2018-03-01 Thu

The Seahorse stamp is the first high-value postage stamp of King George V, issued in August 1913, on the cusp of World War I. This definitive stamp has remained on the most iconic stamps list till date. The reason for its popularity was due to its high quality of printing, engraving and intricate design.

The beautiful stamp was designed by the Australian sculptor, Bertram Mackennal. This stamp got its complex style due to the designer’s strong recommendation on the intaglio printing process. The design of this stamp represents the symbol of patriotism and fellowship in the stormy times of war.

This stamp illustrates Britannia on the right riding the horse on the rough sea with the magnificent portrait of King George V on the left. The idea behind this design on this stamp was to depict Britain as the ruler of the seas. It was issued in four colours brown, red, blue and green with denomination 2s 6d, 5s, 10s and £1. De La Rue, Waterlow Bros & Layton, and Bradbury Wilkinson were the three printers who executed the printing of this stamp. The stamps from each printer can be identified by various characteristics

Interesting Facts

This stamp was the longest circulating stamp of the United Kingdom.
Three contractors were used to print over 100 million of these stamps, from over 50 individual plates.
The Seahorses were overprinted for use in Bechuanaland, British Levant, Ireland, Morocco Agencies and Nauru.

Image Courtesy: Ebay.uk