MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands achieves philatelic milestone: completes national stamp collection

The Falkland Islands’ 1933 £ 1 centenary stamp

The Falklands has achieved a philatelic milestone – the completion of the country’s national stamp collection.

Following the donation of a Falkland Islands 1928 2d Provisional in September, Stanley Gibbons has completed the collection for the museum with a further donation of a Falkland Islands 1933 £1 Centenary.

The Falkland Islands Philatelic Study Group (FIPSG) has, for some months, been trying to compile a basic mint collection of stamps, after it was found that the collection bought previously was incomplete.

The 1933 £1 Centenary stamp is regarded as one of the most handsome and recognisable stamps of the British Empire, said Stanley Gibbons Director of Philately, Dr Philip Kinns.

The central design is the finest portrait of King George V ever to appear on a postage stamp, according to Stanley Gibbons, and the colour of the frame and superb quality of production enhance the noble effect.

Only 2,711 were sold and, catalogued at £2,000 unused and £2,750 used, it is the most valuable “basic” stamp of the Falklands (when varieties, shades and errors are excluded).

The complete collection was presented to Falkland Islands Government Representative Sukey Cameron, at a special ceremony at Falkland House in London before being flown to its permanent home at the Falkland Islands Museum later next month. (PN).-