December 2019

Contents to Volume 50, Number 7

The latest philatelic news from around the world

More reports from the nation’s Philatelic Societies.

Forthcoming fairs and auctions.

News of recent auction results.

This month Richard West takes a look at what Cinderellas, postal stationery and revenue stamps have to offer the collector.

Royal Mail reveals its Christmas stamp issue which this year ‘illuminates’ the Christian story of the Nativity.

Harry Lane returns with his concluding part to his series looking at British postmarks with a discussion on the often overlooked area of circular rubber handstamps.

John Deering presents another round-up of modern GB issues with a look at some brand new high-value definitives, the Royal Navy mixed commemorative/definitive booklet and the final member of the M19L retail booklet quintet.

The latest supplement to the Stanley Gibbons Great Britain Specialised Catalogue.

Hugh Jefferies makes a welcome return with an article on the stamps of this once hugely important outpost of the British Empire.

Gerald Mariner concludes his study of Jersey Post’s definitive stamp issues with a focus on the issues from 1981 to date.

The postal history items produced by Anglo-Boer war prisoners in India offer an exciting opportunity for those collectors looking for a new challenge.

Another instalment from Noel Davenhill looking at key colonial issues up to the early Elizabethan period.

Peter Van Gelder returns with another varied selection of postal stationery finds, including some very rare Canadian envelopes and more examples of Commonwealth ‘blotto’ stamp imprints.

Some rare postal stationery from the island of Diego Garcia is examined by Steve Pendleton, including those produced during the 1939 pioneering survey flight of the flying boat Guba II.

The latest book and catalogue releases read and rated.

Malayan postal stationery is a rich field for research and discovery, due in part to its low survival rate and an uncertain start date. Len Stanway provides an introduction in the first of a two-part article.

Barry Floyd brings you out of the dark and into the light when it comes to the collecting opportunities of mushrooms on stamps.

John Moody discusses the philatelic legacy left behind by two transient periods of Irish history: the Provisional Government of Ireland and the Irish Free State.

Readers have their say, courtesy of the GSM postbag.

Togolese singer Bella Bellow, who at the age of 28 tragically lost her life, featured on a common definitive design for a number of years. Nicholas Pertwee highlights the several features which make these definitives extra special.

Stamps to look out for from British Solomon Islands.

More new issues from Isle of Man, Guernsey, Alderney and Jersey.

Win a £50 Stanley Gibbons voucher.

A summary of recent and forthcoming issues.

Alison Boyd investigates the stories behind some of the latest stamp issues from around the world.

More tongue-in-cheek fun from the Hedley Adams Mobbs collection.

Hugh Jefferies offers more collecting advice from the Catalogue Editor’s chair.

Your 14-page update to the Stanley Gibbons Catalogue.