September 2015

Contents to Volume 46, Number 4

Breaking news from the philatelic world.

More reports from the nation’s Philatelic Societies.

Forthcoming fairs and auctions.

News of recent auction results.

John Holman reveals more of the obligatory tax stamps of Central America and recalls Britain’s controversial 1965 set issued to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

The Rugby World Cup kicks off and P&G Sea Travel sets sail.

In the first of a two-part survey, Derek Connell examines the range of philatelic memorabilia produced in the run-up to London 2015.

The latest supplement to the GB Specialised Catalogue.

John Deering sees what Royal Mail’s recent Bees retail stamp booklet and Battle of Waterloo prestige stamp booklet has to offer Machin collectors.

Don Davies shows how pen strokes often added to covers in the pre-stamp era not only indicated how much Postboys needed to collect on delivery, but also highlighted the complex postal rates employed before postal reform.

GSM talks to Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of the Thai royal family—also known as The Stamp Collecting Princess. In this exclusive interview, HRH talks about her life with, and on, stamps, and shares some of her extensive personal collection.

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

In the first in a series of articles discussing the introduction of postal franking machines in Malaya, Rob Holley looks at the Midget postal franker, the firms that used them and the meter marks they produced.

In September The Queen will overtake her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, to become Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. To celebrate, Cyril R H Parsons examines key events in the first 25 years of Her Majesty’s reign, as shown on stamps.

Tom Pierron outlines ten of the most extraordinary GB and Commonwealth varieties to have emerged during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

Peter van Gelder returns with another selection of postal stationery items, including a rare Australian perfin find and a printed to order postal card from New Zealand.

The MonacoPhil exhibition taking place in the principality in December will feature a collective exhibition devoted to Polar Philately. As a taster of what will be on offer, the organisers of the exhibition present a selection of postal material from the ground-breaking, but ill-fated, 1881–84 American expedition to Lady Franklin Bay.

Reviews of the latest philatelic publications.

Canada’s federal and provincial revenue stamps are not only very attractive they are also (mostly) very affordable. Christer Brunstrom shows us what this rich and fascinating collecting area has to offer.

Win a £50 Stanley Gibbons voucher.

Nimrod highlights more stamps to look out for from the Indian Convention States.

New island issues from Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man including: Curraghs Wildlife Park, artists of Guernsey, and Jersey’s tribute to Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.

A summary of recent and forthcoming issues.

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

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

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

An 18-page update to the Stanley Gibbons Catalogue.