Omnibus Stamps : British Empire & Territories

An omnibus issue is an issue of stamps by several countries with a common subject and which may share a uniform design. Omnibus issues have often been made by countries under common political control or groups of colonies due to the close co-operation required to produce the issue. Omnibus issues are to be distinguished from joint issues which are usually much smaller in scope.

 

British Empire & Territories

 

Omnibuses have been particularly associated with stamps from the former British Empire, now the British Commonwealth, due to the large number of territories participating. Initially designs were identical for each colony with only the values, colours and colony names varying. Over time, however, a wider range of designs has been used within the same issue. The first issue was the Silver Jubilee issue of 1935. Many others have followed, usually on themes related to the British Royal Family, but also for subjects such as Freedom from Hunger (1963) and the 1966 Football World Cup.

Not every colony necessarily participates in every issue, although the revenue produced by the stamps is a valuable source of income for many smaller colonies/countries which may have few other ways of raising funds.

 

A list of British Omnibus issues is given below:

1935 - Silver Jubilee

1937 – Coronation

1945 - Peace and Victory

1948 - Silver Wedding

1949 - Universal Postal Union

1951 - University

1953 - QEII Coronation

1953 - Royal Visit

1958 - West Indies Federation

1963 - Freedom From Hunger

1963 - Red Cross Centenary

1964 - Shakespeare

1965 - International Telecommunication Union

1965 - International Cooperation

1966 - Churchill Memorial

1966 - Football World Cup

1966 - U.N.E.S.C.O Issue

1966 - World Health Organisation

1966 - Royal Visit to the Caribbean

1972 - Royal Silver Wedding

1973 - Royal Wedding Princess Anne

1974 - Churchill Centenary

1977 - Royal Silver Jubilee

1978 - 25th Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's Coronation