Sunday 15 June 2014

British fairs


A set of stamps and PHQ stamp cards was issued by the Post Office in 1983 on the subject of British fairs.  They were designed by Andrew Restall.

The first three all show views of traditional fun fairs which tour the country during the summer months.  Probably nowadays you don't get the menagerie shown top right though all the rides are there.  We have one locally in August each year here on the green.  It stays for a week so by the end the green is no longer green, but it recovers very quickly.

The 31p stamp is something of an odd one out because it shows one of the early produce fairs, still to be seen today in fairs such as the Nottingham Goose Fair.  It is also noteworthy in that it is apparently the first British stamp to picture a cat.



This is a post for Sunday Stamps, now hosted by Violet Sky at "See it on a Postcard!"

See also a post I made just a couple of weeks ago showing the Festival of the Circus in Monaco.  I bought the stamp and used it to send a card to someone long before I realised there was a matching postcard.

9 comments:

  1. I've only got the 16p once, possibly because it was the letter rate. I always enjoy seeing merry go rounds whether in reality or on stamps. I don't remember any of the other stamps but they make a nice set with their different themes.

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  2. I’m a Nottingham girl and the Goose Fair was a greatly anticipated event. These are gorgeous stamps, so beautifully illustrated.

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  3. I have the sideshows PHQ card which is my favorite in that set. I would love to see what a goose fair is like.

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  4. I really like these stamps. Their colours are amazing. Somehow the illustration reminds me Fiep Westentorp designs. How funny the detail of the cat! :D

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  5. I only ever saw the 16p of this set, so here's another set to look out for to get them all. I didn't know that about the cat either.

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  6. Lovely stamps all. I think Fairs are pure magic. I know they were for me while growing up. The state fair each October was Grand just for a ride on the Ferris Wheel. Everything to see from nickle toss to girlie shows and lets not forget the cows and pigs.

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  7. Fun fairs were always something I look forward to seeing, though the one that comes to our town isn't all that busy. Now I prefer the fall fairs and the markets, and I really like that one for the Goose Fair

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  8. I was pleased with myself when I found I had the merry-go-round but I must confess I did not know what a produce fair was. Thanks for the explanation.

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  9. I love these stamps, so colourful and beautiful illustrated.

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