Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT DOES THE SIGN "ACTUAL ITEM" MEAN?
ACTUAL ITEM
ARE ALL THESE ITEMS REALLY IN STOCK?
Yes, they are. My entire stock will be on this website. Please be aware that only a selection is shown. If you don't see what you are looking for call me or email me with a wants list. I'm adding items almost every day! Across the full range of GB, from 1840 to today I have one of the largest and broadest stocks of GREAT BRITAIN material in the world!
DO I GET THE ACTUAL ITEM SHOWN?
Yes, you do! If it is tagged ACTUAL ITEM then YES!
The only exception to that would be a modern inexpensive item that I might have in quantity.
WHEN DO I GET MY ORDER?
I usually deal with an order within two working days. Regular customers (thus with all their details already on file) might even get a simple order the next day! I do appreciate you want your stamps as soon a possible! However please appreciate that as a "one man business" if I am away on a buying trip overseas then your order might be delayed by up to 10 days at worst. If I am away on a trip I will inform you by email with a note as to when your order will be mailed. Most of my competitors offer a 14 day service - and one a 28 day service! So I'm still fast! Remember too that your card is not charged until the day of mailing.
CAN I TELEPHONE YOU WITH MY ORDER?
Yes you can. My phone number is shown at the foot of every page. Just remember to call me during office hours noon to 7.30pm Monday to Friday. It's probably best not to leave a long complicated order on the answering machine but a brief message, name and number would be good. . Please call back to speak to me in person. Only I will answer!
I HAVE JUST ORDERED AN ITEM BUT WHEN I LOOK AGAIN AT THE PAGE IT STILL APPEARS IN STOCK, WHY HASN'T IT GONE?
I process your payment the day of sending your order. Its then that the item is removed from the site. All orders are dealt with in strict rotation. First come - first served!
A FEW WORDS ABOUT COMPLETE SETS
I list every George 6th and Elizabeth "Wilding" definitive stamps as individual single stamps. However complete sets are also listed in the COMPLETE DEFINITIVE SETS section shown on the front page. The odd stamps are listed to help the collector complete what they might already have, not to build a set one by one. If you need, for example, a particular sideways watermark set of six then order it as a set of six, not the six singles as its always cheaper to buy as a set. You should also consider that if you already have part of the six it might still be better to order the complete set because the odds you have might only a few pence anyway. I keep my stock as the more saleable complete sets not unbalanced runs of singles so you are more likely to have luck ordering the complete set.
A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE MODERN MACHINS
The listings of these stamps have now been updated on the website to follow the CONCISE 2023 Gibbons stamp catalogue. Almost every year some part of this section is renumbered by Stanley Gibbons. I list the date of issue plus the stamp is pictured so if you are using an older catalogue or trying to fill a gap in a printed album you should still be able to work out which one you need! The latest version of the Machins are called SECURITY MACHINS and have the letter "U" prefix to the catalogue number. The stamps have a swirling iridescent background around the Queens's head. Incorporated within the background are sometimes source codes and date codes all of which are visible to a good pair of eyes or a good glass. Some stamps have several different dates and are listed by me if I happen to have them. My stock of these issues is 98% complete.
A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE NUMBERS USED BY THE BRITISH POST OFFICE FOR CARDS AND PACKS
From the first Presentation Pack issued in 1964 for the SHAKESPEARE issue to the BRITISH ANNIVERSARIES issue in 1968 no sequential number was used. Then the first numbered Presentation Pack - ONE - was the BRITISH PAINTINGS in 1968. Sadly these numbers jump around with the same number run applied to COMMEMORATIVE, DEFINITIVE and REGIONAL Packs. To make the run of numbers even more difficult to follow they also applied a number to the annual YEAR PACK!
A couple of numbers are missed altogether. This website shows EVERY Presentation Pack issued in date order.
Please note that some early issues like SALVATION ARMY, JOSEPH LISTER etc never did have a Presentation Pack produced!
The Post Office official PHQ post cards are a little easier to follow with the very first - CRICKET - given the number ONE etc. But even this series is not a perfect run with some missing or duplicated. To complicate matters there are a few sub groups of numbers like the "CGB" series (which are listed in date of issue orderwithin the main listing) and the "D" for DEFINITIVE cards.
I'M SOMETIMES ASKED HOW CAN AN FDC BE COMPLETELY UNADDRESSED??
This can happen in a variety of ways. A lot of covers in the 1960's had pencil addressees or used tiny peelable ''ablelabels''. Pencil addresses can sometimes be removed if light. An ''ablelabel'' however can sometimes be gently peeled within a year or so of sticking to the cover and can generally be removed without trace. However if it has been on the cover for many years it's unlikely removal could happen without a trace, usually a gum mark is left. Older covers, say from the 1950's, can occur unaddressed because a gummed address label has been used. This can be steamed off without a trace given a little time and effort.
A FEW WORDS ABOUT MODERN USED SETS
Complete sets of USED commemorative issues will usually be supplied as sets on paper removed from first day covers.
Thus a block or strip will be intact and not singles.
Thats why they are so cheap!
I WANT TO BUY A LOT OF ITEMS, CAN I SPREAD THE PAYMENT OVER A FEW MONTHS?
Yes you can. Orders over £300 can be spread over 3 months if need be. Your order will be sent after final payment. If possible please call me to make a plan!
IS THERE A MINIMUM TRANSACTION WHEN I ORDER THROUGH THE WEBSITE?
Yes, the minimum is £20.00 plus P&P and has been set at this since 2006.
I WANT TO ORDER, FOR EXAMPLE, FOUR IDENTICAL PRESENTATION PACKS OR BLOCK OF FOUR OF A PARTICULAR SET, HOW DO I DO THIS?
Just order one and email me immediately after placing that order telling me that you do in fact require more and I will adjust your order to meet your requirements. Easy!
YOUR PRICES ARE IN BRITISH POUNDS BUT I'M IN THE UNITED STATES HOW CAN I BUY FROM YOU?
Your credit card company will convert the British Pounds into US$ on your credit card statement. It's also possible for your bank to credit my bank account here in London. Contact me for details.
DO YOU BUY?
Yes, I'm always interested in hearing about material that might be for sale. Please call me BEFORE sending. You can email me too but please state where you are located.
DO YOU HAVE OTHER STAMPS IN STOCK?
I have huge stocks of COMMONWEALTH and USA and some FOREIGN. Please visit those websites, links are on front page.
WHAT DOES U/M - M/M and F/U MEAN?
U/M means "Unmounted Mint" or "Never Hinged", basically in Post Office fresh condition and has not been mounted on the gum side by a stamp hinge. U/M is scarce on older stamps.
M/M means "Mounted Mint" and has been mounted on the gum side with a stamp hinge that may have left a tiny mark on the gum. This is acceptable on older stamps and is certainly cheaper than U/M !
F/U means "Fine Used" The stamp has been lightly postmarked.
WHAT ARE THE POSTAGE AND PACKING COSTS FOR AN ORDER?
UNITED KINGDOM
1st Class Mail - Sent at your risk - but I do obtain a "proof of posting" certificate to keep on file - £2.50
Recorded Delivery - Max compensation £20.00 - £4.00
Special Delivery - Full compensation - £9.00
OVERSEAS MAIL - AIRMAIL
Europe - Sent at your risk - but I do obtain a "proof of posting" certificate to keep on file - £3.50
Rest of the World - Sent at your risk - but I do obtain a "proof of posting" certificate to keep on file - £4.50
Europe - "INTERNATIONAL SIGNED" service with compensation - £10.00
The above service applies to almost all of Europe - signature taken on delivery.
Rest of the World - "INTERNATIONAL SIGNED" service with compensation - £11.00
The above service applies to 190 destinations - signature taken on delivery.
To learn more please visit the Royal Mail website.
PLEASE NOTE: IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT THAT THERE ARE ANY CUSTOMS
CHARGES THEY ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BUYER.
BULKY ORDERS OF MORE THAN 100g WEIGHT WILL BE CHARGED
AT COST PLUS A SMALL REASONABLE AMOUNT FOR PACKING
SOME ABBREVIATIONS USED ON THIS WEBSITE
CDS - Circular Date Stamp postmark
HS - Handstamp
MS - Miniature Sheet
NW - North West
NE - North East
SW - South West
SE - South East
tba - to be announced
Please note that all catalogue numbers quoted on this website remain the full copyright of STANLEY GIBBONS Ltd to whom I extend my sincere thanks.
