Edward VIII stamps

Although only four postage stamps were issued for the reign of King Edward VIII there is still a wealth of material in the BPMA collections. This includes all the work which went into creating the four Accession definitives:

• photographs
• artwork
• essays
• issued stamps

The chosen design was based on artwork by 17-year-old Hubert Brown.

Edward VIII definitive 1/2d stamp based on a design by Hubert Brown

Registration sheets

There are also registration sheets for the stamps in normal sheet format. Some of these are overprinted for the Morocco Agencies and Tangier. Otheres are as prepared for various types of issued booklets and rolls. All, except the overprinted ones, are imperforate.

We also keep 'To Pay' labels printed on watermarked 'Edward VIII' paper in complete, imperforate sheets.

Proposed Coronation stamps

Proposed Coronation stamp that was never issued

Stamps for the Coronation were proposed, but not issued. As with the issued stamps we hold all the artwork and essays for these proposed stamps. These include plaster casts from the Royal Mint and also photographs. Many were taken by the GPO Film Unit of various royal castles.

We also hold all the essays produced right up to the week of the Abdication. A lot of the portrait work was by Eric Gill. Pictorial stamps had also been suggested and a number of essays were created, which we hold.

Access

The best way to see all our philatelic and postal history collections is by appointment with the Curator of Philately, Douglas Muir. To make an appointment, please call 020 7239 2570 or email info@postalheritage.org.uk.