February 2026

Contents to Volume 56, Number 9

A collection of the latest philatelic news from around the world.

More of the latest reports from the nation’s philatelic societies.

Forthcoming fairs and auctions.

News of recent auction results.

Richard West charts the troubled rise of self-adhesive stamps, exploring global breakthroughs, distribution experiments, collector concerns and Royal Mail’s hesitant, often misjudged steps toward abandoning the traditional lick-and-stick stamp.

Royal Mail enters the Upside Down with a Stranger Things stamp issue that mixes UV tricks, split-world designs and 1980s nostalgia.

Marking 150 years since their introduction, John Winchester charts the remarkable story of Britain’s Post Office Telegraph stamps – from their creation and usage to their eventual withdrawal.

John Deering opens the first ‘Definitive Watch’ of 2026 with a forensic look at the Queen Victoria prestige booklet, uncovering an unexpected design curiosity along the way.

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

Nicholas Oughton uncovers the chaotic and daring rocket mail trials of 1930s Australia, where homemade missiles, river crashes and collectable covers shaped one of philately’s most entertaining postal experiments.

John Winchester examines Nova Scotia’s pioneering diamond-shaped stamps and explains why they eventually had to make way for a more conventional design.

Christer Brunström FRPSL highlights Afghanistan’s striking 1951 Waterlow issues, from portraits and landmarks to withdrawn designs and scarce later printings, explaining why this colourful definitive series remains a rewarding field for collectors.

Noel Davenhill traces Niue’s stamp evolution, from early New Zealand overprints to distinctive mid-20th century pictorials, revealing how a remote Pacific island forged its own philatelic identity before gaining independence.

In this concluding instalment, Pradip Jain RDP, FRPSL showcases Patna Qalam covers that portray daily life and covert satire, revealing how Indian artists used humour and imagery to document, and quietly challenge, British colonial rule.

John Winchester tells the curious true tale of a West Virginia publicity stunt that would spark some unexpected philatelic demand.

Explore how snake-themed stamps from around the world blend stunning art, species ecology, conservation messages and cultural symbolism in this captivating thematic philatelic journey by Dr Steven Allain.

A summary of recent and forthcoming issues.

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

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

Stamps to look out for from India.

Guy Thomas reflects on philately’s long love affair with gimmicks – including AI-enabled stamps, novelty materials, odd-shaped issues and even the Penny Black itself.

GSM’s latest competition offers you the opportunity to win one of five SG catalogue titles.

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

The latest 19-page update to the Stanley Gibbons Catalogue.