Great Britain Stamps  »  King George VI

King George VI reigned from 11 December 1936 to 6 February 1952

(King Edward VII reigned from 20 January 1936 to 10 December 1936 when he abdicated ~ only four stamps were issued during his reign)

George VI's coronation was marked with a commemorative: part of an omnibus issue which included every colony in the Empire. New definitives featured a profile of the King on a solid colour background. This was a precursor of the Machins three decades later.

The century of the postage stamp was celebrated in 1940 with a set of six stamps depicting Victoria and George VI side-by-side.

By the following year, the war affected stamp printing, with the 1937 stamps being printed with less ink, resulting in significantly lighter shades. Post-war issues included commemoratives for the return of peace, the Silver Jubilee and the Summer Olympics, in 1948, and the 75th anniversary of the UPU, in 1949.

In 1950 the colours of all the low values were changed. 1951 saw a new series of high values (2s 6d, 5s, 10s, £1), and two commemoratives for the Festival of Britain

Commemorative stamps issued during KGVI reign relating to royal events were King George VI's coronation in 1937, and a 1948 issue to commemorate George VI's 25th wedding anniversary