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

stamp update • THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF STAMP COLLECTING AND ORGANISED PHILATELY. SEND YOUR NEWS STORIES TO US BY EMAIL TO: alison.boyd@warnersgroup.co.uk

IN BRIEF

new stamps

IN BRIEF

How to Become a Monacophile • With MonacoPhil taking place in December, Michael Burzan reflects on stamps issued for previous shows.

Porridge • Relive one of the UK’s most loved sitcoms with a new eight-stamp set from Royal Mail.

Spiders • A new special issue from Royal Mail features 10 beautiful images of British spiders.

STAMP COLLECTOR INCORPORATING COIN COLLECTOR

Early Commemoratives • As Richard West explains, Great Britain’s very first commemoratives were issued during the reign of George V despite the king’s reservations about the need for such stamps.

A Dealer’s View of Stampex International • As we approach Stampex, Bill Barrell, dealer in the postage stamps and postal history of Great Britain, shares his preparations for the event.

Postponed and Withdrawn • Michael Burzan describes how a stamp, intended for release in 1974 but withdrawn from sale at the last minute, has become a highly valued design.

To Australia and Back • A rare 1d black and 1d red combination cover provides Devlan Kruck with plenty of scope for research, both its original history and subsequent provenance.

price £ watch • YOUR QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE TO ONLINE SALES, IN ASSOCIATION WITH DELCAMPE.NET

auction update

DIARY DATES

Looking Forward to Stampex • Stampex takes place at the Business Design Centre in London from 23–26 October. We took time to chat to Simon Carson, chair of the Philatelic Traders’ Society (PTS), about the show.

Holding the Mail • In the first of two articles, Maurice Buxton provides a guide to mail holding facilities that were available from the post office.

When Money Went Mad • Using a stamp with an amazing denomination, Chris West tells the story of hyperinflation in Germany.

Before and After the War to Doune • Covers to members of a professional and landed family in Scotland that have survived with letters inside are described by philatelist and historian Dane Garrod.

Australia 1959 – Half a Set? • When Australia needed new definitives in the late-1950s, designs to reflect the country’s fauna and flora were chosen for the values from 6d–5s, writes David Bailey.

Photographs in Miniature • This month, John Scott has come across stamp-like photographs that were affixed to letters and postcards.

How to Collect Bhutan • Christer Brunström selects the stamp issues of Bhutan that best represent this remote Himalayan country.

Kaiserliche Reichspost • AsPaula Hammond explains, Germany’s Deutsche Post has its origins in the Kaiserliche Reichspost, which owes its existence to the Thurn and Taxis family, who set up Europe’s first mail service.

An Imaginary Paper Coin • The story of a 19th-century stamp from New South Wales depicting a coin that wasn’t a coin is recounted by Michael Burzan.

back of the book • Stamps are just the start! Our wonderful...