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
