KGVI - Murray Payne KGVI Commonwealth 2008

Published by Murray Payne. 343pp. Black and white. English

Inc Great Britain and Channel Islands, watermark varieties, booklets, airmails, special issues, postage dues, officials, omnibus issues, German propaganda labels

Philatelic Exporter review, courtesy of David Rennie (December 2008):

Can it really be eight years since the last edition?  As well as new information and varieties, the inclusion of the Indian Feudatory States mean this one is expanded by 40pp to over 330pp, in the handy hardcover format as before.

Stuart Babbington's Preface is revealing, and explains why this title remains in black and white. More importantly, attention has been given to the descriptions of shades and printings, to extending the explanatory footnotes and other editorial improvements to assist the user.

Prices have been thoroughly revised, and as the publisher is a major dealer in these issues, can be trusted to represent accurately the current market.  Please note that Mint prices are for stamps which have been mounted or hinged, and un-mounted prices will be higher, considerably so in the case of some issues and printings.

I dipped into a few items, and note for example the Aden 1937 Dhows set has gone from £180 to £375 mint, from £235 used to £400, the 1939 set to £32 (previous £22) mint, to £19 (£15) used, the 1951 set to £29 (£20) mint, to £19 (£15) used.

The Tripolitania BMA overprinted set goes to £22 (£14) mint, and used to £80 (£60), the 1950 BA set mint to £40 (£19), used to £85 (£65). The India Gandhi set has increased to £65 (£25) mint, and

£45 (£26) used, even the humble Saints and Poets set goes to £5 (£2) mint, and to £2.20 (£1.60) used. For Selangor the 1949 Sultan set goes up to £45 (£28) mint; used to £14 (£9), the RSW $5 mint to £13.50 (£9), and used to £12 (£10).

Most spectacular perhaps are the Nauru 2½d Imperf Between Pair varieties, which jump from £3000 mint to £9000, and £3000 to £12.500 used.  However in the same country the 2½d Coronation with the Re-entry remains unchanged. The New Guinea 5d variety in the same issue also remains unchanged, but the previously unpriced 3d Imperf to Margin is now priced at £2250.

The demand for Specimen sets has meant huge increases for these items but the editor (in the Introduction), issues a caveat against forgeries of these items.

This volume is essential both to the general King GVIth collector and to the specialist. Certainly no serious dealer in these issues can afford to be without it.  Recommended.

The publisher also publishes a bi-monthly magazine Sixth Sense, which keeps abreast of new discoveries etc.