Ian Ridpath’s Astro Stamp index

Jodrell Bank radio telescope

Stanley Gibbons no. 701

For a nation that ranks second only to the United States in the world for astronomical research, and has a heritage that is second to none, Britain was initially slow to acknowledge its astronomical achievements via stamps, issuing only three astro-themed examples in the 1960s and 70s. However, since 1984, when a four-value set commemorating the centenary of the Greenwich meridian appeared, British astronomy has been granted its fair share of philatelic commemoratives.

The stamps are presented below in chronological order and include those issued by Great Britain, the Isle of Man, Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, and the Irish Republic (Éire). Click on the links to see an enlarged illustration of the stamps, some background information, and my comments on them.

If you have any opinions on these stamps, let me know by emailing me on

ian @ ianridpath.com

Content last updated 2008 July

Part I (1966–1999)


	1986					Halley’s Comet set (GB) Stanley Gibbons nos. 1312–1315

						Halley’s Comet set (Jersey) Stanley Gibbons nos. 383–385


	1991						Europe in Space set (GB) Stanley Gibbons nos. 1560–1563

							Europe in Space set (Guernsey) Stanley Gibbons nos. 520–523

							Europe in Space set (Isle of Man) Stanley Gibbons nos. 474–477

							Europe in Space set (Jersey) Stanley Gibbons nos. 545–548

							Europe in Space set (Éire) Stanley Gibbons nos. 804–805


	1999						Timekeeping Stanley Gibbons no. 2069

							Newton/Hubble Space Telescope Stanley Gibbons no. 2105

							Total eclipse sheet Stanley Gibbons no. MS 2106