About us:

We have been involved in the GB First Day Cover market since 1987, so over 30 years experience... The last 20 of those years spent working for one of the biggest FDC and stamp dealers in the country where many business contacts and friends have been made, and just as important, a vast experience and knowledge of the FDC market so we really 'know' what the collector wants!

Now, we are doing this on our own so please browse the site and hopefully you will find an item or two that interests you. We are happy to confirm that we take Paypal as our main payment method of choice, so that quick and easy payment process means you get the item(s) quickly. We aim to dispatch any purchased item within two working days.

We specialise in two separate GB Philatelic collecting areas: GB First Day Covers and GB 'Smiler's© Sheets, and this site is mainly dedicate to those two areas. We plan to expand that into other philatelic collectables as and when the site grows sufficiently to justify it.

For those who want to understand more about what these two collecting areas are:

GB First Day Covers

When Royal Mail release a new set of stamps, there are a number of philatelic dealers, individuals and organisations who stick those stamps onto an illustrated envelope (usually specially produced for the issue) & get those stamps cancelled with a cancellation for the very first day of issue, thereby creating a 'First Day Cover'.

Those cancellations can be varied: local FDI postmarks, unless relevant to the issue, are interesting but of little commercial value; CDS's (Post Office 'Counter Date Stamps'); Slogan's; Pictorial Hand Stamp's & Meter Mark's are all collectable in their own right and there are specialist catalogues to service those areas. Please enquire if you want more information on this.

Over the years, there has been specialist cover producers who take great pride in designing attractive envelopes specifically for an issue, and also design a specific cancellation to go with it. Those covers are called 'Official' covers and are highly sought after, and can command high prices because of their scarcity. Four figure sums are not unusual for some of the more highly sought after items when they eventually appear on the market...

'Non-Official' covers are also collectable in their own right as well, and can have any of the cancellations mentioned above, again, some of them can be quite scarce and can command high prices. Blank envelopes produced for the issue would be purchased in advance, or on the issue day, and those envelopes serviced by the philatelic dealers, individuals and organisations to get the cancellation of choice on the stamps.

The format of this site for First Day Covers, breaks those covers down into their relevant categories and sub categories, and you will see from opening up the FDC section how that works. Again, enquire if you want more information on this.

GB 'Smiler's© Sheets

A very enjoyable way to collect GB stamps. There has been strong interest in this new form of stamp collecting and it has grown into different 'formats' to satisfy the desires of the collectors.

Business Customised Sheets (BC) - Where the border and labels are designed by Philatelic or Commercial organisations to promote a theme, anniversary or event.

Themed Sheets (TS) - Sheets produced for the philatelic market by enthusiasts - ones produced in 'very low' numbers (usually under 25) even have their own sub category (TSL).

Generic Sheet (GS) - Commemorating an event or theme

Customised Sheets (CS) - Where personalised images can be added as the 'label' on a pre-made stamp template.

Commemorative Stamp Sheets (CSS) -Produced by Royal Mail for events of national importance, but which didn't make it into the annual stamp programme.

And finally

Once you have had the time to browse our stock, if you would like to receive an automatic alert when we upload new items, simply send us an email with your details.

We aim to provide an interesting and varied choice for all potential buyers to this site, from high end items to popular themes. For those expensive items, we offer a 'Layaway' scheme if it is wanted - please ask for details - and all items are offered with an unconditional 30 day money back guarantee on your purchase(s) if you are not satisfied for any reason.

We mainly use Royal Mail as our chosen postal service and have realistic charges for that service based on the order size, weight and final destination.

Please feel free to enquire about anything specific that you may be after - we welcome 'wants list' - please contact us by using the email address at the top of the Home page.