Stamp Magazine - July 2020

In this issue

"Our July/August issue celebrates the history of British stamps and postal history through their milestone developments, from 1840 to the present day, with each innovation offering a logical starting point (or finishing point) for an interesting collection. We also mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale with a feature covering everything from Crimean War covers to modern tribute stamps. And, as a special tribute to nursing as a profession, at a time when it is better appreciated than ever, we suggest the 24 issues with which to start up a thematic collection. Commonwealth Classics investigates the 1860 India stamp intended specifically for soldier’s mail, while Great Engravers focuses on the work of Sven Ewert, a dominant force in mid-20th century Sweden. In our other regular feature, Black Magic, we focus on a Penny Black cover with a ‘Too Late’ postmark and look at the reason these were used. Our news pages have details of more coronavirus commemoratives from around the world, as well as two new issues from Royal Mail, on the subjects of Coronation Street and Roman Britain. We also explain two unusual errors that have crept into British stamps, and show some of the highlights from the global auctions which have survived lockdown."