What Is The Great Interest In KGV Stamps?

My question may have already revealed my ignorance and newcomerness of all things philatelic. But, I am just wondering why there is such deep interest in the various KGV stamps. It can't be the portraits? Is it just that there were so many? Lots of varieties so lots of interest? I'm curious because I see in this lovely collection before me (originally my Granddad's) there are a lot of these. As well as KGVI.

I'm already finding it fascinating that there is so much interest and interesting discussion, in particular regarding flaws and printing technique, where this stamp is concerned. That alone is making it interesting for me! But help a new fella out. What is up with the KGV's?

What is your take?

It's a sickness. (Wink.)

What collectors refer to as "flyspecking" is extremely popular with the Australian KGV stamps. Different flaws increase the value and since there ae quiet a few varieties specialized books have been writhen just for the KGV stamps as well as the Aussie Kangaroos.

In general, I suspect that GVI issues are popular because almost all are affordable. And, to a large extent, and excluding high values and varieties, GV stamps are relatively affordable compared with Victorian issues, and have a much greater range of pictorial designs. With GV one also has only one of the rather tedious (to me, at least) omnibus issues that fill up GVI albums.

Fun to collect.

Robert

OMG, KGB -- I really did laugh out loud at that one - so much that the person in the office next to mine thinks I've gone batty in here.

Hi Slugore

It is interesting, apparently the 1d red King George V Australian Stamp is one of the most studied and written about stamps in the world, and there are some really valuable ones.
I think the other reason is that because George V was an avid stamp collector, this caused a world wide interest by the British Commonwealth collectors.
Also George it is rumoured, was not above having error stamps created, and also demand that rarities be sold to him, for the royal collection.
KGB said it was a sickness, I say it ranks up there with obsessive compulsive disorder.
Regards
Horamakhet

For mine, it is because the road opens up in front of you. The George V period was long (26 years) and saw signiifcant change in the world (mechanisation, political changes) and the stamps can reflect this.

With regard to the Australian KGV issues, put together a basic collection of 72 and you will see paper differences, different types of cancels and shade differences. If this prompts you to ask "Why?", you're hooked. All of a sudden you have different printers using different paper and different inks, particularly during the Great War. Different cancels will demonstrate different use. The design was used on postal stationary of varying types. Much of this material can be acquired for modest sums.

Another reason for the interest in Australian KGV issues is the range of excellent reference material available. You don't have to forge the path yourself, others have travelled there before you and for the sake of a few $$$ (maybe a few hundred $$$) you can access their research and start your own.

Horamkhet (who has posted above me) discovered a second copy of a sideways watermark on the 1d red KGV, possibly the most studied stamp in the world.

The thrill of the chase is what drives us and keeps us keen.

Enjoy your chase.

These are all awesome responses.

I can totally see where focusing on the detail(s) of a particular area of interest like the KGVs could really reveal all of the subtle differences of the greater whole (stamps in general) and how it could seriously open up many, many doors for further exploration. I guess that it is the whole micorcosm/macrocosm thing.

Thanks for indulging me!