KGVI Reign - Part 4 - Mufti Series

With the new King, came new stamps bearing his portrait.

Canada was one of the first countries with new stamps for HLM King George VI. On April 1st, 1937, the definitive set bearing the new King's portrait was released. In April and June, 1937, the coil stamps were released in the same design.

Here are the coil stamps:






These stamps (my favourite King George VI stamps) were nicknamed the "Mufti Series". Why? The term "mufti" is an Anglo-Indian term meaning (loosely translated) "street clothes". In the Canadian and British Commonwealth Armed Forces, the term mufti is used to describe wearing shirt, tie, and jacket, rather than uniform dress, for a particular function.

The usual tradition of stamps in the Empire & Commonwealth was to portray the King in his full uniform. Breaking with tradition, the Canadian Post Office Dept. released the first set of stamps for the new King, in "mufti".

The stamps are seen on a great many covers for the first part of the Second World War. The 3-cent carmine stamp payed the domestic letter rate. Over 1 Billion of them were printed! Wow!

The stamps were in production until the release of the War Effort Series, in 1942.

One thing I would add, David, is that the framework around the King's portrait was a holdover from the issue that was planned for his brother, as Edward VIII essays show:



The Mufti issue is fairly common, even today. The 1,2,3, and 5 cent values are especially easy to get. A little tougher are the 4 and 8 cent values.

Excellent points, Glenn. I see the 2-cent brown most plentiful in old postage mixtures.

David

i never knew kings could be in mufti but thanks for the excellent post

Ah, makes sense why I have so many of the 3 cent values in both the mufti and admiral issues :) (1940's is when my grandfather would have been collecting).

Fantastic series of threads, David!

k

Interesting thread David
thanks for posting.

Another nice installment to the series. Thanks for sharing.

The 8-cent is especially difficult, found on cover in a single use. It payed the second step U.P.U. rate.

David

I believe, and correct me if I am wrong, that after the Papua issue design the next commonwealth issue to be released bearing the KEVIII head was Canada and it just missed going from essay to proof by virtue of the abdication.

Beautiful FDC, Bob!

David

What does "Mufti" stand for anyway? Was that his nickname?

Bee See: Read the first frame... I have explained the term "Mufti".

David

oops, missed the text BELOW the stamps. thanks.

Catalog Blindness Strikes Again