February 2015

Contents to Volume 45, Number 9

‘Catch up with the latest news from around the world including: the multimillion-dollar unpaid bill from the du Pont auction, Guernsey Post’s 2015 stamp programme, and a new postmaster for the world’s oldest post office.

More reports from the nation’s Philatelic Societies.

Forthcoming fairs and auctions.

News of recent auction results.

More collecting ideas for new and seasoned collectors

We get up close and personal with Royal Mail’s new 2015 Smilers refresh.

Derek Connell highlights the memorabilia and events of the 1950 and 1960 exhibitions which marked the 110th anniversary of the Penny Black and the tercentenary of the Post Office Charter respectively.

John Holman reports on Royal Mail’s revised postal rates for the festive season and presents more of the latest developments in the world of postal labels and postmarks.

Douglas Muir examines the background story of the introduction of Uniform Penny Postage which revolutionises the postal service 175 years ago this month.

John Deering reveals two more M14L-dated Machins to keep a collector’s eye out for; examines the various types available in the Symbolic Flowers issue and looks ahead to what 2015 might have in store for GB enthusiasts.

John Gray offers a guide to collecting the vast amount of Open Value Post & Go stamps that are available through the Post Office’s latest NCR machines.

The latest supplement to the GB Specialised Catalogue.

Reviews of the latest philatelic publications.

John Moody explains how Germany’s charity stamps were ‘stolen’ by the Nazi Party to help support Hitler’s war machine.

One of the many highlights of the upcoming London 2015 exhibition will be a Court of Honour featuring rare items representing the most significant moments of postal communications over the years. We take a sneak look at one of the unique pieces that will be on show.

Whether created with good intentions or to deceive the collector, bogus stamps are now a popular collecting theme. Christer Brunstrom provides the first in a two-part A–Z compilation of bogus issues from around the globe.

Steve Jarvis, FRPSL uses a collection of early airmail covers to piece together an important pioneering era in Jamaica’s postal history.

GSM’s roving reporter, Basil Herwald, takes a tour of Malta’s rich postal history.

Stamps to look out for from Grenada.

Your chance to win a £50 Stanley Gibbons voucher.

Errors and varieties can give an extra dimension to your collection. Noel Davenhill lists a few of his favourites.

Christopher Moor reveals the history of New Zealand’s Government Buildings in Wellington, as told through stamps.

Your monthly summary of recent and forthcoming stamp issues from around the world.

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

More issues from Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey.

More fun from the Hedley Adams Mobbs collection.

Hugh Jefferies reveals some newly discovered varieties on the 5c. King George VI KUT definitive.

The latest update to the Stanley Gibbons Catalogue.