January 2019

Issue: 8

Volume: 49

Included in this month’s issue of GSM, we take a tour of the new premises of the Royal Philatelic Society London and David Alford studies the VR overprints of Fiji.

Contents January 2019

Contents to Volume 49, Number 8


Newsdesk

The latest news from around the philatelic world.


Tomorrow's Royal

Before its move in June 2019, GSM takes a tour of the new premises of the Royal Philatelic Society London to see the Society’s vision for its new home.


Society News

More reports from the nation’s Philatelic Societies.


Diary Dates

Forthcoming fairs and auctions.


Around the Houses

The latest report from the auction rooms.


New Collector

Richard West concludes his study of King George VI definitives with issues from Burma, Ceylon, Hong Kong, Malaya, Singapore and North Borneo.


GB News

We see what Royal Mail’s 2018 Yearbook and Collector Packs have to offer.


The Stamp Designs of David Gentleman: Part 2

Richard West examines David Gentleman’s close working relationship with Tony Benn, the Postmaster General – a pairing that would have a dramatic impact on British stamp design.


Machin Watch

John Deering sees what the Harry Potter retail booklet and the new Special Delivery stamps from Walsall offer Machin collectors, and provides an end-of-year update on self-adhesive security Machins with M18L year codes.


Wilding Portrait Stamps: Part 1

Despite being issued more than 60 years ago, the study of the Wilding portrait stamps is still very much in its infancy. Edward Klempka tells you why the Wildings should be your next challenge.


GB Specialised Supplement

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


Fiji 1874-75 'VR' Overprints

When Fiji was ceded to the UK in 1874, its stamps were overprinted locally with ‘VR’ (Victoria Regina). David Alford studies the overprint’s varieties, surcharges and use on cover.


British Colonial and Protectorate Stamps Part 14: British Solomon Islands

Continuing his series on British Colonial and Protectorate stamps up to the Elizabethan era, Noel Davenhill looks at the issues of the British Solomon Islands.


The History of Radio Through Stamps

Using a variety of postage stamps, QSL stamps and licence-fee stamps, Christer Brunstrom tells the history of radio, from the end of the 19th century to the digital era.


2018 Yearbooks

Jersey, Guernsey, Macao and the Faroe Islands provide an overview of their 2018 issues.


Stamp Hunting

Nimrod highlights some key issues from Kiribati for collectors to look out for.


Mandated New Guinea

Steve Pendleton shows how officials, covers and postmarks can add an extra challenge to collecting New Guinea during the Australian mandate era.


The 1850 Arms of Austria

As Alan Wishart explains, Austrian postal reforms in the 1840s led to the German-Austrian postal union and Austria’s first stamps – the 1850 Arms of Austria issue.


Dear GSM

More readers have their say, courtesy of the GSM postbag.


Gone But Not Forgotten

John Moody investigates the philatelic legacy left behind by the troubled area of Palestine and takes a look at the classic issues of Trinidad.


Bookshelf

The latest book and catalogue releases read and rated.


Shore to Shore

Catch up with the latest issues from Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man.


Competition

Your chance to win a £50 Stanley Gibbons voucher.


Panorama

Alison Boyd investigates the stories behind some of the latest stamp


Stamp News in Brief

A summary of recent and forthcoming issues.


The Unissued Stamps of Queen Victoria

Another gem from the Hedley Adams Mobbs collection.


Catalogue Column

Hugh Jefferies comments from the Editor’s chair.


Catalogue Supplement

Your 15-page update to the Stanley Gibbons Catalogue.