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

WRITING IN THIS ISSUE

STAMP UPDATE

IN BRIEF

A life in stamps • The distinguished American philatelist Cheryl R.Ganz talks to Stamp Collector’s Tina Jackson about how starting a collection from personal interest developed into a top-flight career as a museum curator and national advisor

IN BRIEF

Play the Games! • The Royal Mail’s new set commemorating the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games reveals how the Games – and the way they’ve been depicted in stamps – have changed in the UK

Rising to the occasion? • Royal Mail have often celebrated Britain’s sporting successes with stamps, prompting an upsurge in interest and sales, but this year it seems there were no plans for a celebratory issue, writes Richard West

MARKET INSIGHT

Good prospects for a Dhar • Our philatelic private eye spies another stamp set that’s likely to go up in value

LATEST INTERNET SALES • Your quick reference guide to recent online sales, in association with delcampe.net

Stamps from the US Parcel Post set of 1912-1913 • Ed Fletcher summarizes the fight for, and eventual establishment of, a postal service that brought parcels to people’s doors in every state of the Union. A survey that provides recent selling prices for the stamps used to pay for the deliveries keeps you up-to-date in the stamps marketplace

COLLECTORS’ CORNER

Collecting Central America • Look for the name American Bank Note Company on some of the early stamps of Central America and you'll soon form an interesting and visually appealling collection, says Ed Fletcher as he describes some notable examples

The Benelux Countries • In the first part of a new series, David Bailey explores our near neighbours to find new and interesting countries to collect, starting with Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, each founder-members of what is now the EU. The countries have very different histories and so provide challenges and rewards to collectors

The hottest place in the world • You think temperatures were unbearable this summer? Chris West explores the history of the place named DeathValley for its heat-induced fatalities, as depicted on this American stamp

The invert with a sad tale to tell • A rare American stamp, the 1901 2c Empire State Express Inverted Centre, is betterknown and loved than some of the country’s presidents, says Devlan Kruck

EXHIBITION NEWS

Nigeria Definitives 1953 • In his latest examination of a classic set of stamps to add to your album, David Bailey discovers a Commonwealth issue that was years ahead of its time

READ YOUR FAVOURITE MAGAZINE ANYTIME, ANYWHERE!

Birth centenary of Mahatma Gandhi • Richard Scott Morel, Curator, British Library’s Philatelic Collections examines the design and production process behind Mauritius’ 1 July 1969 issue commemorating the centenary of the birth of the Indian leader whose non-violent campaign of resistance culminated in India’s independence from British rule

Online stamps • Being online has become such a part of everyday life that we take it for granted, but with a fascinating and recent history, the internet makes for an involving thematic, as Paula Hammond...