Shortened to GBOS, the society was founded in 1970 and is a study group for the stamps and postal history of the regions and occupation post offices abroad that used the stamps of Great Britain and were overprinted for use. The society continues to explore the ways in which, and reasons why, British stamps and other postal material have been overprinted for use outside the UK or for special functions within the UK.

The GBOS specialises in the study of the stamps and postal services of the British Postal Agencies in the Arabian Gulf, Bechuanaland, British Levant, British Occupied Italian Colonies, Cyprus, Ireland, Morocco Agencies, Nauru, Oil Rivers and Zululand.  We also have members specialising in the GB Departmental issues and Commercial overprints.

From the first officially produced G.B. Overprints for Cyprus in 1880, right through to the closing of the very last Overseas British Post Office, at Abu Dhabi in the Arabian Gulf on 31st December 1966, we find not only stamps, but many of the other services, offered by the British Post Office. Registered Letter Envelopes, Printed Postcards, Parcel Labels, Postal Orders and Airletters; all overprinted or used in one or more of the Overseas BPO’s.

The Society can offer support and knowledge on these collecting areas of interest in a friendly and informal way whether you are an experienced collector or just looking to branch out into a new area. We welcome new members.

Contents

Title Article Author Page
Editorial and Front Cover 59
Officers’ Reports and Messages 60
A Trip to Tangier 62
Obituary: The Venerable Christopher Hawthorn 1936 – 2025 63
Overprinter Back Issues 63