Interesting stamps
In Britain, commemorative stamps have been issued by Royal Mail since 1924. The first one was designed and produced for the British Empire Exhibition, which ran for six months in 1924 and five months in 1925. In the following thirty years, there were occasional commemorative issues, between one and three per year, for special events of particular note, after which they became more frequent.
From the mid-1960s. between six and ten special issue sets were produced every year. At this time, official First Day Covers were introduced, along with Presentation Packs. Postcard-sized reproductions of commemorative stamps became available from mid-1970s, to be issued alongside each new set of stamps.
From the early years of the 1970s, the number of sets increased, until usually more than ten sets were produced annually. Ten years later the practice was for Royal Mail to issue ten to fifteen sets a year.
Stamps now commemorate a diverse range of subjects, encompassing history, sport, theatre, science, popular culture, to name but a few.
The stamp at the top of this post was part of a series celebrating one hundred years of cycling. It was issued in 1978. We were still using halfpennies in 1978! They were not phased out until 1984.
I've never been a stamp; collector. As a child, I had a brief period of collecting stamps depicting animals, but the interest faded and the phase passed.
Philately can become almost obsessional, but those who have pursued it throughout their lives have built up valuable collections.
I try to always buy commemorative stamps, but use far fewer than I used to.
ReplyDeleteI had an interest in philately when I was young, but I required a little bit of $ and the guidance of an adult and had neither.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting! I have never been a stamp collector either but I do find the different ones interesting. I am always looking for something different to put on an envelope.
ReplyDeleteStamps are so cool, intriguing- who doesn't love them? USA stamps are fairly boring but when they come out with a winner you can be sure that I will buy some. Never use them, just keep ...
ReplyDeleteMy mum was a collector, she amassed a few albums of different styles, one with trains, one with birds, one with flowers and so on. Her plan was to leave one in her will to each of my children, but on learning none of them was remotely interested in stamps she changed her mind. I don't know what she did with them, maybe sold them or donated them somewhere. I briefly collected stamps as a child when newsagencies sold bags of "pretty" stamps, I think a bag of 65 stamps for a few shillings, later One dollar, but I lost interest, it took away too much of my reading time.
ReplyDeleteAside from the Lear one, I like them all. For a couple of years I collected first days cover, but my interest eventually waned, and they do rather cost.
ReplyDeleteAn uncle gave me an album with a few brand new stamps when I was about ten years old, obviously hoping that I was going to start this hobby. I did dabble with it for a while but soon lost interest and must admit I don't even know what became of the half-filled album.
ReplyDeleteBut I still like beautiful stamps and am always pleased when someone sends me a card or letter where the stamp is part of the whole "package", so to speak.
I don't remember any of those stamps... 10 1/2p for a letter is a strange amount!
ReplyDeleteInteresting stamps. I have never really paid much attention to the ones I get here.
ReplyDeleteWe still get special commemorative stamps here too, obviously all Manx themed!
ReplyDeleteHi Janice - I've bought a few ... as the packs are so informative ... and have a couple here at the moment ... I hadn't seen most of those - glad you had a dig around for us - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI like that Edward Lear one!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a child my maternal Grandmother collected stamps. She left me her collection in 1975. I loved looking at them.. So many were only one penny. Today I try to buy pretty stamps for the few cards I mail out during the year.
ReplyDeleteI did not inherit collector genes from my mother, so have never paid attention to stamps, this is interesting and I have know a couple of stamp collectors. my favorite is the kestrel. I once went to the home of a lady who was an avid collector of what is called depression glass in USA. she had several china closets all over the house because she collected the entire sets in all the colors. she had pink, gold, clear, green and I can't remember the other color... she used her collections for holiday family meals. which gives me the last color which was ruby red.
ReplyDeleteRecently when I went in to purchase Christmas stamps, the clerk pulled out several different books of them. She asked me several questions as to what I was looking for in my stamp purchase. I was lost, because I usually never pay attention to stamps. I must do better. I like these that you have posted..
ReplyDeleteI was very into stamp collecting as a kid. I still save stamps when I get interesting ones like these on a package or envelope, but that's pretty rare nowadays. I love that Edward Lear stamp!
ReplyDeleteLovely stamps
ReplyDeleteThese are great. I'm glad to know commemorative stamps are still ongoing. I collected interesting stamps as a child, but didn't keep it up.
ReplyDeleteI inherited a stamp collection from my grandpa. There were very old once in it from European countries. Probably there are valuable stamps in it. Now Toby has it.
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