Stamp of approval for Hubert, aged 17, from the King

WHEN George V died on January 20, 1936, his eldest son the Prince of Wales became King Edward VIII.

At that time the Post Office took the first steps in preparing designs for the initial ‘Accession’ issue of postage stamps of the new Edwardian reign.

Initially four stamps, the most commonly used values, were envisaged – the ½d green; 1d scarlet; 1½d red-brown and 2½d bright blue.

It was decided by the Post Office that on this occasion the printers Harrison & Sons be asked to submit designs rather than following the usual procedure of inviting specific artists to submit designs. Nevertheless a number of suggestions were submitted privately.

Read more: How a hero County Durham clergyman became famous for his magnificent ox roast feasts

In February, 1936, Hubert Brown a 17-year-old member of the Torquay & Exeter Philatelic Society wrote and asked the Post Office if he might submit a design for the new stamps.

He got a lukewarm response, but young Hubert set to and produced a very fair pen and pencil drawing of the King’s head facing to the left. The design was shaded from right to left with ‘Postage’ and ‘Revenue’ either side of the head, ‘Threepence’ at the bottom and a Crown in the top right corner. He submitted his design on April 1, 1936.

Hubert Brown's impressive pencil drawing (Image: SUBMITTED)

Meanwhile the King had requested that a selection of the best of the newer foreign stamps be prepared for him to view. His preference was for a simpler, less fussy design than those of the George V stamps, without the ornate decorations and ornamentation.

What happened next is not totally clear but by a sequence of events it led to a very embarrassing situation for the Post Office.

Hubert’s submission was noted in official records as “this design appeals rather more than most” and it was sent to Harrison & Son where they changed the head for a photograph by Hugh Cecil and prepared a number of essays based on the simpler ‘Brown’ design.

Somehow, Hubert’s design got through various committee meetings and ended up on the shortlist that was presented to the King. It was no surprise the king chose Hubert’s simple, unpretentious but modern looking design.

Meanwhile, when the Post Office had discovered that Hubert Brown was only 17-years-old and unknown in the philatelic world, they were mortified. They were not too keen to admit the chosen design was by a 17-year-old stamp collector and amateur artist.

The Post Office sent Hubert a letter, part of which stated: “Stamps of the new reign will appear shortly and you will see that the design which has been selected bears some features in common with that which you suggested.”

The letter added: “The Postmaster General desires me to express his warm appreciation of the interest you have taken in this matter.”

The Post Office thought that was the end of the matter.

The finished stamp - bearing Hubert's design (Image: SUBMITTED)

The new stamps were initially issued on September 1, 1936. But on that day Hubert’s father, Hubert Brown senior – a retired bank manager – responded to the Post Office’s dismissive letter to his son, saying it had been less than fair in respect of Hubert’s suggested stamp and that due credit for the design should be given exclusively to him.

And there the matter rested, without payment or public recognition, until an article in Gibbons Stamp Monthly of January, 1937, revealing Hubert’s part in the stamps’ design.

This was taken up in the national press, and very reluctantly the Post Office were forced to acknowledge that the inspiration behind the issues stamps did in fact belong to 17-year-old Hubert Brown.

* These iconic stamps and many more royalty related stamps from can be seen at the forthcoming autumn stamp fair at Bowburn Community Centre (Durham Road, Bowburn, Durham. DH6 5AT) on Saturday, October 22. Bowburn is situated just 3 minutes from junction 61 of the A1(M).

The full set of issued stamps (Image: SUBMITTED)

This is one of the largest stamp fairs in the North East, attracting dealers from across the country. Material for sale included Great Britain, Commonwealth and World stamps together with postal history, postcards and ephemera.

The fair opens at 10am until 4pm with free entry, disabled access and refreshments.

Some previous Objects of the Week:

• Ever heard of a bastle? This North East one was the home of a notorious hardman who decapitated a Scot
• How this mound of earth near Darlington helped decide the fate of County Durham
• The history behind this rather unassuming water fountain in Darlington

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