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This page : Royal Events - Philatelic Events
Headlines - Hitler holds a secret meeting to declare his plan for acquiring "living space".... Spanish Civil War: Guernica bombed by German Luftwaffe.... Irish Free State becomes Éire... Japan attacks China, over 250,000 civilians and prisoners killed over three months in Rape of Nanking.
The abdication left many of the public in Britain and the Empire feeling undermined and disillusioned with royalty. King Edward VIII, the 'Prince of the People', had abdicated the throne to marry a woman who had been twice divorced, rather than settle the problem and serve his people. King George VI recognised this problem and was determined to become a force for stability and to re-establish the public's faith in the monarchy. During the first months of his reign George was immersed in the preparatory arrangements for his coronation. This was to occur much sooner after his accession than usual as it was decided to retain the coronation date planned for his brother. It was also recognised that the associated 'pomp and circumstance', and the celebrations across the Empire, would have a major uplifting effect.
July - King George and Queen Elizabeth visit Scotland and Northern Ireland. 26 October - Opening of Parliament with a new Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain leading a coalition government.
Definitives : Commemoratives : Booklets : Coil stamps : Airmail : Postage Dues : Other : Postmarks
For the new low value definitives, Edmund Dulac designed the profile of the King by adapting in a form more suitable for stamps, the photographs taken by Bertram Park. Dulac also designed the framework for the 7d to 1s values. Eric Gill designed the frames for the lower values. 10 May - Definitive issue of ½d; 1d; and 2½d 29 July - Edward VIII stamps are withdrawn 30 July - Definitive issue of 1½d 30 December - approval of final essay for 3d definitive, (issued 31/1/1938). [For a detailed account of the processes involved in the design and printing of the low value definitives - see 'Great Britain King George VI Low Value Definitive Stamps' by Peter Worsfold and the Philatelic Bulletin, August to October, 1973]. 13 May - Coronation stamp issued. 19 March - 5/- (series 5) Edward VIII booklets issued 26 August - 3/- (series 3) George VI booklets issued August - 2/- (series 4); 5/- (series 5) booklets issued December 1937 - Edward VIII booklets withdrawn Month? 1937 - ½d, 1d, 1½d, and 2½d coil stamps with upright watermark issued.
2 January - Twice weekly service to India and Australia carried by Imperial Airways from Britain to Paris then by rail to Marseilles from where it is flown by flying boat to India. The first flying boat was the Castor. Previous to this mail had been transported by rail from Paris to Brindisi before being air mailed. 7 January - Letters and postcards for Estonia start to be carried at the ordinary postage rates without additional air fee - no airmail labels needed. 27 January - Due to stormy weather, Highland Airways carried out an emergency flights for mail between Kirkwall and Stronsay. 28 January - Due to stormy weather, Highland Airways carried out an emergency flights for mail between various Orkney Islands. 29 January - Due to stormy weather, Aberdeen Airways carried out and emergency flight for mail to/from Shetland and Orkney. 'Mails were flown from Aberdeen to Shetland, and from Shetland to Orkney on Friday. Two pilots and 'planes took part in this work, Flying Officer J. Gordon Hay, of Aberdeen Airways, Ltd., conveying the assignment from Aberdeen to Thurso in the De Havilland "Dragon" liner, G-HDFI, whilst Pilot Henry Vallance, in the "Dragon," G-ACAN, belonging to the same company, carried out the Thurso-Shetland, and Shetland-Orkney parts of the contract.' Extract from 'Orcadian' 4 February 1937. 6 March - mail for South Africa carried by flying boat from Southampton to Alexandria, (previously by rail from Paris to Brindisi).
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