Great Britain Philatelic Society

Is anyone out there interested in these issues? Dealers often advertise unused copies or those overprinted Specimen - but I rarely see CDS copies advertised. Are they really so rare or is there just no interest?

Like many facets of collecting - your interests are in a small minority - maybe of just One!

I found that out

Those who join Societies want to discuss and/or promote their interests.

Dealers will only deal in what sells
You will have to talk to dealers, face to face - you may be suprised at what you find.

But interest from members of this Society - unlikely

Let me be a little more positive!

Your title for this thread rightly emphasises the fact that these are fiscal stamps, or revenues as they are more commonly known. The collection of revenues is increasingly popular and one of the chief exponents is Chris Harman who is not only a member of this Society but also a past President.

I also cover revenues in my collection because they are part of the stamp perforation story. I'm sure you'll find others.

Turning to your query, most revenue stamps were, by definition, used for the revenue purposes for which they were created. Only from 1881 were certain of these stamps allowed to be used postally and the quantities so used were really quite small. It follows that most of them would have been obliterated by one of the duplex cancels then in common use. A favoured few would have caught the CDS portion of the obliterator and others would have been cancelled by the squared circle obliterators being introduced from 1880 onwards. So I don't think you'll find many CDS copies.

I'd also suggest that the collecting interest in postally used revenues is limited. Most GB collectors are unaware of them because they don't figure in the popular catalogues. Those using the QV Specialised might collect them because they are there, but only as an adjunct to the main postage stamp collection. Revenue buffs may treat then similarly as an example of unintended usage.

I don't really think it matters whether others collect them or not; indeed it's probably to your advantage if they don't. If they interest you, go for it. Get in touch with the dealers who specialise in revenues. Speak to Chris Harman, who really knows this subject, and don't restrict yourself to CDS. Think about acquiring copies on cover. It may not be easy but I think there's plenty of mileage in this subject.

hi Tony
yes very much indeed! I love anything out of the ordinary and postal fiscals are great fun on and off cover. Whether postal fiscals, telegraph stamps, various revenues, officials on cover, used abroad, used controls...
Main point is of course the available catalogues. Add a few varieties on George VI commems to the Concise and lots of people want them. It is a moot point whether SG has done us a service or not by banning some fascinating areas to the specialized catalogues or even completely (like military telegraphs)!
cheers and good hunting
James

This has stimulated interest. Great!
To Robin I would ask who these dealers are. Since I live in Malaysia it might be difficult to meet them face to face but perhaps they would respond to e-mails.
To Ray: Yes, I'll contact Chris Harman and see what advice he can give. As you say, it is an advantage if few other people are interested so maybe some of the fiscals with CDS can be persuaded to come my way!
To James: as above, by not emphasising them in catalogues SG may well have cut down the demand. Catalogues are useful in letting us know more or less what is out there but the prices often seem completely random. I am amused to see the astronomical prices demanded (and presumably accepted) for some of the errors on modern commemoratives but then - chacun a son gout.

Ahhh!

How was I to know you lived in such a better area!

Strangely if you perservere you will find sources for most material on the internet

Just bought an interesting collection of GB used in Channel Islands from Uraguay!!!!!!

Yes, Malaysia is a very pleasant place to live in - peaceful and always warm.
I do check the internet frequently but have not seen much. Can you recommend any particular dealers who might help?

Sorry No

Its trial and error - really only for old retired men/women who have nothing better to do!

My experience of specialist dealers is limited but Conrad Graham and John Barefoot spring to mind. I'm not sure, however, of contact details or whether either has any internet business.