Stamps on Stamps

Alternative GB:

The Story Of Stanley Gibbons 1840 - 1913

During the later half of the 19th century one name always in the fore front of collecting was that of a man , who was born in Plymouth Devon. Edward Stanley Gibbons, the son of a pharmacist, William Gibbons, who owned a small corner shop in Trevill Street.

I his teens Stanley was an avid collector of exciting first issues of stamps which started to appear. At the age of 16 whilst working for his father, between the the course of his duties he bought and sold stamps across the counter. He was so successful his father gave him a corner of the shop to use for stamp trading and a small window where he displayed his wares. These were the humble beginning of the worlds largest and best known stamp trading organisazation.

The rest is well known history, the stamp business was more profitable than pharmacy and he concentrated on developing contacts in the trade. He he moved his business to London shortly after his fathers death and Stanley Gibbons Stamp Dealers by Royal appointment was born. Below are illustrations of the panes extracted from the 3rd Prestige stamp book. “The Story Of Stanley Gibbons”. All stamps described are on Fluor Coated Paper with PVA dextrin gum.


	Pane One: the Penny Black

	The pane consists of 6 x 15½p Machin definitives with 2 phosphor bands, the rate covered inland 1st class postage for letters up to 60 gr. The stub describes the penny black, bearing the portrait of Queen Victoria, the worlds first postage stamps which became valid for postage on 6th May 1840. Interestingly the same year that Gibbons was born.


	Pane Two: Forgeries and Errors


	This is a unique pane of 6 x 12½p Machins, which were used to cover the 2nd class inland rate up to 60 gr. As these covered second class postage, only one phosphor tag was needed. This was applied in the form 9 mm phosphor, split 4.mm between the two rows of stamps. Stamps on the left of the pane have a right phosphor band and those on the right, a left band.

The text and illustration on the stub to the left describes one of the most remarkable wholesale forgeries ever known. The stamp potrayed is the Victorian one shilling value ( 1/-) from 1867.

It is also remarkable that it was not discovered for 26 years after the issue date.

Also described is a unique error. The overprinted word “Tangier” is omitted on one stamp. The illustration shows a block of stamps marking the centenary of British Post Offices in Morocco 1957, stamp 5 is the error.


	Pane Three: Design & Quality of British Stamps

Another interesting and unique multi value pane of nine stamps. 7 x 12½p, 1 x 3p and 1 x 2p. There are several se-tenant combinations of interest to collectors. These include 12½p side band left se-tenant with a 12½p centre band that has short phosphor at the bottom.

A 3p 2 band stamp short at the top right se-tenant with a 12½p left banded stamp short at the top.

In all there are several se-tenant combinations and six different specialized singles to collect just from this one pane.

The text on the stub of pane 3 above relates to two classic stamp designs. One of which is greatly regarded by many as Britain’s most handsome stamp. The Postal Union Congress £1.00 value of 1929 depicting St. George and the Dragon.

The second classic design, if you have not already guessed, even though this was printed 24 years ago (from the time of writing), is the Machin definitive. Still a classic definitive and still printed today.


		Pane Four: Postal Rates

	A special block of nine x 15½p first class Machin definitives. All the stamps in this block are uniform having 2 4.5 mm phosphor bands. The text to the left informs us of inland rates, overseas air mail rates and overseas surface rates, these were the rates effective at the time of issue Feb. 1982

	Adding to this Collection

On 31 August 2006 a major event was marked in British history

The Year of the Three Kings: Miniature Sheet

Seventy years ago the Crown was plunged into turmoil as Britain was ruled by three different monarchs in the space of one calendar year. 1936 was a date marked in history books to be known as the The Year Of The Three Kings

In January of 1936, after 26 years on the throne, George V died to be succeeded by his elder son The Prince of Wales, he became King Edward VIII.

His reign was very short as within the space of 11 months Edward had chosen to abdicate, this was due to the political ramifications at the time over his love for American Divorcee Mrs. Wallis Simpson.

Albert George was the next in line to the throne and he became King George V1 in December of the same year.

The sepia photograph ( above ) is interesting as it shows “The Three Royals” posing together in Army Uniform. The postmark on the right I find of special interest as it was a special mark which is based on the Kings Head public house in Kings Heath, ( five miles from where I live ) Birmingham in the UK. It was designed for a limited edition of fist day covers to commemorate this issue.

The miniature sheet carries a £3.00 Machin Definitive and reproductions of 1d stamps (one penny ) definitives issued during the reigns of the three monarchs.

The sheet was designed by Katja Thielan of Together Design and printed by De La Rue in gravure. It measures 127 mm x 73 mm.

The £3 stamps has two phosphor bars, although to specialists this is a different variety , it is basically, except for shade and the colour of the phosphor, the same as the high value stamp available in sheets of 200.


	All stamps that are described on this page are for sale subject to availability. Please contact us for the latest price on any item listed.


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