Stamp Collector

So what do you think of it? The new definitive portrait has finally been unveiled and collectors and commentators have been sharing their views on the profile image of the King. As you might well expect, not all of it has been complimentary. Whatever you think of the image itself, many of us will be pleased to learn that philatelic traditions have been followed, with the design mirroring the portrait used on our coinage (though one does wonder whyThe Royal Mint were so much quicker to reveal their effigy). Whilst King Charles is keen to represent a modern, forwardlooking country, many of us will find the new designs reassuringly familiar. But is that really a good thing and has it really worked? Following the ubiquitous Machin design was never going to be…

Royal Mail have revealed the image of new definitive stamp featuring the image of King Charles III. The design features an adapted version of the portrait created by Martin Jennings for the obverse of the new UK coinage and shows the new monarch facing to the left. The long-awaited design of the new definitive stamps has finally been revealed, exactly five months after the sad passing of Queen Elizabeth II, who had appeared on British definitive stamps for decades. The new stamps, which go on general sale from 4 April 2023, feature a portrait already seen on UK coinage, most notably on the latest 50p coins to be issued by The Royal Mint. This new coin effigy was adjusted and digitally re-lit to make it suitable for use on definitive stamps, with the…

Most collectors of British stamps will be familiar with the terms Machin, Wilding, and Downey Head, each named after the artist responsible for the philatelic portrait of the monarch. Arnold Machin, of course, created a sculpture of the Queen that become one of the most reproduced images in our history; Dorothy Wilding took photographs of the Royal Family on many occasions, her image of a young Queen adorning the first definitives of her reign in the 1950s. Turn the clock back further and we come to Court Photographers W. & D. Downey, who provided a three-quarter portrait of King George V for the shortlived, and often derided, ‘Downey Head’ stamps issued at the start of the Collector King’s reign. But not all photographers or artists have seen their name adopted so…

The new 1st Class stamp will form part of an exhibition of Great Britain’s definitive stamps at the Postal Museum, London. Called ‘The King’s Stamp’, the exhibition coincides with the release of the new King Charles III 1st Class definitive stamp and runs from 8 February until 3 September 2023. Visitors will see rare and valuable stamps from the reigns of seven monarchs, including King Edward VII’s Tyrian Plum and Queen Victoria’s Two Penny Blue. Alongside this, visitors will see how designs developed through original artworks and priceless proofs and discover how previous monarchs influenced designs. Laura Wright, CEO, The Postal Museum said: ‘The new design for King Charles III’s reign will be the first significant change to everyday stamps in many people’s lifetime. Launching our exhibition, in partnership with Royal Mail,…

Royal Mail have revealed the design of eight new stamps and a four-stamp miniature sheet celebrating the centenary of the British locomotive Flying Scotsman. Described as ‘a national treasure of engineering and design’, the world famous locomotive can be admired on tour or at the National Railway Museum in York, and for many conjures up the golden age of steam travel. The eight stamps, in four 1st class and four £1.85 values, show photographs of the locomotive; whilst the mini sheet features two 1st class and two £1.85 values showing classic posters of the train. The release of the stamps coincides with the launch of a commemorative ‘Flying Scotsman’ £2 coin by The Royal Mint, and the two new collectables are available together in the form of a coin cover, with prices…

North Korea has issued a set of stamps showing photographs of leader Kim Jong Un with his daughter, the first time she has appeared on stamps. Entitled ‘Successful Test Launch of the New-type ICBM Hwasongpho-17’, the stamp set features six photographs of Kim Jong Un and his daughter, but the designs are hardly the kind of family portrait most of us are used to, showing the pair admiring the country’s nuclear missile arsenal. According to reports, details of the North Korean leader’s children has only been revealed in recent months, and the November test launch was the first time the daughter, thought to be called Kim Ju Ae, has made a public appearance with her father. Some experts believe the young woman will be the successor to her father and that she…