THE FORMAT INTERNATIONAL SECURITY PRINTERS LTD. ARCHIVE

Information and Reference of What was Found in the Archive

Stamp issues for Isle of Man printed by the Format International Security Printers Ltd. and items found in the Archive

ISLE OF MAN

Isle of Man stamps printed by Format International Security Printers Ltd.

Although there is nothing stated in Stanley Gibbons or any other catalog for that matter of any involvement by the Format Printers with the printing of stamps for the Isle of Man there is solid proof that they did have involvement with and actually produced several varieties of two stamp issues. The following shows just how close the ties between the Format Printers and The House of Questa were....

In 1978 the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II stamp issue for the Isle of Man was created and issued. The general stamp issue was printed by the House of Questa and indeed is easily proven by their logo on the stamps and on the gutters. What most collectors do not know is that the "Black Print" of the issue which was not valid for postage was designed and printed by the Format Printers. This souvenir sheet was made to help with the Cancer Research Campaign in Great Britain at the time.

I found the proof of involvement in Christie's East October 1993 Auction Catalog, lot number 1550. A major portion of the Format Archive was sold in that sale. The proof press sheets were sold in lot 1550.

1978 CORONATION OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II ISSUE Scott #130, SG #132



Note the Questa logo on the bottom right corner.

1978 CORONATION OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II "BLACK PRINT" ISSUE



1978 CORONATION OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II "BLACK PRINT" PROOF SHEET

Only one press sheet of thirty souvenir sheets, half with the Proof overprints was found in the archive. Two press sheets of thirty souvenir sheets without the overprint were also found. This image is of the middle section of one press sheet.



The proof sheet is as described in the Christie's catalog.

In 1979 the same thing occurred with the Isle of Man Royal visit stamp issues. Again a "Black Print" souvenir sheet was produced by the Format Printers. I noted above to see that the Questa logo was on the stamps in the lower right corner. This logo was applied also on the Black Print souvenir sheet for the Coronation issue. For the Black Print Royal Visit souvenir sheet the Questa logo was removed.

1979 ROYAL VISIT OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II ISSUE Scott #154-155, SG #156-157



Again I note the Questa logo on the lower right corner of the stamps.

1979 ROYAL VISIT OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II "BLACK PRINT" ISSUE



See that there is no Questa logo on the stamps on the souvenir sheet.

1979 ROYAL VISIT OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II "BLACK PRINT" PROOF SHEETS

Only six sets as imaged found in the archive.



At this point this is the only two sets for the Isle of Man that have proof of involvement with the Format Printers. Should more evidence and proof be found for other issues for this country, it will be updated on this page.

References taken from:
Stanley Gibbons Online Catalog
Scott Catalog
Christie's East October 1993 Auction Catalog
Internet Research

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