January 2014

Contents to Volume 44, Number 8

‘The foremost collection of Canada’ comes to auction; Harry Potter stamps cause controversy in the USA; Stanley Gibbons acquires Noble Investments; 170th birthday of the world’s oldest Christmas card.

The latest reports from the nation’s Philatelic Societies.

Forthcoming fairs and auctions.

News of recent auction results

John Holman looks back at previous ‘children’s stamps’, before looking forward to some of the issues of 2014

Royal Mail’s 2014 stamp programme commences with its Classic Children’s TV issue.

John Holman reports on the privatisation of Royal Mail, and presents the latest developments in downstream access mail, island stamps and Christmas charity posts.

Michael Peach reveals the story behind the man regarded by many as one of the greatest figures in the stamp trade.

Alan Sacks begins a new series on the philatelic associations of the blue plaques of London.

Machin watcher, John Deering, reflects on 2013 before examining the ‘Classic Locomotives of Northern Island’ and ‘Butterflies’ retail stamp booklets.

The latest supplement to the Great Britain Specialised Catalogue.

A recent visit to Jaipur inspires Christer Brunstrom to discuss his appreciation of the attractive pictorials of ‘The Pink City’.

Hugh Jefferies assesses the stamps and postmarks of Zanzibar—a country which offers the opportunity to build up an interesting and relatively inexpensive collection.

Peter Martin shares his passion for a lesser-known area of Canadian philately—its embossed excise revenue stamps.

In his latest ‘PSM’ round-up, Peter van Gelder discusses scenic greetings cards and advertising rings, and reveals the secret behind a New Zealand Boer War card.

Looking to branch out your collection? Barry Floyd provides a guide to the various ways that collections of stamps depicting trees can be arranged.

John Davis looks at the dramatic history of the Russian monarchy through their depiction on stamps.

Discover the history of the Malayan Emergency through its legacy of postal history and social philately.

Philatelic publications reviewed and rated.

Stamps to look out for from Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika.

Your chance to win a £50 Stanley Gibbons voucher.

GSM’s roving reporter, Basil Herwald, provides a unique insight into the Israel Philatelic Service with the help of its Director and International Marketing Manager.

Noel Davenhill tells us why we should consider collecting King George VI Colonials.

Island Hopper presents more issues from the Isle of Man, Guernsey and 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. Hugh Jefferies presents his latest comments as SG catalogue editor.

A 13-page update to the Stanley Gibbons Catalogue