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A Celebration of Gibraltar's Philately (view technical specs)
This special miniature sheet celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Gibraltar Study Circle (GSC), founded in 1975 to promote, research, and record Gibraltar’s rich postal and philatelic heritage. The design serves not only as a tribute to the organisation’s five decades of dedicated scholarship but also as a visual journey through some of the most evocative items in Gibraltar’s postal history.
At the centre of the sheet is a £4 stamp reproducing an early Gibraltar picture postcard showing the Rock in a detailed monochrome engraving - a familiar and iconic image to collectors worldwide. The stamp is framed by perforation-style edging and carries the inscription “50th Anniversary of the Gibraltar Study Circle,” emphasising its commemorative nature.
Surrounding the central stamp is a carefully curated collage of rare and historically significant philatelic items, all sourced from the private collections of GSC members. On the left, we see Victorian and Edwardian-era covers and stamps, including early Queen Victoria issues, Gibraltar overprints, and scarce cancellations such as Gibraltar / Ship Letter. A striking orange One Pound high-value stamp, as well as the rare Morocco Agencies overprint, hint at Gibraltar’s role as a hub in international postal routes. Registered letter markings, in vivid red, add a further dimension of postal history.
To the right, Edward VII and King George V high-value stamps - including an imposing Five Pounds - appear alongside registered letter envelopes, military-themed stamps, and crisp Gibraltar postmarks. The inclusion of British colonial issues, maritime cancellations, and handwritten correspondence provides a rich narrative, showing how Gibraltar’s postal output documented both official and personal communication across eras.
The overall composition blends the artistry of stamp design with the authenticity of original postal artefacts, allowing each element to tell its own story while contributing to a broader celebration of Gibraltar’s philatelic heritage.
The miniature sheet was designed by Stephen Perera, a Gibraltarian graphic designer known for his long-standing contribution to Gibraltar’s philately.
Technical Specs
| Design: | Stephen Perera |
| Illustration / Photography: | |
| Printer: | Cartor Security Printers |
| Process: | Offset Lithography |
| Colours: | 4 Colours |
| Stamp size: | Stamp size: 40 x 25mm, M/S size: 122 x 74mm |
| Issue date: | 2025-09-16 |
| Stamp Values: | £4 |
