Steep Holm Postage Labels

Cinderalla Stamps from a Bristol Channel Island

May 12, 2009 John Howe

Steep Holm in the Bristol Channel is just under half a mile from East to West, and only a quarter of a mile wide - its highest elevation is 256 feet.

Steep Holm is one pair of islands sitting at the turbulent confluence of the Severn Estuary and the Bristol Channel and it has produced its own postal labels since 1980.

Steep Holm Ships

A 1971 set includes a photograph of the island’s own boat unfortunately the boat was wrecked in a gale while at anchor in her homeport. A locally famous paddle steamer is depicted on a 25 pence label. The ‘PS Glen Avon’ belonged to the White Funnel Fleet. The Vikings inhabited Steep Holm, perhaps using it as a refuge after sorties to the mainland. The 15p label has a drawing of a magnificent Viking longship. The 18p label in this series shows I.K. Brunel’s famous ‘SS Great Britain’, the first iron-clad ship to voyage the North Atlantic.

The 40p value in this series is the Royal Navy Ship HMS Steep Holm an ‘Isle Class’ wreck dispersal vessel, commissioned in 1943 and scrapped in 1960. The ship is seen belching thick black smoke. All of these ships are drawn against a background representing the island. The ships series was issued over-printed ‘Millennium’.

Steep Holm was used to evade the mainland licensing laws the inn opened for as long as custom was available. A 12p issue shows the landing beach, the precipitous path to the summit and the inn.

Steep Holm World War II

Steep Holm’s most recent habitation was during World War II when the island was fortified to defend the aircraft and munitions factories of South Wales and the West of England against enemy attack. Only 80 years before this the enemy was France and the island was fortified by Prime Minister Lord Palmerston, with what were to become known as ‘Palmerston Follies’. The 30p label illustrates Zebra camouflage, as used during the last war.

Steep Holm Nature Reserve

Steep Holm is a nature reserve, the first of two sets illustrating the islands fauna were issued in 1981. The butterfly set was issued on May 13, 1981.

Steep Holm’s mammals set was issued on two dates in September 1981 – the first was an imperforate issue. The perforate set was issued on September 12, 1981. The snuffling hedgehog is seen on a 14p issue and a grey seal a common visitor is shown on the 40p value. In the early 14th century Lord Berkeley probably introduced the rabbits to the island, so the 18p issue shows a cuddly bunny.

Natives of China, India and South East Asia, Muntjac deer were brought to Britain in the 19th century a colony was introduced to Steep Holm in 1977. These deer are no bigger than a Labrador Dog and are very shy and solitary animals. There are about 20 on the island.

Princess of Wales Sheets

The death of Diana Princess of Wales shocked and saddened many. Steep Holm has issued a series of labels and miniature sheets to mark her death and her life. A black-bordered mini sheet shows the Princess in a semi-formal pose. A set of 50 pence labels shows the Princess wearing a fetching dress and the same pearl choker. There is however an anomaly – the legend seems to suggest that Steep Holm is in Wales, not in England. The most attractive of these issues is the £1 sheet showing the Princess accompanied by Princess Grace of Monaco.

The labels of this island are few and attractive, and Cinderella collectors may find them an attractive addition to their album pages.

Website for Steep Holm

The copyright of the article Steep Holm Postage Labels in Antiques & Collectibles is owned by John Howe. Permission to republish Steep Holm Postage Labels in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Princess Dianna

Ships on Stamps

Princess Dianna Stamp