Too Big and Too Black

Our specialised Great Britain auction next week features the exceptional collection of the 1929 Postal Union Congress formed by Dr Ronnie Shiers.  At first sight this would seem a narrow subject for philatelic study but the range of lots in this section of the auction suggests that the subject has plenty to offer.

The Ninth Congress of the Universal Postal Union convened in London between 10 May and 28 June 1929, was one of the most productive ever held with a number of important resolutions passed and further initiatives discussed.

The role of Airmail delivery had grown greatly and the Hague Conference of 1927 had produced provisions for these services that the London Congress was able to ratify with some minor changes.

Postage paid franking was approved, the small packet service (petit paquet) was created, the model for the International Reply Coupon was changed, and France presented a proposal for the establishment of mobile post offices. 

The problem of underpaid postage on overseas mail was finally tackled when it was decided that "no provision contained in the Convention prevents unpaid or underpaid items from being again presented to the sender for proper payment.".

However, for most collectors, the 1929 Congress is memorable for one thing above all else - the P.U.C. £1.

The £1 stamp is either one of the most beautiful postage stamps ever produced or a cynically overpriced fabrication intended to provide an imperious memento for Congress delegates whilst milking as much revenue as possible from stamp collectors.

Issued along with four other small format stamps, rather commonplace designs by comparison, the £1 was criticised for its high face value (an extraordinary amount for the time, equivalent to a purchasing power of around £50 today) and it was clear to many that,  perhaps for the first time, stamp collectors were being deliberately exploited by the sale of high value stamps for which there was no obvious postal use.

Writing in Gibbons Stamp Monthly Stanley Phillips declared the stamp a "disgrace", declaring that "the policy of issuing a set consisting of four low value stamps and then a one pound denomination is absolutely indefensible".

So how did the PUC £1 recover from being seen as an early example of Rip-Off Britain ?.

Well, it was no overnight success. Decades later stamp dealers were still using the stamp for postage and it was not until the 1970s investment boom that it really began to take off, featuring then, as it does now, as a strong player in the fantasy philately league of stamps that can be reliably sold to non-philatelists.

But why ?

Black is the new black. Funereal to some, the power of the colour is apparent to many, particularly enhanced by the subconscious link to the 'first stamp', our beloved Penny Black.

Big and Bold. The size is striking, unprecedented at the time and still imposing today. The squarer design makes the Seahorse high values that had come before feel like underachievers.

Detailed and Intricate. The quality of the engraving is very fine and draws the eye into the detail. Photogravure was on its way but never reached these heights. Secretly, and not so secretly, many of us feel that philately was much diminished by the pushing aside of Recess printing.

A Symbol of Right. The simple single theme of Saint George slaying the dragon, a story representing the triumph of good over evil, was a particularly powerful theme in a Christian country enjoying the last flowering of Imperialism.

A Symbol of Power. George is represented as strong and dominant. Nowadays we can not help but feel a little sorry for the dragon cowering at the foot of the design. It is not always noticed, moreover, how large the crown is.  There is no doubting who is really in charge here. George V, a vastly different character to the sons who would succeed him, must have been delighted by this representation of his might.

The attitudes of today may not be as greatly in sympathy with what this stamp represents but one may still admire the strength of its presence. It is a big stamp and it is a black stamp but it's our big, black stamp.

So, will it be a problem to sell more than 40 copies of this stamp in London next week ? We do not think so.

JG