December 2013

Contents to Volume 44, Number 7

Tre Skilling Yellow appears at the RPSL; Mail Rail development plans get on track and a special report on the opening of the William H Gross Stamp Gallery.

The latest reports from the nation’s Philatelic Societies.

Forthcoming fairs and auctions.

News of recent auction results.

John Holman discusses 1963 commemoratives, the testing labels of Britain and the United States, and reveals the some festive Christmas postmarks.

Royal Mail announce the winning designs from its Christmas stamp competition and reveals its special stamp programme for 2014.

John Deering marks the 20th anniversary of the very first Machin self-adhesive stamps before looking at the latest definitive and Post & Go releases.

Patrick G Awcock discusses the killer cancels of the 20th century and the reasons for their use.

John Holman reports on service changes at Parcelforce, highlights a new Drop & Go services for businesses and reveals more unusual labels and postmarks.

The latest supplement to the Great Britain Specialised Catalogue.

David Horry looks at the possible reasons behind the five-year delay in Jamaica’s first Queen Elizabeth II definitives and examines some associated unissued designs.

Christer Brunstrom traces the plethora of private airlines that provided semi-official airmail stamps in the isolated communities of Northern Canada until their role was taken over by the Post Office.

More wise words from an ordinarie collector of stamps.

Peter van Gelder turns back the clock to compare the commemorative stamps issued 50 years ago with modern-day issues.

The complex history of the Romanian monarchy is explored by John Davis in his latest instalment on the history of European royal families, as depicted by stamps.

A detailed review of the first set in a new series of definitive stamps issued by the Samoa Philatelic Bureau which highlights rare and threatened species.

Your chance to win one of six copies of Jersey Post’s Man of Steel Collector’s Pack.

Basil Herwald explores the fascinating history of Israeli philately and the contemporary issues it faces.

P J Lanspeary provides a comprehensive guide to these amazing birds and the stamp issues they have inspired.

Stamps to look out for from Ceylon.

Your chance to win a £50 Stanley Gibbons voucher.

David Roseveare looks back at the life and work of the late French artist Pierre Bequet who was responsible for over 700 stamps.

Island Hopper reports on the new 2013 Yearbooks from the Isle of Man and Guernsey, and reveals the latest Christmas stamps and a some special Royal-related issues from Jersey.

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

Your monthly summary of recent and forthcoming stamp issues from the world’s philatelic bureaux.

More tongue-in-cheek fun from the Hedley Adams Mobbs collection. SG catalogue editor, Hugh Jefferies, discusses the recent numbering changes in Collect British Stamps and reveals an interesting new St Vincent watermark variety.

The latest, 17-page update to the Stanley Gibbons Catalogue.