http://www.stampandcoin.co.uk APRIL 2016 41SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL STAMPS 1964
The Queen approved the ‘first choice’ designs, finding them ‘striking
and of high quality’. Despite so much that was revolutionary
with this set, it seems a pity a common design style was not used
throughout. David Gentleman also designed the first day envelope
and one of the two air letters that accompanied the issue.
A quarter of a million stamps were sold on the day of issue at the
Stratford-upon-Avon post office, with 40,000 first day covers being
posted there.Information and illustrations courtesy of The Postal Museum.
Images © Royal Mail.From far left: David Gentleman was not happy with his alternative set, known as ‘Arches’,
but was persuaded to submit it, here we see Shakespeare alongside Feste, the clown
from Twelfth Night. He also adapted one of the designs, initially for the 6d value showing
Puck and Bottom (pictured, left), into a design suitable for recess printing as a 2s 6d and
featuring Orlando meeting Rosalind (shown in centre of album page below)Above and left: essays of Robin and Christopher Ironside’s Hamlet and Othello designs- Above right: essays of artwork by Harrison & Sons Ltd staff (top two stamps), David
Gentleman (centre) and John Brinkley (bottom stamp) • Title images: alternative ‘Arches’
woodblocks by David Gentleman showing Orlando meeting Rosalind dressed as a boy
p40 GB Shakespeare 1964.indd 41 01/03/2016 11:24