In this issue

In the May issue of Stamp Magazine, we explore the postal history of Kenya since independence in 1963, including its evocative national stamps and the continued validity and postal use of KUT issues well into the 1970s.

We also investigate the story of Campione d’Italia, a little-known exclave of Italy in the Swiss Alps, which not only negotiated its own separate postal arrangements but even issued its own stamps in the 1940s.

The latest in our series on Great Britain’s commemoratives in the early years of Queen Elizabeth II features the Commonwealth Arts Festival set of 1965, while Commonwealth Classics recalls Malta’s 1926 definitive series, with its high values portraying saints.

Our news pages assess the Age of the Dinosaurs set from Royal Mail, interesting new stamps from around the world, and the latest highlights from the auction rooms. Meanwhile, our opinion columns discuss why some philatelic products fall out of favour, and the contribution that academics can make to the hobby’s body of knowledge.

Don’t miss it!

Ship Of State

Recess-printed, lithographed, typographed and overprinted, the attractive Lakatoi issues of British New Guinea and Papua are a complex series with myriad varieties

7 mins

The Finest Cuts For This Year's Christmas Fare

Royal Mail’s Christmas stamps, released on November 5, take a religious approach this year, featuring classy biblical scenes created by paper-cut artists Hari & Deepti.

1 min

Roaring Success?

The first stamp issue for Kenya, Uganda & Tanganyika in 1935 might have united three postal administrations, but its design and printing were far from uniform

2 mins

Man Of Peace

Karl bickel not only transformed and rejuvenated Swiss stamp design in the mid-20th century but also built a monument to peace in his spare time

3 mins

‘Oh Help! Oh No! It's A Gruffalo!'

A Royal Mail stamp issue on October 10 marked the 20th anniversary of the publication of The Gruffalo, the popular children’s picture book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler.

3 mins

Day Of Reckoning

However painstakingly compiled, your collection is destined to be broken up and recycled. It’s not a question of if, but when, and how?

2 mins

Beasts Of Burden

Animals harnessed for postal purposes have come in all shapes and sizes. Some of the choices and some of the scenarios might surprise you

9 mins

King And Kaiser

Johann Kaiser engraved only three stamp designs, but they were the first issues of the Netherlands and Dutch colonies, so his place in philatelic history is secure

3 mins

Whisper Of Wilberforce

A centenary with particular resonance for Sierra Leone inspired one of the finest colonial issues of the 1930s, even if the key protagonist was barely acknowledged

2 mins

Try, Try Again

With the rugby World Cup currently underway in Japan, what better time to investigate the growing potential for a rugby union thematic collection?

7 mins

If The Cap Fits... Now

75 years old, the proud and defiant marianne definitives of France have been through 17 contrasting incarnations. They make great collectables, as stamps or postal history

6 mins

Beep, Beep, Beep

The sound of the first artificial satellite orbiting the Earth shook the world in October 1957. You couldn’t miss the philatelic echo either, as Sputnik was lavishly celebrated by stamps from the Soviet Union and its allies

4 mins

Early Prototype

The elegant first issue of St Christopher in 1870 can lay claim to being an inspiration behind De La Rue’s later key-type designs

2 mins

Delivering The Goods

From street furniture to sorting office, from transport to technology, postal services have long been a recurring theme on british stamps

3 mins

Imperial Splendour

India’s definitives issued to celebrate the coronation Durbar of 1911 were the first to portray a King-Emperor in full regalia, and a personal triumph for the new Viceroy.

2 mins

Comic Potential?

Some of Britain’s proposed stamp issues for 2017 look a little desperate. Will September’s set praise or parody Ladybird Books?

3 mins

Trade Surplus

Despite comprising only two stamps, the EFTa issue of 1967 is one of Great Britain’s most collectable commemorative sets, with multiple missing colour errors and more besides

7 mins

Occupation Octagonals

Produced for use by an occupying army which was already in full retreat, Thessaly’s one and only issue comprised the world’s first octagonal stamps

2 mins

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Stamp Magazine Description:

"As Britain's longest-running independent philatelic magazine, Stamp Magazine offers a wide range of news, features and opinion to interest, entertain and inform you, whatever you collect.
Our news pages are lively and well-informed, and the GB Collector section gives you the inside line on all upcoming British issues. Our features are the best-written and best illustrated in the world of philately, and our regular columnists pull no punches. Stamp Magazine publishes 12 great issues a year."