Dark Colours

Contents
Royal Cypher

1.1  2s Booklets
1.2  3s Booklets
1.3  5s Booklets

GPO Emblem

2.1  2s Booklets
2.2  3s Booklets
2.3  5s Booklets

Series 7 & 8

3.1  2/6 Booklets
3.2  5s Booklets

Panes
Adverts

The booklets of King George VI continued on from the 2s, 3s, and 5s series of King Edward VIII. The Royal Cypher on the front cover was changed from to EviiiR to GviR, and the stamps were updated to those of the new reign in the original dark colours. The composition was otherwise unchanged.

Stamps in the dark colours were issued starting in May 1937, and the first booklets containing these stamps were issued in Aug 1937.

A new cover designed by Barnett Freedman was introduced in Apr 1938. Several essays and proofs exist for this design which replaced the Royal Cypher by a circular GPO Emblem.

The minimum inland letter rate increased from 1½d to 2½d in 1940, and the 2s, 3s, and 5s booklets were replaced by two new booklets, 2s6d and 5s (Series 7 and 8). The new 2s6d booklet was to be green and the 5s buff, but the first 2s6d booklets were printed on the remaining red and blue card from the 2s and 3s to avoid waste.

Covers with the Royal Cypher

2s Booklet Series 4: BD11



To see more BD11 booklets click here.

Date: Aug 1937

Editions: 386-412

Printer: Harrison

Watermark: GviR

Makeup: FC, int, QB23, int, QB21, int, QB10, int, QB1, BC

Cancels: 33P

Editions 386-398: have an air mail pane after the front cover, or after the first stamp pane.
Edition 399 onwards: have an extra interleaf at back.
Edition 404: has a Ford’s Blotter after the front cover.

386 Aug 1937 QB23(6)
387* Aug 1937 QB23(7)
388* Aug 1937 QB23(7)
389 Sept 1937 QB23(2)
390* Sept 1937 QB23(8)
391 Oct 1937 QB23(8)
392 Oct 1937 QB23(8)
393* Oct 1937 QB23(8)
394* Nov 1937 QB23(8)
395 Nov 1937 QB23(2)
396* Nov 1937 QB23(8)
397 Nov 1937 QB23(9/10)
398 Nov 1937 QB23(10)
399 Nov 1937 QB23(10)
400 Dec 1937 QB23(8)
401 Dec 1937 QB23(8)
402 Dec 1937 QB23(10)
403 Dec 1937 QB23(10)
404 Jan 1938 QB23(10) Ford
405* Jan 1938 QB23(1)
406 Feb 1938 QB23(10)
407 Feb 1938 QB23(11)
408 Feb 1938 QB23(13)
409 Feb 1938 QB23(10)
410 Mar 1938 QB23(2)
411 Mar 1938 QB23(12)
412 Apr 1938 QB23(11)
 

* These editions are known bound with staples.

A missewn booklet, given new covers and stapled so that stitch holes are present in the contents but not in the covers, and an Advertisers Voucher Copy dated 16 Sep 1937, cancelled Type 33P.

3s Booklet Series 3: BD21



To see more BD21 booklets click here.

Date: Aug 1937

Editions: 333-343

Printer: Harrison

Watermark: GviR

Makeup: FC, int, QB21, int, QB21, int, QB21, int, QB10, int, QB1, BC

Cancels: 33P

Editions 333-338: have an air mail pane after the front cover, or after the first stamp pane.
Edition 343: has a Ford’s Blotter after the front cover.

333* Aug 1937
334 Sept 1937
335 Oct 1937
336 Nov 1937
337* Nov 1937
338 Nov 1937
339 Dec 1937
340 Jan 1938
341 Feb 1938
342 Mar 1938
343 Mar 1938 Ford
 

* These editions are known bound with staples.

A missewn booklet, given new covers and stapled so that stitch holes are present in the contents but not in the covers, and an Advertisers Voucher Copy dated 12 Oct 1937, cancelled Type 33P.

5s Booklet Series 5: BD23



To see more BD23 booklets click here.

Date: Aug 1937

Editions: 18-20

Printer: Harrison

Watermark: GviR

Makeup: FC, QB23, int, QB21, int, QB21, int, QB21, int, QB21, int, QB21, int, QB10, int, QB1, int, BC

Cancels: 33P

Edition 18: has an air mail pane after the first stamp pane.

18* Aug 1937 QB23(9)
19 Nov 1937 QB23(10)
20 Jan 1938 QB23(12)

* These editions are known bound with staples.

Covers with the GPO Emblem

Essays were submitted for a new cover design in July 1937. MacDonald Gill submitted three handpainted cards with pasted adverts cut from issued covers. They were rejected. Barnett Freedman submitted covers with the Royal Cypher replaced by the Post Office emblem. These were followed by a rough proof on 21 Jan 1938 and machine proofs on 8 Feb 1938. Freedman’s proofs were based on KEVIII booklet editions 373, 328, and 16.

MacDonald Gill essays.

Barnett Freedman machine proofs.

Barnett Freedman rough sketch and rough proof.

2s Booklet Series 4: BD12



To see more BD12 booklets click here.

Date: Apr 1938

Editions: 413-508

Printer: Harrison

Watermark: GviR

Makeup: FC, int, QB23, int, QB21, int, QB10, int, QB1, int, BC

Cancels: 33, 33P

Editions 433, 454, 468, 476, 496, 498: have a Ford’s Blotter after the front cover.
Edition 454: exists bound in error with two front covers.
Edition 481: all adverts are for W. B. Cartwright.
Editions 504-508: are undated.

413 Apr 1938 QB23(9/10)
414 Apr 1938 QB23(12)
415* May 1938 QB23(11)
416 May 1938 QB23(2)
417 May 1938 QB23(10)
418 June 1938 QB23(12)
419 June 1938 QB23(11)
420 June 1938 QB23(10)
421 June 1938 QB23(12)
422 July 1938 QB23(11)
423 July 1938 QB23(10)
424 July 1938 QB23(2)
425 Aug 1938 QB23(12)
426 Aug 1938 QB23(11)
427 Aug 1938 QB23(10)
428 Aug 1938 QB23(12)
429 Sept 1938 QB23(11)
430 Sept 1938 QB23(3)
431 Sept 1938 QB23(9/10)
432 Sept 1938 QB23(12)
433 Oct 1938 QB23(11) Ford
434 Oct 1938 QB23(9)
435 Oct 1938 QB23(12)
436 Oct 1938 QB23(11)
437 Nov 1938 QB23(12)
438 Nov 1938 QB23(9)
439 Nov 1938 QB23(9)
440 Nov 1938 QB23(12)
441 Nov 1938 QB23(3)
442 Dec 1938 QB23(11)
443 Dec 1938 QB23(12)
444 Dec 1938 QB23(10)
445 Jan 1939 QB23(11)
446 Jan 1939 QB23(10)
447 Jan 1939 QB23(12)
448 Feb 1939 QB23(3)
449 Feb 1939 QB23(11)
450 Feb 1939 QB23(12)
451 Mar 1939 QB23(11)
452 Mar 1939 QB23(12)
453 Mar 1939 QB23(4)
454* Apr 1939 QB23(11) Ford
455 Apr 1939 QB23(12)
456 Apr 1939 QB23(11)
457 Apr 1939 QB23(12)
458 May 1939 QB23(11)
459 May 1939 QB23(5)
460 May 1939 QB23(12)
461 May 1939 QB23(15)
462 June 1939 QB23(14)
463 June 1939 QB23(12)
464 June 1939 QB23(11)
465 June 1939 QB23(12)
466* July 1939 QB23(16)
467 July 1939 QB23(5)
468 July 1939 QB23(14) Ford
469 Aug 1939 QB23(11)
470 Aug 1939 QB23(12)
471 Aug 1939 QB23(14)
472 Aug 1939 QB23(11)
473 Sept 1939 QB23(5)
474 Sept 1939 QB23(14)
475 Sept 1939 QB23(12)
476 Oct 1939 QB23(11) Ford
477 Oct 1939 QB23(12)
478 Oct 1939 QB23(14)
479 Oct 1939 QB23(14)
480 Nov 1939 QB23(14)
481 Nov 1939 QB23(11) Cartwright
482 Nov 1939 QB23(5)
483 Nov 1939 QB23(14)
484 Nov 1939 QB23(10)
485 Nov 1939 QB23(10)
486 Nov 1939 QB23(10)
487 Nov 1939 QB23(10)
488 Dec 1939 QB23(14)
489 Dec 1939 QB23(10)
490* Dec 1939 QB23(14)
491 Jan 1940 QB23(10)
492 Jan 1940 QB23(5)
493 Jan 1940 QB23(14)
494 Feb 1940 QB23(14)
495 Feb 1940 QB23(10)
496 Feb 1940 QB23(10) Ford
497 Mar 1940 QB23(11)
498 Mar 1940 QB23(5) Ford
499 Mar 1940 QB23(10)
500 Apr 1940 QB23(10)
501 Apr 1940 QB23(11)
502 Apr 1940 QB23(10)
503 Apr 1940 QB23(10)
504 QB23(10)
505 QB23(10)
506 QB23(10)
507 QB23(14)
508 QB23(11)

* These editions are known bound with staples.



An Advertisers Voucher Copy dated 1 Aug 1939, cancelled Type 33P.

3s Booklet Series 3: BD22



To see more BD22 booklets click here.

Date: Apr 1938

Editions: 344-377

Printer: Harrison

Watermark: GviR

Makeup: FC, int, QB21, int, QB21, int, QB21, int, QB10, int, QB1, BC

Cancels: 33P

Editions 347, 360, 366: have a Ford’s Blotter after the front cover.
Editions 367, 368: have a Dubarry advert after the front cover.
Editions 349, 368: are undated.

344 Apr 1938
345 May 1938
346 June 1938
347 June 1938 Ford
348 Aug 1938
349
350 Sept 1938
351 Sept 1938
352 Oct 1938
353 Nov 1938
354 Nov 1938
355 Dec 1938
356 Dec 1938
357 Jan 1939
358 Feb 1939
359 Mar 1939
360* Apr 1939 Ford
361 May 1939
362 June 1939
363 June 1939
364 July 1939
365 Aug 1939
366 Sept 1939 Ford
367 Sept 1939 Dubarry
368 Dubarry
369 Oct 1939
370* Nov 1939
371 Nov 1939
372 Dec 1939
373 Dec 1939
374 Feb 1940
375 Mar 1940
376 Apr 1940
377 Apr 1940

* These editions are known bound with staples.



An Advertisers Voucher Copy dated 21 Apr 1938, cancelled Type 33P.

5s Booklet Series 5: BD24



To see more BD24 booklets click here.

Date: May 1938

Editions: 21-29

Printer: Harrison

Watermark: GviR

Makeup: FC, QB23, int, QB21, int, QB21, int, QB21, int, QB21, int, QB21, int, QB10, int, QB1, BC

Cancels: 33P

Edition 21: exists overprinted Specimen Type 32.
Edition 29:part of the edition has unglazed covers.

21 May 1938 QB23(2)
22* Sept 1938 QB23(11)
23 Nov 1938 QB23(10)
24 Feb 1939 QB23(11)
25 May 1939 QB23(11)
26 Aug 1939 QB23(12)
27 Nov 1939 QB23(11)
28 Dec 1939 QB23(14)
29 May 1940 QB23(10)

* These editions are known bound with staples.

A missewn booklet, given new covers and stapled so that stitch holes are present in the contents but not in the covers, and an Advertisers Voucher Copy dated 31 May 1938, cancelled Type 33P.

Series 7 and 8

In 1940, when the minimum inland letter rate increased from 1½d to 2½d, the 2s, 3s, and 5s booklets (Series 4, 3, and 5) were replaced by two new booklets, 2s6d and 5s (Series 7 and 8).

After the increase, booklets from the earlier series were sold with the Postage Rates crossed out. This example also shows the interleaf number “7 28 5/-” (interleaf 7, edition 28, value 5/-).

2s6d Booklet Series 7: BD13



To see more BD13 booklets click here.

Date: June 1940

Editions: 1-8(Part)

Printer: Harrison

Watermark: GviR

Makeup: FC, int, QB32, int, QB29, int, QB1, int, BC

Cancels: 33P

Edition 1: exists overprinted Specimen Type 23.
Edition 8: part of the edition in red covers, part in blue.

1 June 1940
2 June 1940
3 June 1940
4 July 1940
5 July 1940
6 July 1940
7 July 1940
8 Aug 1940

Advertisers Voucher Copies dated 5 Aug 1940 and 27 Aug 1940, cancelled Type 33P.

2s6d Booklet Series 7: BD14



To see more BD14 booklets click here.

Date: Aug 1940

Editions: 8(Part)-13

Printer: Harrison

Watermark: GviR

Makeup: FC, int, QB32, int, QB29, int, QB1, int, BC

Cancels: 33P

Edition 8: exists overprinted Specimen Type 23.
Edition 8: part of the edition in red covers, part in blue.
Edition 12: has a Ford’s Blotter after the front cover.

8 Aug 1940
9 Aug 1940
10 Sept 1940
11 Sept 1940
12 Oct 1940 Ford
13 Oct 1940

Advertisers Voucher Copies dated 4 Sep 1940 and 21 Sep 1940, cancelled Type 33P.

2s6d Booklet Series 7: BD15



To see more BD15 booklets click here.

Date: Oct 1940

Editions: 14-94

Printer: Harrison

Watermark: GviR

Makeup: FC, int, QB32, int, QB29, int, QB1, int, BC

Cancels: 33P

Edition 14: exists overprinted Specimen Type 30.
Editions 14, 16, 17, 23, 26, 30: have a Ford’s Blotter after the front cover.
Editions 76 onwards: have a date at the foot of the back cover.
Editions 76 onwards: the first and last interleaves were omitted.

14 Oct 1940 Ford
15 Oct 1940
16 Oct 1940 Ford
17 Nov 1940 Ford
18 Nov 1940
19 Nov 1940
20 Dec 1940
21 Dec 1940
22 Dec 1940
23 Jan 1941 Ford
24 Jan 1941
25 Jan 1941
26 Jan 1941 Ford
27 Jan 1941
28 Jan 1941
29 Jan 1941
30 Feb 1941 Ford
31 Feb 1941
32 Feb 1941
33 Feb 1941
34 Feb 1941
35 Mar 1941
36 Mar 1941
37 Mar 1941
38 Apr 1941
39 Apr 1941
40 Apr 1941
41 Apr 1941
42 Apr 1941
43 May 1941
44 May 1941
45 May 1941
46 June 1941
47 June 1941
48 June 1941
49 June 1941
50 June 1941
51 June 1941
52 June 1941
53 July 1941
54 July 1941
55 July 1941
56
57 Aug 1941
58 Aug 1941
59 Aug 1941
60 Aug 1941
61 Aug 1941
62 Sept 1941
63 Sept 1941
64 Sept 1941
65 Sept 1941
66 Sept 1941
67 Sept 1941
68 Sept 1941
69 Sept 1941
70 Oct 1941
71 Oct 1941
72 Oct 1941
73 Oct 1941
74 Oct 1941
75 Nov 1941
76 Nov 1941
77 Nov 1941
78 Nov 1941
79 Nov 1941
80 Dec 1941
81 Dec 1941
82 Dec 1941
83 Dec 1941
84 Dec 1941
85 Jan 1942
86 Jan 1942
87 Jan 1942
88 Jan 1942
89 Feb 1942
90 Feb 1942
91 Feb 1942
92 Feb 1942
93 Feb 1942
94 Feb 1942

5s Booklet Series 8: BD25



To see more BD25 booklets click here.

Date: July 1940

Editions: 1-16(Part)

Printer: Harrison

Watermark: GviR

Makeup: FC, int, QB32, int, QB32, int, QB32, int, QB29, int, QB1, int, BC

Cancels: 33P

Edition 2 onwards: the last interleaf was omitted.
Editions 11 & 13 onwards: the first interleaf was omitted.
Editions 13 onwards: have a date at the foot of the back cover.
Edition 16: part of the edition with Pale Colour stamps is listed as BD26.

1* June 1940
2 Sept 1940
3 Oct 1940
4 Nov 1940
5 Jan 1941
6 Mar 1941
7 May 1941
8 July 1941
9 Aug 1941
10 Sept 1941
11 Oct 1941
12 Oct 1941
13 Dec 1941
14 Jan 1942
15 Feb 1942
16 Mar 1942

* These editions are known bound with staples.

A missewn booklet, given a new back cover and stapled, unusually keeping the front cover and stitches.



An Advertisers Voucher Copy dated 16 Jun 1941, cancelled Type 33P.

Booklet Panes

Booklet panes of six were printed in photogravure using double cylinders (no-dot and dot sheets), and some from Oct 1938 to Jan 1943 using single sheet cylinders (no-dot only), each sheet having 240 stamps arranged as 20 upright booklet panes, and 20 inverted. Cancellations are equally likely to be found on upright or inverted panes, unless otherwise noted.

Sheets were perforated using the same machines as the previous reign, the vertical machine producing B3(I) and B3A(P), and the horizontal machines giving B4(E), B4A(I) and B4B(E).


Watermark GviR.

QB1/a: Booklets BD11-15, BD21-25; Perfs E, P, I; Cancels 33, 33P;
Cyls (B3) E10, E19, E22, E28, E29, E38, E39, E41, E42, E43, E45, E46, E48, E49, E50
Cyls (B4) E2, E5, E10, E18, E35, E36

(QB1au: Type 32 with punch hole on R1/1. Ex Sept 1985 NPM sale)

QB10/a: Booklets BD11-12, BD21-24; Perfs E, P, I; Cancels 33, 33P;
Cyls (B3) F3, F7, F9, F14, F15, F16
Cyls (B4) F1, F3, F4, F5, F10

(QB10v: Type 32 with punch hole on R1/1. Ex Sept 1985 NPM sale)

QB21/a: Booklets BD11-12, BD21-24; Perfs E, P, I; Cancels 33, 33P;
Cyls (B3) G8, G30, G34, G36, G40, G44, G45, G48, G57, G58, G61, G69, G71
Cyls (B4) G8, G19, G20, G28, G49, G50

Variety QB21b: Necklace flaw (R2/2)

(QB21u: Type 32 with punch hole on R1/1. Ex Sept 1985 NPM sale)

QB23/a: Booklets BD11-12, BD21-24; Perfs E, P, I; Cancels 33, 33P;
Cyls (B3) G18
Cyls (B3 single) G29, G37, G41, G46, G59, G67, G70
Cyls (B4) G10, G18

(QB23u: Type 32 with punch hole on R1/1 (9). Ex Sept 1985 NPM sale)


QB23 with cylinder number incorrectly positioned, G29 (9 & 12).

To see more QB23 advert panes click here.

(1) Cash’s Name Tapes / Free booklet J. & J. Cash (#405)

(2) Cash’s Satin Lingerie Ribbons / Samples (#21, 389, 395, 410, 416, 424)

(3) Cash’s Satin Lingerie Ribbons / Samples, Warwickshire (#430, 441, 448)

(4) Cash’s Satin Lingerie Ribbons / Booklet containing samples (#453)

(5) Cash’s Satin Lingerie Ribbons / containing patterns (#459, 467, 473, 482, 492, 498)

(6) Fontana Note / Wm Collins (386)

(7) Drages 50 Pay-Way / Drages Ltd (387, 388)

(8) Drages terms to suit YOU / Drages Ltd (390-4, 396, 400-1)

(9) Saving is [small type] Simple / Home Safe (18, 397, 413, 431, 434, 438-9)

(10) Saving is [large type] Simple / Home Safe (19, 23, 29, 397-9, 402-4, 406, 409, 413, 417, 420, 423, 427, 431, 444, 446, 484-7, 489, 491, 495-6, 499, 500, 502-6)

(11) Send your good wishes / by greetings telegram (22, 24, 25, 27, 407, 412, 415, 419, 422, 426, 429, 433, 436, 442, 445, 449, 451, 454, 456, 458, 464, 469, 472, 476, 481, 497, 501, 508)

(12) You can reach your / friends at sea by radio telegram (20, 26, 411, 414, 418, 421, 425, 428, 432, 435, 437, 440, 443, 447, 450, 452, 455, 457, 460, 463, 465, 470, 475, 477)

(13) Atlantic Holidays / Cunard White Star Line (408)

(14) Post early / in the day (28, 462, 468, 471, 474, 478-80, 483, 488, 490, 493-4, 507)

(15) Commander Stephen / King-Hall [sideways] (461)

(16) Times Furnishing / London WC1 (466)

Edition numbers are shown in parenthesis after the description,
those with a “#” sign are printed on the advert label.

To see all advert panes click here.

QB29/a: Booklets BD13-15, BD25; Perfs P, I; Cancels 33P;
Cyls (B3 single) H1, H2, H4, H5, H6, H7

(QB29t: Type 23 with punch hole on R1/1. Ex Sept 1985 NPM sale)

QB32/a: Booklets BD13-15, BD25; Perfs P, I; Cancels 33P;
Cyls (B3 single) J3, J5, J7, J10

(QB32: Type 23 with punch hole on R1/1. Ex Sept 1985 NPM sale)

Adverts & Interleaves

This section gives a summary of adverts and interleaves, showing only a few examples. More can be found here: Dubarry, Ford, Air Mail Labels.

All Dark Colours booklets, with the exception of the machine vended booklets, had adverts on the front and back covers, and on the interleaves. Most notable were adverts by Dubarry which were printed in full colour on glazed card inserts, and included in two editions of the 3s booklet.



Dubarry also had black and white adverts on the inside of the front cover of some booklets, but not in any booklet that had a coloured advert. Note that the company name on the second advert below is “Laking” but the product and the company address at 58A Brompton Road are Dubarry’s.



A sample of Ford’s blotting paper was included after the front cover in seven 2s booklets, seven 2s6d booklets, and four 3s booklets. Ford also had adverts on the backs of two 2s booklets and two 3s booklets.



An air mail pane was included in booklets up to Nov 1937 (booklet covers with Royal Cypher only). All were the same design.



An advert for Treloar Carpets was included in BD11 edition 412 which had rough images of stamps from five reigns (although the text said “Famous for Carpets for 6 reigns”). The images were incomplete to meet Post Office guidelines.



Next: KGVI Pale Colours