BRITISH STAMPS
1981

SG X854, X894, X902, X907, X954 and X970
Definitives

Designed by: After a plaster cast by Arnold Machin and issued 26th Aug 1981. The Post Office issued several First Day covers for these definitive stamps.

SG X854
2½p
Rose Red.

SG X894
11½p
Drab.

SG X902
14p
Grey-Blue.

SG X907
15½p
Pale Violet.

SG X954
18p
Deep Violet.

SG X970
25p
Purple.

SG 1143 to 1146
Folklore

Designed by: F. Wegner and issued 6th Feb 1981 on phosphorised paper as a set of 4. There was also a presentation pack (Post Office Pack No. 124) and a First Day cover. There were two First day of Issue postmarks, one inscribed "First Day of Issue Philatelic Bureau of Edinburgh 6th Feb 1981" and featuring a hobbyhorse head and the second inscribed "First Day of Issue London WC 6th Feb 1981" and featuring a bale of hay.

SG 1143
14p
St. Valentines Day.

SG 1144
18p
Morris Dancers.

SG 1145
25p
Lammastide.

SG 1146
25p
Medieval.

SG 1147 to 1150
International Year of the Disabled

Designed by: J. Gibbs and issued 25th Mar 1981 on phosphorised paper as a set of 4. There was also a First Day cover and a Presentation Pack (Post Office Pack No. 125). SG No.1147 exists in the standard perforation and an imperforate pair. Two special first day of issue postmarks were used, the first inscribed "First Day of issue Edinburgh Philatelic Bureau 25 March 1981" featuring a group of 4 symbols of a person in a wheelchair and the second inscribed "First Day of Issue Windsor 25 March 1981" and featuring an inverted 'A' symbol surounded by a laurel wreath.

SG 1147
14p
Blind man with dog.

SG 1148
18p
Sign Language 'Deaf'.

SG 1149
22p
Disabled man in wheelchair.

SG 1150
25p
Foot painting.

SG NI34, NI38, NI45 and NI53
Regional definitive
Northern Ireland

Issued 8th Apr 1981 and designed by: After a plaster cast by Arnold Machin.

SG NI34
11½p
Drab

SG NI38
14p
Grey blue

SG NI45
18p
Deep Violet

SG NI53
22p
Blue

SG S36, S40, S44 and S47
Regional definitive
Scotland

Issued 8th Apr 1981 and designed after a plaster cast by Arnold Machin

SG S36
11½p
Drab

SG S40
14p
Grey blue

SG S44
18p
Deep Violet

SG S47
22p
Blue

SG W35, W39, W46 and W54
Regional definitive
Wales

Issued 8th Apr 1981 and designed after a plaster cast by Arnold Machin. The Post Office issued several First Day covers for these definitive stamps.

SG W35
11½p
Drab

SG W39
14p
Grey blue

SG W46
18p
Deep Violet

SG W54
22p
Blue

SG 1151 to 1154
Butterflies

Designed by: G. Beningfield and issued 13th May 1981 as a set fo 4 stamps on phosphorous paper. In addition there was a First Day cover and a Presentation Pack (P.O. Pack No. 126). Two Butterfly inspired postmarks were also used, the first inscribed "First Day of Issue Philatelic Bureau Edinburgh 13 May 1981" and featuring a pair of line drawn butterflies facing each other. The second postmark was inscribed "First Day of Issue London SW 13 May 1981" and shows a butterfly with horizontal and diagonal lines filling in the wings.

SG 1151
14p
Small Tortoiseshell.
(Aglais urticae)

SG 1152
18p
Large Blue.
(Maculinea arion)

SG 1153
22p
Peacock.
(Inachis io)

SG 1154
25p
Chequered Skipper.
(Carterocephalus palaemon)

SG 1155 to 1159
50th Anniversary of the National Trust
for Scotland

Designed by: m. Fairclough and issued 24th June on phosphorised paper, this set of 5 stamps depict various British landscapes and was issued to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the National Trust for Scotland. A First Day cover and a Presentation Pack (P.O Pack No. 127) were also available. Three postmarks were used, the first is inscribed "First Day of Issue Philatelic Bureau Edinburgh 24 Jun 1981", the second "First Day of Issue Glenfinnan 24 June 1981" (same design as the first postmark) and thirdly a postmark inscribed "First Day of Issue Keswick 24 June 1981" which features a different design comprising an oak leaf branch with 5 leaves.

SG 1155
14p
Glenfinnan, Scotland.

SG 1156
18p
Derwentwater, England.

SG 1157
20p
Stackpole Head, Wales.

SG 1158
22p
Giant's Causeway, N. Ireland.

SG 1159
25p
St. Kilda, Scotland.

SG 1160 and 1161
Royal Wedding

These 2 Des J. Matthews designed stamps feature Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer and were inspired by a photograph from Lord Snowden. The stamps were issued on 22nd July 1981 to commemorate their wedding and were produced on phosphorised paper. A First Day cover, Presentation Pack (P.O. Pack No. 127a) and a 12 page Souvenir booklet featuring both stamps were also made available. Three special postmarks were used, the first inscribed "First Day of Issue Philatelic Bureau Edinburgh 22 July 1981" depicts an intertwined "C" and "D", the intials of Charles and Diana. The second reflects Charles's position as Prince of Wales and is inscribed "First Day of Issue Dydd Cyhoeddiad Cyntaf Caernarfon Gwynedd 22 July 1981" and feaures castle gates. Finally the third postmark is inscribed "First Day of Issue London EC 22 July 1981" and shows St. Paul's Cathedral where the wedding took place on the 29th July 1981.

SG 1160
14p

SG 1161
25p

SG 1162 to 1165
25th Anniversary of Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme

Designed by: P. Sharland and issued on the 12th August 1981 this series of 4 stamps commemorates the 25th Anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme and was produced on phosphorised paper. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme is a nationwide program for youngsters aimed at providing them with adventures and life lessons that will hopefully inspire them into leading fulfilling and active lives. In addition to the 4 stamps there was also a First Day cover and Presentation Pack (P.O. No. 128).

Two postmarks were used on the first day. The first one is inscribed "First Day of Issue - Philatelic Bureau Edinburgh - 22 August 1981" and features the emblem of the Prince of Wales Award Scheme. The second postmark is inscribed "First Day of Issue - London W2 - 12 August 1981" and features a canoeist.

SG 1162
14p
Expeditions.

SG 1163
18p
Skills.

SG 1164
22p
Service.

SG 1165
25p
Recreation.

SG 1166 to 1169
Centenary of the Royal National Mission
for Deep Sea Fishermen

Designed by: B. Sanders. This impressive set of 4 stamps designed by Des Sanders was issued on 23rd Sept 1981 and pays homage to the men and women who risk their lives every day to provide fresh produce from the sea. A First Day Cover and a Presentation Pack (P.O. No. 129) was also released. The charity has since been renamed "The Fishermen's Mission" and works solely with fishermen and their families to provide practical and spiritual support. More information can be found at www.fishermensmission.org.uk.

Two special first day of issue postmarks were used, the first was inscribed "First Day of Issue Philatelic Bureau of Edinburgh 23 Sept 1981" and features a crab. The second postmark was inscribed "First Day of Issue Hull 23 September 1981" and features a 'H'

SG 1166
14p
Cockle-dredging from the Linsey II.

SG 1167
18p
Hauling Trawl Net.

SG 1168
22p
Lobster Potting.

SG 1169
25p
Hoisting Seine Net.

SG 1170 to 1174
Christmas

Designed by: Samantha Brown (11½p), Tracy Jenkins (14p), Lucinda Blackmore (18p), Stephen Moore (22p) and Sophie Sharp (25p). The annual Christmas issue stamps were released on 18th November 1981. This series of 5 stamps were designed by British children and reflect Christmas through the eyes of a child. A first Day Cover and Presentation Pack (P.O. No. 130) was also available.

Two special postmarks were used on the first day of issue, the first features the 3 wise men and was inscribed "First Day of Issue Philatelic Bureau Edinburgh 18 november 1981". The second is inscribed "First Day of Issue Dydd Cyhoeddiad Cyntaf Bethlehem Llandeilo Dyffed 18 Nov 81" and shows Mary and Joseph looking at Jesus in the manger.