B-17 "Heavenly Body II" Flying Fortress Issue

B-17 "Heavenly Body II" Stamp

The CILP is pleased to announce the release of a single stamp design on 19 June, 2015, entitled “Heavenly Body II”.

It is a direct tribute to the aircrews of two B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 379^th Bomb Group, 8^th USAAF which collided in mid-air approaching Canvey Island whilst returning from a mission to destroy V-1 sites in France on 19 June, 1944. Indirectly it honours all USAAF aircrews operating from England during WWII.

© 2015 CILP

The stamp issue is named after the nickname of one of the aircraft, B-17 42-97942. The other B-17 involved was the un-named 44-6133. Eleven men died in the incident and seven survived, some of whom came ashore on Canvey Island.

The stamp features a B-17 on an airfield in England, showing the 1^st Division, 8^th USAAF yellow triangle tail marking. The 379^th was an element of the 1^st Division but the aircraft in the image is actually from another 1^st Division element, the 525^th Bomb Group.

The CILP has produced a limited edition 270 horizontal stamps measuring 59x20mm. All stamps are perforated and gummed.

First Day Cover and FDI Postcard

An associated limited edition of 12 First Day Covers has also been produced. Each cover bears a pair of stamps with hand-struck FDI cancel.  The cover measures 162x114mm and features the 8th USAAF patch and has a detailed card insert describing the incident.

© 2015 CILP

Six 'First Day Issue' postcards were also produced using the Dutch Cottage Heritage Postcard #1. They bear a single stamp on the reverse with a hand-struck FDI cancellation.

Buy Canvey Local Post Stamps

Early purchase of this issue is recommended as it is anticipated it will be popular with aircraft and military collectors in addition to Cinderella fans, especially the FDCs and FDI postcards.

Collectors may obtain this and previous issues (subject to availability) from Alpha Thematics at http://alpha-thematics.ebid.net (under menu section ‘Cinderella’)

 

175th Anniversary of the "Penny Black"

175th Anniversary of the Pre-paid One Penny Uniform Post

The world’s first postage stamps were the 1d “Penny Black” and 2d “Twopenny Blue” based on a sketch by Henry Corbould showing the head of a young Queen Victoria.  Printing of the stamps in sheets of 240 began in April 1840 and the first official day of use was 6 May 1840.

© 2015 CILP

The Pre-paid Uniform One Penny Post was introduced in the UK on 10 January 1840. It was an immediate success and the volume of mail rose rapidly. Rowland Hill introduced adhesive postage stamps that could be stuck on the front of a letter to show the postage had been paid.  This proved a simple and practical innovation that spread across the world.  Postage stamps remain in use today, 175 years after their first use in Great Britain.

 © 2015 CILP

The CILP commemorates the “Penny Black” and the Uniform Penny Post with a tribute stamp based on the original design. A total of 288 stamps and twelve FDCs were issued.

Buy Canvey Island Local Post Stamps
 
Canvey Island Local Post Stamps, First Day Covers, Maxi FDI Cards, and Postcards are all issued in limited editions. All CILP philatelic material is obtainable from Alpha Thematics on eBid (subject to availability).

VE Day Commemorative Cover

'Victory in Europe' 70th Anniversary 1945 - 2015

Friday 8 May 2015, saw the anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe Day), marking 70 years since the end of the second world war in Europe. At 2:41 a.m. on 7th May 1945, General Jodl signed the unconditional surrender of German forces, which was to take effect from 8th May at 11:01 p.m., formally ending the war in Europe.

 © 2015 CILP

Great celebrations took place across Europe and North America. In  London over a million people celebrated and packed Trafalgar Square and outside Buckingham Palace, where King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, accompanied by Winston Churchill, appeared on the balcony of the Palace to cheering crowds. Canvey Island celebrated along with millions of exhausted but relieved British people.

Buy Canvey Island Local Post Stamps

Canvey Island Local Post Stamps, First Day Covers, Maxi FDI Cards, and Postcards are all issued in limited editions. All CILP philatelic material is obtainable from Alpha Thematics on eBid (subject to availability). 

 

Chapman Lighthouse Stamp Issue 29 April 2015

Chapman Lighthouse & Yacht Stamp

On 29 April 2015, the Canvey Island Local Post issued a new single stamp showing the Chapman Sands Lighthouse, Yacht and Seagull from a drawing from a period postcard c.1928. The lighthouse was in operation from 1851 to 1957 and was a feature in many postcards throughout that time. The lighthouse was replaced by an automatic bell buoy which was featured on a CILP miniature stamp in December, 2011.

Chapman Lighthouse & Yacht Stamp 29 April 2015

Heritage Series Postcard & Maxi FDI Card

Also released on the 29 April, a new CILP 'Heritage' Series postcard No.4 'Chapman Lighthouse & Yacht' featuring detail from the stamp. Twelve of these postcards were issued as 'Maxi' First Day Issue cards bearing two Chapman Lighthouse stamps.

First Day Cover

A very Limited Edition of twelve First Day Covers have been released bearing a single stamp cancelled by a circular 'First Day Issue' dater handstamp.

Limited Edition: First Day Cover 29 April 2015

Pre-Paid Stationary Envelopes

Additionally, two new pre-paid envelopes bearing a printed stamp version of the Chapman Lighthouse were released. One for domestic Canvey Island delivery and mail intended for onward transit to the UK mainland, and a second 'Air' envelope for international onward mail.

Buy Canvey Island Local Post Stamps

Canvey Island Local Post Stamps, First Day Covers, Maxi FDI Cards, and Postcards are all issued in limited editions. All CILP philatelic material is obtainable from Alpha Thematics on eBid (subject to availability).