Innehållsförteckning för May 2025 från Stamp Collector

Forthcoming UK meetings for the South Africa Collectors’ Society have been announced. They are: Letchworth on Saturday, 12 April; Kenilworth on Sunday and Monday, 1–2 June; Letchworth on Saturday, 30 August; and Letchworth on Saturday and Sunday, 1–2 November. The last one is their popular autumn open weekend, where members of other Southern Africa societies, such as the ABWPS (Anglo-Boer War Philatelic Society) and Transvaal Study Circle, are free to join the society in celebrating the world of South African philately and postal history. Chris Lazaroff has been appointed as the commissioner general of Boston 2026, replacing Yamil Kouri, who will continue as the exhibition’s president. This change will enable Kouri to concentrate on his leadership role and handover the important responsibilities of the exhibits to someone else. Lazaroff was…

9–12 April – Eastern 130 Main Street, Bathurst, NB, E2A 1A4, Canada www.easternauctions.com 10–11 April – Argyll Etkin Great Connaught Rooms, 61–65 Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5DA www.argyll-etkin.com 12 April – Bil & Co Washingborough Community Centre, Fen Road, Lincoln LN4 1AB www.bilandco.co.uk 16 April – SGB 399 Strand, London WC2R 0LX sgbaldwins.com 23 April, 26 April – Grosvenor 399–401 Strand, London WC2R 0LT www.grosvenorauctions.com 27 April – Provincial Benson Parish Hall, Sunnyside, Benson, Wallingford OX10 6LZ provincialphilatelics.co.uk 28 April – Plumridge Sunbury Cricket Club, Kenton Court Meadow, Lower Hampton Road, Sunbury-on-Thames TW16 5PS plumridge.co.uk 29 April–1 May – SGB 399 Strand, London WC2R 0LX sgbaldwins.com 29 April – Spink 67–69 Southampton Row, Bloomsbury WC1B 4ET www.spink.com 30 April – Brian Reeve 2 College Fields, Prince Georges Road, London…

EuroPhilEx2025 is a European stamp exhibition. What is the background to such exhibitions, and how often are they held? There are, of course, the world philatelic exhibitions, and these have been held by Britain since the late-19th century. From 1950, they have been staged every decade, normally on years ending in a zero, but the 2020 exhibition had to be delayed to 2022 because of the Covid-19 pandemic. There are also European exhibitions that, as with EuroPhilEx 2025, have FIP (International Federation of Philately) recognition. These are staged at regular intervals, the first hosted by Great Britain being in 2015, with EuroPhilEx 2025 being the second time the exhibition has come to the UK. There will be over 50 countries involved with EuroPhilEx 2025. International exhibitions in the UK have…

The story of Rhodesia begins in the 1890s, when the land north of the Transvaal was chartered to the British South Africa Company (BSAC). The company was owned by Cecil Rhodes, a mining magnate and a prime minister of the Cape Colony. Rhodes’ business methods bear no closer scrutiny here than his record on equality and workers’ rights. But the company ended up owning a vast swathe of territory, for farming and mineral extraction – and one that soon attracted settlers. THE FIRST STAMPS Successful development needs good communications. In the early days, the need could be met by stamps from Mozambique or Bechuanaland – but in 1892, the company issued its own first set of stamps (Figure 1) and later that year, joined the South Africa Postal Union, so…

Ask any child what a postman’s uniform looks like and – thanks to Postman Pat – they’ll likely describe a smart, dark-blue jacket and trouser set, topped with a natty peaked cap. Of course, Pat’s ‘look’ dates from the1980s. Today’s postmen and women are more likely to wear polo tops, T-shirts, padded gilets or a simple high-viz. However, while fashions may change, there’s one thing that all British postal uniforms share – a dash of red. SCARLET LETTERS It may have taken a long time for postboxes to adopt their classic royal red colouration, but red has been a common theme on mail carriers’ uniforms since 1784, when the first official uniform was issued by Royal Mail for guards on their mail coaches. In styling and cut, the guard’s uniform…

In an era when time was money, before the days of electronic communication, the post reigned supreme as being the principal means of communicating at a distance. For the commercial letter writer, it was important to keep tabs on your correspondence, both to ensure that the post office dealt with it promptly and that the business responded in a timely fashion. Bearing witness to this practice, elaborate time clocks can be found on covers, which are often overlooked by postal historians as the marks were applied by the senders and recipients rather than by the post office itself. The mysterious inked impressions were applied by an Automatic Time Stamp Machine invented by John Cornelius Wilson, who secured two patents, which were numbered 527,918 in 1894 and 576,644 in 1897 (Figure…

This edition of Coin Collector includes an article on William Wyon, the legendary engraver, who was responsible for several iconic British coins, including the Gothic Crown, which was first issued in 1847. With its ornate portrait of Queen Victoria and mediaeval-style lettering, this coin drew upon the Gothic Revival movement, which was so popular in Britain at the time. The Gothic Revival marked a renewed interest in the mediaeval era, replacing the influence of neoclassicalism, which had previously been the predominant style. This interest in the mediaeval included literature, with novels like Sir Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe proving popular. In interior design, the work of artists from the Arts and Crafts Movement, led by William Morris with his intricate textiles and wallpapers, was inspired by the craftsmanship of the mediaeval period.…

A new exhibition titled ‘The Coin Hoard of Merishausen’ has opened at the Museum zu Allerheiligen in Switzerland. The exhibition traces the story of a hoard that was hidden in Merishausen around 1554 and rediscovered in 1922 during construction work. Over 1,000 silver and gold coins were discovered in a jar, with the majority of the coins originating from southern German cities, but some were from other countries. The exhibition takes a closer look at the coins and, along with other objects, places the find in its chronological context. The exhibition runs until 19 October. A collection of coins from around the globe assembled by a successful businessman from Singapore is to be auctioned by Heritage. ‘Selections from the Peh Family Collection’ will be offered at Heritage Auctions in Hong…

The death of a loved one is a moment of sorrow. The family gathers, shedding tears for the departed and reminiscing about shared experiences. But once the initial shock fades, an uncomfortable reality often sets in – the inheritance. And when that inheritance includes a coin collection, what unfolds is a spectacle that wavers between comedy and tragedy. Before long, the old cabinet is opened – the very one where the deceased carefully guarded their treasures for decades. With precision, the collection was meticulously curated, placed in albums, sealed in capsules and proudly shown off at every family gathering. Now, the relatives stand before it, wondering: ‘What’s it all worth?’ At first, excitement runs high. After all, Grandpa always spoke of his ‘valuable pieces’ with great pride. ‘Look at this…

It might seem strange to claim that William Wyon (1795–1851)was and is Britain’s most truly popular artist. After all, he is hardly a household name today. Yet it is probably true that his work has been seen by more people than that of any other British artist in history. A brilliant modeller in low relief, whose talent for flattering portraits won him the favour of George IV, William IV and most importantly Queen Victoria, his coins circulated in Britain, and around the world, and were seen and used by hundreds of millions of people. Outdoing even the coins, Wyon’s portrait of Victoria, which appeared on her stamps from 1840 until the end of her reign, was printed in many billions, becoming familiar to much of the world population. EARLY LIFE…

Virtual Stampex took place from 6–8 March while this magazine was in production. This online event, which started in 2020 as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic, provided three days of live talks, roundtable discussions and displays, before moving to an on-demand platform from 9 March until 6 April. Thanks to the efforts of all those involved, we could enjoy a great philatelic show from the comfort of our own homes. For an in-person event, we are now reaching the final stages of preparation for EuroPhilEx 2025, which is taking place from 7–11 May. This month’s magazine includes an interview with Jon Aitchison, who has been extremely busy organising the event. In a break with tradition, the show is being held in Birmingham, instead of London, to encourage as many…

The postal history and story about to be told relates to a family where the father was a baronet, and a son was successful as a representative for Britain in a number of countries around the world. Sir Colville Arthur Durell Barclay, 11th Baronet, was the father of the third son to whom these covers and letters were sent. It was the mother of this son, the former Louise Melanie de Belzim, who was the avid letter writer, giving constant support to this third son, who not only had the same first given name, Colville, but became a successful British diplomat. From her home in Paris to ‘Mon chéri’, Lady Barclay wrote eight detailed pages in French on 8 June 1916 as well as including five recent newspaper cuttings from…

This series of articles aims to look at mail from the World War II period that illustrates the conditions of the time, focusing on the effects of the war as seen by the civilian population of Britain. The previous article introduced this subject and looked at some material from the early days up to the fall of France. This one will focus on the Luftwaffe bombing raids and the civil defence responses to them. The previous article noted that bombing raids had been expected almost immediately upon the outbreak of war, although in the event, hostilities largely developed into the uneasy standoff of the ‘Phoney War’. One set of rules that remained in place regardless were the ‘blackout’ regulations, which were actually introduced on 1 September 1939, before war had…

In the next few weeks, the 2026 edition of A Guide Book of United States Coins (Red Book) will begin to ship. The Red Book is considered the ‘bible of numismatics’ in the United States. Over 25,000,000 copies have been printed since its introduction in 1947, making it one of the largest circulating non-fiction titles ever. Each year, hundreds of thousands of copies are sold around the country and internationally. What makes the Red Book special is that the book is considered a must-have item for anyone new to the hobby and to seasoned experts alike. Most coin dealers have one within arm’s length in their shops and offices. The Red Book has been essential reading for generations of collectors. After serving about two decades of apprenticeship, I was named…

To mark UNESCO’s International Year of Quantum Science and Technology in 2025, a miniature sheet titled Quantum Science and Technology will be released by Chunghwa Post for China (Taiwan) on 14 April. The designation marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of quantum mechanics, which studies physics at a subatomic level. It was in 1925 that physicist Werner Heisenberg published his work on the ‘matrix mechanics’ formulation of quantum mechanics. This followed on from Max Planck’s quantum theory and Albert Einstein’s quantum theory of light, which heralded the advent of quantum mechanics. The miniature sheet will highlight the milestones that quantum science and technology have established in human technological innovation. The four NT$15 stamps in the sheet illustrate: ‘Blackbody Radiation, Photoelectric Effect’, ‘Compton Effect, Bohr’s Atomic Model’, ‘Wave Packet, Schrödinger’s…

Stamp collectors require accessories to properly handle, store and study stamps while preserving their condition and authenticity. These tools help prevent damage, organise collections and enhance the overall experience of stamp collecting. STORAGE Mint (clean, unused) and CTO (cancelled to order) stamps are sold by postal authorities in their offline and online stores in full sets or individually (Figure 1). The CTO and especially mint stamps are usually stored by collectors in albums or stock books (details below) to preserve their condition as they were purchased. Any damage of the face or the reverse side, loss of the glue for example, might reduce their value significantly. Stamps and covers should be kept where humidity and temperature are at safe and fairly consistent levels. High temperatures and humidity can activate the…

The South American republic of Peru provides visitors to the country with extremely diverse landscapes, ranging from tropical rainforests in the Amazon basin in the east to dry deserts and arid plains along the Pacific coastline in the west. We must not forget that most of the country’s area is covered by the high Andes Mountain ranges, which are home to the Quechua and Aymara peoples, with their own languages, culture and traditions. Today, Peru has a population of 34 million people; almost one third or 10 million reside in the capital Lima on the coast. Many have migrated from the highlands in search of a better life in the capital and the other coastal cities. Peru has a very mixed population, with most being Quechua or Aymara Indians or…

On Danish postage stamps, Princess Margrethe was celebrated on her first birthday, on 16 April 1941. She appeared engraved after a photograph on that very date on the arm of her mother, former Crown Princess Ingrid of Sweden (1910–2000). The surcharged issue at 10 öre+5 öre for Children’s Aid in violet was sold in an edition of almost five million, from sheets and in booklets. In the same design, but printed in carmine red, a 20 öre+5 öre value was issued on 8 September 1943, with a circulation of almost two million stamps (Figure 1). On Denmark’s stamp issue of 24 August 1964 for the Red Cross, we find the three sisters, the children of King Frederik IX and Queen Ingrid – the princesses Margrethe, Benedikte (born 1944) and Anne-Marie…

ON SALE 9 MAY Perkins, Patents and Production THE STORY OF THE FIRST STAMP PRINTERS  Algeria – The French Connection WHY ALGERIA OFFERS AN INTERESTING AND COMPACT AREA TO COLLECT The 1945 landing at Inchon in Korea  A VERY EARLY POST-WAR PHILATELIC COVER TELLS THE STORY OF THIS MILITARY ACTION The Hoard Connection SAMUEL PEPYS AND HIS GOLDEN GUINEAS  Treasure Hunt WHEN THE TESTONE BECAME A DICKEN AVAILABLE IN ALL GOOD NEWSAGENTS OR DIRECT FROM https://ccgb.mymagazinesub.co.uk/…

8 April – Noonans 16–17 Bolton Street, Mayfair, London W1J 8BQ www.noonans.co.uk 9 April – C&T High House Business Park, Kenardington, near Ashford, Kent TN26 2LF www.candtauctions.co.uk 15–16 April – St James’s 10 Charles II Street, St James’s, London SW1Y 4AA stjauctions.com 16 April – Warwick & Warwick Chalon House, Scar Bank, Millers Road, Warwick CV34 5DB www.warwickandwarwick.com 7 May – St James’s 10 Charles II Street, St James’s, London SW1Y 4AA stjauctions.com 7 May – Tennants Auction Centre, Harmby Road, Leyburn, North Yorkshire DL8 5SG www.tennants.co.uk…

In the ‘Treasure Hunt’ column in the September 2024 edition of Coin Collector, we took a first look into the work of Czesław Słania (1921–2005) as a banknote engraver and designer, with examples of his proofs for Sweden, Portugal, Brazil and Belgium. Since then, some more offers with original printings of banknote details created by Słania have appeared on the market. In the 1980s, Czesław Słania worked on a series of banknotes for the Central Bank of Israel. The institution was founded in August 1954, when the Bank of Israel Law passed the issuing of currency and regulatory functions from the Ministry of Finance. From June 1952, the Israeli pound (lira yisraelit, which was shortened to ‘IL’) was the currency of the state of Israel. It was pegged to pound…

Many coin hoards are discovered every year. In Britain, these range from the Iron Age of the late-1st century BC to comparatively modern caches hidden in the 20th century. This is the first of a short series of articles looking at coin hoards, why they were buried, why they were never recovered at the time, how they have been later recovered, what then happens to them, what they can tell us and whether the cachet that a coin from a hoard has makes any difference to collectors. RANGE OF HOARDS A couple of years ago, I co-curated an exhibition at King’s Lynn Museum, ‘Hoards: Archaeological Treasures from West Norfolk’, which displayed a selection of these hoards found in the local area spanning most of the 2,000-year period mentioned above. The…

I am sometimes asked how I began collecting and researching medals – what was the spark that ignited a passion that has lasted a lifetime? A boyhood love of toy soldiers developed into a broader interest in military history and a small collection of British Army cap badges and buttons. But it never occurred to me to buy medals until I went to stay with my newly married older sister in Bristol when I was 15. She and her husband had bought a flat in the centre of the city, and for a country boy such as me, the chance to explore Bristol without the encumbrance of parents was rather exciting. I came across Christmas Steps, a wonderfully Dickensian narrow hill going down into the city centre. It was lined…