Country definitives

Country definitives, previously known as regionals, are the postage stamps issued for each of the home nations of the United Kingdom and (until 1969) the Channel Islands and (until 1973) the Isle of Man.

Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Isle of Man "regional" stamps were replaced on decimalisation with new designs in the Machin series, having the relevant emblem shown in the top left-hand corner.

The idea of regional stamps came up after World War II to help tourism in the Channel Islands, which had been occupied by German forces until the end of the conflict.

The concept was extended to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and essays were prepared: positions of King George VI's head[3] and symbols.

The first value (3d deep lilac) of the regional issues were introduced on 18 August 1958[5] in the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The 4d's initial colour change was made to bring it into line with that used by the newly issued pre-decimal Machin series (from 5 June 1967 onwards).

The Gardner design showed the Mace presented to the island by Charles II in 1663 and the Arms of Jersey as the main subjects with a potato and tomato plant in the borders to emphasise the importance of agriculture.

Each stamp had a reduced size portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Arnold Machin with a national emblem in the top left corner, the latter designed by Jeffery Matthews.

The Isle of Man became postally autonomous on 5 July 1973[5] and only four Machin values were therefore ever issued for this region: In the late 1990s, new designs were produced for each of the four British home nations including (for the first time ever) England.

Four values were issued for each nation, firstly Scotland and Wales on 8 June 1999, Northern Ireland on 6 March 2001 and finally, England on 23 April 2001,[5] each showing heraldic and other symbols of the relevant country.