When King George V acceded to the throne on 6 May 1910, new photographs were needed for coin, medal and stamp designs. The definitive stamps were originally based on a three-quarter profile photograph taken in June 1910 by W & D Downey, the Court Photographers, referred to as the ‘Downey head’. The first ½d and the 1d values in ‘Dolphin’ and ‘Lion’ frames with the Downey head were issued on Coronation Day, 22 June 1911.
1900s Edward VIII crowned plaster cast
1800s Mail deliveries in all weather – Samuel Henry Alken oil painting
1900s Postmaster General Tony Benn’s unsuccessful attempt to remove the Queen’s head on stamps (1965)
1800s Letter by Jane Austen to Anna Austen on Walter Scott (28 September 1814)
1900s Abram Games OBE (1914-1996)
1900s Sir Stephen Tallents (1884-1958)