1948 Olympic Games

The Post Office could hardly refuse to issue stamps for the 1948 Olympic Games, as the precedent has been established by previous host nations.

At first just two stamps were envisaged, 2½d and 3d, later extended to include the 6d and 1/-. An air letter using the design of the 6d stamp was also planned.

Consulting with the Council of Industrial Design, several artists, and the four main stamp printers, were approached. From the designs submitted the Council chose work by G. Knipe of Harrison & Sons, S. D. Scott of Waterlows, Edmund Dulac, Percy Metcalfe and Abram Games. Before these were shown to the King, the Postmaster General felt another option should be offered, and recommended a design by John Armstrong.

Copyright doubts were expressed over Knipe’s design, as it showed two athletes taken from a photograph: it was therefore withdrawn.

The King approved the favoured designs, two by Armstrong in the event being presented as reserves. That by Scott was selected for the 6d as the design was suited for both photogravure (stamp) and letterpress (air letter).