This issue consisted of a single oversized 50p stamp released on the 9th April, and a miniature sheet released on the 7th May 1980.

They were issued to commemorate the International Philatelic Exhibition, which was held at Earls Court, London, on the 6-14th May. The stamp was designed by Jeffery Matthews and engraved by Geoffrey Holt. The stamp shows a montage of London buildings, including Westminster Abbey, Nelsons Column, Eros, The Post Office Tower, Big Ben, St Pauls Cathedral, The Tower of London and Tower Bridge.

The stamp was later released in a miniature sheet costing 75p, with the excess charge going towards the exhibition funds. They were printed in large panes of 18 sheets, which were then perforated, guillotined and sold in polythene covers with a card inscribed “Britain’s Third Miniature Sheet.”

Interestingly, half way through the production of the first issue, the die was re-cut. This means there are two different types of the stamp, known as die 1 and 2, which have very small differences. The stamp used in the miniature sheet is always from die 2.

Examples of both stamps are known in various shades of Green. The stamps were very striking and the colour difference was obvious. The post office refused to acknowledge this, and many stamp catalogues refuse to list them. Gibbons specialised catalogue states that they exist, although give it no value. They continue to say, and I quote “Such shades result from problems with the drying of the printed sheets on the press, but are not listed as similar colours can be easily induced.”

---

Bookmark with: