Stamp Collector

Expert advice and guides to help you build your collection

Stamp Collector2 min read
Welcome to Stamp Collector
INCORPORATING COIN COLLECTOR It is in the autumn months that many philatelic activities restart after a summer break, with clubs and societies up and down the country commencing their new season of meetings. As ‘Stamp Update’ reports, this includes t
Stamp Collector2 min read
In Brief
Organisers of the York Stamp and Coin Fair have announced the dates for next year. The first will be on Friday, 17 January to Saturday, 18 January, with the second one on Friday, 18 July to Saturday, 19 July. Both events are being held at the Grandst
Stamp Collector8 min read
New Stamps
Jersey Post released a Construction Vehicles in Jersey stamp issue on 3 September. For this set, celebrated artist Martin Mörck has returned to illustrate a third vehicles issue for Jersey Post. Construction Vehicles in Jersey follows on from his des
Stamp Collector2 min read
How To Become A Monacophile
From 5 to 7 December 2024, MonacoPhil will take place under the patronage of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco. The prestigious international philatelic event, one of the leading stamp shows in the world, was conceived under the patronage of HSH Prince
Stamp Collector6 min read
Porridge
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic and much-loved British TV comedy series Porridge, Royal Mail released a commemorative stamp set on 3 September. First broadcast by the BBC in 1974, Porridge has become a beloved classic, renowned for it
Stamp Collector3 min read
Spiders
Released on 26 September, a new 10-stamp set from Royal Mail celebrates spiders. The issue shows that these web-spinning, eight-legged creatures are fascinating creatures. This contrasts with their less-than-good reputation, with the usual human reac
Stamp Collector1 min read
Stamp Collector Incorporating Coin Collector
Just £4.99 a month* ◗ The latest stamp and coin news and releases ◗ Expert advice, updates and guidance to take your stamp or coin collection to the next level ◗ In-depth collecting guides that analyse classic stamp sets, postal history, first-day co
Stamp Collector3 min read
A Dealer’s View of Stampex International
As we move into the cooler months, the thoughts of many in the philatelic world turn towards Stampex, which is being held in London from 23 to 26 October. We caught up with Bill Barrell to find out about his preparations for the show. Bill Barrell Lt
Stamp Collector1 min read
Stamp Collector
Publisher: Claire Ingram [email protected] Editor: Alison Boyd Designer: Mike Carr Contributors: Brian Austin, David Bailey, Bill Barrell, Christer Brünstrom, Michael Burzan, Maurice Buxton, Simon Carson, Dane Garrod, Paula Hammond, De
Stamp Collector2 min read
In Brief
On 21 August, Romfilatelia released a stamp issue, comprising four stamps, titled Seahorses. The 53 species of seahorses currently known are grouped into one genus, Hippocampus. They live in all warm and temperate waters of seas and oceans. However,
Stamp Collector3 min read
Postponed And Withdrawn
An Austria Post special stamp that was planned for issue 50 years ago, but was withdrawn from the programme and postal counters shortly before it went on sale, has since dominated the higher-priced offerings of 1974 in the market and at auction. The
Stamp Collector9 min read
Stamp Update
Motivgruppe Musik, the international philatelic music study group, has announced the winners of its competition to find the most popular music stamp of 2023. In first place and winner of the Yehudi Menuhin Trophy 2024 was a design by the Italian Stat
Stamp Collector4 min read
To Australia and Back
It can be a fascinating pursuit looking at the journey a particular cover has been on to get from sender to recipient. Of course, this type of detail is the stock-in-trade of the postal historian. Putting the meat on the bone in regard to detail and
Stamp Collector8 min read
Auction Update
The auction of Part II of the Alfred F Kugel Collection, being sold on behalf of the American Philatelic Society, was held by Cherrystone in New Jersey, USA, on 10–11 September. The collection included several German World War II occupation issues. O
Stamp Collector1 min read
Diary Dates
130 Main Street, Bathurst, NB, E2A 1A4, Canada www.easternauctions.com Hill Farm, Hemyock, Cullompton EX15 3UZ www.somersetstampauctions.com The Laurels, Manchester Road, Accrington BB5 2PF ajhstamps.co.uk Washingborough Community Centre, Fen Road, L
Stamp Collector5 min read
Looking Forward to Stampex
This year’s Stampex takes place 23–26 October at the Business Design Centre in London. Organised by the Philatelic Traders’ Society (PTS), this four-day show gives people the chance to enjoy the hobby, learn something new, connect with friends, add i
Stamp Collector6 min read
Holding the Mail
Most of us nowadays are used to mail being delivered to our residence or place of business, but that wasn’t always standard practice – it wasn’t until 1897 that every household was guaranteed a free delivery. Until then, many people had their mail se
Stamp Collector3 min read
Before and After the War to Doune
Before we review the transmission of the mail and postmarks shown, let us consider the people who made it possible and bring to life their stories from long ago. When John Burne of Coldoch, a writer in Stirling who was born in September 1745, married
Stamp Collector3 min read
When Money Went Mad
If, on 19 October 1913, you wanted to send a letter from Berlin to Frankfurt, it would cost 10 pfennigs, one tenth of that most solid of things, a German mark. The stamp illustrated, for 50 thousand million marks, was issued exactly ten years later (
Stamp Collector5 min read
Australia 1959 – Half a Set?
Right from day one, Australian stamps have faced a dilemma. Should they express the country’s independent spirit? Or should they demonstrate its loyalty to the royal family and pride in its place in the Commonwealth? This dichotomy had produced the G
Stamp Collector3 min read
Photographs in Miniature
The photographic carte-de-visite, about the size of a visiting card, was introduced in Paris by the photographer André-Adolphe-Eugène Disdére in 1854 and was the forerunner of the larger ‘cabinet’ size that became a must-have in Victorian society. Mu
Stamp Collector7 min read
How to Collect Bhutan
When the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan issued its very first stamps in 1962, most worldwide collectors probably couldn’t place it on a map. It is located in the Himalayas, bordering on the Chinese province of Tibet to the north and to India in the sout
Stamp Collector4 min read
Kaiserliche Reichspost
Today’s Deutsche Post considers itself a direct descendent of an organisation that was founded 534 years ago. Carrying both government and private mail throughout the Holy Roman Empire, the Kaiserliche Reichspost (Imperial Mail) was the postal system
Stamp Collector5 min read
An Imaginary Paper Coin
One of the most unusual Australian postage stamps used in the British colony of New South Wales was the long-lasting 5s value with a round image of Queen Victoria. This high-value stamp had several editions, interesting varieties, a special watermark
Stamp Collector6 min read
Back Of The Book
Advertising postcards have been popular with collectors ever since the modern epoch of postcard collecting began in the early-1970s, writes Richard Stenlake. Picton’s Priced Catalogue of British Pictorial Postcards and Postmarks 1894–1939 was a trail
Stamp Collector1 min read
Next Month in STAMP COLLECTOR
INCORPORATING COIN COLLECTOR ON SALE 8 NOVEMBER THE STORY OF THE AMERICAN EAGLE AND GREAT SEAL ON US STAMPS FIRST MASTER OF THE POSTS READ ABOUT THE THE SALUKI SISTERS OF SUSSEX DISCOVER THE COINAGE OF THE SASANIAN EMPIRE OF THE 5TH CENTURY WE REACH
Stamp Collector1 min read
Stamp Collector
Publisher: Claire Ingram [email protected] Editor: Alison Boyd Design: Mike Carr Contributors: Will Bennett, Michael Burzan, Jeff Garrett, Paula Hammond, Adrian Marsden, John Philpotts, Sebastian Wieschowski. Kristina Green, Advertisin
Stamp Collector2 min read
Welcome to Coin Collector
I recently attended the BANS (British Association of Numismatic Societies) autumn weekend in Lichfield. It was great to spend a few days among fellow coin enthusiasts and learn more about the world of numismatics, where there are so many different ar
Stamp Collector7 min read
Coin Update
On 14 September, Stack’s Bowers Galleries conducted the first auction of coins from the LE Bruun Collection in the ballroom of the Odd Fellow Palace in Copenhagen, Denmark. When the last of the 286 lots crossed the block, €14,820,900 (£12,341,882) in
Stamp Collector2 min read
News In Brief
A major exhibition, opening 4 April 2025, will showcase finds from the Thames foreshore and explore the role of mudlarks in uncovering thousands of years of human history. The River Thames has been a centre of human activity for over 10,000 years. Be
Stamp Collector1 min read
Forthcoming Events
399 Strand, London WC2R 0LX baldwins.co 16 Bolton Street, Mayfair, London W1J 8BQ www.noonans.co.uk Harmby Road, Leyburn DL8 5SG www.tennants.co.uk Spring Gardens, Washington, West Sussex RH20 3BS www.tooveys.com Auf der Mauer 9, 8001 Zürich, Switzer
Stamp Collector6 min read
Auction Update
An Ashdown Forest Helmet silver unit of c.50–40 BC struck by the Regini tribe of West Sussex was offered at the latest Chris Rudd auction on 15 September (lot 6). This extremely fine example, struck in good-quality silver and beautifully centred, sho
Stamp Collector1 min read
Price£watch
France, 1863 50 francs Napoleon III laurelled head ‘BB’ Paris, gold coin, XF Belgium, 1849 2½ francs Leopold I ‘Little Head’, silver coin, XF Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, 1834 Ferdinand II 120 grana, silver coin, fine New Zealand, 1983 NZ$100 banknot
Stamp Collector3 min read
Another Mint Closes
On 28 August, a ‘Breaking News’ alert interrupted many coin collectors’ peaceful summer holidays: the Mint of Finland, Finland’s national mint, unexpectedly announced its ‘voluntary’ closure. The company’s board justified this drastic step by citing
Stamp Collector3 min read
Misinformation in Numismatics
My morning ritual includes a cup of coffee and an attempt to answer the many emails received overnight. This can be exciting, as you never know what someone will be sending an inquiry about. My handling of the ‘Great Kentucky Hoard’ of Civil War gold
Stamp Collector3 min read
An Unrealised Currency
The numismatic market of eastern Europe has been thriving with the growing economic power of recent decades. So, it is recommended to take a closer look at coin mintings originating from eastern territories. Some specimens may not be easily identifie
Stamp Collector6 min read
The Coinage of Claudius II
In previous issues of Coin Collector, I have talked about the coins of the Roman emperor Gallienus. In this article, I will look at Gallienus’ successor, Claudius II. Gallienus’ assassination outside Milan in 268 left the purple available to anyone w
Stamp Collector2 min read
P Is For Political
They say a day is a long time in politics – today’s heroes easily become tomorrow’s villains, and nowhere is that more apparent than in numismatics. Coins, banknotes and tokens have long been used to celebrate – and demonise – political figures and s
Stamp Collector11 min read
Late Anglo-Saxon Kings
Our story starts in the year 978, with Æthelred the newly anointed king of England at the mere age of 14. The second son of Eadgar and member of the so-called ‘House of Wessex’, he had probably been placed on the throne thanks to the conniving of his
Stamp Collector3 min read
The Final Kings Of Late Anglo-saxon England – Part 1
Æthelred II ‘The Unready’ – 978–1013/1014–16: The eldest son of Eadgar, Æthelred became king at the mere age of 12 following the brutal murder of his half-brother Edward (Figure 6). Young and easy to manipulate, he came to depend on his councillors f
Stamp Collector3 min read
The Christmas Truce of 1914
As we approach Christmas, it is a good time to remember one of the most famous ever celebrations of 25 December. On that date in 1914, some British Army units became participants in the famous Christmas Truce, an episode which to this day is hailed a
Stamp Collector7 min read
New Coins
Following the success of The Gruffalo’s coins in 2019, the Gruffalo’s Child now features on her very own 50p, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the children’s tale of The Gruffalo’s Child. Discover author Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel
Stamp Collector2 min read
In Brief
One of Andorra’s two new €2 commemorative coins for 2024 marks a centenary of skiing in Andorra. The obverse of the coin features a dynamic image of a skier who is skiing towards the right edge of the coin. Only the skier’s legs, skis and right hand
Stamp Collector3 min read
Early Commemoratives
It is well known that King George V was an avid stamp collector. However, despite his enthusiasm, he had very firm views on the role of the stamps and saw no need for commemoratives. Nevertheless, his reign saw not only Britain’s first such set, but
Stamp Collector1 min read
Price £ Watch
China – Huangshan, 1963 landscapes set, MNH, only two shown France, 1936 50f plane over Paris airmail, inverted pink burelage variety, sheet corner (signed and certificate) Great Britain, 1917 registered stationery from London to a Belgian soldier in

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