THE OPIUM WARS
One of the root causes of the First Opium War was a trade imbalance between China and Britain. Over two or more centuries, demand had grown in European countries for luxury goods from China, notably tea, porcelain and silk.
Stamps
THE VOICE OF A NEW GENERATION – KATRIN RAYNOR-EVANS
Philately is a new interest of mine, for no real reason than that I had not given it much attention before. My ignorance on the subject changed around five years ago when I was admiring a few first day covers that my father had: a keen stamp collector, he has amassed thousands of stamps over the years. I had just completed a GCSE in astronomy via evening classes; with my curiosity piqued, I started to wonder what astronomy- and space-themed stamps were out there.
THE ROYAL GOES TO STAMPEX – VIRTUALLY!!
On 5th March 2020, Bob Galland gave an excellent talk on The Evolution of the British Franking System at the Royal Philatelic Society London, 15 Abchurch Lane, with a full display of hundreds of sheets and the usual presentation to the assembled audience of 86 members and guests. The Auditors were hap-pily ensconced in the office on the third floor trying no doubt to find a flaw in our accounts to justify their fee.
FORTHCOMING EVENT – STAMPS AND COVERS OF SOUTHERN AFRICA
In 1974 Robson Lowe published an illustrated monogram on this correspondence to commem-orate his visit to the National Philatelic Exhibi-tion held in Pretoria. The collection was sold privately at the time, and 46 years later it has resurfaced, intact, to be offered in the October Stamps & Covers of Southern Africa auction.
FORTHCOMING EVENT – AUTUMN STAMP SALES
It is all hands on deck in our London office. Between September and December we boast no less than nine auctions ranging from the highly anticipated first part of the ‘Dubois’ collection of Jamaica postal history and stamps to a hugely exciting sale of worldwide rarities, the ‘Doyen’ collection.
FORTHCOMING EVENT – NEW YORK AUTUMN ROUND UP
The recent Canada & British North America e-Auction at Spink New York showcased the diversity of the country’s philatelic history, with items ranging from early stampless covers through to modern errors and varieties.
It’s Stampex, but not as you know it!
This week the Philatelic Traders’ Society announced the launch of Stampex International Virtual Exhibition 2020 – the world’s first virtual international stamp show.
Joanna Espin on Letters of Love
Curator Joanna Espin of The Postal Museum told us the stories behind three couples who used the post to express their feelings during periods of separation.
GREAT BRITAIN STAMPS AND POSTAL HISTORY
This is an interesting and compact auction with an emphasis on the stamps of Queen Victoria and King George V Seahorses. There are many lower value lots to appeal to a wider audience.
STAMPS AND COVERS OF SOUTH EAST ASIA
This sale primarily comprises items from the Straits Settlements and Malayan States. Throughout there are numerous hand painted essays, die and plate proofs from all the states plus a good range of issued stamps with many rarities.