May 2025

Contents to Volume 55, Number 12

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

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

Get ready for EuroPhilEx 2025 – Britain’s first international stamp exhibition outside London! Discover world-class exhibits and exclusive releases at Birmingham’s NEC. Plus, hear from Chairman Jon Aitchison on organising this landmark event.

Forthcoming fairs and auctions.

News of recent auction results.

Stamp booklets have evolved from early telegraph issues to modern prestige editions. Richard West offers both new and seasoned collectors insight into their origins, innovations and significance, revealing how they have shaped postal history and stamp collecting.

Discover the latest Royal Mail stamp issues celebrating the UK’s rich natural and mythological heritage, from garden wildlife, like foxes and robins, to legendary figures such as Beowulf and Nessie.

In his regular feature for modern GB collectors, John Deering examines Royal Mail’s latest tariff changes and their impact on British definitives, including the introduction of three new King Charles III denominated values, £3.20, £3.50 and £4.30, issued to align with updated international postal rates

In the final instalment of his series, Michael Kogan explores the short-lived Mulready envelopes and letter sheets, detailing their design, public ridicule and swift withdrawal, marking a fascinating chapter in Britain’s early pre-paid postal stationery.

The latest supplement to the Stanley Gibbons Great Britain Specialised Catalogue

This month Albert Jackson discusses the official postal stationery used in German-occupied Poland during World War II that highlight the strict control the occupying forces had over communication and logistics.

Jan Hofmeyr FRPSL examines James Macdonough’s fugitive ink, an innovative but ultimately impractical solution to combat stamp reuse.

In the third instalment of his series, Neil Donen FRPSL examines incoming mail, fundraising philatelic items, postage due complexities and the experimental post office canceller used after the 1935 Quetta earthquake, shedding light on this disaster’s unique postal history.

Michael Round highlights the modern stamp issues of Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe since independence, revealing their historical shifts, currency changes and philatelic gems ahead of the release of the Stanley Gibbons Central Africa Catalogue.

Dr Andrew Dove MBE FRPSL highlights the detention of internees and POWs in World War II in New Zealand, focusing on their living conditions, postal systems, and the regulations governing their treatment and correspondence.

Pierre Béquet was a prolific engraver and designer who shaped modern French philately. David Roseveare reflects on Béquet’s career and artistic legacy, and offers insight into Béquet’s contribution to philately.

Stamps to look out for from Southern Rhodesia

Geir Sør-Reime concludes his latest annual survey of foreign stamp booklets.

A summary of recent and forthcoming issues.

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

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

Tax your brain and take a tipple. GSM’s latest competition offers you the opportunity to win a bottle of stamp-inspired gin.

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

The latest 17-page update to the Stanley Gibbons Catalogue, including addition online-only listings.