The 60’s had seen a new generation of Commemorative stamps from the Post Office who previously had been very dismissive of any stamp issues that decreased sales of normal definitive stamps. As printing prices decreased and stamp collecting was pushed to the forefront of public attention, they looked for more reasons to produce commemorative stamps.

The first issue for 1964 came on the 23rd April and was a set of five stamps issued to commemorate William Shakespeare. 1964 saw the 400th anniversary of the birth of Shakespeare, regarded by scholars as the world’s greatest playwright.

The set consisted of a 3d printed in three colours of yellow-bistre, Black, deep violet blue and depicted Puck and Bottom from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The 6d was in similar colours and depicted Feste from Twelfth Night. The 1s3d depicted the famous balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet and the 1s’6d of the eve of Agincourt from Henry V. These four stamps were all printed in Photogravure by Bradbury Wilkinson, and were designed by D. Gentleman.

They also decided, rather controversially at the time, to produce a 2s6d value depicting Hamlet contemplating Yorick’s skull from the play Hamlet. This was the highest value commemorative ever issued, as the 2s6d castle stamp that had been available from the 50’s was classified as a definitive stamp. The stamp was designed by C & R. Ironside and was recess printed in black on white paper and formed a striking powerful image, which eventually became a very popular stamp, hence its low commercial value today despite its face value.

The Shakespeare set is also note worthy because it was the first time the post office ever issued a presentation pack for mint stamps. This coincides with what I mentioned earlier as to stamps becoming more popular with collectors, and the Post Office did this as much as an advertising campaign as much as anything else. It consisted of a set of the stamps, along with an information pack containing details on the printers, designers and on Shakespeare himself. It was a risky financial move for the Post Office, as stamps were not really considered for anything except functional postage use previously. It was a great public success, so much so that nearly all mint stamps have been issued in presentation packs ever since.

As was normal for the time, the four low values were also issued with phosphor bands in certain post offices. These stamps also had a few different colour variations, popular with collectors, which were produced mainly from different plates that had been under inked. The 2s6d exists in a rare jet black shade, although I cannot find much information on them. Gibbons mention them in passing in their specialised catalogue and speculate that they possibly came from proof sheets issued in error. Most examples have a “cancelled” overprint and are properly documented as proofs.

The next commemorative issue was on the 1^st July, and was a set of four stamps to commemorate the 20th International Geographical Congress. The first international congress was held in 1871, and since then normally reoccurred every four years. London was chosen in 1964 and the congress lasted from 20th to 28th July.

The stamps were issued in a mixture of three or four colours ranging from 2 ¹/₂d to 1s6d. The 2 ¹/₂d depicted flats near Richmond park to symbolise “Urban Development”. The 4d showed Shipbuilding Yards in Belfast for “Industrial Activity”, 8d Beddgelert Forest Park, Snowdonia for “Forestry” and finally the 1s6d the Nuclear reactor in Dounreay for “Technological Development.”

These stamps were also issued in the usual phosphor versions as well as on official first day covers and presentation packs, first introduced with the previous issues. Because of the complexity of using so many colours and plates, this issue had many minor flaws and form the basis of a specialist collection for many collectors of this period.

The next stamps issued were produced just over a month later on 5^th August, and were to commemorate the Tenth International Botanical Congress. These congresses are held every five years with each alternate one being held in Europe. In 1964 the congress was held in Edinburgh and was overseen by the Hon President of the congress, The King of Sweden.

The stamps were issued in four values, different to the previous issue, due to changing postal rates. The stamps were issued in multi colours in photogravure and were designed by M & Sylvia Goaman. The 3d depicted a Spring Gentian, 6d a Dog-Rose, 9d Honeysuckle and the 1s3d a Fringed Water Lily. Once again they were available in normal and phosphor versions, first day covers and presentation packs.

Some stamps were issued on cover with a “Cancelled” hand stamp and was applied in black over two stamps side by side. These were used on first day covers, although not dated, and were released by the Post Office with the announcement of the stamp issue.

Interestingly for collectors, all the values were accidentally released before the official date of issue at several post offices throughout the country and from the philatelic bureau. The earliest known used copies were dated 27^th July.

Barely another month later the final stamps of 1964 were issued, and were to celebrate the Official Opening of the Forth Road Bridge on September 4^th. The bridge was opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and was at the time the largest suspension bridge in Europe, and the forth largest in the world.

Only 2 stamps were issued a 3d and a 6d. Both stamps were designed by A. Restall and the 3d was printed in black, blue and reddish violet and showed the Forth Road Bridge. The 6d was printed in black, light blue and carmine red and depicted the Forth Road Bridge and the Railway Bridges. Once again phosphor version, presentation packs and first day covers were all released at the same time.

The 3d was interesting because it existed in 9 different cylinders and this led to a multitude of minor flaws, a number of different ones from different cylinders. Many collectors use the flaws on these stamps as a reliable method of identifying the cylinders.

---

Bookmark with: