Wildings Definitives: Queen Elizabeth II’s Early Portrait Stamps

The Wildings Stamps were the first series of stamps featuring Queen Elizabeth II after her ascension to the throne in 1952. Named after the portrait photographer Dorothy Wilding, whose iconic photograph of the Queen was used as the primary image, these stamps represent a crucial part of British philatelic history.

The History and Design of Wildings Definitives

Released between 1952 and 1967, Wilding stamps were the face of British postal service before the introduction of the Machin series. Dorothy Wilding's stamp designs stand out for their elegance, capturing the youthful Queen Elizabeth II in regal simplicity. The portrait was used across multiple denominations, becoming a symbol of the new Elizabethan era. Collectors value the historical significance of these Wilding portrait stamps, particularly in the context of British philately.

Key Features of Wildings Definitives

One distinctive feature of Queen Elizabeth II Wildings stamps is the use of different watermark varieties. Early releases featured crown watermarks, but later stamps introduced more subtle varieties, which can help collectors in identifying Wilding Definitives. Other identifying features include stamps with phosphor bands, which were added to aid in the automation of postal sorting systems. These are of particular interest to seasoned philatelists.

Collecting Wilding Definitives

For collectors, a complete set of Wilding Definitive stamps represents a valuable philatelic treasure. We offer you the opportunity to purchase full sets of Wildings, at a discount of 5% versus individual prices, in sets according to Watermark Upright, Watermark Inverted, Watermark Sideways, as well as Castle Wildings and the recent Decimal Wildings.