July 2021

Contents to Volume 52, Number 2

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.

Richard West offers some more advice for those who have taken up the hobby for the first time or returned to it during lockdown. This month, he looks at some of the specialised equipment you might like to consider to help with your collection.

Royal Mail’s 5th instalment of its Music Giants series pays tribute to one of the world’s most iconic artists – Paul McCartney.

Robert Galland returns with the first of two articles discussing the wrappers used to return undeliverable mail. This month, wrappers used for unpaid letters are examined which were first recorded from 1764.

One of the world’s most famous capitals comes under the magnifying glass as Jeff Dugdale takes us on a thematic tour of London.

John Deering presents another round-up of new finds for modern GB collectors. This month, he highlights some museum Post & Go issues which, due to lockdown, had some very short periods of availability.

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

John Davis FRPSL continues his series on the various ways in which mail has been delivered. This time he looks at how mail has been transported over and even under water.

In another article on ‘dead’ countries, John Moody takes a look at the Independent State of Croatia, which, although only lasting for about four years, managed to produce plenty of interesting issues.

Peter Ford examines the stamps of British Guiana printed by De La Rue between 1876 and 1932.

As Devlan Kruck reveals, the story behind the printing plate used to create the legendary 1847 ‘Post Office’ Mauritius 1d. orange-red and 2d. deep blue, is every bit as fascinating as the stamps themselves.

Steve Pendleton examines the rare philatelic legacy left behind from a ‘very secret’ wartime expedition to two remote islands at the base of the world.

In 1966/67 a revolutionary design in cargo ship came about in the form of the P-class, a design made virtually obsolete soon after by the introduction of container ships. To survive, the P-class was drafted into a round-the world service, which, as Mike Dovey reveals, offers some great opportunities for cover collectors.

Gerhard Freund comments on the drastic political and postal changes witnessed in the Austrian region of South Tyrol after it was awarded to Italy towards the end of World War I.

The latest book releases read and rated.

Stamps to look out for from the Nigerias.

Geir Sør-Reime continues his annual review of modern postal stationery from around the world with a listing of issues from Israel to Romania.

More readers have their say, courtesy of the GSM postbag.

We highlight the latest new issues from Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey.

A summary of recent and forthcoming issues.

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

Don’t miss your chance to win a £50 Stanley Gibbons voucher.

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

A 14-page update to the Stanley Gibbons Catalogue.