Stamp Collector

Stamp Collector gives you all the information, news, expert advice, market insight and inspiration you need to build your stamp collection and get the most from your hobby. Every issue features the latest prices, expert collecting advice, in-depth guides giving you the lowdown on classic stamp sets, new stamps, postal history, first-day covers and much more. Our stamp stories shed light on intriguing stamps and why they were produced, and our stamp sidelines pages provide an insight into postmarks, first-day covers, Cinderellas, Post & Go and Europa stamps.

Feed Your Curiosity for Philately

Stamp Collector

Welcome to Stamp Collector • INCORPORATING COIN COLLECTOR

stamp update • THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF STAMP COLLECTING AND ORGANISED PHILATELY. SEND YOUR NEWS STORIES TO US BY EMAIL TO: alison.boyd@warnersgroup.co.uk

LETTER

IN BRIEF

new stamps

IN BRIEF

Pets • Royal Mail’s latest issue features striking imagery of the different pets that have found a place in our homes and captured our hearts.

A Musical Couple • World-famous musical couple Robert and Clara Schumann offer plenty of opportunies for a thematic collection, notes Michael Burzan.

Royal Mail Tourist Packs • As Richard West recounts, an experiment in the 1980s saw special Tourist Packs of stamps produced for sale at key sites around the UK.

auction update • AUCTION RESULTS PRICES EXCLUDE BUYER’S PREMIUM UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED

price £ watch • YOUR QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE TO ONLINE SALES, IN ASSOCIATION WITH DELCAMPE.NET

Elusive Maldives cover

DIARY DATES

Marilyn Monroe at 100 • To mark the centenary of Marilyn Monroe’s birth, Michael Burzan shines a spotlight on the screen legend’s numerous appearances on stamps from around the world.

Return to Sender • Led by Sanna Mansson, a team of students on the MA at UAL London College of Communication has produced a book exploring the physical letter in a digital world.

You Are Invited! • As the Postal History Society reaches its 90th anniversary, John Scott looks back at its history and invites Stamp Collector readers to celebrate this significant milestone.

UK AND WORLDWIDE

Stampex Through Seven Decades • As Stampex celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, David J Boyd selects some highlights from his comprehensive collection of souvenirs and ephemera produced for the show.

Endurance • For ‘Stamp Story’ this month, Chris West highlights the remarkable survival and rescue of the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition team.

The Craufords and Craufurdland Castle • Letters written at the end of the 19th century, together with the envelope that contained them, are examined by philatelist and historian Dane Garrod.

How to Collect Laos • The Southeast Asian nation of Laos has issued many beautifully designed stamps. Christer Brunström reveals some of his favourites from among those released.

Stamp Shows and Exhibitions • Souvenirs have been produced since the earliest stamp shows. Paula Hammond surveys some of the examples available to collectors.

Introduction to Aerophilately • In a wide-ranging introduction, Dr Iain Wells of Solihull Philatelic Society traces how the story of flight was written in the mail and the options for starting a collection.

Decimalisation and the Post Office • In part 4 of Maurice Buxton’s series on decimalisation, he looks at meter franking, postal paperwork and telecommunications, which was another service overseen by Royal Mail.

back of the book • Stamps are just the start! Our wonderful hobby has many sidelines to pursue. In this popular section of the magazine, we explore the intriguing items that are often listed at the back of the...