BACKGROUND

The idea of producing commemorative stamps to mark the Silver Jubilee of King George V originally came from the Colonial Office, with the suggestion that an identical set should be issued throughout the Empire on 10 May 1935. The Post Office was initially unenthusiastic, as work was underway on a new set of definitives, and it was known that the King did not particularly approve of commemorative issues.

However, the Director of Postal Services eventually agreed that this was the best way for the Post Office to participate in the Jubilee celebrations, and in June 1934 it was decided that four values, ½d, 1d, 1½d and 2½d, should be issued.

DESIGN & PRODUCTION PROCESS

Selection consultations took place between Colonel Sir Donald Banks, Director General, Sir Stephen Tallents, GPO Public Relations Officer, and Kenneth Clark, Director of the National Gallery. Artists were invited to submit designs for one value, with a view to producing designs for the full set if selected.

As this would be the first special issue to be produced by photogravure, which reproduces a number of graduated tones, designs were requested in shades of grey. The GPO suggested royal homes, buildings, scenes and events of Imperial significance as possible subjects.

Twelve designs were submitted unsuccessfully, but a second round of submissions produced one satisfactory design, which was by Barnett Freedman. This was essayed using alternative portraits of the George V, by Vandyk and Mackennel, and in two sizes. The King chose the Mackennel head, on landscape stamps twice the size of standard definitives.

USED STAMPS

Used for REGISTERED mail out of Singapore.

Single crease on top-right.

Part of original gum seen on the reverse.

The postmark is too faint to read, however it is assumed as 8 September 1935.

According to Proud,