Gibraltar
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“
125th ANNIVERSARY OF GIBRALTAR STAMPS. ”
Limited
Edition ~ Imperforate Proof Folder !!
Limited
Edition of ONLY 1,000.
The
Folder contains the Set of 5 Stamps + Individually numbered Imperforate Proof !
The
125th Anniversary of Gibraltar stamps feature iconic stamps issued during five
reigns: the 1886 Queen Victoria Bermuda overprint one shilling; the 1903 King
Edward VII one pound; the 1926 King George V five pounds; the 1938 King George
VI one pound and the 1953 Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II half shilling.
Early
details of postal arrangements in Gibraltar are hard to establish although it
is known that postal facilities were provided by the Civil Secretary’s Office
from 1749. Gibraltar became a packet port in July 1806 (a year after the Battle
of Trafalgar in 1805), although the Civil Secretary’s office continued to be
responsible for other mail. The two services were amalgamated on 1st January
1857 as a Branch Office of the British Post Office with the control of the
Gibraltar Post Office not reverting to Gibraltar until the 1st January 1886.
Spanish
stamps could be used in Gibraltar from their introduction in 1850 and indeed
such franking was required on letters weighing over ½ oz. sent to Spain after 1
July 1854. From 1 July 1856 until 1 January 1876 all mail to Spain required
postage to be prepaid by Spanish stamps and there issues were supplied by the
Gibraltar Postal Authority acting as a Spanish Postal Agent. The mail forwarded
under this system was cancelled at San Roque with a horizontal barred oval, later
replaced with by a cartwheel postmark showing numeral 63. From 1857 combination
envelopes showing the 2d ship mail fee paid in British stamps and the inland
postage by Spanish issues exist.
Stamps
of Great Britain were issued for use in Gibraltar from 3 September 1857 to the
end of 1885. The initial supply contained 1d, 4d and 6d values.
Finally
on the 1st January 1886 the Colonial Government of Gibraltar assumed control of
its Postal Services. As an interim measure, Bermuda stamp plates were overprinted
with ‘Gibraltar’ using different colours. These were replaced by Gibraltar’s
own design in December of that same year.
Gibraltar’s
stamps were used with peseta values from 1889 to 1898 since trade was carried
out in this currency. Stamp designs were rather stereotyped until 1931 when, at
the Governor’s request, Captain Garrood, Gibraltar’s Crown Surveyor and
Engineer, produced the first pictorial Definitive.
The
first commemorative issue was in 1935. The release of such issues were confined
up to 1966 to Crown Agents ‘Omnibus’ issues and marked events of international
interest. From 1966 subjects of a predominantly local flavour were chosen as
well as international events.
Year:
2011.