Great Britain Stamps

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Home of the world’s first adhesive postage stamp

Rowland Hill’s postal reform of 1840 revolutionised the postal system of Great Britain and had a huge influence on countries around the world. His proposal called for several changes that are still in use today: a uniform postage rate that was irrespective of distance and most notably, all mail being prepaid by the sender.

The unique design of GB stamps is another reason they are so sought after by collectors. Surprisingly, Britain is the only country that does not feature its name on its stamps, simply relying on a portrait of the current monarch to signify its place of origin. This original design was based on an engraved head of Queen Victoria, as this was deemed the most difficult image to successfully forge.

Stanley Gibbons have a large collection of popular stamps from Great Britain, including the Penny Black, the Penny Red and the King George V Seahorses to name but a few. Browse by monarch below.

Queen Victoria

GB 1841 SG8l Pl.17 Cover Blue Truro MC to St Austell

Stock Code: P212017098

GB 1840 SG4 Pl.2 Used VFU black MC example (SA)

Stock Code: P212017099

GB 1840 SG5 Pl.1 Used - VFU red MC example (HF)

Stock Code: P212017101

GB 1840 SG4 Pl.1 Used - VFU black MC example (NL)

Stock Code: P212017102

King Edward VII

GB 1906 SG232a Used - vfu example on piece

Stock Code: P212016859

GB 1902 SG222 Used - vfu pair on piece

Stock Code: P212016858

GB 1902 SG215 Used - Posted in advance Christmas 1902 handstamp

Stock Code: P212016856

GB 1906 SG234 Mint unused o.g. example

Stock Code: P212016744

King George V

GB 1913 SG402 Mint - unmounted o.g. example

Stock Code: P212015343

GB 1936 SG448 Cover - the first day of issue

Stock Code: P212015337

GB 1938 SG445, 449, 451, 452 Used - parcel tag

Stock Code: P212015341

GB 1924 SG418/29 Mint - U/M o.g. set of twelve

Stock Code: P212015286

King Edward VIII

GB 1937 SGBC4 Booklet (Edition No. 17).

Stock Code: P190016365

GB 1936 SG458 Mint - Coil leaders (Codes B,E,X+Z)

Stock Code: P190009296

GB 1936 SG457 Mint - Coil leaders (Codes D,G,W+Y)

Stock Code: P190009295

GB 1936 SG459aw Booklet pane U/M advert pane

Stock Code: P190009287

King George VI

GB 1940 SG484 Mint

Stock Code: P190008038

GB 1934 Cinderella - Portsmouth, Southsea & Isle of Wight Air Ferry

Stock Code: P212014574

GB 1951 SG505a Mint

Stock Code: G1564329

GB 1947 Cinderella - 1947 National Stamp Exhibition souvenir label

Stock Code: P201006086

Queen Elizabeth II

GB 1972 SGX841p Booklet pane - ½p Turquoise-blue (1 side band at left) U/M o.g.

Stock Code: P212016497

GB 1973 SG931c Mint - unmounted o.g. with gold (Queen's head) and embossing omitted

Stock Code: P212016488

GB 1970 SG840b Mint - unmounted o.g. ochre omitted.

Stock Code: P212016491

GB 1973 SG923ab Mint - gold (Queen's head) omitted.

Stock Code: P212016480