July 2016

Contents to Volume 47, Number 2

The latest news round-up from around the world including the record-breaking auction result from the New York International and Stanley Gibbons’ search for the most iconic stamp in history.

This month’s gathering from the nation’s Philatelic Societies includes reports from Italy and Colonies Study Circle and Rochdale PS.

Forthcoming fairs and auctions.

News of recent auction results.

In his regular column, John Holman looks at what the stamps of Belize, formerly the colony of British Honduras, have to offer new and seasoned collectors.

Royal Mail releases the latest in its annual series commemorating World War I and celebrates 50 years of veteran rockers, Pink Floyd.

World War I postal censorship began on a small scale, but in 1916 it experienced a number of significant developments. Graham Mark surveys these changes, which mirror the progress of the war.

In his latest report on Britain’s private posts, John Holman covers Downstream Access and End-to-End delivery mail, plus the latest news on tourist stamps, Christmas charity mail, railway letter and island stamps.

In this month’s column John Deering, provides an up-to-date checklist of Machins with M16L date and retail booklets with Security Machins.

The latest supplement to the GB Specialised Catalogue.

The popular French Congo pictorials of 1900 have been widely studied and written about. However, as Michael Round reveals, the huge variety of variations known for the issue throws up countless complications for collectors and cataloguers.

As the world remembers the centenary of the Battle of Somme, Alistair Kennedy FRPSL presents a selection of mail from British and Allied forces on the front line, with a particular focus on the postal marking in use at the time.

The crow family has featured in the folklore of numerous cultures for thousands of years. Thankfully, for collectors of birds on stamps, it has also has featured in many stamp issues, as GSM’s philatelic bird-spotter reveals.

The reverse watermarks of the Small Papua Lakatoi are just one area of this highly collectable issue. Mark (Robbo) Robinson gives this unsung (and at present unlisted) hero some much deserved attention.

Reviews of the latest philatelic publications.

As Europe’s best footballers gather in France, Jeff Dugdale turns fantasy football manager as he uses stamps and postal material to compile a line-up of all-time top UK players.

Geir Sor-Reime continues his annual A–Z survey of postal stationery from around the world by looking at foreign stationery issues ranging from Germany to Portugal.

The second part of Otto Peetoom’s timeline of political and economic change in Botswana takes a look at some of the country’s diverse philatelic commemorative issues it has produced since independence 50 years ago.

Nimrod highlights the stamps of Iraq.

A summary of recent and forthcoming issues.

More issues from Jersey, the Isle of Man and Guernsey.

Another chance to win a £50 Stanley Gibbons voucher.

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

More fun from the Hedley Adams Mobbs collection.

Hugh Jefferies offers more advice from the Catalogue Editor’s Chair.

A 13-page update to the Stanley Gibbons Catalogue.