Stamp Magazine - September 2020

In this issue

Our September issue celebrates the recess-printed two-colour pictorial definitives of King George VI, scouring the four corners of the British Empire before naming our favourite 30. See if you agree with our selection. We also explore the history and popularity of Europa stamp issues, studying how they have evolved since 1956 and the various different ways in which you could approach a collection. And, in case your thirst for knowledge is still unquenched, we ask how many pubs in Britain are named after the Penny Black, and show you where they are. Commonwealth Classics investigates the 1870 ‘sideface’ issue of Tasmania, while Great Engravers focuses on the work of Carl Arlt, one of the USA’s most accomplished stamp artists. In our other regular feature, Black Magic, we examine an unusual Penny Black cover which turns out to be a folded poster advertising a theatrical performance. Our news pages have details of plans for an online Autumn Stampex, more coronavirus-related commemoratives from around the world, and Royal Mail’s issues celebrating Queen (the rock band, rather than the monarch) and the Palace of Westminster. We can also reveal some spectacular material which continues to be sold at auction despite the lockdown.