New Issue: VJ Day 80th Anniversary 1945-2025

The CILP is delighted to announce the release of its VJ Day 80th Anniversary stamp issue on 15 August 2025.

CP073

The stamp shows celebrating ground crews of No.365 Squadron RAF based on the Cocos Keeling Islands in the Pacific on 14th August 1945, on hearing the news of the imminent surrender of Imperial Japanese forces on the 15th August. An American built B-24 Liberator bomber can be seen in the background.

FDP15 Maxi Card

The stamp issue is accompanied by the release of a First Day Cover (FDC25) and Maxi Card (FDP17). The Maxi Card has a stamp affixed on the obverse and reverse, both with First Day Issue cancellation. 

FDC25 FDC

In addition, a Commemorative Cover (CPC7) entitled 'Victory 1945', bearing both the VE Day and VJ Day 80th Anniversary stamps with their respective First Day Issue cancellations, has been produced.

CILP stamps and covers (without red proof lines) are available from our agent, Alpha Thematics on Ebid UK.

Postmaster

Women's European Champions 2025 Cover

It is with great pleasure that we announce the release of a commemorative cover to celebrate the England Women's football team winning back-to-back UEFA European Championship! This is an addition to our published schedule but CILP could not let this outstanding achievement in women's sport go past without marking the event.

CPC6

CILP stamps and covers are available from our agent, Alpha Thematics on Ebid UK.

Postmaster

New: Travelling Local Post Cancellation

The Travelling Local Post c.d.s. was introduced on 24 July 2025 to accompany the Postmaster or authorised volunteer postal staff, when delivery of large or heavy mail, or standard contract mail is required, and travelling to the mainland UK is necessary.

This also includes any requirement for motorised delivery for priority items which is occasionally required for large packets and heavy parcels that normally would take too long to reach their destination via local standard or express services, or by normal onward transit through mainland postal services. 

Its inaugural use was on mail and postcards posted on the mainland by the new Travelling Local Post Mobile Service on 25 July 2025.

Postmaster

New Issue: Heritage Series - Laundry Delivery c.1930

CILP is pleased to announce the release on 25 July 2025 of our latest stamp issue from our Heritage Series, Laundry Delivery c.1930. This issue features the Postmaster's maternal grandmother and great-grandfather delivering clean laundry on their horse-drawn cart c.1930.

Laundry Delivery c.1930 (CP072)

A First Day Cover and a Maxi Card have also been produced to accompany this stamp issue. 

Laundry Delivery c.1930 Maxi Card (FDP16)

CILP stamps are available from our agent, Alpha Thematics on Ebid UK.

Postmaster

Cover Service Extended to FDCs

CILP is pleased to announce that our Cover Service has now been extended to include a new option for pre-ordering First Day Covers and First Day Issue Postcards and Maxi Cards (when issued).

Service Option 'C' (see Cover Service page) enables collectors in the UK, Europe, North America and Oceania, to pre-order our new issue covers direct from CILP.

All orders will be despatched under separate cover bearing CILP stamps (and onward transit by Royal Mail UK 2nd Class or International Standard). A tracked shipping option is also available on request.

This service enables collectors to get covers sent to them directly on issue, and helps us to meet the demand for FDCs prior to their production and avoid leaving some collectors disappointed when cover stock is sold out quickly. 

The Cover Service now offers a full range of options for personalised covers bearing c.d.s. cancellations and Pictorial Postmarks, and pre-orders for FDCs and FDI Postcards.

Postmaster

Additional Stamp Issues for 2025

 Canvey Island Local Post (CILP) is pleased to announce that our stamp schedule has been extended with three new additions for 2025 and announcing our first issue for 2026. All these issues have elements of AI assisted design and our first foray into this new and exciting tool for stamp production. As usual, images of the stamps will be released on their respective issue dates.

River Thames Sailing Barge Definitives (20 November 2025)

This is our first stamp issue to be produced using AI assisted design. It features a central image of a River Thames sailing barge which were the most common commercial river transport for over two hundred years, reaching their peak in the mid-nineteenth century. The border and supporting legend are in a engraved style typical of the Edwardian period. The set of four stamps are non-value indicated (NVI) but are service indicated featuring Standard, Express, Priority, and Official services.

Cornelius Vermuyden (1 December 2025)

Released as part of our Heritage Series, this stamp depicts a portrait of Cornelius Vermuyden rising from the sea, with the Dutch Cottage landmark in the background. The design is a metaphor for the reclamation of large parts of Canvey Island from the River Thames by this Dutch Engineer and around 300 Dutchmen between 1621-23. It is an NVI stamp but has an Express service indicated, the whole design is in a photogravure style.

1960s Nostalgia Christmas (8 December 2025)

Recalling childhood days of Christmas in the late 1950s and early 1960s, this pair of stamps are produced in a colourful cartoon or poster style reminiscent of the period. They are NVI and no service is indicated either, having a nominal service allocated for the holiday season. A single stamp will be used for Standard delivery, and two stamps for Express or bicycle delivery.

 World Local Post Day (5 January 2026)

In anticipation of World Local Post Day in January 2026, we have produced a generic poster style stamp featuring a globe promoting the event. This is an NVI stamp with no service indicated and is intended to be used on all mail during the month of January.

First Day Covers

The issue of accompanying FDCs, First Day Issue Postcards and other philatelic material for these new releases has yet to be decided.

 

Postmaster 

Additions to 2025 Schedule

Following a review of possible future stamp designs for 2026 and beyond, and the adoption of some AI aided design features which makes detailed designs quicker to produce, it has been decided to add at least two further stamp issues to this year's releases. Once confirmed with our printer, these additional issues will be formally announced. Watch this space!

Postmaster

New Issue: VE Day 80th Anniversary

CILP is pleased to announce the release on 8th May of our latest stamp issue for the 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day 1945. This day marked the end of hostilities in Europe for the Second World War. A First Day Cover and a Maxi Card have also been produced to accompany this stamp issue. 

Victory in Europe Day 80th Anniversary (CP071)

CILP stamps are available from our agent, Alpha Thematics on Ebid UK.

Postmaster 

Withdrawal of Online Stamp Catalogues

The CILP has reluctantly decided to withdraw from the public domain our illustrated  Online Catalogues covering 2010-2021.

Due to abuses of our Creative Commons licence by some bad agents and AI 'bot' stripping of our images without credit or permission, it has become necessary to remove the illustrated catalogues from our website. 

This is a double-edged sword as visitors will be unable to view the wide range of stamps we produce and available to collect, and we lose an important advertising medium. However, our 'Collector Checklist' page will be retained and the format has been updated to include thumbnail images for all issues.

For collectors who want an in-depth and fully illustrated catalogue of CILP issues and cinderella philatelic material, including full design details and background stories, a catalogue is being prepared for print release for our 15th Anniversary in November 2025. It will be available worldwide from Amazon and published by Flag House Press.

Postmaster

New Cover Service!

The Canvey Island Local Post is delighted to introduce its new Cover Service. Following a successful trial, this service is now being introduced for all collectors in the United Kingdom.

The service is aimed at collectors who wish to obtain cancelled CILP stamps, including First Day Issue events, on personally addressed covers previously sent to the CILP.

All fees charged for the service will be used to finance the Canvey Island Local Post, stamp production, its website and associated services, to ensure its viability for the future.

Visit our Cover Service page for details.

Postmaster

Stamp Schedule for 2025!

Canvey Island Local Post (CILP) is pleased to confirm its stamp schedule for 2025. This year has significant WWII anniversaries so our offering this year does lean towards that era and a monochrome photographic theme – but not entirely! As usual, illustrations will be published nearer their scheduled release dates to maintain surprise and excitement!

Music Series: Dr Feelgood (6 January 2025)

Already issued. This stamp applauds Dr. Feelgood, an English pub rock band formed in 1971 on Canvey Island. It is the first stamp in our new Music Series, featuring local and international musicians with links to Canvey Island and the surrounding area.

(CP069) Dr Feelgood

Aviators Series: No.3 - ‘Eagle’ Sqn RAF (21 March 2025)

The third stamp in the series, and the first to salute a group of aviators rather than an individual, it commemorates the American volunteers that served and flew in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during WWII in the famous ‘Eagle’ Squadrons.

In particular CILP honours the men of No. 121 Sqn. RAF who flew from airfields in Essex including RAF Rochford (now London-Southend Airport), around twelve miles from Canvey Island. A bonus for aviation fans is that the Supermarine Spitfire MKV features in the design!

VE Day (8 May 2025)

Celebrating the 80^th Anniversary of the guns falling silent in Western Europe in 1945, this issue is a colourful commemoration of the day. It features flag bunting of the major Allied nations and anniversary legend. A sobering reminder of what unified and determined allies can achieve together.

Heritage Series: Laundry Delivery (25 July 2025)

This issue has been planned for some time but was set aside due to other date critical commemorations. This issue is more special than most to me, as it features my maternal grandmother and great-grandfather delivering clean laundry on their horse-drawn cart c.1930.

 

VJ Day (15 August)

The second significant 80^th Anniversary of the year is Victory over Japan Day. The stamp features celebrating RAF personnel on the Cocos Islands on 14 August 1945, the day before the official declaration, with a USA made B-24 bomber in the background.

CILP 15^th Anniversary (10 November 2025)

To wrap-up the year CILP marks the fifteenth anniversary of its first stamp issue on 10 November 2010, with a multicoloured celebration of stamps on a stamp. Where has the time gone?

As usual all available CILP stamps can be obtained online from Alpha Thematics on ebid.net/uk.

 

Postmaster 

New Issue: Hester's Mono-Rail 1902

CILP is pleased to announce the release on 18 November, 2024, of our latest stamp issue in our Local History series.

Property developer Frederick Hester established the first Mono-Rail in Essex, England, on Canvey Island in 1902. It was intended to transport prospective bungalow buyers, holiday makers and day trippers down from London, from the mainland railway station to the River Thames Estuary coast via his Winter Gardens and other business interests.

Hester's Mono-Rail 1902 (CP068)

However, lack of funds prevented electrification and expansion, and the service was brief, perhaps running for around two years. Our stamp features a period photograph of the horse-drawn Mono-Rail complete with visitors and local photogenic dog! This issue has a print run of 160 stamps.

CILP stamps are available from our agent, Alpha Thematics on Ebid UK.

Postmaster

New Issue: Avro Vulcan XL426

 Aviation Series No.3: Avro Vulcan XL426

CILP is pleased to announce the release of the third offering in our extremely popular Aviation Series, the delta wing Avro Vulcan. Our stamp features Avro Vulcan XL426, one of only three remaining taxiable Avro Vulcan strategic bombers.

Avro Vulcan XL425 (CP067)

Since 1993, it has been owned and maintained by the Vulcan Restoration Trust, based at Southend London Airport, England, approximately 15 miles from Canvey Island. This historic aircraft served with the Royal Air Force (RAF) from 1962 to 1986. A total of 105 stamps have been produced.

CILP stamps are shipped worldwide from Alpha Thematics on Ebid UK.

Postmaster

New Issue: D-Day 1944 80th Anniversary

The Canvey Island Local Post (CILP) is pleased to announce the issue of its latest stamp, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944, on the coast of Normandy, France. 

CP066

The stamp features a dynamic statue of British infantry advancing across the beach under fire on D-Day, which is situated at the recently completed national British Normandy Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer, Normandy, France. 

The British Normandy Memorial commemorates 22,422 personnel from 30 countries under British command, who lost their lives during the operation and subsequent Normandy battles. A limited run of 160 stamps have been printed.

CILP stamps are shipped worldwide from Alpha Thematics on Ebid UK.  

Postmaster

River Thames Wrecks: SS Benmohr (1902)

 The Canvey Island Local Post (CILP) is pleased to announce the issue of its latest stamp and initial release for our new River Thames Wrecks series.

The first stamp in this occasional series is the SS Benmohr. On 6 February 1902, the SS Benmohr bound for India, collided with the SS Banffshire, a refrigerated cargo steamer, in thick fog in the River Thames Estuary off the Canvey Island coast.

CP065

The SS Benmohr settled by the stern and sank off Thorney Bay, Canvey Island. There are no reports of any casualties. In June 1902, she was raised and taken to a River Tyne shipyard for repairs. Her cargo of cement barrels had solidified due to their immersion, but Canvey developer Frederick Hester purchased them to build a jetty and also used them as foundations for several new buildings.

The SS Banffshire was repaired and sailed for Australia in May 1902. After repairs the SS Benmohr continued maritime duties, being sold to a Japanese company in 1911, until wrecked off the coast of Japan in 1927.

The SS Benmohr stamp features a 1902 contemporary sketch by Tom Merry. A total of 160 stamps have been produced.

CILP stamps are shipped worldwide from Alpha Thematics on Ebid UK. 

Postmaster

New Stamp Issues: 2024 Schedule

 Spring has officially started but the weather for Canvey Island in S.E. England has mostly been laughing at us, with rain and unseasonal cool breezes. But there is light! Crisp sheets of new stamps have been received this week from our reliable and friendly printer at Yourstamps, based in Berlin, Germany.

Our stamp schedule for 2024 includes topicals that will appeal to a wide range of collectors and introduces a new occasional series, River Thames Wrecks. To maintain a sense of anticipation, images of stamps due for release post-May will be released on their actual issue date.

River Thames Wrecks: SS “Benmohr” 1902 

Issue Date: 10 May 2024

On 6 February 1902, the SS Benmohr bound for India, collided with the SS Banffshire, a refrigerated cargo steamer, in thick fog in the River Thames Estuary off the Canvey Island coast.

CP065

The SS Benmohr settled by the stern and sank off Thorney Bay, Canvey Island. There are no reports of any casualties. In June 1902, she was raised and taken to a River Tyne shipyard for repairs. Her cargo of cement barrels had solidified due to their immersion, but Canvey developer Frederick Hester purchased them to build a jetty and also used them as foundations for several new buildings.

The SS Banffshire was repaired and sailed for Australia in May 1902. After repairs the SS Benmohr continued maritime duties, being sold to a Japanese company in 1911, until wrecked off the coast of Japan in 1927.

SS Benmohr c.1902 

Our initial stamp in this series features the SS Benmohr from a 1902 contemporary sketch by Tom Merry. A total of 160 stamps have been produced.

 

D-Day 1944 - 80^th Anniversary

Issue Date: 6 June 2024

The 80^th Anniversary of the D-Day landings by Allied forces in 1944 is commemorated this year. We have produced a stamp featuring a dynamic statue at the British Normandy Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer in France. It features British infantry moving up the beach under fire.

The British Normandy Memorial commemorates 22,422 people from 30 countries, under British command, who lost their lives during the operation. A limited run of 160 stamps have been printed.

 

Aviation Series No.3: Avro Vulcan XL426

Issue Date: 12 August 2024

The third offering in our extremely popular Aviation Series is the delta wing Avro Vulcan. Our stamp features Avro Vulcan XL426, one of only three remaining taxiable Avro Vulcan strategic bombers.

Since 1993, it has been owned and maintained by the Vulcan Restoration Trust, based at Southend London Airport, approximately 15 miles from Canvey Island. This historic aircraft served with the Royal Air Force (RAF) from 1962 to 1986. A total of 105 stamps have been produced.

 

Local History Series: Hester’s Mono-Rail 1902

Issue Date: 18 November 2024

Property developer Frederick Hester established the first Mono-Rail in Essex, England, on Canvey Island in 1902. It was intended to transport prospective bungalow buyers, holiday makers and day trippers from London, from the mainland railway station to the River Thames Estuary coast via his Winter Gardens and other business interests.

However, lack of funds prevented electrification and expansion and the service was brief, perhaps running for around two years. Our stamp features a period photograph of the horse-drawn Mono-Rail complete with visitors and local photogenic dog! This issue has a print run of 160 stamps.

CILP stamps are shipped worldwide from Alpha Thematics on Ebid UK. 

Postmaster

Spring Heralds New Stamps!

Spring is finally here! That means new stamp issues are being prepared for release to the wild in the coming months! I cannot "spill the beans" as to what our stamp schedule for 2024 looks like just yet, but it will include some great topical themes and local history. 

Our Aviation Series continues with a new stamp of an aircraft from 1962 that will be instantly recognisable. Plus the 80th Anniversary of D-Day 1944 will be commemorated, and historical transport and maritime history will feature in two other issues.

Rejected D-Day 80th Anniversary stamp design

The full 2024 schedule will be published as soon as the finished stamps have been received from our printer. Whilst we wait, designs for 2025 are well under way, including a new commemorative series featuring famous musicians that were born, lived, or sadly died on Canvey Island. We also plan a definitive series of notable Islanders throughout history, and there are some surprises!

Until next time...

Postmaster

Online and Printed Catalogues Update

 Updates of our illustrated Online Catalogue pages will be suspended from 20 February 2024. Current data in the public domain will remain available online but new issues will not be added to the catalogue listings until further notice. 

CILP has taken this decision due to possible misuse by some individuals, breaching our generous Creative Commons Licence.

Also, our website format and hosting limitations may restrict our ability to expand and accommodate the catalogue in its current format in future. A slimmed-down or 'light' version of the catalogue is being evaluated.

However, our Collector Checklist will be updated for new stamp issues and released as normal under our existing Creative Commons Licence.

A new illustrated and comprehensive printed catalogue covering all cinderella material relating to CILP since its foundation, is being prepared for publication. The First Edition of the CILPDEX catalogue will be available later this year and will be for sale worldwide online from our agent, Alpha Thematics. 

Visit the Canvey Island Local Post Category in the Alpha Thematics shop!

Update 01 April 2025: Online illustrated catalogues have been deleted. Our 'Collector Checklist' now has thumbnail images of all of our stamp issues.

Postmaster 

CILP on Alpha Thematics Refreshed!

Regular visitors to this site and collectors of CILP stamps will be familiar with our philatelic agent, Alpha Thematics on Ebid UK.

The good news is that CILP now has its own category in the Alpha Thematics shop, so you will no longer have to search through all the "Local Posts" category to find our stamps.

Amy Johnson (CP064 5-Jan-2024)

Even better news is that all our listings have been refreshed and many prices reduced! 

We also have introduced a range of full year stamp lots to kick-off a new collection, or fill missing years from existing collections. All available stamp issues are still listed for single purchases.

Visit the Canvey Island Local Post Category in Alpha Thematics shop!

Postmaster

National Health Service (NHS) 75th Anniversary

CILP are proud to release a stamp (6 July) to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the National health Service (NHS).

Using stocks of our previously issued 70^th NHS Anniversary stamp from 2018 (CP034), we have issued a limited run of only 34 hand overprinted stamps to mark the NHS 75^th Anniversary. 

CLP060723S

It is likely these stamps will only be used for local Island mail due to their limited number. Collector's are encouraged to obtain their copy without delay.

Postmaster