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British Stamps

Definitives of 1924-1935

Beginning in 1924, the definitive British stamps of King George V underwent significant changes.

WMK 34 Large Crown and Script GvR

WMK 35 Multiple Crown and Roman GvR

All of the definitive British stamps of King George V, issued between 1924 and 1935, have the following technical attributes in common.

The 1/2 P. through the 1 S. denominations:

• Printing Process:  Typographed (1924-1934), Photogravure (1934-1935).
• Portrait:  Left Profile (1912-1935).
  
• Perforation:  Perforated 15 x 14 (1924-1934), Perforated 14 1/2 x 14 (1934-1936).
• Watermark:  WMK 35 (1924-1935) -- (See image above).
  
  

The 2 S. 6 P. through the £ 1 denominations:

• Printing Process:  Engraved.
• Portrait:  Left Profile.
  
• Perforation:  Perforated 11 x 12.
• Watermark:  WMK 34 -- (See image above).
  
  
  

Some of the typographed King George V left facing profile type definitive stamps of 1912-1922 were re-issued in 1924.  They were printed on paper with WMK 35 -- Multiple Crown and Roman GvR.

The Scott catalog attributes are as follows.

• 1/2 P.  (1924 - Sc. #187) - Green.
• 1 P.  (1924 - Sc. #188) - Scarlet.
• 1 1/2 P.  (1924 - Sc. #189) - Red Brown.
• 2 P.  (1924 - Sc. #190) - Deep Orange.
• 2 1/2 P.  (1924 - Sc. #191) - Ultramarine.
• 3 P.  (1924 - Sc. #192) - Violet.
• 4 P.  (1924 - Sc. #193) - Slate Green.
• 5 P.  (1924 - Sc. #194) - Yellow Brown.
• 6 P.  (1924 - Sc. #195) - Dull Violet.
• 9 P.  (1924 - Sc. #198) - Olive Green.
• 10 P.  (1924 - Sc. #199) - Dull Blue.
• 1 S.  (1924 - Sc. #200) - Bister.
  
  

The 1/2 P. through the 1 1/2 P. denominations were also issued in booklets.  The 1/2 P. through the 2 P. denominations, watermarked sideways, were issued in coils.

Tête-bêche pairs exist of the 1 1/2 P. denomination, and they are very scarce.

The brand new series of King George V definitive stamps shown above was issued between 1934 and 1936.  These were the first British stamps to be printed in photogravure.  The two-toned shading on these stamps give the designs an incredible three dimensional look, quite a technical achievement for the early 20th Century.

The Scott catalog attributes are as follows.

• 1/2 P.  (1934 - Sc. #210) - Dark Green.
• 1 P.  (1934 - Sc. #211) - Carmine.
• 1 1/2 P.  (1934 - Sc. #212) - Red Brown.
• 2 P.  (1935 - Sc. #213) - Red Orange.
• 2 1/2 P.  (1935 - Sc. #214) - Ultramarine.
• 3 P.  (1935 - Sc. #215) - Dark Violet.
• 4 P.  (1935 - Sc. #216) - Dark Slate Green.
• 5 P.  (1936 - Sc. #217) - Yellow Brown.
• 9 P.  (1936 - Sc. #218) - Dark Olive Green.
• 10 P.  (1936 - Sc. #219) - Prussian Blue.
• 1 S.  (1936 - Sc. #220) - Bister Brown.
  
  

The 1/2 P. through the 1 1/2 P. denominations were also issued in booklets.  The 1/2 P. through the 2 P. denominations, watermarked sideways, were issued in coils.

Waterlow Printing (1934)
Re-engraved

The plates for the Seahorses were re-engraved in 1934, under contract to Waterlow & Sons.

The new re-engraved designs have cross-hatched lines behind the King's left facing profile, whereas the previous issues had horizontal lines.

The Scott catalog attributes are as follows.

• 2 S. 6 P.  (1934 - Sc. #222) - Brown.
• 5 S.  (1934 - Sc. #223) - Carmine.
• 10 S.  (1934 - Sc. #224) - Dark Blue.
  
  

For the specialist, there are a multitude of collectible varieties of most of the British stamps described on this page, including essays, die proofs, plate proofs, color trials, plate markings, cylinder numbers, booklet panes, and coils.  For details, please refer to the Stanley Gibbons Great Britain Specialised Catalogue, Volume 2 -- King Edward VII to King George VI.

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British Stamps - Definitives of 1924-1935

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