Stanley Gibbons

GREAT BRITAIN

NUMBERS ISSUED
1840 to 1910
by Rikki Hyde

IN COLOUR
Untitled-1 1

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09:42:46
04/04/2008

STANLEY GIBBONS

GREAT BRITAIN
NUMBERS ISSUED
1840 to 1910
Compiled by RIKKI C. HYDE

A
STANLEY GIBBONS
London and Ringwood

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2 | GREAT BRITAIN NUMBERS ISSUED 18401910

Happy is the man with

a hobby for he has
two worlds to live in
(Rikkis adopted lifelong slogan)

When my book was first published in May, 1975 it created a storm of

excitement as it enabled the collector for the first time to compare
market prices of individual stamps with the rarity factor of numbers
issued. Whilst the value of a stamp may also be influenced by its
demand, its history and survival rate, and the quantities which were
actually retrieved for collecting purposes, knowing the numbers
issued gives the collector a good guide as to what is and what is not
a reasonable buy at present price levels. For instance, a glance at the
numbers issued for the 1887 Jubilee 4d: and the King Edward VII 7d.
values may well surprise many collectors! Unfortunately, only 2000 of
the 1975 edition of this book were printed. It soon became apparent
that nowhere near enough copies had been produced to meet the
demand of the many Great Britain collectors at that time and the book
soon went out of print. In 1990 Stanley Gibbons offered to take over
the publication and produced a second edition launched to coincide
with the 1990 International Stamp Exhibition celebrating the 150th
anniversary of the first postage stamp. Despite a larger quantity being
produced even this eventually went out of print. Following many
requests in recent years from present day collectors I am delighted
that Stanley Gibbons has decided to publish a new third edition, this
time in colour. I would like to dedicate this latest edition to the hobby
of philately which has bestowed me with 55 years of pleasure as a
collector and with 42 years of dedication as a dealer.
Rikki Hyde
March, 2008

CONTENTS
Stanley Gibbons Publications Ltd.
7 Parkside, Christchurch Road, Ringwood,
Hants. BH24 3SH
Published by
Stanley Gibbons Publications Ltd.
Editorial, Sales Offices
and Distribution Centre,
7 Parkside, Christchurch Road,
Ringwood, Hants BH24 3SH.
First published in 1975 by Birmingham and
Bristol Stamp Auctions Ltd.
Stanley Gibbons Publications Ltd., 2008

INTRODUCTION 3
GENERAL INFORMATION 5
QUEEN VICTORIA
Line-Engraved Issues
7
Embossed Stamps 14
Surface-Printed Issues 15
KING EDWARD VII
190210 De La Rue Printings 30
Commemorative sets 1924 to 1951 32
THE OFFICIALS 33
GREAT BRITAIN OVERPRINTED
FOR USE IN OTHER COUNTRIES 34
PROTECTIVE UNDERPRINTS 36
A SUMMARY OF NUMBERS ISSUED (QUEEN VICTORIA) 37

ISBN 13 978-0-85259-695-1
ISBN 10 0-85259-695-2
Printed & Bound by
Butler & Tanner, Frome, Somerset.

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GREAT BRITAIN NUMBERS ISSUED 18401910 |

INTRODUCTION
My fortunate discovery some years ago of the rare Great Britain error
of the 1883 6d on 6d, overprint double (S.G.162L), first made me think
in terms of calculating rarity value from numbers issued. Just six years
ago I started to compile and collate information regarding numbers
issued, printed, or sold for the Victorian era, and later I extended this
to the Edwardian period. This was purely for my own use, and I had no
intention at that time of producing a publication. Many basic figures
were first gained from the Robson Lowe Encyclopaedia, for which I
express my sincere gratitude and from thereon I collated information
from numerous publications, articles, and official records, all of which
helped me to compile what is now an almost complete listing. My
appreciation is extended to all those people whose painstaking
research in these articles have helped me to produce this catalogue.
To the best of my knowledge, a combined listing dedicated to
numbers issued for Victorian and Edwardian stamps of Great Britain
in catalogue form has never before been published. The object of
this work is to enable its users to assess rarity value and to be able
to judge for themselves what is and what is not a good buy. Indeed,
many amusing anomalies appear when comparing this listing with
any standard priced catalogue!
The statistics in this catalogue for numbers issued relate to those
put into circulation, sold, or printed, whichever is the most realistic
figure available. The quantities are often qualified by notes on printing
spoilage or numbers officially destroyed. In some cases, where figures
were not fully available, an estimated or calculated approximate
number has been entered. Whilst all the quantities and data are
entered in this catalogue in all good faith, I can neither guarantee
their accuracy nor accept responsibility for errors.
It must be remembered that survival rate plays a large part in
determining rarity. Obviously, one cannot lay down a set survival rate
for every stamp, but about 2% can generally be used as a gauge for
calculating possible numbers in existence for this period (say 5 to each
sheet of 240). Furthermore, even the survival rate includes both mint
and used examples, and generally there are at least 50 used examples
for every mint copy in existence (with the exception perhaps of the
1887 Jubilee 4). The earlier Victorian also had 240 different letter
combinations to each sheet, and this should be considered by those
who are attempting reconstructions. Some of the later Victorian (and
a few of the earlier ones) and Edwardian were overprinted for use as
Officials and for use in other countries. This too should be taken into
consideration, and a tabulated listing of the stamps involved and
some statistical figures are given at the end of this book.
With all these points in mind, let us take an example of the sort of
calculation that can be derived from this catalogue:
Mr. X is reconstructing by letters the 1876 8d orange in used
condition, and is searching for one more letter combination to
complete his set. He calculates his chances of finding it as follows:
Total number issued
4,800,000
Survival rate 2%
50)
4,800,000
i.e. divide by 50 =
96,000
Less mint survival rate 1/50th
1,920
Fraction of Letter Combination
240)
94,080
i.e. divide by 240 =
392
Mr.X would probably be looking for one of 392 copies in existence.
Thus, each used 8d orange should have a letter combination rarity
value of 1/392th. Let us assume for the purpose of this exercise that
a unique stamp is worth 3,000 (based on the auction realisation of

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4 | GREAT BRITAIN NUMBERS ISSUED 18401910

the 1867 10d plate 2, mint), then Mr. X should expect to pay 1/392ths
of 3,000 for it (i.e. about 8). This, of course, does not take condition
into account, but the condition does not alter the rarity value, but
only reduces the price for an inferior specimen.
When King Edward VII died on the 6th of May 1910, Messrs. De
La Rue passed over some of the printing plates to Messrs. Harrison
& Sons and to the Somerset House Printers, but unfortunately from
then on, it appears that inadequate records were kept of the numbers
of stamps issued or produced. For this reason I regret my book
finishes at 1910. However, records were kept for commemorative sets
from 1924 and those issued to the end of the reign of King George VI
have been listed by me, but because most specialised catalogues list
the numbers sold for the Queen Elizabeth period, I feel it is pointless
repeating them here.
I wish success to all the users of my book, and I dedicate this work
to my beloved hobby of stamp collecting and to all those who collect
the stamps of Great Britain.
Rikki C. Hyde
BRISTOL,
January 1st, 1975

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GREAT BRITAIN NUMBERS ISSUED 18401910 |

GENERAL INFORMATION
FORMAT
Stamps are listed in a suitable order to allow easy cross-reference
with most published standard priced catalogues. Illustrations are
provided for quick identification. The total number issued is given for
each stamp disregarding plate numbers and this is usually followed
by a more detailed break-down of the various plates and any relevant
notes.
SHADES, PAPER AND VARIETIES
Most shades are caused by variation in the pigment of printers ink
and do not form separate issues. These and minor varieties of paper,
watermark, gum, printing and imperforate errors of perforated issues
are beyond the scope of this catalogue.
PERFORATION
The first issues from 1840 were imperforate. Line-engraved stamps of
1848 to 1858 were perforated either 14 or 16. The later line-engraved
and all surface-printed issues were perforated 14 with the exception
of the 1867 Maltese Cross Watermark high values. Where a perforation
is not indicated in the text, it must be taken as being gauge 14.
WATERMARKS
The following are the watermarks used during the period covered:

Small Crown

Large Crown

Halfpenny

V. R.

Small Garter

Medium Garter

Large Garter

Emblems

Spray of Rose

Maltese Cross

Large Anchor

Small Anchor

Orb

Imperial Crown

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STANLEY GIBBONS
Great Britain Department

If youd like to receive our monthly colour brochure of 450 - 500 selected items,
contact Mark Facey on: 020 7557 4424 or Michael Barrell on 020 7557 4448
or email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Stanley Gibbons Limited, 399 Strand, London WC2R 0LX
Tel: 020 7836 8444 Fax: 020 7836 7342
To view all our stock 24 hours a day visit www.stanleygibbons.com

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GREAT BRITAIN NUMBERS ISSUED 18401910 |

PLATE NUMBERS
These are listed separately for stamps which incorporate the plate
number in their design, and also for the earlier 1d Blacks and 2d Blues,
but not for the 1d Red stars owing to their complexity.
OFFICIAL STAMPS, AND BRITISH STAMPS OVERPRINTED
FOR USE IN OTHER COUNTRIES
Tabulated listing of stamps overprinted for these purposes will be
found at the end of the catalogue, together with some information
on numbers overprinted.
POST1910 PERIOD
For convenience, numbers issued for commemorative sets up to the
end of the reign of King George VI have been included.
All stamps were issued in sheets of 240 unless otherwise stated

QUEEN VICTORIA Line-Engraved Issues

1840 1d BLACK
Watermark Small Crown Imperforate
Total number issued  68,158,080 (283,992 sheets)
Break-down of plates:
Plate la
4,133,760
(17,224 sheets)

1b
5,918,640
(24,661 sheets)

2
7,659,120
(31,913 sheets)

3
4,786,800
(19,945 sheets)

4
6,701,760
(27,924 sheets)

5
8,616,480
(35,902 sheets)

6
9,095,040
(37,896 sheets)

7
8,137,680
(33,907 sheets)

8
7,180,320
(29,918 sheets)

9
3,840,000
(16,000 sheets)

10
1,920,000
(8,000 sheets)

11
168,000
(700 sheets)
In addition, 8,453 sheets (2,028,720 stamps) were produced but spoilt
in printing and were officially destroyed.
Notes: The total number of 1d Blacks distributed in 1840 is recorded
as 63,561,840.
The figure for plate 1a does not include spoilage. The plate 1b
figure includes spoilage for both 1a and 1b.
Owing to the deficiency of black obliterating ink for the superseding
1d Red stamps, a late consignment of black stamps was printed and
delivered in January/February, 1841 which amounted to 10,018
sheets (2,404,320 stamps). This provisional printing included all plates
save plates 2 and 8, whilst the scarce Plate 11 was only introduced at
this stage. The above totals include this late provisional printing and
of the 8,453 spoilt sheets, 182 sheets were from this printing.
1840 2d BLUE
Watermark Small Crown Imperforate
Total number issued 6,462,960 (26,929 sheets)
Break-down of plates:
Plate 1

2

gb_numbers issued-5.indd 7

3,977,280
2,485,680

(16,572 sheets)
(10,357 sheets)

07/04/2008 09:42:22

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GREAT BRITAIN NUMBERS ISSUED 18401910 |

In addition, 633 sheets (151,920 stamps) were produced of the

combined plates but spoilt in printing and were officially destroyed.
Notes:  The total number of 2d Blues recorded as sold in 1840 is
5,382,240.
The first delivery of 2d Blues was not until 8th May, 1840 (two days
after the issue of the 1d Black) and this consisted of only 600 sheets
which were restricted to sale within the London area.
1841 1d RED
Watermark Small Crown Imperforate
Total number issued over 2,588,000,000 of which it is estimated
120,000,000 were later perforated, leaving an approximate total of
imperforate stamps of 2,468,000,000.
Break-down of plates: About four-fifths of this quantity (over
2,013,000,000 stamps) were from plates 1 to 131 of Alphabet I and
the remainder (about 575,000,000 stamps) were from plates 132 to
175 of Alphabet II. Some of the latter group, i.e. Alphabet II, were later
perforated (see above) and these perforated types are included in the
totals for the 185461 issue.
Notes:  The first delivery of red stamps was made by the 27th of
January, 1841 and consisted of some 19,000 sheets printed from the
original black plates 1, 2, 5, 8, 9, 10 and the new plate 11.
A Trial Printing of plate 11 on Dickinson silk-threaded paper was
made in April, 1841 consisting of 8 sheets (1920 stamps), six sheets
being gummed and two without gum.
1841 2d BLUE
Watermark Small Crown Imperforate
Total number issued about 87,960,000 (366,500 sheets)
Break-down of plates:
Plate 3
45,960,000
(191,500 sheets)

4
42,000,000
(175,000 sheets)
Notes: The later perforated issue of plate 4 was from a new printing
with the marginal inscriptions altered and not from remainders of the
imperforate sheets.
184853 1d RED WITH TRIAL PERFORATIONS
Henry Archer apparently experimented on 5,000 sheets (1,200,000
stamps) with his perforating machines between 1848 to 1850, most
of which were destroyed because of imperfections. A similar quantity
was used by the Government in 1853 whilst making trial perforations
(gauge 14 and 16) on the Napier Machine.
185461 PERFORATED 1d REDS
Total number issued for the combined Large and Small Crown
watermarked paper perforated 14 or 16 was over 5,116,000,000
(21,316,500+ sheets). Unfortunately, figures are not available for the
separate issues except that for the 1854 1d Die I on Small Crown paper
perforated 16 well in excess of 410,000,000 (1,708,300+ sheets) were
produced, and it is estimated that some 3,840,000,000 (16,000,000
sheets) were on white paper. Consequently, the remaining issues
could only have totalled less than 866,000,000 (3,608,300 sheets)
altogether.
Break-down of plates:  This varies considerably. For instance, only
19,400 sheets were printed of plate 64, whilst plate 27 produced over
a million sheets on white paper alone.

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10 | GREAT BRITAIN NUMBERS ISSUED 18401910

185458 PERFORATED 2d BLUES
Total number issued for the combined Large and Small Crown
watermarked paper perforated 14 or 16 was about 45,360,000
(189,000 sheets).
Break-down of plates and issues:
Small Crown perf. 16
(plate 4)
14,160,000
(plate 5)
960,000
Small Crown perf. 14
(plate 4)
1,680,000
(plate 5)
1,920,000
Large Crown perf. 16
(plate 5)
960,000
Large Crown perf. 14
(plate 5)
15,600,000
(plate 6)
8,880,000
Large Crown perf. 16 on white paper
(plate 6)
1,200,000

(59,000 sheets)
(4,000 sheets)
(7,000 sheets)
(8,000 sheets)
(4,000 sheets)
(65,000 sheets)
(37,000 sheets)
(5,000 sheets)

185869 1d RED WITH LETTERS IN ALL FOUR CORNERS

Watermark Large Crown Plate Numbers printed in the design
Total number issued  13,434,000,000 (55,975,000 sheets)
Break-down of plates printed including spoilt sheets:
Plate 71
133,680,000
(557,000 sheets)

72
125,472,000
(552,800 sheets)

73
127,176,000
(529,900 sheets)

74
127,440,000
(531,000 sheets)

76
133,320,000
(555,500 sheets)

78
147,744,000
(615,600 sheets)

79
153,264,000
(638,600 sheets)

80
118,848,000
(495,200 sheets)

81
124,872,000
(520,300 sheets)

82
63,216,000
(263,400 sheets)

83
47,904,000
(199,600 sheets)

84
88,656,000
(369,400 sheets)

85
122,472,000
(510,300 sheets)

86
110,520,000
(460,500 sheets)

87
110,976,000
(462,400 sheets)

88
47,760,000
(199,000 sheets)

89
120,936,000
(503,900 sheets)

90
113,208,000
(471,700 sheets)

91
92,184,000
(384,100 sheets)

92
136,248,000
(567,700 sheets)

93
109,224,000
(455,100 sheets)

94
114,864,000
(478,600 sheets)

95
128,064,000
(533,600 sheets)

96
117,192,000
(488,300 sheets)

97
128,832,000
(536,800 sheets)

98
84,336,000
(351,400 sheets)

99
85,272,000
(355,300 sheets)

100
61,608,000
(256,700 sheets)

101
89,400,000
(372,500 sheets)

102
118,848,000
(495,200 sheets)

103
96,144,000
(400,600 sheets)

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GREAT BRITAIN NUMBERS ISSUED 18401910 |

104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
127
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160

gb_numbers issued-5.indd 11

42,336,000
48,624,000
93,912,000
77,040,000
51,240,000
56,760,000
76,032,000
108,648,000
71,856,000
87,840,000
55,944,000
51,360,000
84,120,000
114,960,000
105,792,000
118,512,000
169,632,000
97,488,000
166,416,000
107,472,000
143,448,000
103,128,000
94,872,000
104,352,000
98,880,000
76,968,000
22,872,000
33,936,000
190,368,000
45,720,000
71,880,000
143,088,000
168,072,000
46,632,000
235,800,000
43,512,000
50,952,000
68,808,000
49,584,000
130,800,000
110,424,000
99,192,000
121,872,000
113,976,000
163,800,000
67,872,000
77,496,000
30,816,000
99,624,000
92,472,000
119,232,000
108,000,000
127,440,000
117,528,000
126,000,000

11

(176,400 sheets)
(202,600 sheets)
(391,300 sheets)
(321,000 sheets)
(213,500 sheets)
(236,500 sheets)
(316,800 sheets)
(452,700 sheets)
(299,400 sheets)
(366,000 sheets)
(233,100 sheets)
(214,000 sheets)
(350,500 sheets)
(479,000 sheets)
(440,800 sheets)
(493,800 sheets)
(706,800 sheets)
(406,200 sheets)
(693,400 sheets)
(447,800 sheets)
(597,700 sheets)
(429,700 sheets)
(395,300 sheets)
(434,800 sheets)
(412,000 sheets)
(320,700 sheets)
(95,300 sheets)
(141,400 sheets)
(793,200 sheets)
(190,500 sheets)
(299,500 sheets)
(596,200 sheets)
(700,300 sheets)
(194,300 sheets)
(982,500 sheets)
(181,300 sheets)
(212,300 sheets)
(286,700 sheets)
(206,600 sheets)
(545,000 sheets)
(460,100 sheets)
(413,300 sheets)
(507,800 sheets)
(474,900 sheets)
(682,500 sheets)
(282,800 sheets)
(322,900 sheets)
(128,400 sheets)
(415,100 sheets)
(385,300 sheets)
(496,800 sheets)
(450,000 sheets)
(531,000 sheets)
(489,700 sheets)
(525,000 sheets)

07/04/2008 09:42:25

12 | GREAT BRITAIN NUMBERS ISSUED 18401910

gb_numbers issued-5.indd 12

161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215

55,752,000
87,648,000
90,552,000
76,392,000
115,992,000
92,352,000
119,376,000
89,832,000
55,944,000
137,400,000
217,608,000
110,064,000
72,792,000
108,000,000
90,456,000
76,144,000
90,000,000
58,944,000
97,824,000
51,720,000
114,864,000
51,648,000
90,384,000
70,000,000
53,112,000
73,056,000
102,672,000
55,584,000
52,320,000
80,000,000
80,000,000
110,400,000
80,000,000
66,000,000
72,000,000
78,000,000
61,728,000
96,000,000
75,360,000
65,000,000
83,448,000
60,000,000
96,000,000
85,000,000
85,000,000
92,000,000
60,000,000
85,000,000
85,000,000
45,384,000
34,000,000
60,000,000
60,000,000
55,000,000
55,000,000

(232,300 sheets)
(365,200 sheets)
(377,300 sheets)
(318,300 sheets)
(483,300 sheets)
(384,800 sheets)
(497,400 sheets)
(374,300 sheets)
(233,100 sheets)
(572,500 sheets)
(906,700 sheets)
(458,600 sheets)
(303,300 sheets)
estimate
(376,900 sheets)
(313,100 sheets)
estimate
(245,600 sheets)
(407,600 sheets)
(215,500 sheets)
(478,600 sheets)
(215,200 sheets)
(376,600 sheets)
estimate
(221,300 sheets)
(304,400 sheets)
(427,800 sheets)
(231,600 sheets)
(218,000 sheets)
estimate
estimate
(460,000 sheets)
estimate
(275,000 sheets)
estimate
estimate
(257,200 sheets)
estimate
(314,000 sheets)
estimate
(347,700 sheets)
estimate
estimate
estimate
estimate
estimate
estimate
estimate
estimate
(189,100 sheets)
estimate
estimate
estimate
estimate
estimate

07/04/2008 09:42:25

GREAT BRITAIN NUMBERS ISSUED 18401910 |

13

216
48,000,000
estimate

217
36,000,000
estimate

218
37,000,000
estimate

219
12,000,000
estimate

220
37,000,000
estimate

221
31,000,000
estimate

222
30,000,000
estimate

223
15,000,000
estimate

224
20,000,000
estimate

225
3,000,000
estimate
The total number printed for plates 71 to 225 amounted to about
14,000,000,000 stamps (58,333,000 sheets) of which some 566,000,000
stamps (2,358,000 sheets) were spoilt in printing and officially
destroyed, leaving a total number actually issued of 13,434,000,000
stamps (55,975,000 sheets).
Notes:  Plate 77 (together with plates 69, 70, 75, 126 and 128) was
rejected owing to defects, but a few sheets were apparently printed
from which seven or eight stamps have survived.
185869 2d BLUE WITH LETTERS IN ALL FOUR CORNERS
Watermark Large Crown Plate Numbers printed in the design
Total number issued about 196,824,000 (820,100 sheets.
Break-down of plates:
Plate 7
9,600,000
(40,000 sheets)

8
15,840,000
(66,000 sheets)

9
92,040,000
(383,500 sheets)

12
7,344,000
(30,600 sheets)

13
30,000,000
(125,000 sheets)

14
21,000,000
estimate

15
21,000,000
estimate
Notes:  No official records were kept of numbers printed or issued
for plates 14 or 15. However, accepting that these two plates are of
comparable rarity, we have arrived at the above estimates by dividing
equally the remainder after deducting the quantities known for the
other plates from the total number issued.
1870 d RED
Watermark Halfpenny extending over three stamps. Issued in sheets
of 480
Total number issued 1,600,276,320 (3,333,909 sheets)
In addition, 236,923,680 (493,591 sheets) were produced but spoilt in
printing and were officially destroyed.
Break-down of plates printed including spoilt sheets:

Plate 1
3
4
5
6
8
9
10
11
12
13
14

gb_numbers issued-5.indd 13

58,320,000
92,400,000
127,008,000
255,936,000
193,008,000
12,500,000
2,500,000
185,328,000
197,280,000
175,000,000
175,000,000
175,000,000

(121,500 sheets)
(192,500 sheets)
(264,600 sheets)
(533,200 sheets)
(402,100 sheets)
estimate
estimate
(386,100 sheets)
(411,000 sheets)
estimate
estimate
estimate

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14 | GREAT BRITAIN NUMBERS ISSUED 18401910

15
19
20

80,000,000
60,000,000
48,000,000

estimate
estimate
estimate

1870 1d RED
Watermark Large Crown
Total number issued 42,638,160 (177,659 sheets)
In addition, 2,874,000 (11,975 sheets) were produced but spoilt in
printing and were officially destroyed.
Break-down of plates printed including spoilt sheets:
Plate 1 (no plate number) 15,872,160
(66,134 sheets)
3 (number 3 at sides) 29,640,000
(123,500 sheets)
This stamp was prepared for use in 1860 but not issued and 10,000
sheets (2,400,000 stamps) of plate 1 were printed in rosy-mauve. Of
these, 1,000 sheets were overprinted Specimen and distributed to
postmasters. Of the remaining 9,000 sheets, 8,962 were destroyed in
May, 1867. The remaining 38 sheets (9,120 stamps) have since been
split up and are in the hands of collectors.
The error of lettering OP-PC instead of CP-PC occurred on all
printings from plate 1, thus 66,134 examples (one on each sheet)
were originally created. However, since the error was not discovered
until 1894 many of these must have been destroyed.

Embossed Stamps
1847 1s GREEN
Paper with silk threads Imperforate Issued in sheets of 20
Total number issued  5,655,420 (282,771 sheets)
In addition, 1,804,580 (90,229 sheets) were produced but spoilt in
printing and were officially destroyed.
Break-down of Dies (estimated):
Die I
3,000,000
(150,000 sheets)
Die II
2,655,420
(132,771 sheets)
Notes:  The first printing was in 1847 when 40,000 sheets were
printed. Subsequent printings were not until 1850 (16,000 sheets),
1851 (32,000 sheets), 1852 (46,000 sheets), 1853 (64,000 sheets), and
the remainder were printed prior to the end of October, 1856.
1848 10d BROWN
Paper with silk threads Imperforate Issued in sheets of 24
Total number issued 2,805,960 (116,915 sheets)
In addition, 122,040 (5,085 sheets) were produced which are believed
to have been destroyed as waste, making a total printing of 122,000
sheets.
Break-down of Dies:
Die I
404,016
(16,834 sheets)
Die II
826,104
(34,421 sheets)
Die III
1,382,736
(57,614 sheets)
Die IV
193,104
(8,046 sheets)
Notes:  The first printing was in 1847 when 20,000 sheets were
printed. Subsequent printings were not until 1850 (8,000 sheets),
1851 (16,000 sheets), 1852 (14,000 sheets), 1853 (32,000 sheets), 1854
(32,000 sheets).
The 10d was withdrawn on August 15th, 1855 but re-issued in 1862
when 2,012 withdrawn sheets, left over at Somerset House, were put
back into circulation.

gb_numbers issued-5.indd 14

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GREAT BRITAIN NUMBERS ISSUED 18401910 |

15

1854 6d PURPLE
Watermark V.R. Imperforate Issued in sheets of 40
Total number issued  3,718,280 (92,957 sheets)
Of 6,659,920 (166,498 sheets) printed, which included 2,219,920
(55,498 sheets) printed in 1856 but never issued, 2,941,640 (73,541
sheets) were apparently officially destroyed upon the introduction of
the surface-printed 6d.
Notes: 4,000 of the total number issued were overprinted Specimen
and distributed amongst various post offices.

Surface-Printed Issues
1855 4d CARMINE
Watermark Small Garter Thick, blued Safety paper
Total number issued  2,770,800 (11,545 sheets)
Break-down of plates:
Plate 1
2,760,000
(11,500 sheets)

2
10,800
(45 sheets)
Notes:  The quantity of plate 1 includes a late printing made in
November, 1856 and January, 1857 on a remainder stock of Small
Garter watermarked paper which lacked the blueing giving the
appearance of white paper and we estimate these amounted to 1,000
sheets. The quantity of plate 2 includes the imprimatur sheet.
4,000 stamps from plate 1 were overprinted Specimen and
distributed amongst various post offices.
1856 4d CARMINE
Watermark Medium Garter Thick, blued `Safety paper.
Total number issued 1,320,000 (5,500 sheets)
Break-down of plates: All plate 1.
1856 4d CARMINE ON WHITE PAPER
Watermark Medium Garter
Total number issued 480,000 (2,000 sheets)
Break-down of plates: All plate 1.
1856 4d ROSE
Watermark Medium Garter Specially prepared ink
Total number issued  1,800,000 (7,500 sheets)
Break-down of plates: All plate 1.
1857 4d ROSE
Watermark Large Garter
Total number issued 28,776,960 (119,904 sheets)
Break-down of plates:
Plate 1

2

23,147,760
5,629,200

(96,449 sheets)
(23,455 sheets)

1856 6d LILAC
Watermark Emblems
Total number issued  32,040,000 (133,500 sheets)
Break-down of plates: All plate 1.
Notes: The first 2,000 sheets (480,000 stamps) were printed on azure
paper.

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16 | GREAT BRITAIN NUMBERS ISSUED 18401910

1856 1s GREEN
Watermark Emblems
Total number issued 12,120,000 (50,500 sheets)
Break-down of plates: All plate 1.
Notes: The first 500 sheets (120,000 stamps) were printed earlier by
way of an experiment on azure paper in June 1856.

186264 SERIES WITH `SMALL WHITE CORNER LETTERS

Watermark Emblems (except 4d which has Large Garter)
3d CARMINE-ROSE
Total number issued 5,173,200 (21,555 sheets)
Break-down of plates:
Plate 2
5,172,000
(21,550 sheets)

3
1,200
(5 sheets)
Notes: The 3d plate 2 was first printed with a network background in
the spandrels. These were never issued and consisted of 1,458 sheets
which were mainly destroyed, but a few were overprinted Specimen
and some exist without the overprint. These are not included in the
quantities given.
The 3d plate 3 were the five Registration sheets of which one or
two sheets were perforated and put into circulation. A few used
copies (two of which came from Yarmouth) and 2 unused examples
are known to exist.
5,000 stamps from plate 2 were overprinted Specimen and
distributed amongst various post offices.
4d RED
Total number issued 30,000,000 (125,000 sheets)
Break-down of plates:
Plate 3

4

13,800,000
16,200,000

(57,500 sheets)
(67,500 sheets)

6d LILAC
Total number issued 15,360,000 (64,000 sheets)
Break-down of plates:
Plate 3

4

11,040,000
4,320,000

(46,000 sheets)
(18,000 sheets)

9d BISTRE
Total number issued  1,573,200 (6,555 sheets)
Break-down of plates:
Plate 2
1,572,000
(6,550 sheets)

3
1,200
(5 sheets)
Notes: The 9d plate 3 were the five Registration sheets of which some
were perforated and put into circulation. About 30 used copies and 3
unused examples have been recorded.
1s GREEN
Total number issued  6,241,200 (26,005 sheets)
Break-down of plates:
Plate 1 = Plate 2
Plate 2 = Plate 3

gb_numbers issued-5.indd 16

6,240,000
1,200

(26,000 sheets)
(5 sheets)

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GREAT BRITAIN NUMBERS ISSUED 18401910 |

17

Notes: The 1s plate 2 = 3 were the five Registration sheets of which a

few were unofficially perforated. 3 mint copies are known to exist.
5,000 stamps from plate 1 = 2 were overprinted Specimen and
distributed amongst various post offices.

186567 SERIES WITH `LARGE WHITE CORNER LETTERS

Watermark Emblem (except 4d which has Large Garter)
3d ROSE
Total number issued 10,198,800 (42,495 sheets)
Break-down of plates: All plate 4.
4d VERMILION
Total number issued 81,362,880 (339,012 sheets)
Break-down of plates:
Plate 7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

8,280,000
10,800,000
10,080,000
2,760,000
13,200,000
15,842,880
12,000,000
8,400,000

(34,500 sheets)
(45,000 sheets)
(42,000 sheets)
(11,500 sheets)
(55,000 sheets)
(66,012 sheets)
(50,000 sheets)
(35,000 sheets)

6d LILAC
Total number issued 17,760,000 (74,000 sheets)
Break-down of plates:
Plate 5

6

14,880,000
2,880,000

(62,000 sheets)
(12,000 sheets)

9d STRAW
Total number issued 721,200 (3,005 sheets)
Break-down of plates: All plate 4.
Notes:  Unused copies of the unissued plate 5 exist and examples
must have come from the five Registration sheets printed, from which
about 3 dozen stamps from the K, L, M, & N rows were perforated by
Messrs. De La Rue in 1887 for insertion in twelve souvenir albums to
be presented to members of the Stamp Committee. About twenty of
these stamps were later returned to the Archives and replaced in the
imprimatur sheet.
10d RED-BROWN
The 10d on Emblems watermark paper was printed in error whilst
preparing the 1867 issue on Spray watermark paper. Only one or
two sheets could have been produced and only 10 copies have been
reported of which 7 were used in Constantinople.
1s GREEN
Total number issued 9,362,640 (39,011 sheets)
Break-down of plates: All plate 4.
Notes:  Five Registration sheets of the 1s plate 5 with Emblems
watermark were printed but never issued. Perforated examples with
this watermark do not exist.

gb_numbers issued-5.indd 17

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18 | GREAT BRITAIN NUMBERS ISSUED 18401910

186780 SERIES WITH `LARGE WHITE CORNER LETTERS
Watermark Spray of Rose Designs as for 186567 series
3d ROSE
Total number issued 77,280,000 (322 sheets)
Break-down of plates:
Plate 4

5

6

7

8

9

10

2,641,200
23,158,800
17,880,000
8,400,000
8,400,000
8,400,000
8,400,000

(11,005 sheets)
(96,495 sheets)
(74,500 sheets)
(35,000 sheets)
(35,000 sheets)
(35,000 sheets)
(35,000 sheets)

6d LILAC (WITH HYPHEN)

Total number issued 14,400,000 (60,000 sheets)
Break-down of plates: All plate 6.
Notes: The Board decided on the 24th of March, 1868 that this stamp
should be issued in a brighter colour and from the 22nd of July,
1868 about 22,000 sheets (5,280,000 stamps) were issued in bright
violet. This quantity is included in the figure given above for the total
number issued.
6d MAUVE (WITHOUT HYPHEN)
Total number issued 27,841,200 (116,005 sheets)
Break-down of plates:
Plate 8
14,520,000
(60,500 sheets)

9
13,320,000
(55,500 sheets)

10
1,200
(5 sheets)
Notes: The 6d plate 10 were the five Registration sheets from which
one or more sheets apparently got into circulation. About 5 or 6
used copies have been reported including one used on cover from
Weymouth.
9d STRAW
Total number issued  5,315,520 (22,148 sheets)
Break-down of plates: All plate 4.
In addition, some 1,352 sheets (324,480 stamps) were produced
but officially destroyed, comprising 230,660 stamps destroyed
in December 1876 and the remainder destroyed during printing
because of spoilage. A few of the sheets destroyed in December
1876 may have come from the unissued plate 5 (see notes under the
186567 9d issue). The total printing of this stamp was thus 23,500
sheets.
10d RED-BROWN
Total number issued  3,165,540 (13,189 () sheets)
Break-down of plates:
Plate 1
3,164,340
(13,184 () sheets)

2
1,200
(5 sheets)
In addition, 815 sheets (195,660 stamps) were produced but officially
destroyed in December 1876, making a total printing for plate 1 of
14,000 sheets.
Notes:  The 10d plate 2 were the five Registration sheets which are
all believed to have been perforated and put into circulation. About

gb_numbers issued-5.indd 18

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GREAT BRITAIN NUMBERS ISSUED 18401910 |

19

30 used copies have been recorded and one mint example was
discovered in 1972. Another alleged unused copy exists in the Royal
Collection but this may have had a cancellation removed.
1s GREEN
Total number issued 48,598,800 (202,495 sheets)
Break-down of plates:
Plate 4
18,480,000
(77,000 sheets)

5
13,318,800
(55,495 sheets)

6
8,400,000
(35,000 sheets)

7
8,400,000
(35,000 sheets)
Notes:  One complete imperforate sheet of plate 4 overprinted
Specimen has been broken up, and a single imperforate copy
lettered TL has also been recorded.
2s BLUE
Total number issued 6,722,400 (28,010 sheets)
Break-down of plates:
Plate 1
6,721,200
(28,005 sheets)

3
1,200
(5 sheets)
Notes:  At first, plate 1 was not aligned correctly which resulted in
difficulty in perforating the stamps. After 2,005 sheets were printed,
Messrs. De La Rue cut the plate into separate panes and refixed them
to correct the problem. However, the fault had only affected part of
the sheets and since Messrs. De La Rue had invoiced 1,953 sheets prior
to the correction of this plate, it is assumed that part sheets equal in
quantity to 52 complete sheets (12,480 stamps) were probably spoilt
and destroyed. The quantity given for plate 1 does not take this into
account.
The 2s plate 3 were the five Registration sheets, some of which
were perforated and put into circulation. A very few used copies are
known and a mint perforated example exists in the Royal Collection.
4,000 stamps from plate 1 were overprinted Specimen and
distributed amongst various post offices. A complete imperforate
sheet overprinted as such is known, together with an imperforate
single lettered NG.
2s BROWN
Total number issued  77,620 (equal to nearly 323 half sheets)
Break-down of plates: All plate 1.
Notes: Originally, 1,000 sheets were printed of which after spoilage
967 full sheets and 28 half sheets were issued. After about four
months the Post Office decided to discontinue this stamp and 157,820
examples (equal to over 657 half sheets) were officially destroyed. This
leaves the total number put into circulation (plus a small residue of 4
sheets left over in stock) as given above. The facts indicate that about
1,000 mint copies exist.
1872 6d BUFF
Watermark Spray of Rose Large white corner letters
Total number issued 9,601,200 (40,005 sheets)
Break-down of plates:
Plate 11 (Chestnut)

11 (Buff )

12 (Chestnut)

12 (Buff )

gb_numbers issued-5.indd 19

4,800,000
3,600,000
1,200
1,200,000

(20,000 sheets)
(15,000 sheets)
(5 sheets)
(5,000 sheets)

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20 | GREAT BRITAIN NUMBERS ISSUED 18401910

Notes: The five sheets of plate 12 in chestnut were Registration sheets,
of which up to 4 sheets were apparently perforated and issued. A
number of used examples have been recorded.
1873 6d GREY
Watermark Spray of Rose Design as 1872 6d Buff
Total number issued  7,198,800 (29,995 sheets)
Break-down of plates: All plate 12.

186783 HIGH VALUES

Notes: Early printings of the stamps with Anchor watermark were on
blued paper, but as printings progressed the paper became less blued
and finally almost white owing to the variation in the composition
of the prussate of potash. The blued and white papers are therefore
really one issue and cannot be classified separately. A few of these
stamps, especially those on Anchor paper, were used on telegrams.
5s ROSE
Watermark Maltese Cross Perforation 15 15 Issued in sheets
of 80
Total number issued  5,480,800 (68,510 sheets)
Break-down of plates:
Plate 1
3,920,000
(49,000 sheets)

2
1,560,400
(19,505 sheets)

4
400
(5 sheets)
Notes:  The five sheets of plate 4 were Registration sheets and no
perforated mint or used copies have yet been recorded.
5s ROSE
Watermark Large Anchor Perforation 14 Issued in sheets of 56
Total number issued 537,374 (9,596 sheets)
Break-down of plates: All plate 4.
In addition, some 404 sheets (22,626 stamps) were produced but
destroyed in 1884, making a total printing of 10,000 sheets.
10s GREY-GREEN
Watermark Maltese Cross Perforation 15 15 Issued in sheets
of 80
Total number issued 242,000 (3,025 sheets)
Break-down of plates: All plate 1.
10s GREY-GREEN
Watermark Large Anchor Perforation 14 Issued in sheets of 56
Total number issued  224,000 (4,000 sheets)
Break-down of plates: All plate 1.
1 BROWN-LILAC
Watermark Maltese Cross Perforation 15 15 Issued in sheets
of 80
Total number issued 242,000 (3,025 sheets)
Break-down of plates: All plate 1.
1 BROWN-LILAC
Watermark Large Anchor Perforation 14 Issued in sheets of 56
Total number issued  112,000 (2,000 sheets)

gb_numbers issued-5.indd 20

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GREAT BRITAIN NUMBERS ISSUED 18401910 |

21

Break-down of plates: All plate 1.

5 ORANGE
Watermark Two Large Anchors Perforation 14 Issued in sheets
of 56
Total number issued  246,826 (over 4,407 half sheets)
Break-down of plates: All plate 1.
Notes:  This stamp was produced from the 5 Telegraph stamp by
drilling out of each electro the word `Telegraph and replacing it by
the word `Postage. It is interesting to note that only 1,500 sheets
(84,000 stamps) were issued for the 5 Telegraph stamp which makes
it considerably rarer than its postal counterpart.

187380 SERIES
WITH `LARGE COLOURED CORNER LETTERS
2d ROSY-MAUVE
Watermark Anchor Issued in sheets of 192
Notes:  These stamps were printed on paper which was blued
chemically and normally used for fiscal purposes. Often the blueing
was so slight that it appeared absent (the so-called white paper),
especially on plates 2 and 3, but on plate 1 the blueing was usually
more pronounced.
Total number issued 17,281,920 (90,010 sheets)
Break-down of plates:
Plate 1
6,720,000
(35,000 sheets)

2
6,720,000
(35,000 sheets)

3
3,840,000
(20,000 sheets)

4
960
(5 sheets)

5
960
(5 sheets)
Notes:  The 2d plates 4 and 5 on Anchor paper were printed as
Registration sheets and although some of these may have been put
into circulation, no mint or used perforated examples have yet been
discovered.
The error of lettering LH-FL instead of LH-HL occurred on all
printings from plate 2, thus 35,000 (one on each sheet) were originally
created. However, since the error was not discovered until June, 1893
many of these must have been destroyed.
2d ROSY-MAUVE
Watermark Orb Issued in sheets of 192
Total number issued  91,198,080 (474,990 sheets)
Break-down of plates:
Plate 3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

gb_numbers issued-5.indd 21

2,880,000
6,719,040
6,719,040
6,720,000
6,720,000
6,720,000
6,720,000
6,720,000
6,720,000
6,720,000
6,720,000
6,720,000
6,720,000

(15,000 sheets)
(34,995 sheets)
(34,995 sheets)
(35,000 sheets)
(35,000 sheets)
(35,000 sheets)
(35,000 sheets)
(35,000 sheets)
(35,000 sheets)
(35,000 sheets)
(35,000 sheets)
(35,000 sheets)
(35,000 sheets)

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22 | GREAT BRITAIN NUMBERS ISSUED 18401910

16
6,720,000
(35,000 sheets)

17
960,000
(5,000 sheets)
Notes:  One complete imperforate sheet of plate 8 overprinted
Specimen has been broken up.
2d BLUE
Watermark Orb Issued in sheets of 192
Total number issued  30,720,000 (160,000 sheets)
Break-down of plates:
Plate 17
5,760,000
(30,000 sheets)

18
6,720,000
(35,000 sheets)

19
11,520,000
(60,000 sheets)

20
6,720,000
(35,000 sheets)
Notes: There was no record kept of the quantity produced for plate
20, but the facts indicate that probably the usual 35,000 sheets were
printed.
Plate 17 had already produced 5,000 sheets in rosy-mauve when
the colour of this stamp was changed to blue. A further 30,000 sheets
were then printed in the new blue colour, thus completing its quota
of 35,000 sheets.
3d ROSE
Watermark Spray of Rose
Total number issued  74,400,000 (310,000 sheets)
Break-down of plates:
Plate 11
8,400,000
(35,000 sheets)

12
8,400,000
(35,000 sheets)

14
8,400,000
(35,000 sheets)

15
8,400,000
(35,000 sheets)

16
8,400,000
(35,000 sheets)

17
8,400,000
(35,000 sheets)

18
8,400,000
(35,000 sheets)

19
8,400,000
(35,000 sheets)

20
7,200,000
(30,000 sheets)
Notes: Plate 13 was defective and no stamps were printed from it.
It is possible that five Registration sheets were printed from plate
21 on Spray of Rose watermarked paper, since an imprimatur sheet
does exist. However, no mint or used perforated examples have yet
been discovered.
4d VERMILION
Watermark Large Garter
Total number issued  3,601,200 (15,005 sheets)
Break-down of plates:
Plate 15
3,600,000
(15,000 sheets)

16
1,200
(5 sheets)
Notes: The 4d plate 16 were the five Registration sheets, but at least two
of these sheets were perforated and issued. Some 8 used copies have
been reported, but no mint perforated examples have yet been found.

gb_numbers issued-5.indd 22

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GREAT BRITAIN NUMBERS ISSUED 18401910 |

23

4d SAGE-GREEN
Watermark Large Garter
Total number issued  12,000,000 (50,000 sheets)
Break-down of plates:
Plate 15
4,800,000
(20,000 sheets)

16
7,198,800
(29,995 sheets)

17
1,200
(5 sheets)
Notes: The 4d plate 17 were the five Registration sheets from which
two sheets are believed to have been perforated and issued. A very
few used copies are known to exist, mostly emanating from Bradford,
but no mint perforated examples have yet been found.
One complete imperforate sheet of plate 15 overprinted Specimen
has been broken up.
4d GREY-BROWN
Watermark Large Garter
Total number issued  about 2,350,800 (9,795 sheets)
Break-down of plates: All plate 17.
6d BUFF
Watermark Spray of Rose
Total number issued  1,200 (5 sheets)
Break-down of plates: All plate 13
Notes: These were actually Registration sheets which were apparently
all perforated and issued. About 18 used copies have been recorded,
mostly used at Leeds, but no mint examples have yet been found.
6d GREY
Watermark Spray of Rose
Total number issued 37,198,800 (154,995 sheets)
Break-down of plates:
Plate 13
8,398,800
(34,995 sheets)

14
8,400,000
(35,000 sheets)

15
8,400,000
(35,000 sheets)

16
8,400,000
(35,000 sheets)

17
3,600,000
(15,000 sheets)
Notes:  One complete imperforate sheet of plate 16 overprinted
Specimen has been broken up.
8d ORANGE
Watermark Large Garter
Total number issued 4,801,200 (20,005 sheets)
Break-down of plates:
Plate 1
4,800,000
(20,000 sheets)

2
1,200
(5 sheets)
Notes: The 8d plate 2 were the five Registration sheets. No mint or
used copies of these have yet been discovered.
8d PURPLE-BROWN
Watermark Large Garter
This stamp was prepared for use in July, 1876, but not issued and
about 10,000 sheets of plate 1 were printed of which most were
officially destroyed. However, a few mint copies have survived. This
stamp was eventually issued in orange (see above).

gb_numbers issued-5.indd 23

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24 | GREAT BRITAIN NUMBERS ISSUED 18401910

1s GREEN
Watermark Spray of Rose
Total number issued  48,001,200 (200,005 sheets)
Break-down of plates:
Plate 8
8,400,000
(35,000 sheets)

9
8,400,000
(35,000 sheets)

10
8,400,000
(35,000 sheets)

11
8,400,000
(35,000 sheets)

12
8,400,000
(35,000 sheets)

13
6,000,000
(25,000 sheets)

14
1,200
(5 sheets)
Notes: The 1s plate 14 were the five Registration sheets from which
possibly only one sheet was perforated and issued. Four used copies
are known, mostly emanating from Greenock, but no mint perforated
examples have yet been found.
1s ORANGE-BROWN
Watermark Spray of Rose
Total number issued 1,200,000 (5,000 sheets)
Break-down of plates: All plate 13.
Notes:  No record was kept of the production of this stamp, but
since there was no longer a great demand for a 1s. value owing to
the introduction of a Telegraph stamp of the same duty, it may be
safely assumed that there was only the one creation warrant, for 5,000
sheets, made out in September 1880.

POSTAGE STAMPS USED ON TELEGRAMS

When the Government took over the private Telegraph Companies
in 1870, telegraph charges were mainly defrayed by the use of an
embossed 1s. stamp similar in appearance to the embossed 1s.
postage stamp of 1847, but the charges could also be paid by using
ordinary postage stamps. Early in 1876 the Post Office introduced
special telegraph stamps and the use of postage stamps was no
longer permissible. On the 1st of November 1881 telegraph stamps
were abolished altogether and from then on all telegrams were
prepaid by the use of ordinary postage stamps. Consequently,
certain post1881 values (especially the 1s. denomination) had a
considerable telegraphic usage and most of the stamps used on
telegrams were eventually officially destroyed. In this catalogue
the proportions and quantities quoted of postage stamps most
frequently used for telegraphic purposes are calculated by
comparing such denominations with the numbers sold of the
official telegraph stamps issued prior to 1881. The use of the
telegraph system started to decline after 1900 owing to the
increasing use of the telephone.

188083 SERIES WITH `LARGE COLOURED

CORNER LETTERS
Watermark Imperial Crown Designs as in 187380 series
Notes: The quantities produced from each plate in this series are not
recorded, but some information is available on the total numbers
sold for each value. The total quantities must therefore be taken as
approximate and the break-down of plates have been estimated.

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25

2d BLUE
Total number issued  92,640,000 (386,000 sheets)
Break-down of plates:
Plate 21

22

23

30,240,000
31,200,000
31,200,000

(126,000 sheets)
(130,000 sheets)
(130,000 sheets)

3d ROSE
Total number issued  45,900,000 (191,250 sheets)
Break-down of plates:
Plate 20
15,900,000
(66,250 sheets)

21
30,000,000
(125,000 sheets)
Note: At least one quarter of these stamps were used on telegrams.
4d GREY-BROWN
Total number issued  13,248,000 (55,200 sheets)
Break-down of plates:
Plate 17

18

6,048,000
7,200,000

(25,200 sheets)
(30,000 sheets)

6d GREY
Total number issued 30,000,000 (125,000 sheets)
Break-down of plates:
Plate 17
13,200,000
(55,000 sheets)

18
16,800,000
(70,000 sheets)
Notes: When the 6d on 6d lilac was introduced in 1883 the remaining
stock of plate 18 in grey was overprinted I.R.Official and these are
included in the above total.
It is estimated that some 1,750,000 stamps from plate 17 and
1,250,000 stamps from plate 18 were used on telegrams.
1s ORANGE-BROWN
Total number issued  59,520,000 (248,000 sheets)
Break-down of plates:
Plate 13
31,920,000
(133,000 sheets)

14
27,600,000
(115,000 sheets)
Notes: At least one half of these stamps were used on telegrams.
`3d SURCHARGED IN CARMINE ON 3d LILAC
Total number issued  14,400,000 (60,000 sheets)
Break-down of plates: All plate 21.
Notes: At least one quarter of these stamps were used on telegrams,
and a few were used for revenue purposes.
`6d SURCHARGED IN CARMINE ON 6d LILAC
Total number issued 9,600,000 (40,000 sheets)
Break-down of plates: All plate 18.
Notes: One example of this stamp exists with a double overprint and
this was discovered by the author of this book in 1966.
At least one quarter of these stamps were used on telegrams, and
a few were used for revenue purposes.

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26 | GREAT BRITAIN NUMBERS ISSUED 18401910

188081 NEW DESIGNS `WITHOUT PLATE NUMBERS
Watermark Imperial Crown No check letters (except for 1 d value)
d GREEN
Total number issued 902,520,000 (3,760,500 sheets)
1d VENETIAN RED
Total number issued 1,462,584,000 (6,094,100 sheets)
1d VENETIAN RED
Total number issued 49,248,000 (205,200 sheets)
2d ROSE
Total number issued 27,396,000 (114,150 sheets)
Notes:  One imperforate copy overprinted Specimen has been
recorded.
5d INDIGO
Total number issued 9,804,000 (40,850 sheets)
Notes:  One imperforate copy overprinted Specimen has been
recorded.

POSTAGE STAMPS USED FOR REVENUE PURPOSES

With the introduction of the 1881 1d lilac, penny postage stamps
could also be used for revenue purposes and the words Postage &
Revenue were incorporated in the stamp design. In February 1883
this inscription and usage was extended to all other values up to
2s.6d. The main demand for revenue usage at that time was for the
1d, 3d, 6d, 1s, and 2s.6d. denominations.

THE PARCEL POST

The Post Office introduced the Parcel Post on the 1st of August,
1883 and thus stamps used after that date may be found with
parcel post obliterations. Since 3d was the minimum inland parcel
post rate, values of 3d and over were mainly used.
1881 1d LILAC
Watermark Imperial Crown No check letters in corners.
Total number issued 34,095,984,000 (142,066,600 sheets)
Breakdown of Dies:
Die I (14 dots in each corner)
495,984,000
(2,066,600 sheets)
Die II (16 dots in each corner) 33,600,000,000 (140,000,000 sheets)
Notes: It is estimated that about 1% of these were used for revenue
purposes.
188384 HIGH VALUES
Watermark Large Anchor Issued in sheets of 112
Notes: At first this issue was printed on paper blued for revenue
purposes, but early in 1884 the blued paper was replaced by white
paper. The actual quantities printed on blued paper are not available,
although considerably less were produced than on the later white
paper. The totals given below are therefore of the combined printings
on blued and white paper. A few of these stamps were used on
telegrams

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27

2s.6d LILAC
Total number issued  10,325,392 (92,191 sheets)
Notes: A few of these stamps were used for revenue purposes.
5s ROSE
Total number issued  7,520,800 (67,150 sheets)
Notes: These stamps may be found perforated 12 but they were never
issued and originate from parts of waste sheets sent to Somerset
House for official reasons.
10s ULTRAMARINE
Total number issued 1,929,200 (17,225 sheets)
1884 1 BROWN-LILAC
Watermark three Imperial Crowns Issued in sheets of 80
Total number issued  360,160 (4,502 sheets)
Notes: A few of these stamps were used on telegrams.
1888 1 BROWN-LILAC
Watermark three Orbs Issued in sheets of 80 Design as 1884 1
Total number issued  80,800 (1,010 sheets)
Notes: This issue was actually an error of printing on fiscal paper. When
the error was discovered the Post Office withdrew the remainder
which had not already been circulated (probably some 10,000 stamps
of the above total) and overprinted them I.R. Official for official use.
A few of these stamps were used on telegrams.
188384 UNIFIED SERIES
Watermark Imperial Crown Check letters in corners
Notes:  All the following values (except the 9d) may be found
imperforate or perforated 12. These were never issued and came from
parts of waste sheets sent to Somerset House for official purposes.

d SLATE BLUE
Design as 188081 d
Total number issued 949,920,000 (3,958,000 sheets)
1d LILAC
Total number issued  57,240,000 (238,500 sheets)
2d LILAC
Total number issued 27,240,000 (113,500 sheets)
2d LILAC
Total number issued 111,960,000 (466,500 sheets)

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28 | GREAT BRITAIN NUMBERS ISSUED 18401910

3d LILAC
Total number issued 
42,480,000
(177,000 sheets)
Notes: At least one third of these stamps were used on telegrams or
for revenue purposes.
4d DULL GREEN
Total number issued 

15,960,000

(66,500 sheets)

5d DULL GREEN
Design as 1d
Total number issued 
12,000,000
(50,000 sheets)
Note: There were two Dies of the 5d of which only Die II was issued
and represented in the above total. Die I (with a short line under d of
value instead of a dot) was prepared and some 2,500 sheets printed,
but the plate cracked early in use and most of those already printed
were officially destroyed, although a few mint copies are known to
have survived.
6d DULL GREEN
Design as 2d
Total number issued 
21,240,000
(88,500 sheets)
Notes: At least one third of these stamps were used on telegrams or
for revenue purposes.
9d DULL GREEN
Design as 2d
Total number issued 

6,480,000

(27,000 sheets)

1s DULL GREEN
Design as 3d
Total number issued 
54,000,000
(225,000 sheets)
Notes: At least four fifths of these stamps were used on telegrams or
for revenue purposes.

18871900 JUBILEE ISSUE

Watermark Imperial Crown (1 three Crowns)

d VERMILION
Total number issued 

13,494,216,720 (56,225,903 sheets)

d BLUE-GREEN
Total number issued 

2,605,146,600 (10,854,777 sheets)

1d PURPLE AND GREEN

Total number issued 
492,960,000

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GREAT BRITAIN NUMBERS ISSUED 18401910 |

2d GREEN AND CARMINE

Total number issued 
305,448,000

29

(1,272,700 sheets)

2d PURPLE ON BLUE PAPER

Total number issued 
469,920,000 (1,958,000 sheets)
Notes:  One sheet printed on the gummed side was found at
Southampton in 1904.
3d PURPLE ON YELLOW PAPER
Total number issued 
527,040,000
(2,196,000 sheets)
Notes:  It is estimated that about 45,000,000 of these stamps were
used on telegrams or for revenue purposes.
4d GREEN AND BROWN
Issued in sheets of 80
Total number issued 

222,000,000

(2,775,000 sheets)

4d GREEN AND CARMINE

Issued in sheets of 80
Total number issued 
82,000,000
(1,025,000 sheets)
Notes: This value was introduced in 1892 for use on parcels weighing
two pounds, but in June 1897 this rate became obsolete and a large
stock of 4d stamps remained unused. For this reason the 4d is
more common mint than used and the majority of used copies are, of
course, parcel cancelled.
5d DULL PURPLE AND BLUE
Total number issued 
142,800,000 (595,000 sheets)
Notes: Two Duty Plates exist of the 5d value, of which probably some
100,000 sheets were of Duty Plate I and the rest Duty Plate II.
6d PURPLE ON RED PAPER
Total number issued 
784,800,000 (3,270,000 sheets)
Note: It is estimated that about 75,000,000 of these stamps were used
on telegrams or for revenue purposes.
9d PURPLE AND BLUE
Issued in sheets of 80
77,920,000
(974,000 sheets)
Total number issued 
Notes: It is estimated that about 7,000,000 of these stamps were used
on telegrams or for revenue purposes.
10d PURPLE AND RED
Issued in sheets of 96
Total number issued 

33,465,600

(348,600 sheets)

1s GREEN
Total number issued 
138,600,000 (577,500 sheets)
Notes: It is estimated that over 100,000,000 of these stamps were
used on telegrams or for revenue purposes.
1s GREEN AND CARMINE
Total number issued 
27,996,000
(116,650 sheets)
Notes: One sheet with inverted watermark was found at Liverpool in
1900.
Very few of these stamps were used on telegrams, as the basic
telegraph rate was changed from 1s to 6d in 1899, and this stamp
was issued in 1900.

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30 | GREAT BRITAIN NUMBERS ISSUED 18401910

1 GREEN
Issued in sheets of 80 Design as 1884 1
Total number issued 
701,760
(8,772 sheets)
Notes: A few of these stamps were used on telegrams.

KING EDWARD VII

190210 DE LA RUE PRINTINGS
Watermark Imperial Crown ( to 1s); Large Anchor (2s.6d to 10s);
three Crowns (1)

d GREEN
Total number issued 
18,524,101,680 (77,183,757 sheets)
Notes: 67,101,600 (279,590 sheets) of the above total were produced
in special sheets of 240, half with inverted watermark, for use in Post
Office Booklets.
1d RED
Total number issued 
19,012,289,520 (79,227,837 sheets)
Notes: 103,524,960 (431,354 sheets) of the above total were produced
in special sheets of 240, half with inverted watermark, for use in Post
Office Booklets.

gb_numbers issued-5.indd 30

1d PURPLE AND GREEN

Total number issued 
297,518,400

(1,239,660 sheets)

2d GREEN AND CARMINE

Total number issued 
287,701,440

(1,198,756 sheets)

2d BLUE
Total number issued 

603,649,200

(2,515,205 sheets)

3d PURPLE ON YELLOW PAPER

Total number issued 
468,448,800

(1,951,870 sheets)

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GREAT BRITAIN NUMBERS ISSUED 18401910 |

4d GREEN AND BROWN

Total number issued 

312,208,080

(1,300,867 sheets)

4d ORANGE
Total number issued 

96,727,200

(403,030 sheets)

5d DULL PURPLE AND BLUE

Total number issued 
191,848,800

31

(799,370 sheets)

6d PURPLE
Total number issued 
561,474,240 (2,339,476 sheets)
Notes: It is estimated that about 120,000,000 of these stamps were
used on telegrams or for revenue purposes.
7d GREY
Total number issued 

5,963,040

(24,846 sheets)

9d PURPLE AND BLUE

Issued in sheets of 80
Total number issued 

51,010,560

(637,632 sheets)

10d PURPLE AND RED

Issued in sheets of 96
Total number issued 

33,465,600

(348,600 sheets)

1s GREEN AND CARMINE

Total number issued 
125,063,280

(521,097 sheets)

2s.6d PURPLE
Issued in sheets of 56
Total number issued 

9,634,464

(172,044 sheets)

5s CARMINE
Issued in sheets of 56
Total number issued 

4,343,472

(77,562 sheets)

10s BLUE
Issued in sheets of 56
Total number issued 

1,513,680

(27,030 sheets)

1 GREEN
Issued in sheets of 40
Total number issued 

804,880

(20,122 sheets)

1910 PREPARED FOR USE BUT NOT ISSUED 2d TYRIAN PLUM

It was intended that this stamp should have been issued on the 6th of
May 1910, but on that day the King died and practically all the stamps
printed were officially destroyed. The few surviving copies include a
complete sheet (except that one corner stamp is missing) owned by
the General Post Office, a mint pair in the Royal Collection and some
ten other known examples. One of these stamps was used on a letter
to the Prince of Wales (later King George V) on the 5th of May 1910
and this is housed in the Royal Collection.
King Edward VII died on the 6th of May 1910 and although further
provisional stamps bearing the Kings portrait were produced
between 1911 and 1913 by Messrs. Harrison & Sons and the Somerset
House Printers, these were actually issued during the reign of King
George V.

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32 | GREAT BRITAIN NUMBERS ISSUED 18401910

Following the Kings death, Messrs. De La Rue handed over some
of the printing plates to Messrs. Harrison & Sons and to the Somerset
House Printers for printing the provisional issues and Messrs. De La
Rues contract for printing stamps ended on the 31st of December,
1910. Unfortunately, the new printers kept inadequate records of
numbers of stamps printed and the Post Office Record Book ceased
recording quantities at the end of 1908. Therefore, it is impracticable
to supply numbers of definitive stamps issued after 1910.
The numbers issued or printed for commemorative sets up to modern
times are known. Since most specialised catalogues record the quantities
issued for the Queen Elizabeth period, it is pointless repeating them
here, but for easy reference details are given for the commemorative
sets issued until the end of the reign of King George VI.
1924/25 BRITISH EMPIRE EXHIBITION:
All values combined (17,000,000)
1929 POSTAL UNION CONGRESS:
d (677,500,000), 1d (341,000,000), 1d (751,250,000),
2d (26,750,000), 1 (61,000)
1935 SILVER JUBILEE:
d (353,400,000), 1d (150,400,000), 1d (490,000,000),
2d (14,200,000)
1937 CORONATION:
1d (388,731,000)
1940 POSTAL CENTENARY:
d (82,896,960), 1d (232,903,680) 1d (40,412,800), 2d (121,065,120),
2d (312,957,440), 3d (22,128,000)
1946 VICTORY:
2d (307,832,500), 3d (43,085,700)
1948 ROYAL SILVER WEDDING:
2d (147,500,000), 1 (419,628)
1948 CHANNEL ISLANDS LIBERATION:
1d (5,934,000), 2d (5,398,000)
1948 OLYMPIC GAMES:
2d (155,350,000), 3d (32,554,000), 6d (24,397,000), 1s (32,187,000)
1949 UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION:
2d (135,150,000), 3d (16,450,000) 6d (11,450,000), 1s. (11,400,000)
1951 FESTIVAL OF BRITAIN:
2d (260,142,000), 4d (22,197,000)

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GREAT BRITAIN NUMBERS ISSUED 18401910 |

33

THE OFFICIALS
1840 V.R. 1d BLACK
Watermark Small Crown Imperforate Letters V.R. in upper corners
It was intended to issue this stamp with the first postage stamps
of 1840 but although it was prepared for use and 3471 sheets were
printed, it was never officially released. Of the original printing, 148
sheets were spoiled during production and 3302 officially destroyed
on 25 January 1843. Of the residue of 21 sheets, one was sent to
Rowland Hill on 18 April 1840 for use in cancellation trials, examples
being known with Maltese Cross and concentric circles cancellations.
13 sheets were sent to Somerset House to be attached to circulars
which were distributed to postmasters on 7 May 1840. Five sheets are
unaccounted for. Used examples are known, probably having passed
through the post in error, these and unused examples in collectors
hands are likely to come from the five sheets or from Post Office
circulars.

GREAT BRITAIN STAMPS

OVERPRINTED FOR OFFICIAL USE
From 1882 to 1904 various Government departments overprinted
stamps which were then current, for official use. These overprints
consisted of I.R. Official (Inland Revenue), O.W. Official (Office of
Works, Army Official, Govt. Parcels (Government Parcels), Board of
Education, R.H. Official (Royal Household), and Admiralty Official.
The stamps overprinted were as follows:
188083 6d grey (plate 18), is orange-brown (plates 13 and 14).
188081 d green.
1881
1d lilac.
188384 5s rose, 10s ultramarine.
1884
1 brown-lilac watermark Crowns.
1888
1 brown-lilac watermark Orbs.
188384 d slate-blue, 1d lilac, 2d lilac, 6d dull green, 9d dull
green, 1s dull green.
18871900 Jubilee all values except 3d and 4d, including the colour
changes.
190210 Edward all values except the two 4ds, 7d and 2s.6d. The
d was only overprinted on the blue-green shade.
It has not been possible to compile a complete listing of the numbers
of stamps overprinted for official purposes, but set out below is the
information that is so far known.
INLAND REVENUE
1901
6d purple on red paper (18871900 issue)

120,000 (500 sheets)
1901
1s green and carmine (18871900 issue)

2,400
(10 sheets)
1904
6d purple (190210 issue)

248 copies are known of which 6 are used and 242 are
mint. Most of the used examples are postmarked May 14th
1904 and the mint includes a near complete sheet of 234
housed in the Post Office archives, a marginal pair and a
single in the Royal Collection, and a block of four in the
National Museum of Ireland at Dublin.
1902
10s blue (190210 issue) The Post Office archives holds 51
mint copies. Others exist.
1902
1 green (190210 issue) The Post Office archives holds 35
mint copies. Others exist.

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34 | GREAT BRITAIN NUMBERS ISSUED 18401910

OFFICE OF WORKS
1901 d blue-green (18871900 issue) 6,000 (25 sheets)
1902 5d dull purple and blue (18871900 issue) 12,000 (50
sheets) 949 were used.
1902 10d purple and red (18871900 issue) 800 (10 sheets
of 80) 480 were used.
1903 10d purple and red (190210 issue) 240 (1,440 were
printed in 15 sheets of 96, but 1,200 were officially
destroyed. 134 were used.
ARMY OFFICIAL
1903 6d purple (190210 issue)
Number printed 480,000 (2,000 sheets). The bulk of this printing was
officially destroyed.
GOVERNMENT PARCELS
1897 1d lilac overprint inverted error 240 (1 sheet)
Notes: This is the only recorded instance of an inverted overprint on a
British stamp for use in Great Britain.
1900 1s green and carmine (18871900) 36,000 (150 sheets)
BOARD OF EDUCATION
1902 5d dull purple and blue (18871900 issue) 5,520 (66,000
were printed, 60,480 were officially destroyed)
1902 1s green and carmine (18871900 issue) 2,400 (33,000
were printed, 30,600 were officially destroyed)
190204 5d dull purple and blue and 1s green and carmine
(190210 issue)
The majority of these two values were destroyed on the 14th of May
1904 when the general issue of the Officials ceased. The 1s was never
officially issued. Very few of the 5d were issued. However, one or two
of the 1s were used by some high official and a very few of the 5d
were also used. The Post Office archives holds 114 mint copies of the
1s value.
ROYAL HOUSEHOLD
No information available.
ADMIRALTY OFFICIAL
No information available.

GREAT BRITAIN STAMPS OVERPRINTED FOR USE

IN OTHER COUNTRIES
Although prior to 1880 British stamps had been used in many
countries apart from Great Britain, Cyprus was the only country
to actually overprint the stamps with the name of their country.
During the 1880s this practice was adopted by six other countries
(i.e. Bechuanaland, British East Africa, British Levant, Mafeking, Oil
Rivers Protectorate, and Zululand), and in 1907 Morocco Agencies
also began overprinting British stamps. Most of the British Levant
stamps were only surcharged with a new currency and it was not until
1905 that they overprinted the stamps Levant. In later years other
countries have overprinted Great Britain stamps, but the information
given below is confined to the period covered by this book 1840 to
1910. The stamps of Great Britain overprinted by the various countries
were as follows:

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GREAT BRITAIN NUMBERS ISSUED 18401910 |

35

185869

1d Red (plates 174, 181, 184, 193, 196, 201, 205, 208, 215,
216, 217, 218 and 220).
1870
d Red (plates 12, 15 and 19).
187380 2d rosy-mauve (plates 14 and 15), 4d sage-green (plate
16), 6d grey (plate 16), is green (plate 13).
1881
1d lilac
188384 2s.6d lilac, 5s rose.
188384 2d lilac, 5d dull green.
18871900 Jubilee all values to 1s except 1d, 4d, and 1s green
and carmine.
190210 Edward all values to 10/ except 7d and 9d.
Unfortunately, the totals of the stamps so overprinted are not known
for all the countries, but the information that is available is indicated
below.
BECHUANALAND
1881 1d lilac Numbers not known
18871900 Jubilee d vermilion, d bluegreen, 2d, 3d, 4d, 6d, 1s green Numbers not known
190210 Edward d (blue-green and
yellow-green), 1d, 2d
Numbers not known
BRITISH EAST AFRICA
1881 1d. lilac
18871900 Jubilee
2d
5d
BRITISH LEVANT
188384 2s.6d lilac
188384 2d lilac, 5d dull green
18871900 Jubilee 2d vermilion
2d, 5d, 10d
190210 Edward all values (including
both 4d colours) except 7d, 9d,
10s and 1

1,440 (6 sheets)
1,440 (6 sheets)
780 (3 sheets)
Number not known
Numbers not known
6,000 (25 sheets)
Numbers not known
Numbers not known

CYPRUS
185869 1d Red (plates 174, 181, 184, 193,
196, 201, 205, 208, 215, 216, 217,
218 and 220) total about
480,000 (2,000 sheets)
1870 d Red (plates 12, 15 and 19)
68,640 (143 sheets of 480)
total
187380 2d rosy-mauve (plates 14 and
15) total 319,584
(16,642 sheets of 192)
4d sage-green (plate 16)
13,440 (56 sheets)
6d grey (plate 16)
3,360 (14 sheets)
1s green (plate 13)
2,880 (12 sheets)
MAFEKING
1881 d lilac
18871900 Jubilee d vermilion

2d

3d

4d

6d

1s green

gb_numbers issued-5.indd 35

3,600 (15 sheets)

6,000 (25 sheets)
2,400 (10 sheets)
1,440 (6 sheets)
2,320 (29 sheets of 80)
1,680 (7 sheets)
570 (23/8 sheets)

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36 | GREAT BRITAIN NUMBERS ISSUED 18401910

MOROCCO AGENCIES
190210 Edward all values (including both 4d colours) except
3d, 7d, 9d and 1. The d was only overprinted on the
yellow-green shade Numbers not known
OIL RIVERS PROTECTORATE
1881 d lilac
33,360(278 half sheets)
18871900 Jubilee 1d vermilion 33,600 (280 half sheets)
2d
33,480 (279 half sheets)
2d
57,000 (475 half sheets)
5d
33,540 (279 half sheets +1 sheet)
1s green
6,720 (56 half sheets)
ZULULAND

1881 1d lilac
188084 5s rose
18871900 Jubilee d vermillion
2d
2d
3d
4d
5d
6d
9d
1s green

Numbers sold
459,776(1,915+ sheets)
998 (nearly 9 sheets of 112)
268,224 (1,117+ sheets)
31,987 (133+ sheets)
28,544 (118+ sheets)
11,949 (49+ sheets)
20,250 (253+sheets of 80)
6,428 (26+ sheets)
11,405 (47+ sheets)
3,701 (46+sheets of 80)
4,654 (19+ sheets)

PROTECTIVE UNDERPRINTS
The following quantities of line-engraved stamps were officially
underprinted (under the gum) by Messrs. Perkins, Bacon & Co. for
the various companies in the period November 1872 to the end of
1877. It must be remembered, that in addition to those listed some
were officially and unofficially both underprinted (under and over the
gum) and overprinted before and after this period by Messrs. Perkins,
Bacon & Co. and by the private firms using them, whilst Messrs. De La
Rue officially underprinted certain surface-printed issues.

Protective underprints

gb_numbers issued-5.indd 36

OXFORD UNION SOCIETY (O.U.S.)

1d Red 420,720

(1,753 sheets)

J. & C. BOYD & CO.

1d Red 696,000

(2,900 sheets)

W.H. SMITH AND SON

1d Red 96,000
2d Blue 12,000

(400 sheets)
(50 sheets)

07/04/2008 09:42:38

GREAT BRITAIN NUMBERS ISSUED 18401910 |

COPESTAKE, MOORE, CRAMPTON & CO

1d Red 1,968,000
1d Red 1,374,720
1d Red 76,080
2d Blue 144,000

37

(4,100 sheets of 480)

(5,728 sheets)
(317 sheets)
(600 sheets)

GREAT EASTERN RAILWAY (G.E.R.)

1d Red 360,000
(1,500 sheets)
Notes: This comprises the whole of the printing for the Great Eastern
Railway, whose stamps were underprinted between November 1873
and January 1877.

A SUMMARY OF THE NUMBERS OF ADHESIVE POSTAGE

STAMPS ISSUED DURING THE REIGN OF QUEEN VICTORIA
The following numbers of adhesive postage stamps were issued in
the period 1840 to 1900:

Stamps
Sheets of Stamps
d
19,552,079,640
78,133,089
1d
56,644,726,080
236,019,525
1d
642,086,160
2,675,359
2d
696,690,960
2,902,879
2d
813,720,000
3,535,500
3d
796,872,000
3,320,300
4d
415,670,640
3,581,961
4d
82,000,000
1,025,000
5d
164,604,000
685,850
6d
1,010,759,480
4,288,962
8d
4,801,200
20,005
9d
92,009,920
1,032,708
10d
35,843,500
503,505
1s
411,295,260
1,972,937
2s
6,800,020
28,333
2s.6d
10,325,392
92,191
5s
13,538,974
145,256
10s
2,395,200
24,250
1
1,496,720
19,309
5
246,826
4,408
Totals
81,397,961,972
340,011,327
When Messrs. Perkins, Bacon & Co. finally completed their printing
contracts for the Line-Engraved series on the 31st of December 1879,
the Board of Trade stated that the numbers of line-engraved stamps
produced by the firm (excluding wastage) were:

d
1,600,276,320

1d
20,699,858,040

1d
42,638,160

2d
338,540,280

gb_numbers issued-5.indd 37

07/04/2008 09:42:38

STANLEY GIBBONS
Great Britain Department

If youd like to receive our monthly colour brochure of 450 - 500 selected items,
contact Mark Facey on: 020 7557 4424 or Michael Barrell on 020 7557 4448
or email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Stanley Gibbons Limited, 399 Strand, London WC2R 0LX
Tel: 020 7836 8444 Fax: 020 7836 7342
To view all our stock 24 hours a day visit www.stanleygibbons.com

gb_numbers issued-5.indd 38

07/04/2008 09:42:41

Never miss
a beat...
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Gibbons Stamp Monthly
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The UKs best selling stamp magazine

Consistently over 150 pages
Monthly colour catalogue supplement to the Specialised catalogue
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A monthly article, Machin Watch written by the leading dealer. John M Deering
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*For your FREE sample or to discuss a subscription, please contact us via one of the below methods:

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Email: [email protected]
Write to: 7 Parkside, Christchurch Road,
Ringwood, Hants, BH24 3SH

www.stanleygibbons.com

ORDE
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gb_numbers issued-5.indd 39

07/04/2008 09:42:43

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range available from Stanley Gibbons
Prices correct as of April 2008.

Stanley Gibbons Publications

7 Parkside, Christchurch Road, Ringwood, Hampshire, BH24 3SH

E: [email protected] T: +44 (0)1425 472 363
www.stanleygibbons.com

gb_numbers issued-5.indd 40

07/04/2008 09:42:44

STANLEY GIBBONS
Great Britain Department

For more information contact Mark Facey on: 020 7557 4424 or Michael Barrell on 020 7557 4448
or email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Stanley Gibbons Limited, 399 Strand, London WC2R 0LX
Tel: 020 7836 8444 Fax: 020 7836 7342

numbers issued
ISBN-13 978-0-85259-695-1
ISBN-10 0-85259-695-2
0 0 7 9 5

7.95

UK Retail Price
Published by
Stanley Gibbons Ltd
London and Ringwood

Untitled-1
4
cover number
iss-3.indd 1

780852 596951

03/08/2011 09:42:47