George VI stamp find in mixed bag!

One of the fun sides to buying the occasional mixed bag of stamps is that you'll inevitably find the odd rarity that pays back your minimal investment. For example, I was delighted to come across this George VI  £1 brown (SG 478b).  First issued on 1 October 1948 this stamp is actually harder to find in good used condition than mint! It was the final stamp in the "Royal Arms" set of six which comprised the 2s 6d brown, 5s red and 10s dark blue issued in 1939, and the 2s 6d yellow-green and 10s ultramarine, which were both issued in 1942.

 GeorgeVI - £1brown - 1948

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1979 GB commemoratives

Here's an interesting curiosity...A very nice strip of three London Post c.1839 13p GB commemorative stamps on an envelope above another strip of three Policeman on the Beat 10p GB stamps. What makes this unusual, however, is that I received this envelope in the post the other day – in fact if you look carefully you'll see a post mark dated 10 September 2007 - whilst the commemorative stamps were issued in 1979! As it happens, this is no accident – the envelope contained other stamps purchased on eBay. One of the fun things about buying stamps from dealers on eBay is that on some occasions you get more than you bargained for!

1979 commemorative stamps posted in 2007

GB Miniature Sheet -1980The London Post stamp (SG Cat. 1097) was part of the four stamp set produced for the Centenary of the Death of Sir Rowland Hill (22 August – 24 October, 1979), whereas the Policeman on the Beat (SG Cat.1100) was issued on 26 September, 1979 along with three other stamps celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Metropolitan Police.

The London Post Stamp also appeared in the 1980 Miniature Sheet issued at the London 1980 Stamp Exhibition.

GB Scott 871 4 NH Rowland Hill Gutter Pairs GB Scott 871 4 NH Rowland Hill Gutter Pairs
Paypal 0 Bid US $1.85 2d 19h 6m
Local BERNERA Rowland Hill Imperf S Sheet Local BERNERA Rowland Hill Imperf S Sheet
Paypal US $3.50 4d 4h 58m
Local BERNERA Rowland Hill De Luxe S Sheet Local BERNERA Rowland Hill De Luxe S Sheet
Paypal US $4.50 4d 5h
Local BERNERA Rowland Hill 8 Stamp Sheet Local BERNERA Rowland Hill 8 Stamp Sheet
Paypal US $6.00 4d 5h 1m
GREAT BRITAIN 1979 Rowland Hill 50 souvenir sheets 874a GREAT BRITAIN 1979 Rowland Hill 50 souvenir sheets 874a
Paypal US $48.45 15d 6h 3m

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Extinct Birds on 1974 Cuban Stamps

Fauna Extinguida - Cuban Postage StampsFauna Extinguida

This 1974 set of Cuban Postage Stamps featured five notable examples of extinct bird species - namely the Dodo (1c), Macaw (3c), Passenger Pigeon (8c), Moa (10c) and Great Auk (13c).

The Dodo - This meter-high flightless bird was found on Mauritius. It is one of the world's most infamous examples of how man's impact on the natural habitat of a species can rapidly drive it to the point of extinction. The last specimen was killed in 1681, only 80 years after the arrival of Dutch settlers on the island.

Cuban Red Macaw - This small species of parrot was native to Cuba and the Isla de la Juventud. Unconfirmed records note the continued existence of the birds until 1885.

Passenger Pigeon - The passenger pigeon was once probably the most common bird in the world, with single flocks numbering up to several billion birds. However, it was hunted close to extinction for food and sport in the late 19th century and the last living example died at the Cincinnati Zoo in 1914.

Moa - This giant flightless and wingless bird was native to New Zealand. Although some cryptozoologists claim the moa still exists it is thought to have become extinct in around 1500.

Great Auk - This flightless bird used its wings to swim underwater. The only species in the genus Pinguinus to have survived into modern times, the great auk was hunted extensively for both food and eggs, as well as down, with the last example of the great auk seen in the British Isles in July, 1840.

BIRDS New Zealand 1996 Extinct Birds FDC BIRDS New Zealand 1996 Extinct Birds FDC
Paypal 0 Bid US $6.55 1d 4h 45m
Wild Animal Japan Wolf Now Extinct MC Japan Stamp 1999 Wild Animal Japan Wolf Now Extinct MC Japan Stamp 1999
Paypal 0 Bid US $4.99 2d 13h 4m
FRANCE 2009 AUROCHS EXTINCT EUROPEAN CATTLE MNH FRANCE 2009 AUROCHS EXTINCT EUROPEAN CATTLE MNH
Paypal 0 Bid US $3.00 4d 9h 57m
Dodo Flightless Extinct Bird Russia Mint Cover Unusual Dodo Flightless Extinct Bird Russia Mint Cover Unusual
Paypal US $3.30 7d 9h 29m
Guinea Extinct Animals Mint Stamp S S MNH 7B 873 Guinea Extinct Animals Mint Stamp S S MNH 7B 873
Paypal US $10.25 13d 15h 43m
Guinea Extinct Animals 6 Stamp Mint Sheet 7B 871 Guinea Extinct Animals 6 Stamp Mint Sheet 7B 871
Paypal US $12.25 15d 18h 13m
Guinea Extinct Animals Mint Stamp S S MNH 7B 872 Guinea Extinct Animals Mint Stamp S S MNH 7B 872
Paypal US $10.25 16d 10h 55m

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Japanese Mandarin Duck

Mandarin Duck Japanese Stamp This 5 yen Japanese Mandarin duck (or in Japanese oshidori) postage stamp was in use from 1952 - 1968. By no means rare - it sells by the bag-full on eBay - I've always found this little postage stamp extremely attractive.

Mandarin
Photo: philspics

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Vietnam & the Tay Son Rebellion

1971 Postage Stamp issued in North Vietnam to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the Tay Son Rebellion led by the Tay Son Brothers in 1771.

Vietnam Postage Stamp 1971

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1 Comment | Filed under Animals, Anniversaries, Commemorative stamps, World stamps