SHOW MENUThe 1929 Postal Union Congress Issue
Introduction
It all started with a committee who decided, amongst other things, form, value and who should design the stamps. The committee was made up of the great and good of the country together with representatives of the Post Office. There were sub committees that dealt with the mechanics and practicalities. The committee invited artists to submit designs for the five values.
Once the invited artists had submitted their designs the committee chose designs submitted by Mr F.W.Farleigh for the ½d and 2½d stamps; Mr E.Linzell for the 1d and 1½d stamps; and the design submitted by Mr H.Nelson for the £1 stamp.
The original drawings would normally have been taken to the Royal Mint to engrave the dies and prepare the printing plates. This happened in the case of the ld and 1½d. But due to the complex design of the ½d and 2½d, the drawings were sent to the printers Waterlow & Sons for their master engraver to engrave the plates. It was decided that the £1 stamp would be line engraved and this was sent to Bradbury Wilkinson.
Progressive Die Proofs were made from these plates in black ink and submitted for approval. Alterations and corrections were made before colour trials and the various shades were then submitted for approval. Colour Die Proofs were made from the plates and submitted for approval. Once approved the plates were hardened and printing could begin.
Before the print run started an Imprimatur was taken from the finished plate to check for blemishes. The term "imprimatur" means "let it be printed''. This display shows imprimaturs from the three different watermarks, upright, inverted and sideways, from sheets, booklet stamps and coils.
As a founder member of the Universal Postal Union, Great Britain was under an obligation to send 70 copies of all of its newly issued stamps to the UPU. This set was sent by the UPU to a Portuguese colony.
The display finishes with a gift given to all delegates attending the Congress by the Post Office.
This display gives an insight into the procedure of printing a new set of stamps.
Acknowledgements for the information used in this display – Stanley Gibbons GB specialised catalogue vol. 2, The Royal Philatelic Society and The Postal Museum Archives.
