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

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STAMP UPDATE

IN BRIEF

Wartime dispatches • As the Royal Philatelic Society London hosts ‘The Clash of Empires: The 1879 Anglo-Zulu War’ exhibition this month, co-curator Alex Haimann explains how his personal collection evolved into an exhibition of more than 500 postal, cultural and historic artefacts that explore the War’s history and legacy

Peace doves and more • With the majority of PostEurop issues of 2023 featuring a uniform design to express a longing for ‘Peace’, Michael Burzan returns to the subject and reflects on previous designs

IN BRIEF

Hammer of the stamps • Royal Mail’s new Warhammer stamps set and miniature sheet celebrate four decades of the world’s most popular table-top wargame

Changing tastes • What makes a good stamp design? Has this changed over the years? Richard West reflects on the continued evolution of our stamps, what they celebrate and how they are designed

MARKET INSIGHT • AUCTION HIGHLIGHTS

Dubai’s first issue proves elusive • 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

New Zealand’s 1935-36 definitives • New Zealand has issued many interesting definitives over the years, writes Christer Brunström, often spotlighting local culture, history, economic activities or the Pacific nation’s unique flora and fauna. Here we examine the story behind, and prices paid for, the definitives first released in 1935

An Austrian colour error • In his latest guide to the stamp market Michael Burzan is astounded by the discovery of an Emperor’s Medallion misprint from 1867

COLLECTORS’ CORNER

Curaçao: Stamps for the ‘Slave Island’ • Using a notable collection, Michael Burzan details stamps used by the Caribbean island from pre-philatelic issues to the end of the 19th century

A BRIEF HISTORY OF CURAÇAO

Bulgaria 1911 definitives • Following on from his extensive philatelic tour of Europe, David Bailey takes a closer look at a stand-out set from Bulgaria

The man who split the atom • Chris West examines the groundbreaking work of experimental physicist Ernest Rutherford, depicted for his centenary on this New Zealand stamp, who died before his discovery was instrumental in creating nuclear devastation

Paraguay for philatelists • With a huge number of stamp issues to choose from, Christer Brunström explains how to beat the bewilderment and begin to assemble Paraguay pages in your collection

Clowning about with stamps • With International clown week approaching, now’s the time for a bit of slapstick with your stamp collection, as our thematics guide reveals

5 ISSUES FOR £5!

World Heritage Sites • A thematic collection of UK’sWorld Heritage is possible, but interested philatelists will need to do some sleuthing, says Paul Webber

Stamp surveillance • Paula Hammond explores the fascinating stamps inspired by electromagnetic sensor technology

Stamped to order postal stationery • In the...