Stamp Collector

Stamp Collector gives you all the information, news, expert advice, market insight and inspiration you need to build your stamp collection and get the most from your hobby. Every issue features the latest prices, expert collecting advice, in-depth guides giving you the lowdown on classic stamp sets, new stamps, postal history, first-day covers and much more. Our stamp stories shed light on intriguing stamps and why they were produced, and our stamp sidelines pages provide an insight into postmarks, first-day covers, Cinderellas, Post & Go and Europa stamps.

Stamp Collector

Welcome to Stamp Collector • INCORPORATING COIN COLLECTOR

stamp update

new stamps

Colourful Voting for EU Parliamentary Elections • Since the first EU elections in 1979, stamps have been issued to mark the event. Michael Burzan outlines the colourful options available to collectors.

100 Years of Commemorative Stamps • As the UK commemorative stamp programme reaches it centenary, Royal Mail has released a set of 10 stamps highlighting some of the incredible issues of the last 100 years.

Exhibition Souvenirs • The 12 souvenir sheets being issued for EuroPhilEx Birmingham 2025 are the latest in a long line of souvenirs issued for philatelic exhibitions, writes Richard West.

‘Defacing’ Stamps Versus ‘Economies of Scale’ • As Devlan Kruck explains, a block of the 1855 1d red-brown in the forthcoming sale of the ‘Besançon’ collection of Great Britain at Corinphila illustrates a philatelic conundrum.

auction update

A Little Monkey: China Market Indicator? • In this month’s ‘Market Watch’ column, Michael Burzan examines a stamp that has come to symbolise China’s economic growth.

One Set for 11 States • David Bailey looks at the 1957–59 set from Kedah, one of the smaller Malaysian states, which was an omnibus edition for a new federation.

STAMP INCORPORATING COIN COLLECTOR • Encouraging collectors with advice and expertise in every issue

How to Collect Uruguay • Christer Brunström makes the case for collecting the stamps of Uruguay, which include some superb designs and usually closely relate to the interests and history of the country.

From Zero to Hero • As Paula Hammond reaches the end of her A–Z of thematics, she ponders how zero has been depicted on stamps.

Introduction to Precancels • Collecting precancelled stamps is one of philately’s most interesting byways, suggests Richard Tarrant, in his in-depth guide to the subject.

Estate Planning for Philatelists • Following on from an in-depth guide to ‘Philatelic Conservation’ in last month’s edition of Stamp Collector, this time we tackle the very important but often avoided topic of what happens to your stamp collection after you are gone.

‘First’ Lady • With a number of scientific firsts to her name, including the first woman to be awarded a Nobel Prize, Marie Curie is a worthy subject for a stamp, as Chris West explains.

France’s First Stamp Design • France issued its first postage stamp on 1 January 1849. As Michael Burzan has discovered, the design of the figure on the stamp originated from an ancient coin issue.

Art in Pen and Ink • The evocative artwork created by the senders of postal history items catches the eye of postal historian John Scott this month.

Compulsory • Registration As the public persisted in sending coins and other valuable items in the post after 1840, the Post Office began to compulsory register items of mail they considered valuable. Maurice Buxton provides a comprehensive guide to the introduction of the system and how it operated up to the early 20th century.

back of the book • Stamps are just the start! Our wonderful hobby has many sidelines...