December 2016

Contents to Volume 47, Number 7

Catch up with the latest new from the philatelic world.

More reports from the nation’s Philatelic Societies.

Forthcoming fairs and auctions.

News of recent auction results.

Fifty years after the British Post Office issued its very first Christmas stamps, John Holman takes a timely look back at that very first festive issue. Also, as Britain gears up to leave the European Union, John seeks out some material for a possible Brexit collection.

We take the wrappers off this year’s Christmas issue and curl up with Post & Go Hibernating Animals.

Although much rarer than the Penny Black released at the same time, the Two Pence Blue and its postal stationery has never achieved the same status as its more famous sister issue. Edward Klempka looks to change all that with a focus on the 1840 and 1841 issues.

John Holman returns with another round-up of developments – including an unusual Post & Go/Horizon label hybrid that’s worth keeping an eye out for.

Machin Maestro John Deering offers another insight into British definitive issues. This month, he looks at the new corporate make-over being rolled out on retail booklets and business sheets, which includes a new listable shade for 1st class Machins.

For the British Post Office, the King’s abdication in 1936 meant the waste of six months’ work developing stamps for his coronation. Douglas Muir delves into The Postal Museum archives to tell the behind-the-scenes story of these unissued stamps.

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

Colin Hoffman examines the first stamps to bear the name ‘Rhodesia’. Although introduced for purely philatelic reasons, this overprinted issue had a very important part to play in the country’s stamp history.

Clive Jones showcases the distinctive postal markings associated with the day and night TPO and steam packet services to Ireland introduced in 1860.

Our resident market expert, Nimrod, highlights stamps to look out for from the Indian Feudatory States.

Another selection of postal stationery items presented by Peter van Gelder.

Picture postcards didn’t appear in Britain until the Post Office changed its regulations in 1894. Brian Lund examines the development of these early postcards and looks at today’s market for used and unused examples.

Following on from his article in last month’s GSM, Hugh Osborne reveals more emergency measures put in place by Postmasters at Grytviken.

New Zealand’s annual Health Stamps have featured numerous images of the royal family over the years – making them an attractive option for royal enthusiasts.

Peter van Gelder returns with another time-travelling review of the commemorative issues of yesteryear. In this latest instalment, Peter turns the clock back 60 years to see what events, anniversaries and milestone moments were celebrated with stamps in 1956.

A summary of recent and forthcoming issues.

More issues from Jersey, the Isle of Man and Guernsey.

Another chance to win a £50 Stanley Gibbons voucher.

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

More fun from the Hedley Adams Mobbs collection.

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

A 15-page update to the Stanley Gibbons Catalogue.