Month: March 2025
A Collector’s Stitch in Time
In 1914, military vehicles and signposts bore discreet symbols that identified their units—secret markers meant for those in the know. But it wasn’t long before someone asked the obvious: shouldn’t the troops have recognition symbols too?
Enter the formation badge. A humble piece of cloth, it solved a pressing wartime puzzle—how to identify units without giving the game away to the enemy.
As the war evolved, so did the patches. What began as functional markers grew into something richer: a visual language, a kind of heraldry of war. These weren’t just bits of fabric—they were emblems of honour. Who hasn’t heard of the famed Desert Rats?
Pictured here are a range of machine-woven and printed examples—the latter introduced as a wartime economy measure. There’s also a rare surviving sheet of 12th Army patches. Notice how the lion faces inward in alternating columns? That’s no accident. When worn, figures on formation patches were ideally positioned to face forward, especially when placed on shoulder straps or upper sleeves.
A small detail, but in the military, facing forward always meant something.
“The humble formation badge played no small part in building morale, pride and identity.”
—Lieut. Colonel Howard Cole OBE, TD
Red vs. White: Russian Civil War Postage
With a print run in the millions, the “Special Corps, Army of the North” stamps from 1919 were never destined to be rare treasures. Issued by the anti-Communist forces in post-World War I Russia, these imperforate stamps were printed on thin, almost cigarette-like paper and saw limited postal use before the tide of history swept their issuers aside.
A complete mint set of these five stamps might only set you back around £10, making them an affordable yet fascinating relic of a turbulent era. However, the real challenge – and value – lies in finding one genuinely used on a complete letter. Used sets tend to fetch a premium, as collectors prize them for their authenticity, reducing the risk of forgeries.
So, while these stamps won’t make you rich, they remain a compelling piece of history worth adding to any collection. Keep an eye out – you never know when a real gem might turn up!
Ex Libris: Where Art Meets Bibiliophilia
Bookplates, or ex libris, have long been used to mark ownership within private libraries, typically affixed to the inside cover. Translating from Latin as “from the books of”, these small but striking prints are often beautifully designed, offering a glimpse into the personality, interests, or status of the book’s owner.
While many ex libris plates can be acquired quite affordably, those linked to famous figures or created by renowned artists tend to command higher prices. Some are signed by the artist, and in rarer cases, numbered as part of a limited edition.
Among the more unusual examples is the bookplate of Benito Mussolini, laden with symbolism. The central motif features an axe bound with rods—a clear reference to the fasces, an ancient Roman emblem of authority co-opted by Mussolini’s Fascist movement in 1919. This striking imagery underscores how bookplates can serve not only as marks of ownership but also as statements of ideology, artistry, and history.
For collectors, ex libris plates offer a fascinating niche—one where fine art, personal history, and bibliophilia intersect on a miniature scale.
The One Pound Notes You Won’t Remember!
The British Armed Forces Special Vouchers were a unique form of military currency used by service personnel. Among these, the £1 notes went through multiple series, each with distinctive designs and colours.
One of the most notable issues was the 4th series, introduced in 1962. Like all other series, it prominently carried a strict usage warning on the reverse, reinforcing its limited validity:
“This note is valid only for transactions within official canteens and organisations laid down in G.R.Os. of the theatre. Except as may be expressly provided in G.R.Os. it must in no circumstances be offered to any person who is not entitled to use British service canteens. Improper use of this note is a disciplinary offence and may render the offender liable to penalties.”
The warning underscored the controlled use of these vouchers, preventing circulation outside military facilities. These notes, now collectible, are valued for their intricate designs and historical significance, representing a time when the military operated with its own internal economy.
