In 1980 there was an International Stamp Exhibition in London and the Royal Mail issued the 50p stamp shown on this card to commemorate the event. It seems to show most of the interesting buildings in London, pretty much superimposed and taking liberties with scale. Tower Bridge seems to be dwarfed by Big Ben and St Paul's Cathedral. In those days 50p was a considerable amount, on Monday it will be enough only to send a second class letter within the UK.
They must have been building it up for some time because apparently stamps were issued in 1978 and 1979 as a lead up. There is no telling that this was the intention from the cards or stamps alone, as I have, but the miniature sheets did mention the exhibition. The 1978 set showed historic buildings.
I have three of this set of cards with the individual stamps on each and postmarked First Day of Issue. I'm not sure where Hampton Court has disappeared to but maybe I've just misplaced it.
The 1979 set were the Rowland Hill set, one of which I've shown previously.
This is a post for Sunday Stamps, now hosted by Violet Sky at "See it on a Postcard!"
I didn't care for the 50 but the others were quite lovely. Have a great rest of your Sunday
ReplyDeleteoh I rather like the 50 pence card, being in monochrome has an appeal.
ReplyDeleteI like the scale/detail of the 50p and the boat coming through the bridge. You could probably send a parcel for 50p in those days!
ReplyDeleteI hadn't seen the 50p before. (Joy - soon it will be 500p to post a parcel!. I've put up a Rowland Hill stamp and just discovered another in the series.
ReplyDeleteI really like the colourful historic buildings stamps. They are quite bold and wonderful.
ReplyDeleteHmmm that is not the London I have seen pictured before. Now I understand. thank you for sharing the historic buildings, they are great.
ReplyDeleteThe 50p one does look a bit crowded and too elongated! I do like their London 1980 logo design, though!
ReplyDeleteI love the design of the first stamp.
ReplyDeleteLovely. TO be able to get a strong image of these wonderful buildings on a tiny postage stamps must be quite a feat. I love the coloring of them.
ReplyDeleteMakes me want to stop off in England en route to India, if I ever get to return. I can understand the language pretty well.
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