September 2020

Contents to Volume 51, Number 4

The latest news from around the philatelic world.

Richard West reports on SG’s newly refurbished shop on the Strand.

More reports from the nation’s Philatelic Societies.

Forthcoming auctions.

Your monthly roundup of recent auction results.

Richard West takes a look at the promotional souvenirs produced by philatelic agencies, in particular the Crown Agents, to help launch their omnibus issues.

We take a look at the six stamps and miniature sheet issued by Royal Mail to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the rebuilding of the Palace of Westminster.

Douglas N Muir RDP talks us through the design and development of the morale-boosting King George VI Peace issue of 1946.

John Deering takes a look at the latest addition to Royal Mail’s Music Giants series to see what it has to offer modern GB collectors and provides a ‘definitive’ guide to the Declaration of Arbroath emblem stamp miniature sheet.

With London 2020 postponed due to coronavirus, Derek Connell invites us to join him for his very own fantasy philatelic festival.

The latest supplement to the Stanley Gibbons Great Britain Specialised Catalogue.

Ashley Lawrence discusses the postal and social history of a fascinating item of mail carried out of Paris by balloon during the siege of 1870-71.

As the 150th anniversary of the Siege of Paris approaches, Ashley Lawrence discusses the ultimately failed attempt to use Boules de Moulins, sealed metal balls released into the River Seine, to deliver mail to the besieged city.

The many varieties and rarities to be found in the stamps of the Indian feudatory state of Cochin provide a challenge for even the most sophisticated philatelist. However, as Christer Brunstrom explains, this fascinating state still has plenty to offer the general collector.

Adrian Keppel explores the life and career of the famous French stamp illustrator and engraver Pierre Gandon; the man responsible for the iconic Marianne series, which was issued in France as it emerged from the German occupation of World War II.

John Davis FRPSL begins a new series looking at the many different ways messages and the mail have been delivered over the centuries.

Geir Sor-Reime concludes his annual survey of modern foreign postal stationery from around the world with a listing of issues from Slovakia to the Vatican City.

Stamps to look out for from Ascension.

Inspired by Royal Mail’s recent Roman Britain stamp issue, Jeff Dugdale provides an illustrated history of the Roman occupation of Britain.

In his regular article on the stamps of ‘dead’ countries, John Moody investigates the history and philatelic issues of the German Empire.

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

A summary of recent and forthcoming issues.

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

Win a £50 Stanley Gibbons voucher.

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

A 14-page update to the Stanley Gibbons Catalogue.