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

UK Armed Forces Day Stamp Issued

Canvey Island Local Post are proud to announce the issue of our United Kingdom Armed Forces Day 2023 commemorative stamp, on 24th June.

CLP240623S (CP059)

This is a limited print run of only 75 stamps and is available to purchase from our agent Alpha Thematics on Ebid UK.

Postmaster

CILP 2023 Stamp Issues Confirmed

After more than a year since our last stamp issue in February 2022, the CILP has produced seven new stamp issues for 2023 and early 2024. Images of our new stamps will be published after their respective issue dates.

Stamp print runs have been reduced by half for issues this year, as production costs have increased beyond which the CILP can operate as a self-financing organisation. Collector's are advised to obtain their stamps as soon as issued to avoid disappointment.

 

King Charles III Coronation (6 May 2023)

The first scheduled CILP stamp release for 2023 is for HM King Charles III’s Coronation Day on 6 May. This features a photo portrait of the new king seated in uniform. The stamp measures 39 x 42 mm and 200 have been printed on 20 sheets.

 

King Charles III CILP stamp (CP058)

 UK Armed Forces Day (24 June 2023)

Unlike many other countries, the United Kingdom (UK) does not have a long tradition of formally celebrating its armed forces with a special day. However, as a consequence of the Iraq and Afghanistan actions, it is now firmly an official commemoration in many communities in the UK.

To mark this year’s Armed Forces Day on 24 June, the CILP is releasing a stamp featuring a drawing of a British soldier advancing uphill. This is  taken from a WWII pamphlet circulated on Canvey Island c1943 to raise funds for the war effort.

 

National Health Service 75^th Anniversary (6 July 2023)

Using stocks of our previously issued 70^th NHS Anniversary stamp from 2018 (CP034), we are issuing a limited run of only 34 hand overprinted stamps to mark the NHS 75^th Anniversary. It is likely these stamps will only be used for local Island mail due to their limited number. 

 

Aviators Series: No.1 (27 September 2023)

Initial issue of an open stamp series featuring famous international aviators. The first stamp is dedicated to Geoffrey R. de Havilland and a DH 108 “Swallow” tail-less jet, which broke up in the air over the Thames Estuary near Canvey Island, killing the famous test pilot on 27 September 1946.

The stamp shows a period photo of the aircraft and an inset portrait of the pilot Geoffrey Raoul de Havilland OBE, the son of the famous aircraft designer and manufacturer.

 

Aviation History Series: No.1 (1 November 2023)

Initial issue of an open stamp series concentrating on aircraft and local aviation history that occurred on, over, and around Canvey Island and the Thames Estuary.

This stamp shows the British United Air Ferries Bristol Superfreighter “Valiant” from 1966, operating from Southend Airport, twelve miles from Canvey Island. These aircraft were a common sight flying over Canvey Island to Europe prior to the Channel Tunnel and Ro-Ro ship car ferries.

 

Aviation History Series: No.2 (1 December 2023)

The second stamp in the series also features an aircraft from the British Air Ferries fleet c1972. A total of 21 aircraft were converted to Carvair configuration by Air Traders (Engineering) Ltd.

The four engine ATL-98 Carvair transported motorists to Europe until it became uneconomic due to their limited payload. This aircraft is named “Fat Albert” and once operated from Southend Airport. Often seen flying over Canvey Island until 1979. An ATL-98 Carvair (registration G-ASDC) featured in the 1964 James Bond movie “Goldfinger.”

 

Aviators Series: No.2 (5 January 2024)

The famous pre-WWII aviator and long-distance record setter Amy Johnson CBE is the subject of the second stamp in this series. The stamp shows an Oxford Airspeed AS.10 and an inset portrait of Amy in leather flying helmet.

Johnson was ferrying the aircraft to an airfield in Kent in January 1941. Due to extremely poor weather, she flew off course and failed to reach her destination. The exact reason for her crash is unknown but it is assumed she was forced to bail-out over the Thames Estuary when her aircraft ran out of fuel. Her body was never recovered.

 

Collect CILP Stamps

Obtain new and past issues via our agent Alpha Philatelics on Ebid UK.

  

Postmaster 

QEII Platinum Jubilee Stamps!

 To celebrate and commemorate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, the Canvey Island Local Post is proud to announce the release of two stamps sharing the same design.

The design features a contemporary photo portrait of HM The Queen, who accession to the throne was on 6 February, 1952, and the official Platinum Jubilee (70 years) logo.

CLP060222L (CP056)

For Cycle Express mail a horizontal large format stamp (catalogue no. CP056) will be issued, and for standard foot mail, a smaller stamp (CP057) will be released bearing the same design.

CLP060222S (CP057)

Both stamps will be used until exhausted from stock. Collector's can obtain copies from our normal philatelic agent, Alpha Thematic on Ebid UK.

Postmaster

CILP

UPDATE: Forward Together!

 Forward Together! 

The release of the Forward Together! stamp (scheduled 11 October, 2021) has been postponed. The stamp, which shows the flags of all the UK home nations alongside the Union flag, will be re-scheduled for issue at a later date in 2021. 

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 

Coming Soon: Forward Together stamp!

 Forward Together! 

Following Brexit, the battle is now on to Save the Union. The Forward Together! stamp is due for release on 11 October, 2021. It shows the flags of all the UK home nations alongside the Union flag with the legend "Forward Together!" (Image will be published on stamp release).

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 

Does CILP Actually Carry Mail?

I was having a virtual conversation with a fellow philatelist recently and a question about the Canvey Post was posed, "do you actually carry mail"? Of course my reply was a robust "yes"! 

It later occurred to me that apart from first day covers and philatelic items posted to collectors, plus post despatched containing stamp orders from our agent Alpha Thematics (carried by CILP and bearing our stamps), there was no evidence of mail actually carried by the CILP in the public domain!

To remedy this evidence gap, I will regularly publish examples of mail carried by us on a separate page; Examples of Mail Carried.

In fact hundreds of items have left the CILP Post Office Mailroom over the years, being 'walked' or 'bicycled' to a number of local Royal Mail Post Offices, or delivered by us direct to recipients living on the Island. This I believe establishes our bona fides of being an active local private post by definition.

Keep well, keep safe! 

Postmaster

CILP 

New Resource for Collectors - Online Catalogue!

We have had a Collector's Checklist available online for sometime, enabling new and existing collectors to check their Canvey Post stamps. But this has the limitation of not being illustrated, and short of searching our website archives for images of our stamps, there was no way to tie in checklist with a particular stamp issue unless you already had it in your collection.

Now there is a new resource that solves the problem, a fully illustrated Online Stamp Catalogue covering the entire stamp output of the Canvey Island Local Post, from its first stamp in November 2010, to our latest stamp issued in April 2020!

Despite being web optimised the size of the current catalogue file may take a couple of minutes to load due to the number of images. Future stamps will be catalogued in a separate catalogue part on a new page.

The catalogue also uses new stamp reference numbers which are shorter and easier to remember! They are similar to the basic Stanley Gibbons catalogues. My original references, which include a CLP prefix and the date of release, will be retained solely as production identifiers rather than collector references. 

The current online catalogue only covers stamp issues but we are preparing a comprehensive physical catalogue for publication in 2022. This will include first day covers, commemorative covers, postal stationery, Heritage Postcards, first day issue postcards, maxi cards and anything else postal or philatelic issued by the CILP.

I was surprised how much material there is to classify for this next project, but over ten years many designs have been produced and a lot of post has left this office! 

Keep safe, keep well...

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

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

Emergency Mail Service Stamp Issued

On 23 April, 2020, the CILP will officially issue an 'Emergency Mail Service' stamp.  

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 crises and its impact on UK Royal Mail services, the CILP decided it should schedule additional services for Canvey Island. These deliveries will be made within the restrictions of the UK government's social distancing guidance. Deliveries will be made by bicycle and on foot during permitted daily exercise periods.

The 'Emergency Mail Service' stamp (CLP010716S) was originally designed and printed in July 2016 in preparation for use during postal service disruption or civil emergency. Only 90 copies have been printed and of these only 79 remain for postal use and sale to collectors. Only 10 copies of this stamp have been previously made available to collectors as a 'Specimen' overprint in November 2016 (CLP181116S).

CLP010716S

Stamps will be available on eBay UK and from our agent Alpha Stamps on eBid UK.
Mainland and international mail originating from the CILP or Alpha Stamps, will also bear the stamp until stocks are exhausted.

Keep safe, keep well, support the NHS! 

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.

Royal Air Force Centenary

To commemorate the centenary of the formation of the Royal Air Force on 1^st April, 1918, the CILP has issued a single stamp on 1^st April, 2018.

CLP271110S(A)
© CILP 2018

The stamp showing a WWII veteran Hurricane was originally issued in 2010 to commemorate the Battle of Britain. It is being re-issued bearing a handstamped red overprint legend “R.A.F 1918-2018”. Only 22 overprinted stamps have been issued, each stamp is approximately 30x40mm. A limited edition of 5 Commemorative Covers has also been produced. 

 

CLPCC3
© CILP 2018

Stamps and covers available (subject to stock) from Alpha Thematics on eBid UK

UPDATE: All available covers have been sold (18 Sep 2018)

Famous Public Houses Stamp Set

Canvey Island Local Post (CILP) released it's Famous Public Houses stamp issue on the 23rd October, 2017. It is a four horizontal stamp set featuring Canvey Island 'pubs' that have played a defining role in community life for many decades and in one case, centuries.

The 'pubs' featured in a stylised pencil sketch style are; the Haystack, the Admiral Jellicoe, the King Canute (prior to the 1953 flood known as the Red Cow), and the Lobster Smack. The latter was used by Charles Dickens as the Ship Inn in his 1861 novel Great Expectations. All the other pubs have their own stories and history, both good and bad. 

 CLP231017-4

© 2017 CILP

With the imminent demolition and re-development of the Admiral Jellicoe and the closure of the King Canute (formerly Red Cow), it is poignant and timely that the CILP should release this long planned stamp set now.

CLPFDC12

© 2017 CILP

Unfortunately, it was necessary to omit equally famous or well known pubs and drinking clubs from this issue, such as the old Oysterfleet, the Canvey Club (featured on a vinyl LP cover by R&B band Dr Feelgood), and younger establishments such as the Windjammer of the 1980s, and the Silver Jubilee from 1977. We hope to include these in a future stamp issue.

A total of 45 sets and six First Day Covers have been produced. Stamps and covers (subject to availability) available from Alpha Thematics on eBid UK

Empire Flying-Boat Airmail 'Seaplane' Stamp

Canvey Island Local Post (CILP) released 4th September, 2017. It is CILP's first Air Mail stamp and is in response to increasing interest from overseas in CILP stamps and First Day Covers.

 CLP040917S

Seaplane Priority Air Mail Stamp
© 2017 CILP

The design features the Imperial Airways 'Empire' Flying-Boat, "Calypso", with piggy-back S-20 mail carrier Seaplane from an original vintage postcard c.1938. It is a horizontal gummed and perforated non-value indicated (NVI) stamp, bearing the legends 'Priority' in English and French and the traditional 'A' for airmail.


The original postcard image was a generic illustration used on the front of a multi-view fold-out postcard, on which  seaside towns had their name printed on the top with a short message for tourists. The original postcard has the message, "Flying High with Views of Canvey Island".

CLPFDC11
© 2017 CILP

   
The stamp will be affixed to all overseas mail for twelve months from issue (subject to stock availability). A total of 150 stamps and four First Day Covers have been produced. Stamps and covers (subject to availability) available from Alpha Thematics on eBid UK

Endangered Fauna & Flora: Insects

The Endangered Fauna & Flora: Insects issue was released on 21 August, 2017. It is the first in a  proposed series of fauna and flora stamp subjects, all relating to rare species found at a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) on Canvey Island.

The Insects issue is a se-tenant stamp strip showing (left to right), the Brown Carder Bee (photo: Steven Falk); Shrill Carder Bee (photo: Ivar Leidus); Emerald Damselfly (photo: Charles J. Sharp); and the Five-banded Weevil Wasp (photo: BWARS).

© 2017 CILP

 © 2017 CILP

Stamps and covers (subject to availability) available from Alpha Thematics on eBid UK.

Postmaster
C.I.L.P.

New Issues for 2017

Local Post stamp collectors will be pleased to hear of the imminent release of several new single stamps and multiple stamp sets for the second half of 2017.

Final designs have been submitted to our printers and release dates have now been set for August, September, October and November 2017. In total ten new stamps will be released in 2017 within our planned issue programme:


21st August: The first stamp set of 2017 is part of a four set series covering "Endangered Fauna and Flora of Canvey Island", starting with a four stamp featuring Insects to be issued on 21 August, 2017.  Future stamp sets will feature Rare Orchids, Birds and Wildlife.

4th September: Due to increasing interest in CILP stamps from overseas, a vintage postcard scene featuring seaplanes will be released as our first Air Mail 'Priority' stamp. Release date has been set for 4 September, 2017.

23rd October: A four stamp set featuring Famous Public Houses of Canvey Island which  have been been central to island community life, will be released on 14 October, 2017. (The original release date was 14th October but was re-scheduled for technical reasons).

27th November: To round off the postal year, we have secured an original Christmas drawing from cartoonist Paul Munro to adorn an Xmas 2017 reduced rate seasonal stamp. This will be available from 27 November, 2017.


Thank you for your support and please visit us again soon. Happy collecting!

Postmaster
Canvey Island Local Post

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).