Stamp Magazine - February 2023

En este número

In the February issue we mark the centenary of Ireland’s independence by examining how the country’s first stamps were designed, printed and issued, and what they revealed about the identity of the new state.

We also tell the story of the world first underground post office, in central Europe, and how it has been operated by four different national administrations, creating an unusual thread of postal history.

Our series on Great Britain’s special issues in the early years of Queen Elizabeth II considers the 1962 National Productivity Year set, which was the first with phosphor bands and ‘traffic lights’. Meanwhile, Commonwealth Classics recalls the impressive 1930 Tercentenary issue of the Bahamas, and Strange But True names the ‘freakiest’ stamp ever produced.

Our news pages reveal Royal Mail’s special issue programme for 2023, with its plethora of fantasy subjects, and give full details of the first set on the list. The latest highlights from the auction rooms include some very big realisations, and our opinion columns discuss the merits of politics and football as collecting themes.