Hello and Welcome to George V1 Stamps from GreatBritain.
The first commemorative issue of the reign of George V1 was for the Coronation on 12th May 1937. A set of definitives were also issued at this time. The 1/2d.1d and 21/2d were issued on 10th May. This set is known as the "dark colour" set.
The 1/2d to 21/2d values can be found with either sideways watermark,from coil machines, or inverted watermark,from booklets. The condition of the perforations are important with these watermark varieties. Many of these watermark variety sramps have trimmed perforations due to the method used in producing the coils for sideways and the booklets for inverted watermarks. Stamps with trimmed perforations are worth less than those with full perforations.
A set of high face value stamps was issued in 1939. These,like the lower denomination definitives of 1937, were issued in stages. The 2/6d brown was issued on 4th September 1939, 2/6d green on 9th March 1942, 5/- red on 21st August 1939, 10/- dark blue on 30th September 1939,10/- ultramarine on 30th October 1942,and the £1 brown on 1st October 1948. Care needs to be taken with buying mint examples of this issue due to toning of the gumm and due to the size of the stamp, creasing of the gum.
A commemorative issue was made on 6th May 1840, the cenrenary of the first postage stamp,the 1d black.
In 1941 the lower values were issued in lighter colours. This was due to a shortage of ink during the war. The ink was obtained from Germany but due to restrictions the ink was diluted so less was used in the printing. The 1d,2d and 21/2d values can be found with sideways watermark while the 1/2d,2d and 21/2d exist with inverted watermark.
In 1946 an omnibus issue was printed for the Commonwealth to commemorate victory after the war. Most of the issues were of the same design,but the British issue was unique. Many collectors call the 3d issue the Masonic issue due to the symbols in the design.
An omnibus commemorative set was issued on 26th April 1948 for the Silver Wedding of George V1 and Queen Elizabeth.
The issue on 10th May 1948 to commemorate the 3rd anniversary of of the Liberation of the Channel Islands was for usage in the Islands but were put on sale at 8 main post offices on the mainland. The Channel Islands were the only part of Britain to be occupied during the war.
London hosted the Olympic Games in 1948 and a set of four was issued on 29 July 1948 for the event.
1949 saw the issue of a set of four to commemorate 75 years of the Universal Postal Union on 10th October. The UPU was set up in 1874 as the General Postal Union. This was the forerunner of the UPU in 1878.
A final set of definitives was issued in 1951 with new colours for each denomination.
A final commemorative set was issued on 3rd May 1951 to celebrate the Festival of Britain exhibition.
A high face value set of four definitives was also issued on 3rd May 1951. These are sometimes referred to as the "Festival High Values", but they are definitives not commemoratives.
Definitive cylinder and control number block. These are found on all low value definitives of this reign.
Cylinder number booklet pane. This advert pane of the 1937 definitives is from a booklet. Not all panes have a cylinder number. These are quite scarce. It is important to obtain the full pane,ie to have the left-hand selvedge and not just the stamps with adverts.
Light colours cylinder booklet pane. No adverts with this issue but selvedge is required to prove stamps are from booklet unless they have inverted watermark.
September 1951 booklet with low value definitive stamps
1949 UPU first day cover
1951 Festival of Britain commemoratives used on first day cover.
Full sheet of 20 of the £1 1948 Silver Wedding issue. Many dealers bought full sheets of these despite the high face value. This is why this £1 value from this reign is cheaper than the other two.
I hope you have enjoyed this page.
