LONDON, MIDLAND & SCOTTISH RAILWAY (LMS): 1937 PRINCESS CORONATION CLASS 4-6-2 No. 6220 Coronation TRAIN STAMP SHEET

A GREAT Gift Idea for the Locomotive & Railway Enthusiast (as well as Stamp Collector) and Ideal For Framing.  A 22.5 x 32.7 cms Complete Sheet of 50 Stamps of the 1937 LMS Coronation (4-6-2) comprising 25 se-tenant pairs of two genuine 1985 MINT/UNUSED 35c stamps from Grenadines of St Vincent in the West Indies (Issued 16th September 1985).  The first stamp illustrates the technical / plan drawings and the second stamp shows the locomotive at work.  The scans below show (i) a close up of the stamps and (ii) the complete sheet for sale.  The stamps are 32 years old but are in pristine unmounted mint condition.  The sheet would make an ideal present for the LMS / Coronation / Stanier Steam Locomotive Enthusiast and is ideal for framing.

In 1937, William Stanier built for the LMS a fast, streamlined locomotive for the Euston to Glasgow service (called the Coronation Scot to mark George VI’s coronation that year).  The new locomotive was essentially a modified “Princess Royal” Pacific, and was therefore called the “Princess Coronation” Class and soon shortened to just Coronation.  The first five of the new class bore a handsome blue livery with silver streaks.  The locomotive depicted on these stamps (No. 6220 Coronation) made a pre-inaugural run on 29th June 1937 to Crewe and back, reaching a record 114 mph (before the brakes were applied and spoiling the party!).  Sadly, none of the streamlined Coronations survived, but No. 6229 (BR 46229) Duchess of Hamilton was saved for preservation as part of the National collection at the NRM in York and has recently been re-streamlined.

A Pretty Unique Item of LMS / Coronation / Stanier Steam Locomotive Memorabilia!

Between 1983 and 1987 the Islands of the British Commonwealth collaboratively produced an Omnibus issue of postage stamps depicting famous and historic locomotives.  I will be offering about 300 other Locomotive Stamp Sheets in my Other eBay Auctions over the coming weeks.  Many more are also in stock.  Please check out my eBay Shop for any specific Locomotive Stamp Sheet Requests.

These stamps are genuine and were recognised and used as valid postal currency for the transport of mail throughout the world. All these stamps have been officially catalogued by Scott, Michel, Yvert et Tellier, Unificato, Stanley Gibbons, and Domfil.  The stamps were on sale in Post Offices in the individual countries of origin for at least 90 days following issue. The stamps were also made available through the Crown / Commonwealth Agents until their withdrawal in 1990.