The idea for "regional" definitive stamps

In the 1950s there was a nationalist sentiment that stamps be produced for different parts of the British Isles, particularly in Scotland, as well as a call for more pictorial definitives. In 1956, The Queen agreed that there should therefore be different definitive stamps for the component “Regions”. The idea for these “Regional” definitive stamps was originally expressed after World War II during the reign of King George VI when a few designs and essays were created but came to nought.

Image of Wilding's portrait of The Queen

The main feature on the stamps was still the Wilding portrait of The Queen as used on national definitives. Symbols and heraldic emblems for the various areas were then added, chosen by special committees set up for each country and island. Main features were lions and unicorns for Scotland, leopards for the Norman Channel Islands and dragons for Wales.

In 1958, three stamps each of 3d, 6d and 1s 3d were issued for the countries of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales (but not England), with one 3d stamp for the islands of Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man. These stamps were primarily sold and used in their respective areas but they were also valid for postage throughout the United Kingdom. Later, other values were added, mostly in the same designs, but with new versions for the islands.

Forward to "Regional" stamps for the Islands

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