Contents to Volume 56, Number 8
January 2026
Issue: 8
Volume: 56
Inside this month’s issue of GSM, in the first of a two-part article, Pradip Jain RDP, FRPSL discusses the Patna School caricature covers that offer a rare, insightful and often satirical portrait of everyday life in colonial India and Douglas N Muir RDP takes us behind the scenes at Royal Mail to reveal the choices, challenges and design refinements that brought its new The Stamps of Queen Victoria issue to life.
Contents January 2026
Newsdesk
A collection of the latest philatelic news from around the world.
Society News
More of the latest reports from the nation’s philatelic societies.
Diary Dates
Forthcoming fairs and auctions.
Around the Houses
News of recent auction results.
New Collector
Richard West charts the surprising origins of self-adhesive stamps, from whisky-label technology to Sierra Leone’s groundbreaking 1964 issue, revealing how an innovation, once dismissed as a gimmick, reshaped modern stamp use.
GB News
Royal Mail turns back the clock with a beautifully created stamp-on-stamp set highlighting landmark Victorian stamps, from the Penny Black to the 1887 Jubilee issue.
Inside Story: The Stamps of Queen Victoria
Douglas N Muir RDP takes us behind the scenes at Royal Mail to reveal the choices, challenges and design refinements that brought its new The Stamps of Queen Victoria issue to life.
Definitive Watch
Modern GB specialist John Deering begins this month’s ‘Definitive Watch’ with a festive look at Royal Mail’s new-format Christmas booklets before beginning his detailed appraisal of the Stamps of Queen Victoria issue prestige stamp booklet.
GB Specialised Supplement
The latest supplement to the Stanley Gibbons Great Britain Specialised Catalogue.
Caricatures of Colonial India Part 1: The Company School Paintings
In the first of a two-part article, Pradip Jain RDP, FRPSL discusses the Patna School caricature covers that offer a rare, insightful and often satirical portrait of everyday life in colonial India.
German States: The Pre-Stamp Postal History and First Issues of Hanover
Michael Burzan explores Hanover’s royal links to Britain, its pre-stamp postal evolution and its landmark 1850 ‘Franco’ first issue.
Madame Joseph Forged Postmarks Associated with 1935 Silver Jubilee Stamps: Part 6: Other Dealers and Implement Usage
Neil Donen FRPSL delves deeper into the Madame Joseph postmark forgeries associated with the 1935 Silver Jubilee issue, exposing additional dealer involvement, analysing surviving implements at the RPSL and unveiling new, previously undocumented examples of forged postmarks.
Dear GSM
More readers have their say, courtesy of the GSM postbag.
Comment Column: Royal Mail and the Post Office Divide
Guy Thomas weighs nostalgia against innovation, showing how thoughtful themes, bespoke design and visual impact continue to shape standout modern British stamps, despite frequent criticism.
Postal Service by the Sovereign Military Order of Malta
Marc Parren explores the postal history between the Sovereign Military Order of Malta’s postal service and its growing network of international postal partners.
Bookshelf
The latest books and catalogues read and rated.
2025 Yearbooks
We take a look at the 2025 annual products from Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man and Macao.
Curious But True: The One That Got Away
A rejected portrait, a withdrawn stamp and a scramble to reprint: John Winchester reveals the remarkable tale of Alfred Kastler’s 1986 curious philatelic controversy.
Stamp News in Brief
A summary of recent and forthcoming issues.
Panorama
GSM investigates the stories behind some of the latest stamp issues from around the world.
Shore to Shore
We highlight the latest new issues from Isle of Man, Jersey and Sark.
Stamp Hunting
Stamps to look out for from Swaziland.
Gems of the Commonwealth: Lost in Translation
John Winchester reveals how a British fiscal sparked the state of Victoria’s acclaimed 1863 Laureate issue, turning a chaotic early printing into one of the Commonwealth’s most complex and collectable stamp series.
Competition
GSM’s latest competition offers you the opportunity to win one of five SG catalogue titles.
Catalogue Column
Hugh Jefferies offers more thoughts from the Catalogue Editor’s chair.
Catalogue Supplement
The latest 18-page update to the Stanley Gibbons Catalogue.