The Golden Age of British Philately: A Comprehensive Guide to Collecting King George V and VI Definitive Stamps
Few areas of British philately offer as much depth, historical intrigue, and visual charm as the definitive (regular postage) issues of King George V (1910–1936) and King George VI (1936–1952).
Spanning two world wars, a royal abdication, economic depressions, and massive industrial shifts in printing technology, these stamps are far more than slips of colored paper. They are miniature historical archives. For collectors, they represent a fascinating playground that ranges from casual set-building to intense, microscope-level specialization.
Part 1: King George V Definitives (1910–1936)
The KGV definitive era is widely considered the Mount Everest of British stamp specialization. While a basic collection is straightforward, a deep dive into KGV reveals an astonishing array of watermarks, printing methods, controls, and subtle color shades.
1. What to Look For
The Downey Heads (1911–1912): The first low-value KGV stamps featured a three-quarter profile photograph taken by W. & D. Downey. They were deeply unpopular with the public (who thought they looked gloomy) and prone to poor printing quality. They were quickly replaced.
Mackennal Profiles & Letterpress (1912–1936): Designed by Bertram Mackennal, these feature the iconic side-profile portrait of the King. They were printed by letterpress, leading to thousands of plate flaws.
The Seahorses (1913–1934): The high-value stamps (2/6d, 5/-, 10/-, and £1) feature Saint George slaying the dragon aboard a warship. Engraved using recess (intaglio), these are masterpieces of stamp art. Look out for different printing firms (Waterlow, De La Rue, Bradbury Wilkinson).
Watermarks: This is where KGV collecting gets serious. You will need a watermark detector or tray/fluid to look for:
Royal Cypher (Simple and Multiple)
Block Cypher
Inverted or Sideways watermarks
Controls: Look at the margins (selvage) of sheets. KGV stamps often feature “control letters and numbers” that indicate which printing cylinder or plate was used. Collecting “control singles” or “control pairs” is a massive sub-genre.
2. What to Collect
The “Basic” Set: Collecting one of each major design and denomination (low values up to 1s, plus the Seahorses) is affordable and visually striking.
Shades: KGV low values exist in dozens of official color shades (e.g., chocolate, deep green, pale scarlet). Sorting these requires a sharp eye and a specialized catalog like the Stanley Gibbons Concise or Specialised volumes.
Booklet Panes: KGV stamps were heavily issued in specialized booklet panes for vending machines, which often feature trimmed margins or specific watermarks.
Part 2: King George VI Definitives (1937–1952)
The KGVI era is a study in wartime and post-war resilience. Definitives issued during this period reflect the strict economic realities of Britain during and immediately after World War II.
1. What to Look For
The “Dark Colours” (1937): Issued shortly after his coronation, the initial low-to-mid values (½d to 1/-) were printed in rich, heavy tones (e.g., dark green, scarlet, ultramarine, violet).
Wartime Changes and “Light Colours” (1941 onwards): Because the dark dyes and heavy inks contained materials needed for the war effort—and because factories faced bombing risks—the Post Office transitioned to paler, “light colour” definitives (e.g., pale green, pale blue).
The 1939–1948 High Values: The 2/6d (brown and green), 5/- (red), and 10/- (dark blue and ultramarine), alongside the majestic £1 brown issued in 1948. These are among the most handsome high-values ever produced by Great Britain.
The 1951 “Festival” High Values: Issued for the Festival of Britain, these high values (2/6d to £1) incorporated pictorial elements alongside the King’s head, serving as a bridge toward modern pictorial sets.
2. What to Collect
Mounted vs. Unmounted Mint (UM/MLH): For KGVI stamps, condition is everything. “Unmounted Mint” (never hinged, original gum) stamps command a significant premium over “Mounted Mint” (previously hinged) pieces, especially for high values.
Watermark Varieties: Just like KGV, keep an eye out for inverted or sideways watermarks, which are scarcer and highly sought after by specialists.
First Day Covers (FDCs): While FDCs weren’t as ubiquitous for definitives as they are today, covers bearing complete sets of KGVI dark or light colors on their day of release are prized by postal history enthusiasts.
Part 3: Are They Going Up in Value?
The short answer is: It depends heavily on condition, scarcity, and the type of material.
| Category | Market Trend | Explanation |
| Common Used Stamps | Stable / Flat | Common KGV and KGVI used stamps (worth pennies) are abundant. Because millions were saved by past generations, their financial appreciation is minimal. |
| High Values (Seahorses & KGVI £1) | Steadily Rising | Clean, fine-used or pristine unmounted mint high values (like the KGV Seahorses or KGVI 10/- and £1) are always in demand. High-end investment-grade copies certified by bodies like the BPA continue to see strong, stable growth. |
| Specialized Varieties (Shades, Controls, Errors) | Strong Growth | Specialized material (rare watermarks, documented shade errors, pristine control blocks) is tightly held by dedicated collectors. Auction realizations for rare KGV/KGVI varieties remain robust because they cannot easily be duplicated. |
| General Mint Collections | Moderate | Buying pre-assembled collections wholesale is often very economical today. You can frequently buy collections for a fraction of their catalog value, making it a fantastic buyer’s market for new collectors. |
Part 4: Pro-Tips for Getting Started
Invest in the Right Tools: You cannot collect KGV/KGVI effectively without a good quality watermark detector (or a black glass tray with lighter fluid/watermark fluid), a pair of smooth stamp tongs, and a perforated gauge to measure stamp perforations accurately.
Get a Specialized Catalog: While a general catalog (like the Stanley Gibbons Concise) is fine to start, serious KGV collectors swear by the Stanley Gibbons King George V specialized catalogue, which lists hundreds of shade and plate variations.
Focus Before You Leap: Because there are so many variations, trying to collect everything can become overwhelming. Consider focusing on a single reign (e.g., KGVI), a single denomination (e.g., the KGV 1d red), or a specific format (such as control blocks).
Condition is King: Always buy the best condition you can afford. Look for stamps with clean perforations, even margins, and—if used—light, readable postmarks rather than heavy smudged cancellations that obscure the face of the King.
