October 2015

Issue: 5

Volume: 46

Inside this month’s issue of GSM, in the first of a series of articles on the franking system of Great Britain from 1652 to 1840, Robert Galland discusses its background and the numerous ways employed to indicate free postage and arriving in Montenegro, Basil Herwald explores the complex history of this tiny nation and its impact on the stamps it has issued.

Contents October 2015

Contents to Volume 46, Number 5


Newsdesk

Breaking news from the stamp world including philatelic tributes to a hero of the Holocaust and a report from Leeds on this year’s Philatelic Congress of Great Britain.


Society News

More reports from the nation’s Philatelic Societies.


Diary Dates

Forthcoming fairs and auctions.


Around the Houses

News of recent auction results.


New Collector

More collecting ideas for new and seasoned collectors.


GB News

Royal Mail marks The Queen’s record-breaking reign with a miniature sheet and new definitive.


Machin Watch

An update on the latest Machin and Post & Go developments from John Deering.


GB Postal History With a Difference: The Problem with Stamps

In his continuing series on the quirky side of British postal history, Don Davies examines how the introduction of the postage stamp in 1840 caused confusion for the public.


The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II

Edward Klempka returns to the pages of GSM to discuss the design work, essays and proofs associated with the 1953 Coronation issue.


GB Specialised Supplement

The latest supplement to the GB Specialised Catalogue.


The Franking System of Great Britain: Part 1

In the first of a series of articles on the franking system of Great Britain from 1652 to 1840, Robert Galland discusses its background and the numerous ways employed to indicate free postage.


International Large Letter Open Value Post & Go Stamps

In another update for Post & Go collectors, John Gray discusses the impact of the recent Royal Mail tariff changes on Open Value Post & Go stamps.


Basil in Montenegro

Arriving in Montenegro, Basil Herwald explores the complex history of this tiny nation and its impact on the stamps it has issued.


Dear GSM

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


Transatlantic Airship Trials Prior to 1940

Focusing on covers sent between Paraguay and Europe, John F Roe looks at the cachets, cancels and other postal marks that were used on Transatlantic mail via the Zeppelin Airmail Service.


Long May She Reign!: Part 2

Beginning at Her Majesty’s 60th birthday and continuing to the present day, Cyril R H Parson concludes his survey of HM The Queen’s life, as depicted on stamps.


The British Post Office on Canton Island

In the 1930s Canton Island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean was serviced by both British and US postal administrations. Steve Pendleton examines the British Post Office activities on the tiny atoll.


Poland's World War I Locals

Cinderella expert Christer Brunstrom highlights the stamps produced by local mail services operating in Poland during World War I.


The 1988 Provisional Definitives of Ghana: The C20 Overprints (Part 3)

Nicholas Pertwee continues his study of Ghana’s 1988 provisional issue.


The Meter Marks of Malaya 1927–41: Part 2

Rob Holley looks at the postal marks created by Neopost and Universal franking machines in Malaya.


Competition

Win a £50 Stanley Gibbons voucher.


Stamp Hunting

Nimrod highlights more stamps to look out for from Fiji.


The Philatelist Abroad

Globe-trotting philatelist Michael Round returns with more stories of his worldwide stamp excursions.


Stamp News in Brief

A summary of recent and forthcoming issues.


Panorama

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


Shore to Shore

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


The Unissued Stamps of Belgian Congo

More tongue-in-cheek fun from the Hedley Adams Mobbs collection.


Catalogue Column

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


Catalogue Supplement

A 16-page update to the Stanley Gibbons catalogue.