Postal History 03

“ Horses for Courses” A favorite saying by many when describing certain events. One event in the history of postage stamps was the issue of Sea Horses and Britannia riding the waves. Collectors raved about these stamps when they were introduced in 1913, surely one of the Nations favorite designs, which brings to to the next issue in the Alternative GB Theme.

Sea Horse High Values 08 & 08A


	The design, which was used on all values above 1/- ( one shilling ) during the reign of King George V, had the longest life of any series of high values. Issued in 1913, the same basic design remained in use until the King George VI issue appeared in 1939. The Seashores design was prepared by Bertram Mackennel and the dies were engraved by J.A.C Harrison.

During this period, there were three printers, though only one of them, Waterlow Brothers and Layton produced the £1.00 value. De La Rue took over the contract in 1915 and Bradbury Wilkinson in 1919.

In 1934, the contract was regained by Waterlow and at that time a re-engraved design was introduced.

New Rates and Content

Due to the increase of postal tariffs ( first class inland rates were increased by ½p ) this booklet issued on 05th April 1983 has a new price tag of £1.46p.

The panes ( 08 right ) now have 6 x 16p with 2 phosphor bands + 4 x 12½p with side phosphor bands ( set either left or right ) Machins set in se-tenant formation. The 6th 16p value is in position 10.


	The phosphor band variations affect stamps 1 & 3, where the right band is short at top and bottom, stamps 2 & 4 the left band is short top and bottom. The pane is also available with the selvedge to the right ( 08A below )

You will notice that the 6th stamp with a 16p value is now in position 6, this also affects the positions of the stamps that have short bands. Stamp 2 & 4 now have the right bar short of the perforations and stamps 3 & 5 the short left bar.

Cylinder panes and plain panes are available to collect, panes are available with the usual markings of half arrows (either top or bottom ) Total sheet value and warrant numbers in the selvedge are also known.


	The same mixed panes of Machin definitive stamps shown and described above, were continued in the following Booklets of the Postal History series.


		09 & 09A Parcel Post

Until the Post Office Parcels Service was introduced on 1st August 1883 no formalised countrywide service existed. The only available Post Office Service was the reduced rate Book Post and when demand began to grow, abuse of this service resulted.

Following public debate and, mainly due to the efforts professor Henry Fawsett, Postmaster General of the day, Mr. Frederick Hill and Mr. Frederick Bairns, the new Parcel Post Service was introduced to meet the publics needs.

Today the Royal Mail Parcel Service is committed to keeping pace with modern developments. It is stated “In 1982 ( a year before this booklet was printed ) 185 million parcels passed through thirty mechanised sorting centres around the UK”. Improvements have constantly been made to provide today’s customer with an economic and reliable parcels service.


	The Silver Jubilee of the First Regional Stamps

10 & 10A

This Booklet was issued on 26th October 1983 and has been described in the previous chapter on Decimal Wildings

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	Remember, all stamps that are described on this page are for sale subject to availability. Please contact me for the latest price on any item listed. Moving Forward to September 1984 and we have another change of Postal Rates, these booklets and corresponding Machin definitive panes are described on the following page. Back: Alternative GB Index Next page: Postal History Continued


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