First Day Covers and Stamp Sheets

On Saturday, Tornado's wheels turned for the first time. An engineering marvel built using modern technology, Tornado brings steam locomotion back to Britain.

As her wheels set in motion for the first time, our covers were there with her. We can now boast a limited number of covers, carried onboard Tornado. Each cover illustrates its symbolic journey with a carried cachet and is postmarked in Darlington, where the locomotive has been built.

If you want to know more about Tornado or just want to own a beautiful piece of history, visit www.buckinghamcovers.com/tornado

One of the most famous names in British flying history is World War 2 ace, Peter Twiss DSC. He flew for the RAF winning a DSC in Malta and the bar to his DSC in Operation Torch (North Africa).

After the war he became a test pilot and broke the 1000 mile speed barrier, the first man to ever do so. Twiss broke the record on March 10th, 1956 in Farey Delta 2 a British supersonic research aircraft.

Twiss has agreed to sign for Buckingham Covers, on their RAF Uniforms first day cover. The cover is dedicated to him, the World Speed Record Breaker and illustrates the aircraft he flew. This cover like many other successes has enabled Buckingham Covers to build a huge aviation following. Cara Redman of Buckingham Covers said, "Aviation, especially Concorde is always a popular theme with collectors".

This cover is available unsigned priced £9.95 or genuinely signed by Peter Twiss DFC for £24.95. To order, go online at www.buckinghamcovers.com or contact Buckingham Covers by email on sales@buckinghamcovers.com or by phone on +44 (0)1303 278137.

Britain's first new steam train in over 40 years is to be honoured with a collectors' sheet of stamps.

A1 Pacific No 60163 Tornado, finally finished this year, is a completely new locomotive. It is not a reproduction or a persevered engine. 18 years of dreaming, the dedication of the British public and a hard won £3 million went into creating this landmark in railway history. The locomotive is built with up-to-the-minute technology.

Buckingham Covers, Britain's leading cover and stamp sheet producer, are releasing a range of collectables raising funds for the organisation behind Tornado, the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust.

All the designs use new artwork commissioned by leading railway artist, John Wigston.

The sheet, tipped as investment-quality, features the A1 Pacifics and is available genuinely signed by John Wigston. A limited number are also being carried on one of Tornado's test journeys.

The covers, created by Cath's protégée, Isobel Fraser Underhill are due to be carried on Tornado's first trial run on the Great Central Railway and her main line trial run.

All are being released in very limited numbers and are predicted to sell out fast. Buckingham Covers hope their collectables will raise £5000 for the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust.

The collectors' edition stamp sheets range from £24.95 to £39.95 while the limited edition covers start from £9.95. Each carries a donation to the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust.

For more information, go to Buckingham Cover's Tornado Website or call 01303 278 137.

This year Farnborough Air Show witnessed flights by the Red Arrows. Carrying collectable covers (envelopes) to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the show and 100 years of flying. Each cover receives a cachet stamp to illustrate its journey as a cockpit passenger in a Red Arrow.

In 1908, the United Kingdom's first powered flight by Samuel Franklin Cody, took place in Farnborough. He took to the air in British Army Aircraft One. 2008 is the 100th year of flying and the 60th anniversary of the Farnborough Air Show, being celebrated by the iconic masters, Concorde and the Red Arrows.

The covers feature a stunning image showing Concorde flying with the Red Arrows. They include stamps from Royal Mail illustrating the Red Arrows and the RAF Falcons. The 'Air Displays', Farnborough postmark is of fabulous design and makes this cover most endearing.

Buckingham Cover's Sales Director, Ellie Hopkins, says "We jumped at the chance to create a magical collectable. Our outstanding cover celebrates 100 years of flying at Farnborough, which is now the ultimate air show."

This cover and its partner cover, exhibiting an alternative Concorde postmark have been big hits and are in limited numbers, but will be available flown and signed by Captain Peter P. Baker, a great Concorde test pilot. To purchase visit Buckingham Covers or call 01303 278137.

This collectable stamp sheet marks Paddington Bear's 50th anniversary and the first new Paddington Bear book in over 30 years. The limited edition is raising funds for Paddington's favourite charity, Action Medical Research, and a small number have been personally signed by the author, Michael Bond.

Action Medical Research, played a key role in developing the first polio vaccine, hip replacement surgery and ultrasound scanning in pregnancy, to name but a few of their achievements, hopes to benefit by at least £5000 from the stamps. Karen Jankel, daughter of the author, explains her father chose to support Action Medical Research because "Paddington is a bear who likes value for money and Action Medical Research helps pretty much everyone".

Paddington collectables have been popular since the 1970s, after the first plush bear was made by Gabrielle in 1972, but this is the first time Paddington has had his own sheet of stamps.

The Paddington Bear stamp sheet is the latest release in what has become a new collectable phenomenon. According to recent statistics, stamp sheets are one of the fastest growing collectables in the UK market. A4 in size, the sheets contain genuine British postage stamps within artwork. They are intended to be framed or stored in a specialist album.

Award winning designer, Cath Buckingham, was selected to create the stamp sheet in order to raise money for Action Medical Research. "We've seen our stamp sheets double or triple in price within weeks of release" says Cath Buckingham, "especially on eBay". Her company, noted for its limited edition sheets featuring Concorde, hope that their Paddington Bear sheet will prove a similar investment.

Only 1000 Paddington Bear stamp sheets will be released worldwide. Over half are pre-booked by collectors.

Paddington Bear sheets are currently available at £24.95, with a minimum of £3 per sale going straight to Action Medical Research, if you order through the charity's website at www.action.org.uk or call Buckingham Covers on 01303 278 137.

First day cover collecting is a fun, interesting and historical hobby. It gives you the chance to own a piece of history. Many covers travel around the world, creating their own story and journey along the way.

Stamp sheets are becoming a new collectable phenomenon! They appeal to stamp and first day cover collectors. They are also thematic pieces, meaning they appeal to many other collectors too.

What's your theme? Paddington Bear, Concorde, QE2, RAF, Steam Locomotives or The Snowman, with many more to come.....Why not give stamps sheets a try?

More info on first day cover at
www.buckinghamcovers.com

More info on stamp sheets at
www.buckinghamcovers.com/sheets