December 2017

Issue: 7

Volume: 48

Included in this month’s GSM, Pragya Jain discusses India’s pre-stamp postal history and the famous Scinde District Dawks of 1852, readers have their say, courtesy of the GSM postbag and the production and use of Zanzibar’s provisional Republican overprints following the 1964 revolution.

Contents December 2017

Contents to Volume 48, Number 7


Newsdesk

The latest news from around the philatelic world including auction results from Stanley Gibbons and why there are ‘growing’ concerns for a recent issue from New Zealand.


Society News

More reports from the nation’s Philatelic Societies.


Diary Dates

Forthcoming fairs and auctions.


Around the Houses

The latest reports and important upcoming sales from auction rooms at home and abroad.


GB News

Royal Mail commemorates The Queen and Prince Philip’s Platinum Wedding anniversary.


Machin Watch

John Deering looks at the recent Star Wars retail booklets, reveals more M17L printings and guides us through the Royal Navy Submarine Museum’s Post & Go inscriptions.


The Unusual Face of British Postal History

Based on his three-frame exhibit, which won a large vermeil at the National Competition in York, Peter Chadwick looks at some less common and less well-known facets of the mail system in Britain before 1840.


Three Halfpence Postage in Victorian Britain

Using a variety of covers, Michael Peach provides a guide to the use of three halfpence postage in Victorian Britain.


GB Specialised Supplement

The latest supplement to the GB Specialised Catalogue.


Gibraltar: Elizabethan Stamps That Were Never Issued

Richard Garcia MBE, FRPSL examines a selection of stamps from Gibraltar that had to be altered during the design stages before being issued to the public.


Dear GSM

Readers have their say, courtesy of the GSM postbag.


A Study of the First Issues of India (1852-1854): Part 1

Pragya Jain discusses India’s pre-stamp postal history and the famous Scinde District Dawks of 1852.


Getting It Right For The Colonies

Brian Livingstone investigates why none of the Crown Colonies issued definitive stamps with a portrait of King George VI until almost a year after he came to the throne.


Competition

Another chance to win a £50 Stanley Gibbons voucher.


Sudan: The Development of the 1951 Pictorial Issue

In 1951, after more than 50 years of use, the iconic ‘Camel’ definitive was replaced with a new pictorial set. Richard Stock FRPSL takes a look at its production.


20 Years of Stamps in Schools

After two decades and almost 500 school visits, Erene Grieve gives an update to the Stamps in Schools project, which aims to introduce school children to philately.


Caught in the Middle: Philately of Juan de Nova

Steve Pendleton discusses a little known island with an interesting philatelic history.


New Zealand's America's Cup Stamps

Christopher Moor presents the various stamps issued by New Zealand that reflect the successes and failures the country has made in its endeavours to win ‘Auld Mug’.


Stamp Hunting

Nimrod highlights some desirable stamps to look out for.


The 1964 Provisional Republican Stamps of Zanzibar

The production and use of Zanzibar’s provisional Republican overprints following the 1964 revolution.


The Voyages of Columbus

Christer Brunstrom is on deck to offer some helpful advice for those looking to explore new thematic waters.


Postal Stationery Matters

Peter van Gelder returns to GSM with another selection of new postal stationery finds.


Stamp News in Brief

A summary of recent and forthcoming issues from around the world.


Panorama

Alison Boyd looks into the stories behind some more new stamp issues.


Shore to Shore

Get in the festive mood with the new Christmas issues from Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man.


The Unissued Stamps of Costa Rica

More faux fun from the Hedley Adams Mobbs collection.


Catalogue Column

Hugh Jefferies offers more comments from the Catalogue Editor’s chair.


Catalogue Supplement

Your 14-page update to the Stanley Gibbons Catalogue.