations in red

SEPTEMBER 2022 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 51

 See me at:
9th September, Royal National Hotel, London New Website
29th September-1st October, Stampex, London www.jcstamps.co.uk
Details correct at time of going to press

STAMPS PROOFS COVERS ARTWORK

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 EARLY ELIZABETHANS
Three hundred times two
The 1960 issue marking the Tercentenary of the General Letter Office featured
two designs which contrasted hugely in approach, style and even orientation
■ Report by Peter Marren
T
he pressure to produce a
commemorative stamp issue
did not usually come from
within the Post Office, but on this
occasion it did. That’s because the
proposal was to celebrate the
Tercentenary of the General Letter
Office, as the state postal service
was originally called.
There had been some doubt
about when exactly to mark this
anniversary. The first General
Letter Office opened in Post House
Yard, London, in 1643. A state
monopoly for carrying letters in
England, Wales, Scotland and
Ireland had been established under
Oliver Cromwell in 1957. The newly
restored King Charles II annulled
that act and substituted another in
1660 covering England and Wales.
The genesis of what became the
General Post Office could be said to
be any of those dates, but it was the
latter that was chosen for
commemoration in 1960.
The month of the issue was
considered immaterial, but July
was chosen because it coincided
54 www.stampmagazine.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2022
LEFT: 1960
Tercentenary of the
General Letter Office
3d lilac, designed by
Reynolds Stone,
illustrating a
contemporary
postboy on
horseback, blowing
his posthorn
with the London International two different designs, so there
Stamp Exhibition, taking place at were plenty to choose from.
the Royal Festival Hall, and also
the annual conference of the Three front-runners emerged for
Universal Postal Union, being held essaying, by Reynolds Stone
in Eastbourne. (a veteran of previous issues in
There would be two stamps, for 1946 and 1958), Jeffery Matthews
the 3d letter rate and the 1s 3d
airmail rate.
As usual the Council for Industrial
Design supplied a list of suitable
artists. This comprised six names,
plus a spare in case anyone
dropped out; the regular stamp
printers were also invited to
submit designs, but theirs were not
very good.
Unusually, the artists were given
free rein to interpret the theme,
which was a sign that the Post
Office itself had no clear idea of
what it wanted. The design might
be symbolic or pictorial,
horizontal or vertical; inscriptions LEFT: The 1s 3d green,
were not specified, with even the designed by Faith
inclusion of ‘postage’ and ‘revenue’ Jaques, illustrating a
left optional. crown and posthorn
Most of the artists contributed framed by oak leaves

‘Through lack of a firm brief, the invited
designers interpreted the subject in
quite different ways’
(a 32-year-old on his first such
commission, but destined to
become one of Britain’s most
prolific stamp designers), and Faith
Jaques (an illustrator who had crept
onto the list as a standby).
Through lack of a firm brief, the
artists had interpreted the subject
in quite different ways. Stone
inscribed his design with ‘General
Letter Office’ in fancy lettering,
together with the year ‘1660’.
Matthews used ‘Post Office
Charter’ while Jaques limited the
text to the years ‘1660’ and ‘1960’.
Matthews and Jaques went for a
symbolic representation, Stone a
pictorial one. Both he and Jacques
included the royal cypher of
Charles II, but rendered it in
different ways.
Ultimately, Stone’s design of a
contemporary postboy on
horseback, blowing his posthorn,
won ‘wholehearted approval’ for
the 3d lilac. Jaques’ design with its
crown and posthorn framed by oak
leaves was picked for the 1s 3d
green, albeit with some ‘doubts
about its appropriateness’.
The Queen approved these
choices, and the higher value
became the first vertical-format
British commemorative since the
1948 Silver Wedding £1.
Printed in photogravure by
Harrisons, the stamps were issued
on July 7, 1960.
This was the first special issue for
nearly two years, and the first to be
printed on paper with the Multiple
Crowns watermark, which appears
sideways in the case of the 1s 3d.
Pictorial first day covers from
several producers illustrated the
1660 Act of Parliament or mail
coaches, while an ‘International
Postal Conference’ slogan
postmark (illustrating the
lighthouse at Beachy Head) was
used on covers posted from
Eastbourne, and a special
exhibition postmark was available
at the Royal Festival Hall.
The stamps sold well, and stocks
were reported as nearly exhausted
by the end of August, even though
the production run of the 1s 3d had
ABOVE: First day cover noting not only the 300th anniversary of the General Letter Office but also the 120th anniversary of the
Penny Black, the London International Stamp Exhibition and the opening of the post office at York Castle Museum. It features the
‘International Postal Conference’ slogan postmark used in Eastbourne
WORLD NEWS | AUCTIONS | GB COLLECTOR | LETTERS | COMMENT | COMPETITIONS FEATURES EVENTS | STRANGE BUT TRUE
been increased from 4.8 million to
7.2 million at the last minute.
At Stockport a few sheets were
accidentally sold a week before the
issue date, so they can be found
with early postmarks.
A ‘broken mane’ constant flaw
was identified on the 3d, from the
second stamp on the 17th row from
cylinder 1 ‘no dot’.
Judging from the many letters
received by the Post Office, some
people were mystified as to what
the stamps were about.
On the 3d design, some
wondered why the cypher of
Charles II appeared instead of that
of the Queen, while others queried
ABOVE: First day whether ‘1660’ was a printing error
cover illustrating for ‘1960’!
the 1660 Act of
Parliament and a mail
On the 1s 3d, with its two dates
but lack of explanatory inscription,
coach, subsequently the public were left to puzzle
signed by the things out for themselves. How
respective designers many realised that the oak leaves
of the two stamps were an obscure reference to the
Boscobel oak, in which the future
monarch hid after fleeing from
Cromwell’s soldiers?
If the stamps are considered
simply as art, the verdict must
surely be more favourable.
The pictorial design of the 3d was
unusual for the time, and required
a paler shade of lilac than the
corresponding definitive. The 1s 3d
is a neat combination of the formal
and the decorative, and the deep
green colour suits it.
This is miniature art at its most
decorous, even if it did leave some
people scratching their heads! ■
SEPTEMBER 2022 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 55
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Dead reckoning
An otherwise ordinary Penny Red cover of 1855 catches the eye due to its unusual
manuscript annotations. What does it tell us about Victorians’ attitudes to mortality?
■ Report by Norman Watson
RIGHT: Cover of
November 8, 1855,
from Stourbridge to
nearby Wordsley,
franked with a Penny
Red but undelivered
due to the death of
the addressee
F
or our forebears, death was a
much more commonplace
and visible occurrence than
it is today.
Life expectancy in the Victorian
era averaged less than 50 years for
the well-off, and less than 30 years
for the urban poor. One factor
which kept those numbers low was
child mortality, evidence of which
can be seen on the headstones in
almost every graveyard.
For what was still a deeply
Christian nation, however, the
hope of eternal life offered solace.
So Victorians tended to resist
public outpourings of grief. Death
was, well, part of life.
The first signal that someone had
died was often the arrival of a
black-bordered mourning
envelope, preparing its recipient for
the bad news enclosed. Victorian
‘Black-bordered mourning covers
can form a fascinating collection,
but this is something different’
mourning mail can form a
fascinating collection.
But here’s a rather different slant
on this equanimity with death, in
the form of a cover addressed to
someone who was expected to be
alive to receive it, but wasn’t.
Posted on November 8, 1855, as
shown by the Stourbridge twin-arc
datestamp on the reverse, it could
not be delivered due to the passing
of the intended recipient.
Strikingly, there was no beating
about the bush when it came to the
manuscript annotation: ‘Dead’.
And, as if further clarification
was really necessary, the sorters, or
perhaps the postman on a second
delivery attempt, repeated this in
red crayon: ‘Dead’.
Although mountains of Victorian
mourning mail have survived, it is
rare to find a cover with such a
blatant and, to modern eyes,
callous postal marking. The more
commonly seen ‘deceased’ would
have shown more sensitivity.
Sent from Stourbridge to one of its
suburbs, Wordsley, the cover is
SEPTEMBER 2022 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 57
WORLD NEWS | AUCTIONS | GB COLLECTOR | LETTERS | COMMENT | COMPETITIONS FEATURES EVENTS | STRANGE BUT TRUE
VICTORIANA
franked with the workhorse of its
era, a Penny Red.
More precisely, this is one of the
1854-57 perforated stamps
nicknamed the ‘Penny Stars’,
because they had check letters in
the lower corners but still had
stars (or Maltese crosses) in their
upper corners.
It has the corner letters I-D, and
its vertical perforations poorly
aligned, and is tied to the cover
by Stourbridge’s barred-numeral
‘750’ obliterator.
Given the circumstances, it is
ironic that the adhesive was placed
upside-down. This is sometimes
regarded as a symbol of distress or
an insult to the monarchy, but of
course it could also be a result of
simple carelessness.
The addressee, one Edward
Moore, obviously failed to answer
the postman’s knock.
Perhaps it is telling that the
enclosed letter was threatening
him with court proceedings over
the sum of £1 16s 6d which he
owed...to a surgeon! ■
 MAGAZINE
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 WHAT’S ON: EXHIBITIONS To include an event in this listing, we need at least two months’ notice.
Send details to What’s On, Stamp Magazine, David Hall Publishing Ltd,
Suite 6G, Eden House, Enterprise Way, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 6HF.
UK & WORLDWIDE EXHIBITION E-mail: guy.thomas@dhpub.co.uk

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

August 25-28 London N1 0QH. Association Venue: Musée des Timbres et des secretary@nz2023.nz
usA Contact: Philatelic Traders Society, www.danfil.dk Monnaies, Terrasses de Fontvieille, www.nz2023.nz
Great American Stamp Show PO Box 290, Lingfield, Surrey RH7 9AX 98000 Monaco.
Venue: Hall C & D, SAFE Credit Union Tel: 01342 830225 OctOber 27-29 Contact: Patrick Maselis, General mAY 19-21
Convention Center, 1400 J Street, info@thepts.net germANY Commissioner AustrALIA
Sacramento, California 95814. www.thepts.net Postgeschichte Live Tel: +32 474 84 84 39 Hobart Stamp Show
Contact: American Philatelic Society Venue: Ulm-Messe, Böfingerstrasse patrick@maselis.be Venue: Hobart Town Hall, Macquarie
Tel: +1 814 933 3803 OctOber 7-9 50, 89073 Ulm, Germany. www.monacophil.eu Street, Hobart, Tasmania 7000.
stampshow@stamps.org IreLAND Contact: Thomas Höpfner, Deutsche Contact: Peter Allan, Exhibition
www.stamps.org/GASS Stampa 2022 Altbriefsammler-Verein JANuArY 20-22 Secretary, GPO Box 594 Hobart,
Venue: Griffith College Conference Tel: +49 8121 253880 usA Tasmania 7001, Australia.
september 8-11 Centre, South Circular Road, t.hoepfner@t-online.de Sarasota National Stamp hesperus@netspace.net.au
uK Dublin 8. www.dasv-postgeschichte.de Exhibition www.hobartstampshow2023.com
Philatelic Congress of Contact: Stampa, PO Box 12624, Venue: Sarasota Municipal
Great Britain Rathfarnham, Dublin 16, Republic of NOvember 8-12 Auditorium, 801 N Tamiami Trail, mAY 25-28
Venue: Jurys Inn Hotel, 245 Broad Ireland sOutH AFrIcA Sarasota, Florida 34236, USA. germANY
Street, Birmingham B1 2HQ. info@stampa.ie IPEX 2021 International Exhibition Contact: Liz Hisey, Chairman IBRA 2023
Contact: Association of British www.stampa.ie Venue: International Convention Tel: +1 941 444 0777 Venue: Halls 1 & 2, South Entrance,
Philatelic Societies Centre, Convention Square, 1 Lower lizhisey@comcast.net Messe Essen, Alfredstrasse, 45131
sharrison500@btinternet.com OctOber 13-16 Long Street, Cape Town 8001. www.sarasotastampclub.com Essen, Germany.
www.abps.org.uk cZecH repubLIc Contact: Jon Aitchison, UK Contact: IBRA 2023
Liberec 2022 Commissioner AprIL 28-30 www.ibra2023.de
september 8-11 Venue: Wellness Hotel Babylon, Tel: 01279 870488 usA
AustrALIA Nitranská 1, 460 07 Liberec, britishlocals@aol.com Westpex JuNe 2-4
Melbourne 2022 Czech Republic. www.capetown2022.org Venue: Marriott Hotel San Francisco IceLAND
Venue: Caulfield Racecourse, Station Contact: Steve Harrison, UK Airport, 1800 Old Bayshore Highway, Nordia 2023
Street, Caulfield East, Melbourne, Commissioner NOvember 18-20 Burlingame, California 94010. Venue: Ásgardur, Gardabaer, Iceland.
Victoria 3145, Australia. Tel: 0121 313 0671 usA Contact: Westpex Contact: Icelandic Federation
Contact: John Moore, President sharrison500@btinternet.com Chicagopex 2022 www.westpex.org www.postsaga.is
moore.john@optusnet.com.au www.liberec2022.eu Venue: Westin Chicago Northwest,
www.melbourne2022.com.au 400 Park Boulevard, Itasca, mAY 4-7 JuNe 2-4
OctOber 21-23 Illinois 60143, USA. NeW ZeALAND usA
september 28- DeNmArK Contact: Kathy Johnson NZ2023 Napex
OctOber 1 Nordia 2022 kjj5217@gmail.com Venue: Ellerslie Event Centre, Venue: Hilton McLean, Tysons Corner,
uK Venue: Birkerød Idrættscenter chicagopex.org Ellerslie Racecourse, 100 Ascot 7920 Jones Branch Drive, McLean,
Autumn Stampex Bistrupsvej 1, Birkerød 3460, Avenue, Remuera, Auckland 1050, New Virginia 22102, USA
Venue: Business Design Centre, Denmark. NOvember 24-26 Zealand. Contact: Napex
52 Upper Street, Islington, Contact: Danish Philatelic mONAcOpHIL 2022 Contact: NZ2023 www.napex.org

ABOVE: Sacramento, the state capital of California, hosts the Great American Stamp Show in August

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

60 www.stampmagazine.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2022

 WHAT’S ON: AUCTIONS To include an event in this listing, we need at least two months’ notice.
Send details to What’s On, Stamp Magazine, David Hall Publishing Ltd,
Suite 6G, Eden House, Enterprise Way, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 6HF.
UK & WORLDWIDE AUCTION E-mail: guy.thomas@dhpub.co.uk

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

August 10 septemBer 6 Contact: Chalon House, Scar Tel: 01565 653214
englisH-lAnguAge
AJH stAmps CAvendisH Bank, Millers Road, Warwick stamp@sandafayre.com postAl sAles
Venue: The Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa, Philatelic Literature & Collections CV34 5DB www.sandafayre.com
Clayton-le-Moors, Lancashire Venue: Cavendish House, Tel: 01926 499031 County
BB5 5JP. 153-157 London Road, Derby info@warwickandwarwick.com septemBer 13 county@stampauctions.co.uk
Contact: The Laurels, Manchester DE1 2SY. www.warwickandwarwick.com spink www.stampauctions.co.uk
Road, Accrington, Lancashire BB5 2PF Contact: Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Stamps & Covers of Great Britain
mAyfAir
Tel: 01254 393740 Tel: 01332 250970 septemBer 10 Venue: Royal Philatelic Society
info@mpastamps.com
sales@ajhstamps.co.uk stamps@cavendish-auctions.com CHesHire stAmp London, 15 Abchurch Lane, London
www.mpastamps.com
www.ajhstamps.co.uk www.cavendish-auctions.com AuCtions EC4N 7BW.
Venue: Sandafayre, Contact: Spink UK moWBrAy
August 11 septemBer 7 Egerton Court, Haig Road, Tel: 020 7563 4005 mowbray.stamps@xtra.co.nz
pHilAtino WArWiCk & WArWiCk Knutsford, Cheshire Fax: 020 7563 4037 www.mowbrays.co.nz
Venue: online only. Venue: The Court House, WA16 8DX. auctionteam@spink.com
Contact: Philatino, Casilla de Jury Street, Warwick CV34 4EW. Contact: Sandafayre www.spink.com sAJAl pHilAteliCs
Correo 649, 8000 Bahía Blanca, brian@brian-reeve.com
Argentina www.brian-reeve.com
Tel: +54 291 456 3308
Fax: +54 291 455 0253 LOT TO BE DESIRED sAndAfAyre
stamp@sandafayre.com
info@philatino.com
www.sandafayre.com
www.jalilstamps.com
Warwick & Warwick’s postcards sale on September 21 is set to include tHe stAmp group
August 13 info@stampgroup.net
a set of three rare picture postcards sent from the RMS Titanic on her
Bil & Co www.stampgroup.net
Venue: Washingborough Community disastrous maiden voyage in 1912.
Centre, Fen Road, Washingborough, They were written by Marie (Marion) Wright, a survivor of the universAl
Lincolnshire LN4 1AB. shipwreck, to her stepmother and younger sisters, and posted at the info@upastampauctions.co.uk
Contact: Bil Tilbury www.upastampauctions.co.uk
White Star liner’s final port of call at Queenstown in Ireland.
Tel: 01400 230769 vAnCe
One has a picture of the gymnasium, one of the swimming pool and
auctionsbil@btinternet.com mail@vanceauctions.com
www.bilandco.co.uk one of the whole ship, while the messages relate to the facilities and
www.vanceauctions.com
comfort on board.
August 24 All three are postmarked at Queenstown at 3.45pm on April 11. Titanic englisH-lAnguAge
toovey’s
sank after striking an iceberg in the Atlantic Ocean on April 15. online sAles
Venue: Spring Gardens, Washington,
West Sussex, RH20 3BS. Marion, from Bridport, was going to the United States to marry her dAlkeitH
Contact: Toovey’s fiancé. These three cards are part of a larger collection, mostly sent www.dalkeith-auctions.co.uk
Tel: 01903 891955 home after she settled in America.
auctions@tooveys.com delCAmpe
You can read more about her and her story by visiting www.delcampe.net
www.tooveys.com
www.warwickandwarwick.com, and clicking ‘Marion’s story’.
mcCusker
August 25-28 This lot is estimated at £40,000.
www.jamesmccusker.com
sCHuyler rumsey
Venue: Great American Stamp Show, moWBrAy
Sacramento, California, USA. www.mowbrays.co.nz
Contact: Schuyler Rumsey, 47 Kearny
pHilAtino
Street, Suite 500, San Francisco,
www.philatino.com
California 94108, USA
Tel: +1 415 781 5127 rAsmussen
Fax: +1 415 781 5128 www.bruun-rasmussen.dk
srumsey@rumseyauctions.com
www.rumseyauctions.com regenCy
www.regencystamps.com
septemBer 2-3
rogers
HAmBurg
www.michaelrogersinc.com
Venue: Kleine Reichen Strasse 1,
20457 Hamburg, Germany. sAmmArinese
Contact: Auction Galleries Hamburg www.filsam.com
Tel: +49 40 33 71 57
Fax: +49 40 33 13 30 sAndAfAyre
info@auction-galleries.de www.sandafayre.com
www.auction-galleries.de skAnfil
www.skanfil.no
septemBer 4
sWpA stAmp Center
Venue: Harewood House, www.thestampcenter.com
Ridgeway, Plymouth, Devon
PL7 2AS. stAmpfAir
Contact: South West Philatelic www.stampfair.com
Auctions, 2nd Floor, The Watermark torres
Erme Court, Leonards Road, www.antoniotorres.com
Ivybridge, Devon PL21 0SZ.
Tel: 01752 698089 trAfford Books
richardswpa@outlook.com www.traffordbooks.co.uk
www.swpa-stamp-auctions.com

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

62 www.stampmagazine.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2022

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63
 WHAT’S ON: FAIRS
UK STAMP FAIR
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
AUGUST 13
DERBY
(stamps, postal history,
postcards)
Venue: Nunsfield House
Community Hall, 33 Boulton
Road, Alvaston, DE24 0FD.
Time: 9.30am-3.30pm
Contact: H V Johnson & Co
Tel: 01909 562927
MIDDLEWICH
(stamps, postal history)
Venue: Community Centre,
Civic Way, off Leadsmithy
Street, CW10 9BX.
Time: 10am-4pm
Contact: Fred O’Reilly
Tel: 01226 765069
NORTON
(stamps, postal history,
postcards)
Venue: Norton Methodist
Church Hall, High Street,
TS20 2QQ.
Time: 9.30am-1.30pm
Contact: Graham Whitewick
Tel: 07849 904353
AUGUST 14
TORQUAY
(stamps, postal history,
postcards)
Venue: Torquay Boys’
Every care is taken to ensure the details published are accurate, but we cannot be responsible for any errors or cancellations. You are advised to check with the event organisers before setting out.
64 www.stampmagazine.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2022
To include an event in this listing, we need at least two months’ notice.
Send details to What’s On, Stamp Magazine, David Hall Publishing Ltd,
Suite 6G, Eden House, Enterprise Way, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 6HF.
E-mail: guy.thomas@dhpub.co.uk
Grammar School, Shiphay SITTINGBOURNE Time: 9.30am-2.30pm Time: 10am-1pm
Manor Drive, TQ2 7EL. (stamps, postal history, Contact: Andrew Vaughan Contact: Dave Mann
Time: 9.30am-3.30pm postcards) Tel: 07824 775979 Tel: 07976 797975
Contact: Barry Mudie Venue: Carmel Hall,
Tel: 07931 508886 Ufton Lane, off West Street, AUGUST 27 EALING
ME10 1JB. CHESTER (stamps, postal history)
WOKINGHAM Time: 9.30am-3pm (stamps, postal history) Venue: Ealing Parish Church,
(stamps, postal history) Contact: Chris Rapley Venue: Hoole United Reformed St Mary’s Road, W13 9PR.
Venue: St Crispin’s Centre, Tel: 07711 677760 Church, Hoole Road, CH2 3NT. Time: 9am-1pm
London Road, RG40 1SR. Time: 10am-3.30pm Contact: T Brittain
Time: 9am-2pm AUGUST 21 Contact: Terry Barnett Tel: 07957 158299
Contact: T Brittain DRONFIELD Tel: 0151 486 2610
Tel: 07957 158299 (stamps, postal history) MORLEY
Venue: Coal Aston Village Hall, CHICHESTER (stamps, postal history)
AUGUST 17 Eckington Road, Coal Aston, (stamps, postal history) Venue: St Mary’s Church Hall,
EAST GRINSTEAD S18 3AY. Venue: Donnington Parish Commercial Street, LS27 8HZ.
(stamps, postal history, Time: 9.30am-3.30pm Hall, Stockbridge Gardens, Time: 9.30am-3.30pm
postcards) Contact: H V Johnson & Co Donnington, PO19 8QR. Contact: H V Johnson & Co
Venue: Chequer Mead Arts Tel: 01909 562927 Time: 9.30am-3.30pm Tel: 01909 562927
Centre, De La Warr Road, Contact: R&R Stamp Fairs
RH19 3BS. LUTON Tel: 01303 238807 AUGUST 28
Time: 10am-3pm (stamps, postal history, HARROGATE
Contact: John Perriman postcards) COLCHESTER (stamps, postal history,
Tel 01903 244875 Venue: Village Hall, Markyate (stamps, postal history) postcards)
Road & Grove Road, Slip End, Venue: Parish Hall, Old Venue: Masonic Hall,
AUGUST 20 LU1 4BU. London Road, Marks Tey, Station Avenue, HG1 5NE.
HULL Time: 10am-3pm CO6 1EN. Time: 9.30am-3.30pm
(stamps, postal history, Contact: Simon Shaw Time: 9am-3pm Contact: Graham Whitewick
postcards) Tel: 07534 496845 Contact: Lorne Webb Tel: 07849 904353
Venue: St James Centre, Tel: 01424 751518 Shepherd, Churchill Avenue,
169 First Lane, Hessle, SOLIHULL AUGUST 29 Southcourt, HP21 8ER.
HU13 9EY. (stamps, postal history) COVENTRY AYLESBURY Time: 10am-3pm
Time: 9.30am-3.30pm Venue: Knowle Village Hall, (stamps, postal history) (stamps, postal history, Contact: Simon Shaw
Contact: H V Johnson & Co St John’s Close, Knowle, Venue: Shilton Village Hall, postcards) Tel: 07534 496845
Tel: 01909 562927 B93 0NH. Wood Lane, Shilton, CV7 9JZ. Venue: Church of the Good
FELBRIDGE
(stamps, postal history)
Venue: Felbridge Village Hall,
Crawley Down Road, RH19 2NT.
Time: 9.30am-3.00pm
Contact: Chris Rapley
Tel: 07711 677760
SEPTEMBER 3
BECKENHAM
(stamps, postal history,
postcards)
Venue: Azelia Halls,
Croydon Road, BR3 4DA.
Time: 9am-3pm
Contact: Ray McQuade
Tel: 020 8395 9285
BILSBORROW
(stamp, postal history)
Venue: Bilsborrow Village
Hall, Bilsborrow Lane,
PR3 0RP.
Time: 10am-4pm
Contact: Fred O’Reilly
Tel: 01226 765069
CROYDON
(stamps, postal history)
Venue: Shirley Methodist
Church Hall, Eldon Avenue,
CR0 8SD.
Time: 9am-3pm
Contact: Ray McQuade
Tel: 020 8395 9285
RAWRETH
(stamps, postal history,
postcards)
Venue: Rawreth Parish Hall,

SEPTEMBER 9
LONDON
(stamps, postal history)
Venue: Royal National Hotel,
Bedford Way, Russell Square,
WC1H 0DG.
Time: Friday 9am-3pm
Contact: Kate Puleston
Tel: 020 8946 4489
WORLD NEWS | AUCTIONS | GB COLLECTOR | LETTERS | COMMENT | COMPETITIONS | FEATURES EVENTS STRANGE BUT TRUE
NORTON
(stamps, postal history,
postcards)
Venue: Norton Methodist
Church Hall, High Street,
TS20 2QQ.
Time: 9.30am-1.30pm
Contact: Graham Whitewick
Tel: 07849 904353

SEPTEMBER 10 UPMINSTER
DERBY (stamps, postal history,
(stamps, postal history) postcards)
Venue: Nunsfield House Venue: St Laurence Church
Community Hall, 33 Boulton Hall, Corbets Tey Road,
Road, Alvaston, DE24 0FD. RM14 2AJ.
Time: 9.30am-3.30pm Time: 10am-3pm
Contact: H V Johnson & Co Contact: Simon Shaw
Tel: 01909 562927 Tel: 07534 496845

LEICESTER SEPTEMBER 11
(stamps, postal history) OLD BEXLEY
Venue: Derby Room, The (stamps, postal history)
Holiday Inn, St Nicholas Venue: The Freemantle
Circle, LE1 5LX. Hall, Bexley High Street,
Time: 9.30am-3.30pm DA5 1AA.
Contact: John Suschitzky Time: 9.30am-2.30pm
Tel: 0116 235 0441 Contact: Lorne Webb
Tel: 01424 751518
Church Road, SS11 8SH. Venue: Reepham Village Hall, postcards) OXFORD MILTON KEYNES
Time: 9am-3pm Hawthorn Road, LN3 4DU. Venue: Irish Centre, (stamps, postal history) (stamps, postal history) WOKINGHAM
Contact: Barry Mead Time: 9.30am-3.30pm Manor Fields, Watling Venue: Botley WI Hall, Venue: Methodist Hall, (stamps, postal history)
Tel: 07786 302722 Contact: Tony Limb Street, Fenny Stratford, North Hinksey Lane, Queensway, Bletchley, Venue: St Crispin’s Centre,
Tel: 07562 570562 MK2 2HX. off Botley Road, OX2 0LT. MK2 2HB. London Road, RG40 1SR.
SUTTON COLDFIELD Time: 10am-3pm Time: 10am-1.30pm Time: 10am-4pm Time: 9am-2pm
(stamps, postal history, MILTON KEYNES Contact: Simon Shaw Contact: T Brittain Contact: Karen Goodger Contact: T Brittain
postcards) (stamps, postal history, Tel: 07534 496845 Tel: 07957 158299 Tel: 01908 521220 Tel: 07957 158299
Venue: Methodist Church Hall,
South Parage, B72 1QY.
Time: 9.30am-3.30pm
Contact: JRS Fairs
Tel: 07971 281267

SWINDON
(stamps, postal history)
Venue: Lawn Community
Centre, Guildford Avenue,
Lawn, SN3 1LA.
Time: 9.30am-2.30pm
Contact: John Puttock
Tel: 01793 542767

YORK
(stamps, postal history,
postcards)
Venue: Wigginton Recreation
Hall, The Village, Wigginton,
YO32 2PL.
Time: 9am-2pm
Contact: Graham Whitewick
Tel: 07849 904353

SEPTEMBER 4
CHELTENHAM
(stamps, postal history,
postcards)
Venue: Civil Service Club,
Tewkesbury Road, Uckington,
GL51 9SL.
Time: 9am-3pm
Contact: Chris Proctor
Tel: 07813 260752

LINCOLN
(stamps, postal history)

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

SEPTEMBER 2022 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 65

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

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

AUGUST 10 Venue: The Central Methodist George V Era by Neville Carr Venue: Church Hall, DISTRICT PS HAYLING ISLAND SC
BROMLEY & Church, Hargreaves Street, Venue: St Joseph’s Church St Barnabas Church, Members’ Afternoon Birds of Prey
BECKENHAM PS BB11 1DU. Hall, Bugle Street, SO14 2AH. Church Road, Hadleigh, Venue: The Salisbury Room, by David Walker
Members’ Evening: Time: 7.30pm Time: 7pm SS7 2EJ. St Boniface Church Centre, Venue: The Small Hall,
I Also Collect... Contact: Barry Evans Contact: Eddie Mays Time: 7.30 - 10pm Hursley Road, Chandler’s Ford, United Reformed Church,
Venue: Middle Hall, Tel: 01282 616156 Tel: 023 8040 2194 Contact: Laurence Gardiner SO53 2FT. Hollow Lane, Mengham,
Melvin Halls Community Centre, laurencegardiner1 Time: 2pm Hayling Island,
Melvin Road, London SEPTEMBER 6 SEPTEMBER 7 @hotmail.com Contact: Mike Vokes PO11 9EY.
SE20 8EU. SOUTHAMPTON & BENFLEET & Tel: 023 8026 2551 Time: 7.30pm
Time: 7.30pm DISTRICT PS DISTRICT PS SEPTEMBER 8 Contact: David Carter
Contact: David Rennie Australia in the King Auction SOUTHAMPTON & SEPTEMBER 9 Tel: 023 9248 6534
Tel: 020 8778 7001

VECTIS PS
One Frame Competition: ITALY & COLONIES SC
Letter B
Venue: Newport Conservative
Club, Lower Pyle Street, Some 18 members and their partners attended the and airmail to South America.
Newport, Isle of Wight weekend meeting of the Italy & Colonies Study The AGM in London in September will be
PO30 1XB. Circle in Peterborough in May, which combined two accompanied by an auction, and the postponed trip
Time: 7.30pm days of displays with a successful auction. to Lake Como has been rescheduled for May 2023,
Contact: Mike Torreggiani
Tel: 01983 821417 The varied displays encompassed the stamps to coincide with the Veronafil exhibition.
and postal history of the Tyrol, Trieste, Rhodes, For more information on the activities of the
AUGUST 11 Ethiopia and other Italian colonies and overseas Study Circle, contact Andy Harris. E-mail:
SOUTHAMPTON & post offices, as well as historic postage rates, the andycharris@blueyonder.co.uk
DISTRICT PS
House of Savoy, the Franco-Sardinian Postal Treaty Or visit the website, www.icsc-uk.com
Members’ Afternoon
Venue: The Salisbury Room,
St Boniface Church Centre,
Hursley Road, Chandler’s Ford,
SO53 2FT.
Time: 2pm
Contact: Mike Vokes
Tel: 023 8026 2551

AUGUST 12
HAYLING ISLAND SC
USA Airmails
by Vic Stone
Venue: The Small Hall,
United Reformed Church,
Hollow Lane, Mengham,
Hayling Island, PO11 9EY.
Time: 7.30pm
Contact: David Carter
Tel: 023 92486534

AUGUST 15
SOUTH MIDLANDS
SC
Members’ Night: Holiday SOUTHAMPTON & DISTRICT PS
Time
Venue: Barford Memorial Hall,
Church Street, Barford, Southampton & District Philatelic Society has been given an award for
CV35 8EN. outstanding work in the promotion of philately by the Federation of
Time: 1.30pm European Philatelic Associations.
Contact: John Gledhill The Society actively promoted philately during the
Tel: 01789 842112
coronavirus pandemic, and was one of the first in the UK to
AUGUST 23 organise video presentations, with an open policy that
SPALDING & attracted international visitors.
DISTRICT SC Now that it has returned to regular meetings, it has
The Unusual
continued to augment its events with modern technology.
Venue: The Frasier Room,
Gosberton Road, Surfleet, Founded in 1932, the society has 160 members, and
PE11 4AB. publishes a quarterly full-colour journal, Postmark, and a
Time: 7.30pm monthly digital newsletter. It also operates an exchange
Contact: Derek Pollard packet and regular auctions, and has developed close ties
Tel: 01778 426904
with Le Havre PS in France.
SEPTEMBER 1 It is hoped the FEPA certificate will be presented at the
BURNLEY & Philatelic Congress of Great Britain in September.
DISTRICT PS
Latest Acquisitions

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

66 www.stampmagazine.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2022

 THE PHILATELIC REGISTER
For those with an interest in ANY and ALL matters philatelic.
An Innovative FREE Resource
A miscellany of:
Opinion, Informed Comment, Light Hearted
Musings, articles with Historical, Cultural and
Academic interest, Nostalgia, Current Philatelic
Affairs, the most up to date auction catalogues
and retail lists from the trade .

Delivered on 1st Monday of month in pdf

FREE to Subscribers
To join subscriber list

Email PhilatelicRegister@gmail.com

GBPhilately.co.uk
Comprehensive listings of Missing Phosphor, Missing
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Inverted Watermark Varieties along with a range of
selected and more eye catching items.
MachinStamps.co.uk
Listing selected items of interest to the more specialist
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e.g sheet, booklet..... errors and varieties and more unusual
Machin related material will feature.

13p chestnut FCP/PVAD pane of 6 MISSING PHOSPHOR.

1967 Paintings 9d. Fine unmounted mint single with large Ex £4 Christian Heritage.
SHIFT OF BLACK to right. Results in transposition of Queen's
head and value.

IAN LASOK SMITH (PHILATELIST) PTS, IPDA. Ian.lasoksmith@gmail.com

TO ADVERTISE HERE CALL TEL: 01689 869 852 FAX: 01689 869 874
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albums and accessories. We offer
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HERTFORDSHIRE

STAMP PAD
With the closure of Stamp Fairs, Clubs and Auctions unable to hold
competitive arenas, it is left to the Stamp Approval businesses to keep home
based collectors supplied. We have found there to be a considerable increase
in business and new customers taking up the hobby.

Unlike many of our competitors, we service over 350 satisfied customers and
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we get our replacement stock now that Auctions are unable to replenish their
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We have single country 10 page books which cover all Commonwealth

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We engage in personal contact with all new customers. In this way, we are Langley, WD4 9HP
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what you are looking for. Very few customers are disappointed. Tel: 01923 269775
mg.read@btinternet.com

Do give us a try. We only need a reference, preferably a Stamp Auction. www.michaelgread.co.uk

68 www.stampmagazine.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2022

 WEB DIRECTORY
WEB DIRECTORY YOUR GUIDE TO THE BEST PHILATELIC WEBSITES

FEATURED WEBSITES APPROVALS

Great Britain 1839-1951

www.andrewglajer.co.uk

Andrew G Lajer Ltd

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mail@stampsportugal.com Tel:+351 211 557 634
GB AND
APPROVALS COMMONWEALTH
101 FREE STAMPS APPROVALS
When requesting Commonwealth
or Foreign stamps on approval. GVI TO 2016 FINE USED STAMPS
Realistically priced with generous AT 75% OR MORE
discounts of up to 20% DISCOUNT ON SG CATALOGUE
MIKE WALKER PRICES, WANTS LISTS
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WELCOMED. POSTAGE PAID
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SEPTEMBER 2022 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 69

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

BRITISH COMMONWEALTH GREAT BRITAIN

GREAT BRITAIN
Commonwealth FIRST DAY COVERS
BASIC MINT AND USED AT A MAXIMUM OF HALF SG CATALOGUE
Free Price List of First Day Covers
Our price guarantee – has been for the last 35 years! and Commemorative Covers
REGULAR LISTS
STEVEN RILEY
Retail Shop open every Friday 37 BADGER GATE, THRESHFIELD,
SKIPTON BD23 5EN
B & S STAMPS
RUSHCLIFFE HOUSE, 17-19 RECTORY ROAD WEST BRIDGFORD, NOTTINGHAM. NG2 6BE Email: stevenrileycovers@btinternet.com

Tel: 0115 981 6214 alan@robinhood-stamp.co.uk

FOREIGN
Included are Booklets, Booklets Panes,
First Day Covers, and a wide range of Definitives
9 2021 and Commemorative stamps in unmounted and
fine condition. For a friendly personal service.
Why not request a copy today or send is a list of
21 5 paid your requirements. Whether buying or selling we
look forward to receiving your enquiries.
NORWICH STAMP FAIR SALISBURY STAMP &
18th September POSTCARD SHOW
Tel: 01386 841923 Email:blomefield@aol.com Brook Hotel, 2 Barnard Road,
Norwich, NR5 9JB
14th-15th October
Five Rivers Leisure Centre, Hulse
g.fisher243@btinternet.com 10am-3.00pm Road, Salisbury, SP1 3NR

Federal USA State

DUCK HUNTING STAMPS Email: arunstampspobox15@gmail.com
for details and price list, contact
John Wells
P.O. Box 222, Waltham Cross, Herts EN8 8GS
Tel: 01992 628976
E. mail: john.wells123@btinternet.com

Our new RushExpress No. 77A –

something for everyone is now available
can be viewed/downloaded from our website

KG VI Collectors List 1 Indian Feudatory

States. List 2 Convention to Cover all Stanley Ask for our World RushTelegraph No.70 (with big discount)
Gibbons Printed Albums List 3 earlier or other
issues of the Indian States
!!would help Imperial Collectors!!
Court Fees, Revenues, Postal History
or you may send a wants list for a firm quote!
Visit my store at www.ebay.co.uk/str/sunstampco
PO Box 1096. Sunderland. SR3 1WZ
Tel: 01915 235 811 Mob: 07764 830 136
Email: bill@sunstamps.co.uk
K & C Philatelics
THE QV GB SPECIALISTS
QUEEN VICTORIA STAMPS,
AUSTRALIA USED 1913 - 2009 COVERS, PRE-STAMP and
FAROE ISLANDS MINT AND USED 1860 - 1985
SCOTTISH, IRISH, WELSH
POSTAL HISTORY
Tel/Ans: 01245 223120
Email: kcphil@usa.net
Do visit our expanded website: new items
added regularly to each section

TO ADVERTISE www.kcphilatelics.co.uk
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www.stampmagazine.co.uk

70 www.stampmagazine.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2022

 TO ADVERTISE HERE CALL TEL: 01689 869 852 FAX: 01689 869 874
GREAT BRITAIN POSTAL AUCTION

DO YOU COLLECT BRITISH STAMPS? L&R Postal

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We can send you approvals please let us know your interests. Or you can send us
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Tel: 0161 798 4734 riw@isaglo.com no buyers’ premium and wide
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INSURANCE IRELAND Contact us for free catalogue.
L & R Stamps
INSURE YOUR COLLECTION WE BUY IRELAND 12 Townsend Close, Wyton,
ALL RISKS - NO EXCESS Generous prices paid for postal history, Huntingdon, PE28 2AR
GB used in Ireland, high value overprints,
REPLACEMENT VALUE errors, booklets, coils, covers (except post 01480 464552
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always of interest.
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■ EVERY GREAT BRITAIN ISSUE SINCE 1840

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 WORLD NEWS | AUCTIONS | GB COLLECTOR | LETTERS | COMMENT | COMPETITIONS | FEATURES | EVENTS STRANGE BUT TRUE
STRANGE BUT TRUE

Embassy mission
The Polish Government-in-Exile hoped to nudge the United States into entering
World War II by producing a stamp issue in 1941. It was overtaken by events
■ Report by John Winchester

A
fter the invasion of Poland by Nazi
Germany in 1939, followed soon
after by the Soviet Union, large
numbers of Poles escaped to the West,
joining Allied forces as combatants and
forming a Government-in-Exile, located in
Paris and then London.
To provide communication between the
Polish servicemen who were actively
engaged in the conflict, the government
established the Polish Postal Service in
December 1941. It had 38 postal agencies,
located on Polish military bases in Britain
and on Polish ships in British ports.
Of course, these might easily have used
British stamps, but it was decided that
issuing Polish stamps would serve to
remind the world that the country was still
alive and kicking.
Mail bearing stamps of the Polish
Government-in-Exile would be accepted for
delivery in Great Britain and in other friendly nations, and
would pass through regular postal channels.
The printer Bradbury Wilkinson was
contracted to produce a recess-printed set
of eight. Half of them depicted the
devastation created by the invasion, while
the other half conveyed aspects of the
Polish fight-back.
One stamp, however, would have more
propaganda value than the others. The 5g
mauve depicted the ruins of the United
States Embassy in Warsaw, which had been
attacked at the start of the war, forcing the
diplomatic staff (the first Americans to
come under Nazi fire) to flee to Romania.
This affront was an open wound, and the
design was intended to exploit it. The
philatelist President, Franklin Roosevelt,
would be sure to notice the stamp issue.
Perhaps it would help to hasten the US
ABOVE: Polish Government-in-Exile 1941 5g mauve, entry into the war?
depicting the ruins of the US Embassy in Warsaw It might have done just that, had it not
been beaten to the punch. Just eight days
before the stamps were put on sale in December 1941, the
Japanese attacked the US naval base at Pearl Harbor. ■

NEXT MONTH
PLUS
■ The first two-colour
Save the world! GB commemoratives

Remarkable ■ Grandiose inaugural

stamps from stamps of Rhodesia
around the globe ■ Greenland’s pioneering
which have raised Thule parcel post
the issues of
tackling climate ■ Scottish experimental
change and duplex cancellations
protecting
biodiversity... OCTOBER ISSUE
by assaulting all IN SHOPS FROM
of your senses! THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 8

SEPTEMBER 2022 www.stampmagazine.co.uk 73

UPA VIP Series: ‘Because’ …

Act ADVERTISERS’ INDEX

Now AJH STAMPS....................................43 LATIN AMERICAN PHILATELICS .........34

M.L.CLIFFORD .................................46
Has the time BILL BARRELL..................................11

come for you … MARTIN TOWNSEND ........................25

to do something Hi, That’s Me, CDD .................................................34
Thankfully, a few years
different … ? ago now …
MICHAEL G. READ ............................34

Something unexpected happens: certainly, that was what CORINPHILA ................................... 6, 7

happened to me when a ‘blue lights’ ambulance and Police car
whisked me, in an induced comatose state, down the M5 to MILLSTAMPS ...................................44
Bristol Southmead Hospital with a bleed on the brain for an
emergency craniotomy operation after I fell in the garden. COURT PHILATELICS ........................30
Weeks afterwards at the follow-up appointment the German PHILATELINK ....................................32
operating surgeon told my wife and I that as he operated, he
wondered the outcome of continuing … apparently, it was likely
I could have been unable to talk, eat, see or even to walk … GARY J LYON ...................................12
apparently it all looked pretty hopeless, was it worth continuing? PHIL INDEX ......................................56

All somewhat dramatic, traumatic but true: I’m not going to

say that I experienced some form of life-changing revelation
after I made a complete recovery, thanks to the quick action of GUERNSEY POST OFFICE..................24 PURVES PHILATELICS ................. 16-17
my wife and the operating team that saved my life … but I am
going to say that I firmly believe that as one door closes, the
opportunity of another door opens ... and it is up to us whether
inertia beckons OR as life’s ‘philatelic doors’ swing, we make H.W.WOOD.......................................32
ROBSTINE ........................................35
a simple conscious decision – perhaps to carry on collecting
regardless … which is what I did (or rather I gave up collecting
at the age of 18 when I entered the stamp trade – so my choice
is to carry on dealing, auctioneering and hopefully serving you). ROWLAND HILL .......................... 34, 56
IAN LASOK-SMITH ...........................67
So that’s the choice open to you today: INERTIA OR UPA
You may never receive another philatelic bulletin or stamp SOUTH -WEST
magazine … but guess what – you don’t need to … because
all you have to do is contact my company … chances are IAN OLIVER ......................................46
that whatever you collect we can assist you. UPA is the only PHILATELIC AUCTIONS ................... 61
UK based philatelic company today serving collectors in no less
than 6 different ways – from Beginner to Medium to Advanced/
Specialist Collector via our Mixtures /traditional Approvals
JR MOWBRAY ............................ 12, 56
business/ eBay departments/ www.Top-upTwenty.co.uk STEPHEN T. TAYLOR .........................30
instant-Purchase Price-Drop System (on-line), UPA 22,000+/- lot,
All Lots Guaranteed ‘No Buyer’s Premium’ quarterly auctions/
High value sales and valuation/buying departments …
JERWOOD PHILATELICS ...................24 TONY LESTER ..................................29
If you, like me, are passionate about stamps, ACT NOW –
knock upon this Philatelic Door … Go to:

upastampauctions.co.uk JOHN BAREFOOT ...............................3

UPA .................... 13, 18-19, 47, 63, 74

or call my friendly Team: 01451 861111 and let them

know how we can help you continue collecting, even if only we .............................................. IBC, OBC
send you my 32 page Free Top Tips of The Trade…
So don’t delay: Do it today, whilst you’re thinking JOHN CURTIN ..................................52

A
about it. Thank you, WARWICK and WARWICK ............... IFC

JOHN LAMONBY ..............................53

WILLARD ALLMAN...........................30

| Putting Collectors
Like You First
SM 09/22
JOHN WELLS ...................................46 ZEBOOSE .........................................52
 ATTENTION OWNERS OF LARGE/ VALUABLE COLLECTIONS –
from / respond to: Andrew McGavin
Are You THINKING of SELLING?
This is How The
Stamp Trade Works Philatelic 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 ’ To a man, (why are we almost all men), they re-
DE
each philatelic day MYTRA
T more of the right stock I can sell it easily”
ES HE ET
QU F T KL
RE S O OO
P B
TI EE
TOP FR
‘
►licThree
2bidders years later, attending my first pub-
stamp auctions I wondered how some
seemed to buy everything, paying the
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
3 ►Empire collection, lot #1 in an Internation-
al Stamp 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?’
plied – “my biggest problem is stock, if I can get
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’?
A.❱ It’s called the Unique
UPA Reducing Estimate
System...
L reason why we are the largest stamp auction in the
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... ✔ the ‘heavy-lifting’ and consider making ‘time’ work
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
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
able to sell stock. Now is the time to let ‘time’ do
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
M
peg into a round hole.
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
19► Guarantee: I want You to be absolutely
Sure So If You’re not sure we’ll transport
and return your stamps for FREE up to £200 in
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. U U
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
SM 09/22