Proofs & Stamps from The Gambia: Churchill Memorial Issue

Jan 24, 1966
Designed by: Jennifer Toombs
Printer: Harrison and Sons

Jennifer M. Toomb’s career as a British stamp designer began in 1965 with her stamp marking Sir Winston Churchill’s death. While the Royal Mail did not select/use her stamp, the Commonwealth countries did.

One year later Toombs designed stamps commemorating the first anniversary of Sir Winston Churchill’s death. 33 Commonwealth countries issued the stamps. The set below are from The Gambia.

Image 1: This block of four proofs is unique in the marketplace. It was given to the curator of  The British Museum in 1974 as a retirement gift for his personal Churchill collection.
One other block of four resides in the The British Museum collection.
Apart from a few singles all others from the sheet were destroyed by the Crown Agents.

Image 2: The second image shows blocks of four stamps of the 3 values as issued, namely 1d, 6d & 1’6

Item #361