1965 saw a multitude of stamp issues, with no less than 9 sets issued. All sets, except 1, consisted of 2 stamps, a low and high value. This method of stamp issuing continued until the middle of 1966. The first issued was supposed to be the commemoration of parliament on the 19th of July, but another issue was rushed out on the 1st July.

On 24^th January 1965, Winston Churchill died aged 90, and it was though fitting that a man who was said to have changed the course of British history, should have stamps issued to commemorate him. These consisted of a 4d in brown and a 1s3d in grey. Due to the rush to issue the stamps, simple colours and designs were adopted to ease the need for producing colour and complex plates. The stamps were designed by D. Gentleman and Rosalind Dease, from a photograph taken by Karsh. They were issued in phosphor and on first day covers, but due to the rush no presentation pack was available. It would be another ten years until the next set of Churchill commemoration stamps were issued and these contained a presentation pack and a prestige book.

So the first issue of 1965 became the second and was issued to commemorate the 700th Anniversary of Simon De Montfort’s Parliament. Montfort summoned the first parliament representing many cities and shires and it met in numerous buildings at Westminster in January 1265.

The 6d stamp was issued in Olive Green and depicted Simon De Montfort’s official seal and was designed by S. R. Black. The 2s6d, replacing the Shakespeare stamp as the current high value, was printed in black, grey and pale drab and depicted Parliament buildings taken from and engraving by Hollar in 1647 and was designed by Prof. R. Guyatt.

The 2s6d stamp was considered revolutionary at the time, because of its long horizontal design. In effect it was the same size as three Wilding issues, and led to a flurry of new stationary designed to take the new stamps. This was basically a short lived attempt at printers trying to cash in on the new stamp design!

By some error, examples of these stamps were released early on the 8th July, becoming somehow mixed up with the Churchill issue. Covers are known with both values hand stamped from the Philatelic Bureau.

On August 9th 2 stamps were issued to commemorate 100 years of the Salvation Army. It was formed in 1865 as a religious militant movement by William Booth who became its general in 1880.

These were multi coloured stamps, and the 3d depicted Bandsmen and Banner and was designed by M.C Farrar Bell, and the 1s6d the Three Salvationists designed by G. Trenaman. Phosphor issues, presentation packs and first day covers were issued as was now becoming the norm. The stamps were officially withdrawn on 28th February 1966, but in actuality the 3d sold out completely by December 1965. It is believed that the stamps were widely liked due to the use of bright colours.

The 1^st of September saw the release of two further stamps for the centenary of Joseph Lister’s Discovery of Antiseptic Surgery, a 4d and a 1s. Also on the same day were a further two stamps celebrating the 1st commonwealth arts festival in 6d and 1s6d values. According to catalogue information, the festival was aimed at promoting the cultural traditions of commonwealth countries and was held in London and other main towns between 16^th September and 2^ndIt was believed that by having alternate values the stamps would be used equally and the two events could be celebrated together. Many stamp collectors at the time criticised this decision and complained to Royal Mail although there does not seem to be any basis for the complaints. This meant two sets of first day covers and phosphor sets, but for a reason I have not been able to find, no presentation packs were issued for these sets.

The next set followed in quick succession and was to commemorate the 25^th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain. This was the first major war campaign to be fought entirely between opposing air forces.

The set contained eight stamps, the largest issued up until this point. 6 x 4d stamps, a 9d and a 1s3d, all designed by D. Gentleman except the 9d which was designed by A. Restall. The 4d stamps were all printed in a se-tenant block of six (3x2) within the sheet of 120. This was a very popular set at the time and was once again issued in phosphor sets, first day covers and presentation packs. Many stamp historians believe this was one of the stamp issues that prompted more people to begin stamp collecting than any other.

The next set was to commemorate the opening of the iconic Post Office tower in London on the 8^th October 1965. The 3d was a vertical stamp in olive yellow, blue and bronze green and depicted the Post Office Tower and surrounding Georgian Buildings. The 1s3d was bronze green, yellow green and blue and depicted the Post Office Tower and “Nash” Terrace, Regents Park. Both stamps were designed by C. Abbott and issued in all the usual forms.

The Post Office Tower was the tallest building in London, until the construction of Canary Wharf, and is 620 feet high, and was designed to provide more long distance telephone circuits and television channels.

An interesting feature of these stamps was the inclusion of the names of both the designer and printers at the foot of the designs, and this practice continued for many issues until 1969.

The last two sets of 1965 are often confused as being one issue due to slightly similar designs but were in fact issued a month apart and for different reasons.

The first was to commemorate the 20^th Anniversary of the United Nations on October 25th, having been formed in 1945 at the end of the Second World War. 1965 was also designated the year of International Co-operation and the symbol of clasped hands is depicted on the 1s6d stamp, while the 3d showed the UN emblem.

The 2^nd set came on the 15^th November and was to commemorate the ITU Centenary. The aims of the union created in 1865, then known as the International Telegraph Union, were to promote, maintain and extend international Co-operation in telecommunications, often confused with the 1s6d of the previous issue.

Both stamps were printed in colour and designed by A. Restall. The 9d depicted a “Telecommunications Network” and the 1s6d “Radio Waves and Switchboard.”

Both sets were issued in normal form, phosphor, firstday covers and presentation packs.

The release date of the ITU centenary issue was changed from the original date of 17^th May. Supplies from the Philatelic Bureau were sent in error to reach a dealer on that date, and another dealer received his supply on 27^th May. This information was obtained from Stanley Gibbons, but no further information on what happened to these stamps, or an explanation of why, was given!

---

Bookmark with: