Norvic Philatelics - GB New Stamps and Special Postmarks
Buckingham Palace - 15 April 2014
This stamp set celebrates what is
arguably the world’s most famous building and on the list of sites
to see for visitors to London. Buckingham Palace is the centre of
Monarchy and has been a place of ceremony and national celebration
for over 150 years. Six sheet stamps celebrate the 300 year
history of the building with illustrations showing the changes
made over time. A set of stamps in a Miniature Sheet is a
celebration of the opulence of its interior.
Buckingham Palace serves as the official home of the Queen
as Head of State of the United Kingdom. It is one of the few
remaining working Royal palaces in the world today and provides the
setting for ceremonies and formal entertaining. Investitures, state
banquets, garden parties and diplomatic receptions all take place
here, as does the Prime Minister’s weekly audience with the Queen.
It is arguably one of the most recognised buildings in the world. |
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Background
The history of Buckingham Palace can be traced back to the early 17th
century, when a mulberry garden was established on the site to breed silk
worms. A house built near the garden for Lord Goring in 1633 was replaced,
after a fire, on a larger scale by the next occupant, Henry Bennet,
Secretary of State to King Charles II and later first Earl of Arlington.
In 1698, Arlington House was acquired by John Sheffield, who was created
Duke of Buckingham in 1703.
It was the Duke of Buckingham who transformed the site by demolishing the
existing building and erecting an ambitious brick house with a
three-storeyed central block and flanking pavilions. King George III
purchased the building but it was George IV who decided to convert it into
a palace, his chief residence.
This basic plan of Buckingham House formed the core of the future palace
and dictated all subsequent development. Facing the Mall – the grand
tree-lined avenue running along the north side of St James’s Park – and
with a large formal garden at the back, it was an impressive residence
benefitting from an excellent location and magnificent views.
The stamps in detail
Acknowledgements:
Buckingham Palace, 2014 – watercolour and gouache by Chris Draper © Royal
Mail Group Ltd 2014;
Buckingham Palace, c.1862 – colour lithograph by Achille-Louis Martinet,
Private Collection/The Stapleton Collection/The Bridgeman Art Library;
Buckingham Palace, the east front from St James’s Park, 1846 – watercolour
by Joseph Nash, Royal Collection Trust/© Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
2013;
Buckingham House, the east (entrance) front, 1819 – watercolour by William
Westall, Royal Collection Trust/© Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2013;
Buckingham House in St James’s Park, 1714 – coloured engraving by an unknown
18th-century draughtsman © Crown Copyright, UK Government Art Collection
(www.gac.culture.gov.uk);
Buckingham House from the north-west, c.1700 – oil on canvas attributed to
Adriaen van Diest, Royal Collection Trust/© Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
2011/The Bridgeman Art Library
The Throne Room, The Grand Staircase and The Green Drawing Room photography
by Derry Moore, Royal Collection Trust/©Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2013;
The Blue Drawing Room photography by Andrew Holt, Royal Collection Trust/©
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2013
Technical details:
The 60 x 30 mm square stamps were designed by Howard Brown, perf 14½ x
14½, printed by International Security Printers in Lithography. The
PVA-gummed stamps have all-over phosphor, and are printed in sheets of
18/36.
The 155 x 74 mm Miniature Sheet was designed by Robert Maude and Sarah
Davies, containing stamps 41 x 30 mm stamps are perf 14½ x 14, printed by
Joh Enschede. The PVA-gummed stamps have all-over phosphor.
The booklet is printed by Walsall Security Printers. All stamp
images Royal
Mail ©2014 reproduced with permission.
Products issued - we will be stocking the Machin stamps from the PSB,
and the retail booklet.
Set of 6 stamps, miniature sheet, retail booklet. Presentation
Pack containing set and miniature sheet
Set of 11 stamp cards Two First Day Covers Medal
Cover Prestige Stamp Book
Special first day of issue postmarks will be shown here. These
cannot be obtained the date of issue; more may be added. Not
always to scale.
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Ref FD1412TH
Official Bureau postmark |
Ref FD1412PL
London SW1 official first day of issue postmark |
Ref F1412NP
London SW1 non-pictorial official first day of issue postmark
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Ref M13075
Buckingham Court, Birmingham |
Ref M13076
Buckingham Mews,
Sutton Coldfield
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(blank)
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Ref L13068
Buckingham Palace, London SW1W
GBFDC Association |
Ref L13069
300 Years Buckingham Palace London |
Ref L13070
Buckingham Palace, London SW1
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Ref L 4666
Royal Mail London SW
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<<<<<
Postmarks Ref 13079 - 13081 from London SHC
13081 shows the statue atop the Victoria Monument (commissioned in
1911) in Queen's Gardens. The statue may represent Peace
or Victory, there doesn't seem to be a consensus.
Oddly a mix of London SW1 (which is correct for the location of the
palace), London W1 and London. |
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<<<<<
Postmarks Ref 13082 - 13084 from London SHC
Again, the postmark for the monarch is shown as London, rather than
London SW1. |
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This page updated 9 April 2014.
