1937
 

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This page : Royal Events - Philatelic Events

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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.

Royal Events

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.  

Wednesday 12 May - Coronation of King George VI.

Film of Coronation - this is a large file (44mb) right click on picture and select  'Save target as...' to download. Some players will not work - I used DivX Player - available free from www.DivX.com

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.

Philatelic Events

Postage Stamps : Commemoratives : Booklets : Coil stamps : Airmail : Postage Dues : Other : Postmarks

Postage Stamps -

1 January - meeting of The Council for Art and Industry's Stamp Committee to discuss designs for the new definitives. They initially invited four artists to submit designs within ten days, Edmund Dulac already had. Several other designers also submitted work and their designs were considered later.

21 January - in the House of Commons, the Assistant Postmaster-General (Sir Walter Womersley) stated that 'we have recently consulted the [Royal] Fine Art Commission on the general question of stamp design.'

26 January - in the House of Commons, the Postmaster General, Major Tryon, stated that; 'The question of an issue of Coronation stamps is still under consideration. It is not, however, possible to make much progress as regards it until certain questions affecting the permanent issue of stamps of the new reign have been decided....' [Hansard - HC Deb 26 January 1937 vol 319 c760]

2 February - the Postmaster General considered six designs for definitives - he shortlisted four of these, (by Edmund Dulac, two by Eric Gill, and by Harrison and Sons). 

13 February - the Postmaster General decided that a new drawing of the King's head submitted by Edmund Dulac should be used.

18 February - four designs for definitives went to the Royal Fine Arts Commission for scrutiny.

26 February - four designs for the new definitives were submitted to King George for final selection.

Dulac's 'Victorian' design

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.

8 March - In the House of Commons, the Postmaster General admits that there has still been no decision about producing a commemorative issue for the Coronation -
'Major Tryon - My attention has hitherto been devoted in the main to the preparation of designs for the permanent issue of stamps of the new reign. In this matter I have received valuable assistance from the Royal Fine Art Commission and from the Council for Art and Industry, and decisions have now been reached on the various considerations involved. I hope that the stamps of the new design in the most frequently used denominations will be ready by the date of the Coronation. The question of a special commemorative issue of certain of the higher denominations is now receiving urgent consideration.' [Hansard -  HC Deb 08 March 1937 vol 321 cc785-6]

22 March - The Postmaster General makes an announcement about a commemorative stamp for the coronation -
'Major Tryon - I am glad to say that I have been able to arrange for the issue of a special Coronation stamp. This will be a 1½d. stamp, which is the denomination most widely used in the Imperial and inland services....  I have thought that it would be better to issue a stamp which is in very general demand rather than some of the higher denominations which would not be so widely circulated.' He also stated that the Royal Fine Art Commission had seen the stamp and made some suggestions about it. [Hansard - HC Deb 22 March 1937 vol 321 cc2548-9]

10 May - Definitive issue of ½d; 1d; and 2½d

13 May - Coronation stamp issued.

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].

 Booklets -

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

Coil stamps -

Month? 1937 - ½d, 1d, 1½d, and 2½d coil stamps with upright watermark issued.

 Airmail -

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.

From 'Flight' magazine, 21 January 1937, p49; "GRADUALLY the railway link is being eliminated from the air journey between Great Britain and Egypt. Imperial Airways have doubtless been wise to advance by gradual steps since putting Canopus, Centaurus and Castor into service. The completed plan will be for all passengers and mails to embark at some South Coast port — at present Hythe in Southampton Water is being used, but ultimately the base will be at Portsmouth — and to fly straight to Marseilles and thence to Brindisi before setting out for Rome, Athens and Alexandria. There the two services to Durban and Sydney will diverge, but boats of the Empire class will fly right through to both termini.
On receipt of the first boats of the batch, Imperial Airways first sent' mails through by them to Marseilles, and later, also, Castor picked up the passengers who had reached that port by train. The passengers now score by having to spend only one night in the train instead of the two nights necessary when they could only embark on flying boats at Brindisi. Castor used this "mail only" flight to Marseilles as an opportunity to prove her capabilities by flying right through non-stop, not using either of the refuelling places which have been provided on the Seine and the Saone.
Last week Centaurus took a further step forward, for she carried nine passengers through from Hythe to Marseilles (as well as a ton of mails) and on to Alexandria. These passengers had not to use a train at all except to get to Hythe. This was only a trial flight, and until several more boats have been delivered the regular plan will be to go by train to Marseilles ; but this is much less wearisome than the rail journey to Brindisi. Centaurus and her sisters are far more comfortable than any train."

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.

1 February - question raised in the House of Commons over the problem, due to the weather, of getting mail to Shetland by air or steamer (by the North of Scotland and Orkney and Shetland Steam Navigation Company Limited). The Postmaster General explained that; 'Weather conditions prevented the despatch of the mails due to be sent to the Shetlands on Monday, Wednesday and Friday last week. Letter mails were despatched by special aeroplane on Friday as soon as the condition of the Sumburgh aerodrome, which had been waterlogged, permitted. Another letter mail and all outstanding parcels were embarked on the St.Catherine which sailed from Leith direct to Lerwick yesterday.' [Hansard - HC Deb 01 February 1937 vol 319 c1277]

Flight magazine, 21 January 1937, p57; "....British Airways have acquired two Junkers Ju. 52 machines for their Continental night mail. These were originally ordered by A. B. Aerotransport and have P. and W. Wasp engines with Hamilton v.p. airscrews—in place of the more normal B.M.W. Hornets. The first British Ju. 52 is seen here taxying out at Gatwick for its initial test flight with Mr. Campbell-Orde, the company's operational manager, on board. (Flight photograph.)"

6 March - mail for South Africa carried by flying boat from Southampton to Alexandria, (previously by rail from Paris to Brindisi).

12 March - Northern and Scottish Airways charted by the Post Office for emergency mail flights between Renfrew, Islay and Campbeltown and return as the mail boat, Pioneer, had lost the use of her starboard paddle wheel during heavy seas just off Islay. The crew on Pioneer managed to carry out running repairs and resumed the mail route the next day.

< Paddle steamer mail boat Pioneer built 1905 for the MacBraynes fleet and used for the Islay mail service from West Loch Tarbet. Replaced in 1939 by MV Lochiel.

24 March - Flying boat Capricornus crashes near Lyons. All mail managed to be forwarded to India, Malaya and Australia.

3 April - First official acceptance of mails for Liberia and Dahomey via Air France and Aero Maritime. Letter rate 1/3 per half ounce, postcards 7d.

 

3 April - increase in air fees to French Guinea, Ivory Coast and Senegal. Letters up from 10d to 1/3 per half ounce, postcards up from 5d to 7d. 

 

19 April - the Postmaster-General was asked 'whether he will give facilities to the public to send mails to the United States of America by airship during the summer, so that letters and packages may reach their destination in half the time it takes to-day?' Major Tryon answered that this was under consideration. [Hansard -  HC Deb 19 April 1937 vol 322 c1441W]

 

3 May - the question about mail being sent across the Atlantic by airship is raised again in the House of Commons -
'....in view of the fact that the published timetable for the German airship for 1937 provides for 18 flights each way across the North Atlantic from 3rd May to November, the average time for crossing last year from Frankfurt to Lakehurst being under 64 hours and from Lakehurst to Frankfurt under 52 hours?

Major Tryon - I am proposing to offer this facility to the public and particulars will be announced shortly. The air postage payable will be 2s. 9d. per half ounce.
' [Hansard - HC Deb 03 May 1937 vol 323 cc805-6W]

6 May - Zeppelin 'Hindenburg' disaster. According to 'The Aero Field' (July 1937) "arrangements had just been concluded by the British Post Office for the acceptance of mail on each of the Hindenburg's schedule voyages to U.S.A., commencing with the second flight [i.e. the 2nd in 1937] on May 13th.... Letters and postcards were to have been accepted not only for U.S.A., but also for Canada, West Indies, Central America and the northern countries of South America...."

The disaster proved a major setback for the Zeppelins and soon other Atlantic airmail methods were being planned.

 

9 - 14 May - Anglo-American Goodwill Coronation Flight - separate page.

15 May - Airmails to South Africa carried by Imperial Airways flying boat to Kisumu, then transferred to land planes. {then see 2 June}

1 June - First air mail flight, Jersey to Southampton.

'Canopus'

1 June - Question in the House of Commons over air mail for India via Dutch Line -
'Mr.Garro-Jones asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that letters posted by air mail for India, and specifically marked "By Dutch Line," are sent by the British line notwithstanding the increase of time taken; whether he will either conform to the directions given on the letters or take steps to make it known that the air mails posted in Britain for India will be sent, irrespective of the sender's directions or loss of time, by Imperial Airways; and whether he recognises that failure to take either of these courses results in delays for the addressees made more inconvenient because they are unexpected?

Major Tryon - I am arranging for air letters and postcards for India intended for transmission by the Dutch Air Service to be forwarded by that route if specially
superscribed "via Holland" by the sender and prepaid at the rate of 1s. 3d. a half-ounce for letters and 6d. for postcards.' [Hansard - HC Deb 01 June 1937 vol 324 c870W]


2 June - Imperial Airways flying boat 'Canopus' leaves Southampton to carry the first through airmail from England to Durban, South Africa via the new East Africa Coastal Route. The route followed was : [2nd] Southampton, [3rd] Athens, [4th] Alexandria, [5th] Khartoum, Kisumu, Mombasa, [7th] Dar-es-Salaam, Lindi, Mozambique, Quelimane, [8th] Beira, Inhambane, Lourenco Marques, and arriving in Durban on 8 June. A twice weekly land service went from Kisumu to Salisbury, Rhodesia.

 

Mail was carried at 6d per half ounce for South Africa and 10d for Portuguese East Africa, (until 25 June).

 

6 June - Imperial Airways first flying boat (Courtier) flight from Durban, (following route above in reverse) to Southampton. 

8 June - First class mail posted in London by night dispatch, first flown to Amsterdam without extra air fee - Monday to Friday.

25 June - last surcharged airmail to South Africa. 'First Empire Flight' cover at new 1½d rate backstamped in Simonstown on 7 July 1937. Produced by J.Sanders, a stamp dealer in Southampton.

 


The Imperial Airways cachet was also stamped in red.

29 June - start of the Empire Airmail Scheme, (Stage 1 of this scheme - Stage 2 : 23/2/38 - Stage 3 : 28/7/1938).

Imperial Airways flying boat Centurion (G-ADVE) departed Southampton for South and East Africa on flight DS1 (DS stands for Durban Southbound).

The flight itinerary was; 29 June, depart Southampton; 30 June - Athens; 1 July - Alexandria; 2 July - Khartoum; 3 July - Kisumu; 5 July - Beira; arriving 5 July at Durban.  (Centurion later crashed near Bengal, 1939)

The first Northbound flights to arrive in Southampton were :

 

KN1 (KN = Kisumu Northbound) on the Centaurus G-ADUT, from East Africa and the Sudan, arriving 5 July;

DN1 (DN = Durban Northbound) on the Courtier G-ADVC, from Rhodesia and Nyasaland arriving 6 July;

DN2 on the Corsair G-ADVB, from South Africa arriving 10 July.

 

The new service proved to be popular.  All UK first-class mails, (about 5½ tons p.w.) to East and South Africa were conveyed each week. Problems arose with large amounts of mail being posted at the end of each week and the weight being too much for the aircraft to carry. This resulted in delays for some mail, being postponed to the next available, and not overloaded, aircraft. The Postmaster-General asked for companies sending large numbers of mail items to spread the load over the week. [From answer given by Major Tryon - Hansard, HC Deb 26 July 1937 vol 326 cc2654-5]

 

< The 1974 10p UPU stamp shows in outline an Imperial Airways flying boat and the Southampton Airport postmark for 29 June 1937 which was used for a few 'privileged' letters.

 

1 July - Dublin / Isle of Man summer service started by Aer Lingus with mail flown.

 

 9 August - extension to the 'All-Up' airmail scheme to Europe with letters and postcards being carried at the ordinary postage rates without additional air fee or need for airmail labels. This scheme already applied to the Baltic countries of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, (since 17 March 1936). It was now extended to include Austria, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Danzig, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Southern Russia, Turkey and Yugoslavia. An anomaly arose from this scheme where airmail letters to France still cost 4d, while to these other countries it was only 2½d (cf 4 October). This nightly service was operated by British Airways and Lufthansa alternately. The first mail flown on 9 August by British Airways, arriving at Berlin at 5.40 a.m. on 10 August.

 

< 23 August - extension of 'All-Up' scheme with daytime airmail between Croydon, Basle and Zurich. Switzerland now included in the scheme. This route also carried mail for Austria, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Greece, Hungary, Romania and Yugoslavia. 

1 October - Flying boat Courtier crashes near Athens mainly carrying mail from Egypt, India, Iraq. Most of the covers for Britain have a rectangular cachet - 'DAMAGED BY SEA WATER IN AIRPLANE ACCIDENT'.

3 October - Sunday mail despatches to India and on to Australia are carried by Imperial Airways flying boats to Karachi, (arriving 8 October). Prior to this mail was carried by flying boat from Southampton to Alexandria, then onwards by land planes, ('Hannibal' type). Thursday despatches continued to be flown to Alexandria. The first Sunday flight to Karachi was by flying boat Calypso - Southampton, Marseilles, Rome, Brindisi, Athens, Alexandria, Galilee, Habbaneyeh (Baghdad), Basra, Bahrein, Dubai, Gwadar, and Karachi. First return flight by Empire flying-boat from Karachi was on 7 October carried by Camilla, arriving in Southampton 10 October.

3 October - start of Sabena-Deutsche Lufthansa route - London, Brussels, Frankfurt, Nuremburg, Munich. Special cards posted at Croydon for this flight were autographed by pilot Van Den Eynde.

4 October - further extension of the 'All-up' airmail scheme to include Belgium, France and Italy. [Gibraltar, Malta, Portugal and Spain are the only countries left not covered by the All-up' scheme in Europe - 4d air fee still to be paid].

13 October - extension to Imperial Airways airmail service from London to Lagos, Nigeria and Accra, Gold Coast. 6d per half ounce, 3d for postcards. First flight - Calpurnia left Southampton 15 October, arriving at Accra on 20 October.

23 November - first regular airmail service for the Shetland Isles to Aberdeen. Airmail was carried three times a week by Allied Airways (Gandar Dower) Ltd, (formerly Aberdeen Airways). The first plane used was the DeHavilland 'Dragon' (G-ACNJ - 'Sir Rowland') - piloted by Captain Eric Starling, carrying 448lbs of mail. The route taken was : Aberdeen, Dyce Airport, depart 09.30 / via Thurso and Howe (in the Orkneys) / arriving Shetland, Sumburgh Airport at 12.19. The return route, with 625lbs of mail, was direct from Shetland to Aberdeen, (Howe and Thurso were already covered by contracted mail routes with Highland Airways). 

There were no special postmarks or handstamps, and only a few covers were backstamped. Some covers have 'Aberdeen Airways Ltd' labels, and a few special covers were produced.

First Flight cover Shetland to Aberdeen, produced by The Shetland Times. (No backstamp) First Flight cover Aberdeen to Shetland, backstamped (a) Lerwick '23 No 37' a
b
Cover postmarked Kirkwall, Orkney, 24 November 37, via Inverness and Aberdeen to Shetland. Signed by Captain Eric Starling (Chief Pilot for Allied Airways), and by C.B. Wilson (Pilot for Highland Airways). Backstamp (b) 25 November.

5 December - S23 flying boat Cygnus crashed when taking off from Brindisi in Italy. It was operating between Karachi and London. A steward and a passenger were killed. The plane carried a large amount of mail from Australia and New Zealand, most of which was salvaged and marked by cachet DAMAGED BY SEA WATER in London.

24 December - Christmas flight by Highland Airways - Kirkwall to Fair Isle and return. Pilot dressed as Father Christmas, souvenir mail flown.

December - The Post Office waived the collection of surcharges on over-weight and unfranked letters arriving by airmail from all Empire countries on the England - South Africa route for the Christmas period. Special labels were affixed to some underpaid mail.

Other -

 

25 January - The Postmaster General stated that by the end of 1936 the Post Office owned 5,281 motor mail vans, and that during that year there had been four accidents involving motor mail vans and fatal injuries. [Hansard]

 

8 February - FRANKING STAMPS (ADVERTISEMENTS).

'Mr. McGhee asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that private firms are allowed to use for their letters a franking stamp which comprises a postage stamp with the crown and royal monogram, a post mark, and a liquor advertisement; and whether he will treat this practice as a contravention of Post Office policy, which forbids the use of public buildings and publications for liquor advertisements?

Major Tryon - The use of a postage-meter machine by private firms is allowed under licence from the Postmaster-General, and licensees are permitted to incorporate in the stamping mechanism a device for printing an advertisement or slogan to the left of the postal indications. I see no reason to interfere with the licensee's choice of an advertisement, as long as it is one which would in any case be allowed on the left of the address side of his other letters.

Mr.
Macquisten - Why should the Government be ashamed of a liquor advertisement, seeing that it derives so much of its revenue from that source?'

[Hansard - HC Deb 08 February 1937 vol 320 c37]

 

15 February - the Postmaster General is asked to consider re-introducing 1d postage rates as the Post Office is making a good profit. He rejects the idea as being too costly. [Hansard HC Deb 15 February 1937 vol 320 cc833-4]

9 - 12 June - 24th Philatelic Congress of Great Britain, Folkestone. Special postmark see below.

29 July - A debate was held in the House of Commons over the Post Office, (just 1 day before the end of the parliamentary session). There were no new announcements. The new air mail schemes received good praise. [Hansard - HC Deb 29 July 1937 vol 326 cc3436-80].

16 - 23 October - The second annual London Stamp Exhibition. Held at Dorland Hall, London SW1. Souvenir covers, exhibition cachet and three types of labels issued - a. 4 colours of Houses of Parliament design in sheets of 4; b. 4 colours of stage-coach design in sheets of 4; c. blue flying boat design in sheet of 6, (b and c shown on cover).  >

 

8 November - In the House of Commons the Postmaster-General was asked about stamp-obliterating machines. Major Tryon stated that 'Nine hundred and forty-four machines are in use. Of these 636 were manufactured by Norwegian and American firms, but since December, 1930, all supplies have been ordered from firms operating in this country, and those ordered since the beginning of 193I have been wholly of British manufacture'. [Hansard - HC Deb 08 November 1937 vol 328 c1409]

<
Cover of booklet about the Mobile Post Office published in 1937. The MPO service was started in 1936 as a 'Post Office on Wheels'. The first MPO had the registration number GPO 1. The tractor was a Morris Commercial Leader 3-ton unit with a 24.8 h.p. 4-cylinder engine. The trailer was divided into 3 - the rear for telephone cabinets, the central section as the post office with serving counters, the front was for storage. Stamp machines and a letter box were alongside the windows. 

New cap badges for postmen with chromium plated letters and figures. Jacket badge withdrawn.

Postage Dues -

March - 3d postage due stamp of Edward VIII issued

May - 1d, 2d, 2/6d postage due stamps of Edward VIII issued

June - ½d postage due stamp of Edward VIII issued

Month? 1937 - 4d dull grey-green and 1/- deep blue postage due stamps of George VI issued

Postmarks -

Many of the entries below are taken from 'Special Event Postmarks of the United Kingdom' by George R. Pearson. Published by the British Postmark Society, 1991 who give kind permission for reproduction.

December 1936 to January 1937 - 'Post Office Young People's Exhibition' slogan postmark.  Used with 'G.P.O. Exhibition' town die and applied to cards by demonstration cancelling machine

                 

December 1936 to February 1937 - 'British Industries Fair 1937 Feb 15 - 26 London & Birmingham'. Block.

                 

February to May - G.P.O. Exhibition (town die) + 'Post Early' slogan. Applied to cards by demonstration cancelling machine at GPO Exhibition.

                 

15 to 26 February - 'British Industries Fair Birmingham' single circle steel handstamp used on ordinary mail.

                 

15 to 26 February - 'British Industries Fair Birmingham' oval steel handstamp used on registered mail.

                 
May to November - 'Post Early In The Day.' The marks represent sun shine - however many describe it as a 'comet'. First use in 1937.

14 May known - 'Agricultural Show Newark'. Probably Newark and Notts show; skeleton handstamp.

21 May known - 'Paignton Devon Showground'. Probably Devon County Show; skeleton handstamp.

22 to 27 May - 'Chelsea Flower Show SW3'. Skeleton handstamp.

24? to 26 May - 'Shrewsbury Showyard'. Shropshire and West Midland Agriculture Show. Skeleton handstamp.

   

9 to 12 June - '24th Philatelic Congress Folkestone'. Used with code letters A to E. Special design steel handstamp.

10 June known - 'Showground Wadebridge CWL'. Royal Cornwall Agriculture Show. Skeleton handstamp.

17 June known - 'Show Ground Fakenham Nfk'. Probably Royal Norfolk Show. Skeleton handstamp.

22 to 25 June - 'Alloa Showyard'. Royal Highland Show. Skeleton handstamp.

29 June to 1 July - 'Showground Peterborough'. Peterborough Show. On 29 June the W was inverted. Skeleton handstamp.

30 June to 2 July - 'Henley Regatta'. Used on registration labels, while stamps cancelled with Mobile Post Office postmark. Event was 30 June to 3 July. Single circle, steel handstamp.

'Royal Show Wolverhampton', A above date. Date shown in two lines; used on registered mail, also on ordinary mail, stamped by favour. Skeleton handstamp.

'Wolverhampton Staffs. Royal Show A Parcel Post'. Used on parcels; struck in violet 2 to 10 July. Probably used at main entrance to show. Rubber parcel handstamp.

'Royal Show Wolverhampton'. B above date. Date shown in one line; used on registered mail, also on ordinary mail stamped by favour. Known dated 5 JU in error for 5 JY. Skeleton handstamp.

'Wolverhampton Staffs. Royal Show B Parcel Post'. Used on parcels; struck in violet 5 to 10 July. Probably used in grounds of show. Rubber parcel stamp.

14 July known - 'Canterbury Agric'tl Show'. Kent County Show. Skelton handstamp.

   

23 July known - 'Warwick Show'. Warwickshire County Show. Skelton handstamp.

22 July known - 'Royal Welsh Show Monmouth'. Skeleton handstamp.

31 August - 'Edinburgh Mobile PO'. Used at 'The Mound' when the Mobile Post Office was being publicised.

November - 'G.P.O. Exhibition' town die + 'Post Early In The Day' slogan. Applied to cards by demonstration cancelling machine at GPO exhibition. Known cancelling adhesives probably by favour. Machine postmark.

17 November known - 'Birmingham Dog Show'. Skelton handstamp.

November to March 1938 - 'British Industries Fair 1938 Feb 21 to Mar 4 London & Birmingham'. Block.

   
1937 - 'Earl's Court Exhibition B.O. S.W.5. Single circle steel handstamp.
 
1937 - 'Shepherds Bush Exhibition. B.O.W'. Single circle steel handstamp.
 

1937 - 'Showgrounds. Belfast'. Single circle steel handstamp.
   
Early December to 22 December - 'Post Early For [ or -For-] Christmas.' Block.
   

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Contact : Malcolm Sanders kg6gb@hotmail.com