My BRITISH STAMPS
1964

SG 646 to SG 650
Shakespeare Festival

Issued: 23rd Apr 1964: Produced on chalky-surfaced paper, perf 11 x 12 (2s.6d), 15 x 14 all others. There was an ordinary and a phosphor first day cover as well as a presentation pack. A single special postmark was used inscribed "FIRST DAY OF ISSUE STRATTFORD-UPON-AVON 23 APR 1964".

This was the first time that the Post Office issued a Presentation Pack and it went on to be the norm for almost all later commemorative issues.

SG 646
3d
Multicoloured
Puck and Bottom (A midsommer Night's Dream).

SG 647
6d
Multicoloured
Feste (Twelfth Night).

SG 648
1s3d
Multicoloured
Balcony Scene (Romeo and Juliet).

SG 649
1s6d
Multicoloured
'Eve of Agincourt' (Henry V).

SG 650
2s6d
Slate-purple
Hamlet contemplating Yorick's skull (Hamlet) and Queen Elizabeth II.

SG 651 to SG 654
20th International Geographical Congress
London

Issued: 1st Jul 1964. Designed by D. Bailey and produced on chalky-surfaced paper perf 15 x 14. There was an ordinary and a phosphor first day cover as well as a presentation pack and a single special postmark.

SG 651
2½d
Multicoloured
Flats near Richmond Park ('Urban Development').

SG 652
4d
Multicoloured
Shibuilding Yards, Belfast.

SG 653
8d
Multicoloured
Beddgelert Forest Park, Snowdonia.

SG 654
1s6d
Multicoloured
Nuclear Reactor, Dounreay ('Technological Development').

SG 655 to SG 658
Tenth International Botanical Congress
Edinburgh

Issued: 5th aug 1964. These stamps were designed by M. and Sylvia Goaman and produced on chalk-surfaced paper perf 15 x 14. There was an ordinary and a phosphor first day cover as well as a presentation pack and a single special postmark.

SG 655
3d
Multicoloured
Spring Gentian.

SG 656
6d
Multicoloured
Dog Rose.

SG 657
9d
Multicoloured
Honeysuckle.

SG 658
1s3d
Multicoloured
Fringed Water Lily.

SG 659 and SG 660
Opening of Forth Road Bridge

Issued: 4th Sep 1964. The stamps were designed by A. Restall and produced on perf 15 x 14 chalky-surfaced paper. There was an ordinary and a phosphor first day cover as well as a presentation pack and two special postmarks. The first is inscribed "THE FORTH ROAD BRIDGE GUID PASSAGE - NORTH QUEENSFERRY FIFE - 4 SEPT 1964" and the second is identical except the inscription reads "THE FORTH ROAD BRIDGE GUID PASSAGE - SOUTH QUEENSFERRY WEST LOTHIAN - 4 SEPT 1964"