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

New Issue: Aviators Series - Amy Johnson

 Aviators Series: No.2 (5 January 2024)

The 5th January saw the first issue of 2024 and the second stamp in our Aviators Series on the anniversary of Amy Johnson's death.

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 similar to the aircraft Johnson was flying that evening with an inset portrait of Amy in leather flying helmet.

Ref: CLP050124S / Cat: CP064

Johnson was ferrying the aircraft to an airfield in Kent in on 5th 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 near Canvey Island, when her aircraft ran out of fuel. Her body was never recovered.

Aviators Series stamps can be obtained at Alpha Thematics on Ebid UK. 

Postmaster

Aviation History No2. Carvair ATL-98

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

The second stamp in the Aviation History Series was issued on 1st December. As for our first stamp in this series, it also features an aircraft from the British Air Ferries fleet but this time from c1972. 

British Air Ferries ATL-98 Carvair

CLP011223S / CP063

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 and was often seen flying over Canvey Island until 1979. A total of 21 aircraft were converted to Carvair configuration by Air Traders (Engineering) Ltd.

A small item of trivia for classic movie fans is that an ATL-98 Carvair (registration G-ASDC), featured in the 1964 James Bond movie “Goldfinger”.

Aviation History Series stamps can be obtained at Alpha Thematics on Ebid UK.

Postmaster

New: Aviation History Series

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

On 1st November we issued our first stamp in a series concentrating on aircraft and local aviation history that occurred on, over, and around Canvey Island and the Thames Estuary.

The first stamp of the Aviation History Series shows the British United Air Ferries Bristol Superfreighter “Valiant” from 1966. These operated from several UK airports including Southend Airport (previously RAF Rochford and now London Southend Airport), approximately twelve miles from Canvey Island. 

BUAF Bristol Superfreighter

(CLP011123S / CP062)

These aircraft were a common sight flying over Canvey Island to Europe prior to the Channel Tunnel and the introduction of large capacity Ro-Ro ship car ferries to the continent. They are a vivid childhood memory for me (Postmaster).

This series runs concurrently with our Aviators Series. The first stamp of which was released on 27th September featuring Geoffrey R. de Havilland and the DH-108 Swallow. 

Aviation History Series and Aviators Series stamps can be obtained at Alpha Thematics on Ebid UK.

Postmaster

CILP