Surprisingly, the first ideas for "Regional" stamps were suggested shortly after the end of the Second World War. The Channel Islands had been liberated from German occupation on 9 May 1945 and they wanted to revive tourism. A way of doing this was for Jersey and Guernsey to have their own postage stamps.

However, this meant there would need to be stamps for other countries within the United Kingdom – England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales – and the Isle of Man. It was decided to have six designs showing the coat of arms of the country or region, together with the head of King George VI but in the end this did not go ahead.

Stamps for "Regions" of the British Isles

In 1956, it was agreed that stamps would be issued for the various "regions" of the British Isles instead. Only one stamp was to be issued for each of the islands – Guernsey (including Alderney and Sark), the Isle of Man and Jersey.

The Guernsey committee decided that the Guernsey Lily and William the Conqueror's crown (taken from a coin) should be included in the design. Local artist Eric Piprell designed the final 3d stamp. An alternative design of his was used for the later 2½d value.

To be included on the Isle of Man stamp were the Three Legs on a Shield (the Arms of the Kingdom of Man), and the ring-chain pattern characteristic of the Manx runic crosses.

For Jersey the Island Mace was to be shown vertically plus the Arms of Jersey, very similar to the arms of England featuring "leopards". Foliage should be included to represent agriculture, together with rays of the sun.

1946 Regional Stamps Proposal

Proposed KGVI Channel Islands stamp

1958 Stamps for Guernsey

Artwork by Eric Piprell

Essay of design by Eric Piprell

Issued 2½d stamp

Issued 3d stamp

1958 Stamps for Isle of Man

Essay for design by John Nicholson

Issued 2½d stamp

Issued 3d stamp

1958 Stamps for Jersey

Unadopted artwork by Abram Games

Rejected artwork by William Gardner

Essay of design by William Gardner

Issued 2½d stamp

Issued 3d stamp