Gibbons Stamp Monthly

Plot

NEWSDESK
7 Newsdesk
The latest philatelic news from around the world
14 Society News
More reports from the nation's Philatelic Societies.
16 Diary Dates
Forthcoming fairs and auctions.
20 Around the Houses
News of recent auction results.
BRITISH STAMPS
28 GB News
We take a look at Royal Mail's Visions of the Universe issue celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Royal Astronomical Society.
30 Croeso I Gymru: Celebrating Wales on GB Stamps
For St David's Day, Jeff Dugdale presents a colleclion of British stamps with a Welsh connection, ranging from famous landmarks to people, fauna, flora, historical artefacts and traditional customs.
36 Lilacs and Greens on Cover
Due to the fugitive inks used by De La Rue, soaking stamps from the Lilac and Green issue of 1883-84 can be fraught with difficulty. As John Roe reveals, sourcing
stamps on cover not only provides a safer way of collecting but also opens up plenty of opportunities for further research.
42 Machin Watch
John Deering examines the latest Royal Mail Signed For issue and takes a detailed look at the Machin offerings from Royal Mail's third and final Star Wars issue.
48 GB Specialised Supplement
The latest supplement to the Stanley Gibbons Great Britain Specialised Catalogue.
SPECIAL FEATURES
50 South Africa: Transvaal Arms Issue 1870-77: Part 3
In the concluding part of his study of the early ZAR/ Transvaal stamps, Lars Jorgensen focuses on paper, postmarks, gum and perforation differences found on the various printings.
56 Fake Finders: The Work of the Expert Team at FIP International Exhibitions
In the run-up to London 2020. Christopher Harman, Chairman of the RPSL Ltd Expert Committee, provides
some insight into the inner working of the 'Expert Team'. which plays a vital role in the judging process within every exhibition Jury with FIP patronage.
36 Lilacs and Greens on cover: John Roe
64 South Georgia and its Visiting Expeditions: Part 1 Hugh Osborne
64 South Georgia and its visiting Expeditions Part 1
Hugh Osborne presents a collection of postal history produced by the various expeditions that visited South Georgia between 1841 and 1944.
70 Germany - Zeppelin Issues
At the turn of the 20th century. the first of Germany's many zeppelins were produced. Alan Wishart looks at the contemporary zeppelin airmail stamps and postal labels produced by Germany, and explains how they played a vital role in the creation and sustainability of these majestic aircraft.
76 Smallpox Eradication
It has been 40 years since the global eradication of smallpox. Bernard Brabin, Professor Emeritus in
Tropical Paediatrics, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, takes a look back at stamp issues showing those who fought against this terrible disease and some famous names who fell victim to it.
92 Latvian War of Independence 1918-20 Neil Richie examines the stamps, provisional
postmarks and postage rates in use during the Latvian War of 1918-20, which saw many towns and cities, and their postal services, change hands several times.
REGULAR FEATURES 22 New Collector
Hugh Jefferies continues his review of overprinted stamps with a look at War Tax, Independence, Occupation and 'New Country' issues.
58 Gone But Not Forgotten
In another article on 'dead' countries, John Moody travels to two former Russian states, Batum and Tuva.
74 Bookshelf
The latest book and catalogue releases read and rated.
70 Germany - Zeppelin Issues: Alan Wishart
76 Smallpox Eradication: Professor Bernard Brabin
92 Latvian War of Independence
1918-20: Neil Richie
82 Postal Stationery Matters
In a round-up of recent postal stationery finds, Peter van Gelder highlights rare pictorial envelopes
from Tasmania, a 'Kaiser Bill' Silver Jubilee envelope and a very familiar looking New Zealand lettercard.
86 Stamp Hunting
In his regular look at the philatelic marketplace, Nimrod highlights the stamps of British Honduras that are worth keeping a collector's eye out for.
87 2019 Commonwealth Booklets
To start his annual survey of stamp booklets, Geir Sor-
Reime begins this month with Commonwealth issues.
104 Competition
Win a £50 Stanley Gibbons voucher.
104 Catalogue Column
Hugh Jefferies offers more collecting advice from the Catalogue Editor's chair.
NEW ISSUES
Shore to Shore
We highlight the latest new issues from Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man.
100 Stamp News in Brief
A summary of recent and forthcoming issues.
102 Panorama
Alison Boyd investigates the stories behind some of the latest stamp issues from around the world.
105 Catalogue Supplement
A 15-page update to the Stanley Gibbons Catalogue.