British Architecture 1978

This issue was released on 1st March 1978 and consisted of a set of four stamps celebrating British Architecture, designed by Ronald Maddox. The 9p depicts the Tower Of London, 10 1/2p Holyrood House, 11p Caernarvon Castle, and the 13p Hampton Court Palace.

This was a continuation of the British Architecture series and this set was devoted to historic Royal Palaces and Castles. The 9p value marks the 900th anniversary of the Tower Of London and features the White Tower, where the Crown Jewels are now permanently displayed. The north-west tower of Holyrood House in Edinburgh, shown on the 10 1/2p, was built by King James V (1513-1542). Caernarvon Castle, shown on the 11p is noted for the establishment of the present line of Princes of Wales by King Edward I in 1824. Similar views of the castle can be found on the issued devoted to the Investiture of the present Prince of Wales in 1969. The 13p depicts the Great Gatehouse of Hampton Court Palace, which was built around 1520. The Palace was given by Thomas Wolsey, Cardinal Archbishop of York, to King Henry VIII, who later rebuilt the Great Hall.

The four stamps were also issued as a mini sheet, something which made philatelic history. It was produced to publicise the “London 1980” International Stamp Exhibition, as indicated by the inscription below the stamps on the sheet. It was sold with a premium of 10p, which was used towards exhibition funds and the public swiftly responded as the entire printing was sold out within a few days.

The colours in the miniature sheet differ very slightly in shade from those in the sheet stamps. It is probable that they were printed with the same colours but possibly in a different order and the impression would be different as the miniature sheets were printed on the Rembrandt press and the sheet stamps by the Jumelle machine.

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