vol. 46(11): 1-178

Gibbons Stamp Monthly

Plot

Contents
NEWSDESK
7 Newsdesk
Catch up with all the latest news from the philatelic world including: the discovery of a missing Queen on a recent Isle of Man issue; a report from the ground-breaking ceremony
for Britain's new Postal Museum and news on the Royal's plans for its 1 SOth anniversary.
16 Society News
The latest reports from the nation's Philatelic Societies.
20 Diary Dates
Forthcoming fairs and auctions.
26 Around the Houses
News of recent auction results.
BRITISH STAMPS
34 GB News
This year sees the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare. To commemorate the anniversary, Royal Mail is issuing a ten-stamp set quoting some of the bard's best-loved work. To buy or not to buy? The answer to that question can be found on page 34.
38 Handstamps for Undeliverable Mail in the 19th Century
Robert Galland returns to GSM with another in-depth article on GB postal history. This time Robert highlights the different types of handstannps used on undeliverable mail during the 19th century.
43 The Yellower Machin Head Post & Go Stamps Shades have always been a popular part of classic GB collecting, however, it looks as though modern Post & Go has produced some 'shady' examples too.
45 Machin Watch
In his latest article for modern GB collectors, John Deering
talks us through Royal Mail's latest security measures on self-adhesive Machins and takes a timely look at The Postal Museum's Post & Go offerings.
53 GB Specialised Supplement
The latest supplement to the GB Specialised Catalogue.
SPECIAL FEATURES
56 King Amanullah (1919-29)
After gaining Afghanistan's independence from Britain in 1919, King Amanullah then attempted to modernise
his country—a decision which did not go down well with his subjects. Robert Jack looks at stamps of Amanullah's short, ten-year reign.
62 Canadian Fancy Cancels
Following the Confederation of the Canadian Dominions in 1867, problems soon arose on how to 'kill' used stamps. John Hillson explains how the Dominion's 'fancy' solution started a very interesting period of postal history.
68 Botswana-50 Years of Stamps: Part 1
This year marks 50 years of independence for Botswana. Otto Peetoom looks at some pre and post-independence stamp issues released against a timeline of political and economic change.
108 Karl Bickel: Of Mountains and Men Part 2
In the concluding part of his article on the career of stamp engraver, Karl Bickel, Adrian Keppel highlights more of the artist's beautiful designs and discusses the collaboration between Bickel and his equally talented son.
116 Gravure Stamp Cylinders: Part 3
Glenn Morgan discusses the high-tech preparation methods, intricate proofing stages and final inspections
needed to create the perfect gravure printing cylinder.
122 A South Georgia Correspondence
A chance auction find by Steve Pendleton reveals a unique correspondence from a couple of Antarctic adventurers living in one of the most isolated and thinly populated spots in the world.
REGULAR FEATURES
29 New Collector
In his latest column for new and seasoned collectors, John Holman looks at the stamp issues of 1966 and discusses the collecting possibilities of the philatelic souvenirs known as 'black prints'.
127 Stamp Hunting
Nimrod highlights the stamps of Labuan.
128 2015 Foreign Booklets
Geir Sor-Reime continues his annual survey with a rundown of recent foreign booklet issues.
141 Competition
Another chance to win a £50 Stanley Gibbons voucher.
142 The Unissued Stamps of King George VI
More fun from the Hedley Adams Mobbs collection.
142 Catalogue Column
Hugh Jefferies discusses key-plate flaws from Nigeria and
asks if a `one-off from Ireland could be anything but.
NEW ISSUES
137 Stamp News in Brief
A summary of recent and forthcoming issues.
138 Panorama
Alison Boyd investigates the stories behind some of the latest stamp issues from around the world.
140 Shore to Shore
Jersey and the Isle of Man post offices pay tribute on HM The Queen's 90th birthday, while Guernsey illustrates Victor Hugo's The Toilers of the Sea.
143 Catalogue Supplement
A 16-page update to the Stanley Gibbons Catalogue.