October 2014

Contents to Volume 45, Number 5

A round-up of the latest philatelic news, including Jersey Post’s new Post & Go machine, plus a report from the 2014 Philatelic Congress of Great Britain.

More reports from the nation’s Philatelic Societies.

Forthcoming fairs and auctions.

News of recent auction results.

As Malawi celebrated its 50th anniversary, John Holman looks at its stamp issues of the last half-century.

Eight of Britain’s most influential Prime Ministers are celebrated on the latest issue from Royal Mail.

Should the recently privatised Royal Mail be re-classified as a private postal operator?

John Deering presents an update on the Post & Go scene and sees what Machin offerings are to be found in Royal Mail’s new World War I prestige booklet.

Alan Sacks continues his alphabetical tour of London’s blue plaques with philatelic associations.

Michael Peach looks at the British Post Offices’ early methods of recovering the cost of returned mail, in particular the use of postage due stamps.

Derek Connell examines the philatelic memorabilia produced by the first London International exhibition to take place after World War I—an event that was shared with the tenth Philatelic Congress of Great Britain.

The latest supplement to the Great Britain Specialised Catalogue.

Australia’s plans for new stamps to mark the reign of Edward VIII were halted by news of his abdication. However, as Richard Breckon reveals, one remarkable item survived which could soon become the most valuable item in Australian commonwealth philately.

David Horry puts forward his candidates for the title of most beautiful post office in the world.

Alan Drysdall examines the stencil-cut and overprinted stamps of the Central South African Railways in use in Transvaal and Orange River Colony.

Stamps to look out for from the Pitcairn Islands.

Your chance to win a £50 Stanley Gibbons voucher.

The earliest stamp to depict a bird was in 1845, since then they have been a continually popular motif. P J Lanspeary examines some of the best bird stamps issued before 1900.

With the advent of the internet, the armchair traveller is able to explore the world. Using definitive stamps from former colonies issued between 1935 and 1970, Noel Davenhill embarks on his own virtual tour of those once far-away places depicted on stamps.

Giorgio Migliavacca discusses the four distinctive series of stamps that were issued by the Sardinian States.

Nicholas Pertwee returns to West Africa to complete his study of the issues marking the Conseil de l’Entente.

Stephen Reah-Johnson examines the evidence behind the existence of the 2s. Rhodesia Admiral SG 273aa.

Was George Odom, the MD of a mail-order woollen business, a spy? Using a variety of covers, David Horry investigates.

Your monthly summary of recent and forthcoming stamp issues from the world’s philatelic bureaux.

Alison Boyd reveals the stories behind some of the latest new stamp issues from around the globe.

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

More fun from the Hedley Adams Mobbs collection.

Hugh Jefferies offers more comments from the catalogue editor’s chair.

A 16-page update to the Stanley Gibbons catalogue.