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!

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

Autumn Pondering: Stamp Issues for 2023?

Greetings!

As the summer heatwave wains and the rain returns to green-up faded grass and thirsty gardens, my thoughts are pondering philately for the colder months, and ultimately new Canvey Island Local Post stamp issues for 2023.

The second half of this year has seen a downturn in the sales of CILP stamps. We appear not to be alone. With a few exceptions, the production of stamp issues from many local posts around the world has declined. More seriously in the current economic and political climate, a significant number of local posts have ceased operating for the present or disappeared altogether.

Having said that, local posts and cinderella stamp collecting is an expanding field of alternative philately. If you are interested in the history of local posts and current local posts, or wish to explore, collect, or even produce stamps for your own local post, visit the Local Post Collector's Society or visit their group on Facebook.

With less money in collector's pockets and stamp production costs increasing, it is understandable some adjustment was inevitable, but I'm sure this is temporary. With this in mind the CILP has decided to streamline costs and shorten our stamp issue production runs for 2023, whilst maintaining the frequency of issues.

We now need to plan our future stamp issue schedule and decide what subjects to celebrate, commemorate, or depict on CILP stamps for 2023. This is where your opinion would be appreciated.

Email us at Stamps2023 listing your top three suggestions for subjects to appear on our stamps. 

Postmaster

CILP

Flags Stamp Rescheduled for 2022

 Forward United! 

The Forward Together! stamp (originally scheduled for release 11 October, 2021) has been renamed and issue rescheduled. The stamp, which shows the flags of all the UK home nations alongside the Union flag, will be re-scheduled for issue on 25th January, 2022. It is now entitled, Forward United!

Pre-release illustration - stamp may differ

Missed an Issue?

We still have good stocks of all 2021 and most older stamp issues available for purchase from our agent Alpha Thematics on Ebid UK. 

Postmaster

CILP 

1953 Flood Stamps at Watersnood Museum

 "The Great Tide" Stamps to be Exhibited

During the Covid-19 lockdown in the UK in June 2021, the CILP donated a set of our 2013 "Great Tide" 60th Anniversary stamps to the Watersnood Museum in the Netherlands.

"The Great Tide" 60th Anniversary Set (2013)

This museum is all about the extraordinary stories of ordinary people and their experiences with water. Stories about the disaster in 1953, about rebuilding, and  about the Delta Works, told by the people who experienced it.

The Dutch experience of January 31, 1953, mirrored that of Canvey Island where 58 residents died in the freezing weather and flooding of that terrible night. Over 300 souls perished in the Netherlands. The collective experience of the East of England and Netherlands is reflected in one image in the stamp set, showing the sea breaching the coastal defences on the Dutch coast.

In memory of all who perished in the flooding of 1953

Due to the pandemic, the Watersnood Museum was closed until the 6th June, 2021. The CILP have received communication from the museum acknowledging receipt of the stamps, and confirmation that they will be used in a future exhibition at the Watersnood Museum.

If you missed this stamp issue it is still available from our philatelic agent, Alpha Thematics on Ebid UK.

Postmaster

CILP

Latest Stamps Used on Outgoing Mail 23 April

The lucky recipient of this outgoing mail from the Canvey Island Local Post Office will receive our three latest stamps on their cover!

The cover bears the CILP 10th Anniversary triangle stamp (15 April), the Fight Covid-19 stamp (19 April), and Earth Day stamp (22 April). Postmarked with standard cds and 'Virus' cachet.

Postmaster

CILP

 

Our 10th Anniversary and more!

It seems such a long time since we released our first stamp on 26 November, 2010. A simple 1 inch square Dutch Cottage landmark from 1618. As our Collector Checklist now testifies, we have come a long way since then!

But our tenth anniversary came and went without any celebration, mainly due to real life getting in the way of hobby time. However, to make amends for this gross omission, the CILP will be releasing a celebratory stamp in March.

Once production details are finalised sometime in the next few weeks, the CILP will also be announcing its stamp programme for 2021! The programme is larger than in previous years and this is largely due to the fact that we only released one stamp issue in 2019 and 2020 respectively.

Keep safe, keep well!

Postmaster

CILP

Covid-19 'Virus' Handstamp (Cachet)

Alongside the issue of CILP Emergency Mail Service stamp on 23 April 2020, a new hand applied cachet came into use on all mail using CILP services. It will be used until trusted sources declare the emergency over and we all have had a vaccine shot!

The design is a stylised Covid-19 ‘Virus’ which has become so familiar in many forms to us on television, news programmes, health notices and social media. It measures approximately 21mm in diameter and will be applied to all mail in addition to normal date cancellations. Keep an eye open for an example!

CILP - Covid-19 'Virus' Handstamp

The production of the handstamp was a rough and ready process to get it prepared in time for simultaneous release with our Emergency Mail Service stamp. It was hand carved from a champagne cork and, I believe, conveys the right impression (pun intended) in these dire circumstances.

Although I have produced clean sharp cachets using digital means in the past, I prefer the manual application and involvement of producing handstamps that have a nostalgic ‘authentic’ look to them. It’s all part of the fun of running a local post!

Keep safe, keep well!

CILP

Postmaster

Covid-19 Emergency Local Post Stamp - Update

Collector's of CILP stamps will be pleased to hear that our sales agent Alpha Thematics on eBid UK, are trading once again. Our Covid-19 Emergency stamp issue (23 April 2020) is available for purchase from 22nd December, 2020. 

CLP010716S

Limited First Day Covers and First Day Issue Postcards will be available subject to stock. 

CLPFDC18

All previous CILP stamp issues (subject to stock) and FDCs are also available. 

My thanks to all CILP local post stamp collectors for your support and I wish you good health for you and your families over Christmas and in the New Year!

CILP Postmaster

Postmaster's Spring Update 2020

Normally, I would have published our programme of stamp issues for 2020. However, day-to-day life has interrupted our intended stamp design schedule, and for that I apologise to our regular collector's of the Canvey Island Local Post. 

I intend to publish a stamp to commemorate the end of World War II with a suitable local theme. Details of this will be published as soon as possible.

Beyond this I currently have no plan to issue any further stamps for spring 2020. A possible house move is in the air so normal service may not be resumed for a while.

This site will also be commercial advert free from 25 February, 2020, in order to speed loading times and remove unrelated clutter. Only stamps and local post services will be advertised.

Current CILP stamps and past issues are available from Alpha Thematics on eBid UK 

UPDATE 17 May 2020: 
Sadly, due to Covid-19 and circumstances beyond our control, CILP will not be issuing a stamp for V.E. Day 75th Anniversary.

Armorial Definitive Stamps Set Now Available!

Our new Coat of Arms definitive stamps set was released on 1st April, 2019. 

The set consists of two postal rates; 'Standard' (foot) and 'Express' (cycle) mail stamps, plus an 'Official' stamp intended for Postmaster mail. However, the 'Official' stamp is also authorised for use for all post as required, i.e rate addition or exhaustion of normal stamp stock.

Canvey Island Coat of Arms Definitive Set (CLP010419-3)
© 2019 Canveypost.org

The design shows the island's historic armorial prior to the 1972 England local government reorganisation, when Canvey Island lost it's Urban District Council and was forced into amalgamation with mainland local government.

A total of 300 'Standard' and 'Express' stamps have been produced plus 150 'Official' stamps. A very limited edition of five First Day Covers have been hand produced for our dedicated LP cover collectors.

The stamps are available from our agent, Alpha Thematics on eBid UK and on eBay UK. 

Note: Our mint stamps are generally cheaper to purchase via our agent on eBid UK than on other auction sites due to their higher fees.

Postmaster
CILP

Coat of Arms Stamps for Spring!

Our new Coat of Arms stamps depicting the old Canvey Island arms, will be issued on 1st April, 2019. Design proofs are shown below for illustrative purposes only and production stamps may differ slightly.

      

The set consists of three stamps; a 'Standard Rate' or foot mail stamp, an 'EXPRESS' or cycle mail stamp, and an 'OFFICIAL' Postmaster mail stamp. All bear the superseded arms of the pre-1971 Canvey Island Urban District Council with appropriate red lettering.

As usual the stamps will be available from our agent, Alpha Thematics on eBid UK from 2nd April, 2019, and at the Postmaster's discretion on eBay UK.

Great Flood Exhibition

On 30th January, local history enthusiasts and Canvey Island residents commemorated the 66th anniversary of the 'Great Flood' of 1953, with an exhibition organised by the Canvey Community Archive.

'Great Tide' Stamp Set 2013 - © canveypost.org

It included slide shows and films, newspapers, period maps and photographs documenting the plight of Canvey Island residents during the fateful January night of 1953 when 58 residents died.

Exhibits also included contributions from the Watersnood Flood Museum at Ouwerkerk, Netherlands. The Dutch coastline was severely flooded during the same storm and 1800 people lost their lives to the power of the tide and bitter-cold winter night.

The event was well attended and I was delighted to see many younger people taking an interest in their local history. It was also an honour to talk to several residents who experienced the flood first-hand. From these conversations I gained further insight into that terrible night, talking over the photographs of long lost Islanders and landmark buildings.

The Canvey Island Local Post issued a four stamp set to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the 'Great Tide' on 31 January, 2013. We still hold stocks of this issue and any collector interested in obtaining a set can buy it online from our agent, Alpha Thematics.