April 2016

Contents to Volume 46, Number 11

Catch up with all the latest news from the philatelic world including: the discovery of a missing Queen on a recent Isle of Man issue; a report from the ground-breaking ceremony for Britain’s new Postal Museum and news on the Royal’s plans for its 150th anniversary.

The latest reports from the nation’s Philatelic Societies.

Forthcoming fairs and auctions.

News of recent auction results.

In his latest column for new and seasoned collectors, John Holman looks at the stamp issues of 1966 and discusses the collecting possibilities of the philatelic souvenirs known as ‘black prints’.

This year sees the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare. To commemorate the anniversary, Royal Mail is issuing a ten-stamp set quoting some of the bard’s best-loved work. To buy or not to buy? The answer to that question can be found on page 34.

Robert Galland returns to GSM with another in-depth article on GB postal history. This time Robert highlights the different types of handstamps used on undeliverable mail during the 19th century.

Shades have always been a popular part of classic GB collecting, however, it looks as though modern Post & Go has produced some ‘shady’ examples too.

In his latest article for modern GB collectors, John Deering talks us through Royal Mail’s latest security measures on self-adhesive Machins and takes a timely look at The Postal Museum’s Post & Go offerings.

The latest supplement to the GB Specialised Catalogue.

After gaining Afghanistan’s independence from Britain in 1919, King Amanullah then attempted to modernise his country—a decision which did not go down well with his subjects. Robert Jack looks at stamps of Amanullah’s short, ten-year reign.

Following the Confederation of the Canadian Dominions in 1867, problems soon arose on how to ‘kill’ used stamps. John Hillson explains how the Dominion’s ‘fancy’ solution started a very interesting period of postal history.

This year marks 50 years of independence for Botswana. Otto Peetoom looks at some pre and post-independence stamp issues released against a timeline of political and economic change.

In the concluding part of his article on the career of stamp engraver, Karl Bickel, Adrian Keppel highlights more of the artist’s beautiful designs and discusses the collaboration between Bickel and his equally talented son.

Glenn Morgan discusses the high-tech preparation methods, intricate proofing stages and final inspections needed to create the perfect gravure printing cylinder.

A chance auction find by Steve Pendleton reveals a unique correspondence from a couple of Antarctic adventurers living in one of the most isolated and thinly populated spots in the world.

Nimrod highlights the stamps of Labuan.

Geir Sor-Reime continues his annual survey with a rundown of recent foreign booklet issues.

A summary of recent and forthcoming issues.

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

Jersey and the Isle of Man post offices pay tribute on HM The Queen’s 90th birthday, while Guernsey illustrates Victor Hugo’s The Toilers of the Sea.

Another chance to win a £50 Stanley Gibbons voucher.

More fun from the Hedley Adams Mobbs collection.

Hugh Jefferies discusses key-plate flaws from Nigeria and asks if a ‘one-off’ from Ireland could be anything but.

A 16-page update to the Stanley Gibbons catalogue