A History of Britain in Thirty-Six Postage Stamps

“A quirky, and always interesting, overview of modern British history” as told through thirty-six postage stamps (Publishers Weekly).

“West treats each entry more like a riffing conversation than a lecture . . . And since each chapter is just a handful of pages long, it's easy to jump around and explore, making for diverting and educating reading.” —Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Hailed by The Times of London as “a splendid reminder of the philatelic glories of the past,” A History of Britain in 36 Postage Stamps tells the rich, layered, and breathtaking history of England through thirty-six of its fascinating, often beautiful, and sometimes eccentric postage stamps. West shows that stamps have always mirrored the events, attitudes, and styles of their time. Through them, one can glimpse the whole epic tale of an empire unfolding. From the famous Penny Black, printed soon after Queen Victoria's coronation, to the Victory! stamp of 1946, anticipating the struggle of postwar reconstruction-A History of Britain in 36 Postage Stamps is a hugely entertaining and idiosyncratic romp, told in Chris West's lively prose.

On their own, stamps can be curiosities, even artistic marvels; in this book, stamps become a window into the larger sweep of history.

“Each classic, lovingly designed stamp is presented in full color, revealing it to be both a work of art and a tantalizing window into the character and spirit of its era.” -The Guardian (London)

“Though this delightful read is deliberately designed to capture the fancy of both devoted Anglophiles and stamp enthusiasts, it will also appeal to members of the Downton Abbey set interested in background and context.” —Booklist