BRITISH FDC'S UP TO THE THIRTIES... (August 2000)

This months we are going to look at some of the issues surrounding pre-decimal covers, both commemoratives and definitive. A little background may be helpful.

Cover collecting has changed immeasurably in the last one hundred years. Nowadays commemorative issues are monthly and cater for the collector not the postal system. Until 1924 there were no commemorative issues and illustrated envelopes were a great rarity. They were either advertising vehicles or hand painted works of art. One of the best known examples being the ½d BANTUM covers of 1870, for the British Asylum for Deaf & Dumb Females.

Prior to the early 1900s uncertainty often surrounded the exact release dates of new stamps and examples of envelopes that were sent on the First Day of a new issue are deliciously rare. One stamp with a precise unambiguous date of issue is of course the 1d Black and it is believed that in the region of 100 or so examples of  the earliest possible First Day cover are in existence

We move now from the reign of Queen Victoria to that of Edward VII. There is no dispute about the issue date of the first four stamps of this reign, and examples of covers are occasionally available bearing all 4 on one envelope. I will always kick myself for not hesitating when offered just such an item some 20 years ago. I was then new to dealing in covers and unaware that this would probably be the finest example I was ever to see of this cover. By the time I returned from another dealer whose opinion I valued the cover was sold. If only I had known what I know now!

The reign of George V was accompanied by more new stamps. First Day Covers on plain envelopes of the 1911 ½d  and 1d are fairly easy to acquire. A few years ago a small batch of these of some of the higher values were discovered. These had been prepared on plain manilla envelopes by a London Stamp Dealer Oswald Marsh, and laid virtually forgotten until his son also a stamp dealer until his recent death unearthed them. 

The first postage dues were issued in 1914 and a more aware philatelic community ensured that these were recognised as new issues. Examples albeit scarce do exist postmarked with the correct dates.

There was little to mention thereafter until 1924. the astounding British Empire Exhibition of that year was accompanied by two new stamps, classical and regal. Clean covers are reasonably available bearing both stamps: Often on the Harmers envelope with the special WEMBLEY postmark. Wonderful Postcards are often available showing different facets of the Exhibition. As these were often used as souvenirs of the visit they are seldom FIRST DAY so check the dates if you come across them. The price will usually be giveaway. First Day Covers dated April 23rd usually envelopes, but occasionally postcards with full sets are likely to start at least £180. The postcards used after that date are usually between £10 - £15. they appeal nonetheless   to my sense of nostalgia and i would have no qualms in including some of these charming examples of these.

Happy Hunting Steven

Copyright: Steven Scott 2000. First published in Stamp & Postcard Gazette  2000

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