Page 1 of 1

MIRROR MIRROR ON THE WALL- WHICH IS THE FAIREST OF US ALL ?

Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2020 10:15 pm
by Wilding Mad
Since the stamp was introduced by Rowland Hill in 1840 I have often wondered which of the British and Commonwealth images (excluding kings) would be the more popular when it came to choosing a portrait that was used from then to present day.

I have chosen 4 that I think fall into this particular category, 2 Victorian and 2 Elizabethan portraits. So starting with the earliest is that of the penny black.
IMG_20201221_194604.jpg
Originally issued on the 6th of May 1840 this portrait was taken from the design of the Wyon commemorative medal of 1837 that was originally created by William Wyon (1795 - 1851).

My second contender is that of Queen Victoria at the time of her coronation in full regalia in 1837 from a painting by artist Alfred Edward Chalon (1780 - 1860) and is consequently known as a " Chalon head "", this portrait can be found on various early commonwealth issues, namely that of Canada and provinces, Natal, Australian states and New Zealand etc.
IMG_20201221_134006.jpg
We now come to the more modern portrait of Queen Elizabeth II as taken by the portrait photographer Dorothy Frances Edith Wilding (1893 - 1976) at a sitting in 1952 after ascending the throne prior to the Queen's coronation in 1953.
IMG_20201221_194735.jpg
Finally the stamp depicting the image of Queen Elizabeth II of a plaster cast created by the British artist Arnold Machin (1911 - 1999) for stamps issued from 1967 to the present day.
IMG_20201221_132103.jpg
Of the four portraits, which would you choose, and why ?

Another similar pose to the Wildling portrait being that of the Pietro Annigoni (1904-1963) portrait of the Queen in full regalia painted in 1955 found on several commonwealth stamps, including Hong Kong etc, here is a stamp from Antigua >
IMG_20201225_130615.jpg
When the Machin cast was created and used for stamps back in 1967 the Queen was aged 41, but now she is 94. I have noticed that our coinage has been amended accordingly but not our stamps !

A replacement is long overdue, 53 years of the same portrait has lead to many complicated variations of these stamps for the majority of people (including collectors) to understand.
Perhaps you may want to add your own comments based on this fact.

Personally, I would love to see an up to date series of definitives, similar to the "Chalon head" style of portrait, as I am sure there are many lovely pictures of her majesty that would do her justice, and as patron of the Royal Philatelic Society I think she would concur, this also would be a fillip (pardon the pun) for the British collecting fraternity.

LONG LIVE THE QUEEN ! WM.

Re: MIRROR MIRROR ON THE WALL- WHICH IS THE FAIREST OF US ALL ?

Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2020 11:12 pm
by AB1961
Hi Wilding Mad,
Im choosing the Chalons i think it was a very imaginative design, rather than just
a sideways profile, also it was a fuller representation with the clothing and necklace.

Re: MIRROR MIRROR ON THE WALL- WHICH IS THE FAIREST OF US ALL ?

Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2020 11:28 pm
by Wilding Mad
I have a tendency to agree with you AB1961 !

What have you to say on the replacement aspect of the 1967 Machin design ?

Many collectors think that the same portrait introduced 53 years ago has now become boring and obsolete, with a lack of response and initiative from certain quarters over their replacement, giving priority to commemorative issues instead (14 different sets in 2020).

Queen Elizabeth II is the longest reigning British monarch, but not the world's longest as can be found on the Wikipedia site currently held by Louis XIV of France :>

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of ... g_monarchs

Could it be that she intends shortly to abdicate the throne in favour of her eldest son ?

The Prince of Wales wishes to be known as king George VII when crowned.

Here is a cartoon based on that possiblity by Krista Opettaa back in 2013 but that was 7 years ago, perhaps it's about to happen shortly ?
https://kristaopettaa.wordpress.com/201 ... -abdicate/

Could this be a reason as to why the stamps with this Machin portrait (first issued in 1967) are not being replaced ?

What are your thoughts on this particular topic ? WM.