BRITISH COVERS
1971
15th Feb 1971: "Low Value Decimal Definitives"
This is the second issue of British decimal stamps, the first being the high value definitives issued on 17th June 1970 (before the official introduction of decimal currency and in order to ease the pressure on the printing and distribution system). A series of Regional definitives was also issued later this year to complete the range.The colour range for these 12 stamps was determined following a series of tests conducted at the Applied Psychology Research unit in Cambridge, to determine how easily each of the colours could be distinquished. The tests used forty volunteer housewives and a number of postmen as test subjects.
The stamps followed the same series of elegant Machin stamps that were used prior to decimalisation.
Note that each of these covers has been stamped to indicate that the First Day Cover issue was delayed by a postal strike, a very common occurance back in the turbulent 70's. Interestingly each of these stamps is different indicating that the delay stamp was produced locally with common text but different fonts.
"FIRST DAY OF ISSUE HULL, YORKSHIRE - 15 FEB 1971"
From my Collection
"FIRST DAY OF ISSUE MANCHESTER - 15 FEB 1971"
From my Collection
"FIRST DAY OF ISSUE WATFORD, HERTS - 15 FEB 1971"
From my Collection
"Official Post Office First Day Cover with local cancel "FIRST DAY OF ISSUE LEICESTER - 15 FEB 1971"
From my Collection
16th Jun 1971: SG881 to SG883 - "Ulster '71 Paintings"
"Official Post Office First Day Cover with local cancel "FIRST DAY OF ISSUE LEICESTER - 16 JUN 1971"
From my Collection
Regional Definitive - Isle of Man
Official Post Office First Day Cover with special postmark "FIRST DAY OF ISSUE DOUGLAS ISLE OF MAN - 7 JULY 1971".
From My Collection
Regional Definitive - Northern Ireland
Official Post Office First Day Cover with special postmark "FIRST DAY OF ISSUE BELFAST - 7 JULY 1971".
From My Collection
Regional Definitive - Scotland
Official Post Office First Day Cover with special postmark "FIRST DAY OF ISSUE EDINBURGH - 7 JULY 1971".
From My Collection
Regional Definitive - Wales
Official Post Office First Day Cover with special postmark "FIRST DAY OF ISSUE CARDIFF - 7 JULY 1971".
From My Collection
28th Jul 1971: SG884 to SG886 - "Literary Anniversaries"
This First Day Cover was designed by Rosalind Dease and was released on 28th July 1971 along with a Presentation Pack costing 20½p. The stamps were also designed by Rosalind Dease and depict authors based upon photographs and engravings.
Official Post Office First Day Cover and local cancel "FIRST DAY OF ISSUE - LEICESTER - 28 JUL 1971".
From My Collection
Official Post Office First Day Cover and local cancel "FIRST DAY OF ISSUE - READING, BERKS - 28 JUL 1971".
From My Collection
25th Aug 1971: SG887 to SG889 - "British Anniversaries"
SG887-SG889 Official Royal Mail First Day Cover Cancelled "BRITISH POST OFFICE PHILATELIC BUREAU EDINBURGH 25 AUG 71<4>From my Collection
SG887-SG889 Official Royal Mail First Day Cover local cancel "FIRST DAY OF ISSUE LEICESTER 25 AUG 71<4>From my Collection
SG887 Front
From my Collection
SG887 Reverse
From my Collection
SG887 Front
From my Collection
SG887 Reverse
From my Collection
22nd Sep 1971: SG890 to SG893 - "British Architecture - Modern University Buildings"
Private First Day cover with local cancel "FIRST DAY OF ISSUE DOVER, KENT - 22 SEP 1971"
From My Collection
SG890 Front
From my Collection
SG890 Reverse
From my Collection
13th Oct 1971: SG894 to SG896 - "Christmas"
The stamps featured on this First Day Cover depict the stained glass windows of Canterbury Cathedral. The cover itself depicts an angel from St. Gabriel's chapel in Canterbury Cathedral and the cover insert contained a personal message from Ian H. White-Thomson the Dean of Canterbury. This years' Christmas issue was almost a month earlier than previous and subsequent issues which typically come out around the end of November.
Official Post Office First Day cover with local cancel "FIRST DAY OF ISSUE SOUTHALL MIDDX - 13 OCT 1971"
From My Collection
Private First Day Cover with local cancel "FIRST DAY OF ISSUE KINGSTON UPON THAMES - 13 OCT 1971"
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"Airmail"
The following are airmail envelopes with First Day Issue cancellations.
Airmail First Day cover with local cancel "FIRST DAY OF ISSUE CROYDON, SURREY - 1 JUL 1971"
From My Collection
Airmail First Day cover with special Christmas cancel "FIRST DAY OF ISSUE LLANDEILO CARMS - 13 OCT 1971"
From My Collection