Some pitfalls and traps to be avoided in stamp collecting

Abstract

The first part of my talk comprised outlining my early days of stamp collecting in the 1940's/50's, the blunders I made in ignorance and leading to a guide, through sensible steps to take, in forming a collection. I do not intend to cover this section in the interests of brevity. I will concentrate on the second part in which the subject of collecting the G.B. Dorothy Wilding Definitive Issues of the 1950's I 60's is used as a "vehicle" to demonstrate how important is the need for awareness. Following the demise of King George VI and his eldest daughter Elizabeth taking over to become Queen Elizabeth the Second, the stamp designer Dorothy Wilding succeeded with her design of the Queen's head to appear on the new British Definitive issues. These were printed by Harrison & Sons in photogravure and the first two stamps, the 1,5d green and 2,5d red were issued on the 5th December, 1952. [excerpt]