Throughout 1965 David Gentleman worked directly for the Postmaster General, Tony Benn. Part of his commission was to produce an album of non-traditional designs.

What Gentleman produced was revolutionary. Compared to previous special or commemorative stamps, the range of proposed subjects was vast: regional landscapes, architecture of various types, birds, animals, fish, flowers, transport, the industrial revolution and famous men and women. A new, larger size of stamp was also proposed.

Designs were ready in October 1965 and a number were prepared as essays to show the effect as printed stamps. Others were represented by stamp-size colour photographs. The range and style of designs were to prove extremely influential for many years.

One very important aspect was the introduction of the Gillick cameo head to represent The Queen. Designs were also essayed with different formats of the royal coat of arms or a crown in place of the Queen’s head.

When the album was officially presented, the stamps had been grouped by subject. The first set was of British racehorses, designed to appeal directly to The Queen. Although she had already decided against any other symbol or name replacing her head on stamps, the Gentleman album had a lasting impact on British stamp design.

Illustrations

Wilding portrait and cameos

Stamp proposal: coat of arms