1991 Great Britain First Day Cover, featuring a single stamp and an illustration of Thomas Bewick’s "A Springer Spaniel."

Key Points

• This product is a 1991 Great Britain First Day Cover, featuring a single stamp and an illustration of Thomas Bewick’s "A Springer Spaniel."
• It includes a 22-pence stamp depicting George Stubbs’ painting "King Charles Spaniel," postmarked on January 8, 1991, in Edinburgh by the British Philatelic Bureau.
• The cover honors Thomas Bewick, an English engraver and naturalist, and his depiction of "A Springer Spaniel," part of a series celebrating British art and natural history.
• As a collectible, it is likely valued between $5 and $15, depending on condition and market demand.

Product Overview

The 1991 Great Britain First Day Cover is a philatelic item celebrating the work of Thomas Bewick, a renowned English engraver and naturalist. Featuring a detailed illustration of Bewick’s "A Springer Spaniel" and a 22-pence stamp showcasing George Stubbs’ painting "King Charles Spaniel," this cover highlights British art and natural history. Issued by the British Philatelic Bureau, it’s a perfect addition for collectors of British stamps, art history, and natural history memorabilia, offering a unique glimpse into the legacy of two influential artists and their depictions of canine subjects.

Historical Context

Thomas Bewick (1753–1828) was a pivotal figure in British art and natural history, celebrated for his intricate wood engravings of animals and birds, particularly in works like A General History of Quadrupeds (1790) and History of British Birds (1797–1804). His engraving of "A Springer Spaniel," depicted on this cover, showcases his ability to capture the essence of animals with precision and artistry, often set against detailed landscapes. The 1991 issuance of this first day cover, part of a series celebrating British art, reflects a renewed appreciation for Bewick’s contributions to illustration and natural history during the late 20th century. The stamp, featuring George Stubbs’ "King Charles Spaniel," connects two artists known for their animal depictions, with Stubbs (1724–1806) being a prominent 18th-century painter of horses and dogs, often commissioned by British aristocracy.

Collectible Value

First day covers from Great Britain, especially those issued by the British Philatelic Bureau, are popular among collectors for their quality and historical themes. This 1991 cover, with its clear postmark, detailed illustration, and well-preserved condition, is likely valued between $5 and $15, based on typical market trends for similar items. Its focus on Thomas Bewick and George Stubbs, combined with its artistic and natural history theme, enhances its appeal to collectors of British stamps, art history, and natural history memorabilia.

Unexpected Detail: The Springer Spaniel and King Charles Spaniel in British History

An interesting aspect of this cover is its depiction of two distinct spaniel breeds, each with a significant place in British history. Bewick’s "A Springer Spaniel" represents a working breed known for its role in hunting, particularly in flushing game birds from dense cover—hence the name "springer." Springer Spaniels have been documented in Britain since the 16th century and were prized by hunters for their energy and agility. In contrast, Stubbs’ "King Charles Spaniel," depicted on the stamp, is a toy breed associated with British royalty, particularly King Charles II (1630–1685), who was so fond of the breed that it was named after him. These small spaniels were bred as companion dogs for the aristocracy, often seen in portraits of the period. This cover, by featuring both a working and a companion spaniel, highlights the diverse roles of spaniels in British culture, from practical hunting partners to symbols of luxury and status.

Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of the 1991 Great Britain Thomas Bewick "A Springer Spaniel" First Day Cover

This section provides a comprehensive examination of the 1991 Great Britain First Day Cover, exploring its features, historical context, and collectible value. The cover, analyzed through the provided image, is a philatelic item that celebrates the work of Thomas Bewick and British art, making it a valuable piece for collectors of British stamps, art, and natural history.

Product Description and Features

The 1991 Great Britain First Day Cover is a collectible envelope designed to honor Thomas Bewick, an English engraver and naturalist, featuring his illustration of "A Springer Spaniel." The cover showcases a detailed engraving of a Springer Spaniel in a reddish-brown hue, depicted in mid-stride with a landscape of trees and grass in the background, reflecting Bewick’s style of combining natural subjects with scenic elements. The text "Thomas Bewick – A Springer Spaniel" is printed below the illustration in red.

Affixed to the cover is a single 22-pence stamp, part of a 1991 British series celebrating art and animals. The stamp features George Stubbs’ painting "King Charles Spaniel," depicting a small spaniel with a white-and-brown coat, standing in a natural setting with trees and foliage in the background. The stamp is labeled "King Charles Spaniel – George Stubbs" and has a denomination of 22 pence. It is postmarked with a circular cancellation reading "British Philatelic Bureau – First Day of Issue – 8 Jan 1991 – Edinburgh," confirming its first day of issue status. The cover’s condition appears excellent, with no visible tears, stains, or creases, preserving its visual and collectible value.

Historical Significance and Context

Thomas Bewick (1753–1828) was a pioneering English engraver and naturalist, renowned for revolutionizing wood engraving techniques in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. His detailed illustrations of animals and birds, often accompanied by scenic vignettes, brought a new level of artistry to natural history books. Bewick’s A General History of Quadrupeds (1790) and History of British Birds (1797–1804) are considered landmarks in publishing, blending scientific observation with artistic beauty. The "A Springer Spaniel" featured on this cover is one of Bewick’s engravings from A General History of Quadrupeds, showcasing his ability to capture the texture and movement of animals.

The stamp on the cover features a painting by George Stubbs (1724–1806), a leading 18th-century British artist known for his anatomical precision in depicting animals, particularly horses and dogs. Stubbs’ "King Charles Spaniel" reflects his skill in portraying the natural world, often commissioned by aristocratic patrons to paint their prized animals. The pairing of Bewick and Stubbs on this cover highlights two artists who contributed significantly to British art and natural history, with Bewick’s engravings and Stubbs’ paintings representing different but complementary approaches to animal depiction.

The issuance of this first day cover on January 8, 1991, by the British Philatelic Bureau reflects a broader trend in the late 20th century of celebrating British cultural heritage through philately. The 1991 series, which included this stamp, likely aimed to honor the intersection of art and natural history, appealing to collectors interested in both fields. This cover is a companion to the previously described 1991 Great Britain First Day Covers featuring Bewick’s "Large Rough Water Dog," "A Fox Hound," and "A Spanish Pointer," indicating that the series included multiple stamps and covers celebrating Bewick’s work alongside other artists like Stubbs.

Collectible Value and Market Analysis

First day covers issued by the British Philatelic Bureau are highly regarded among collectors for their quality, design, and historical themes. The 1991 Thomas Bewick "A Springer Spaniel" cover, with its clear postmark, detailed illustration, and well-preserved condition, is likely valued between $5 and $15, based on market trends for similar items. This valuation aligns with the previously described 1991 Great Britain covers featuring Bewick’s "Large Rough Water Dog," "A Fox Hound," and "A Spanish Pointer," which were also valued at $5–$15. British first day covers from the 1990s often sell on platforms like eBay or through stamp dealers in this price range, with variations depending on condition, rarity, and the popularity of the theme. The cover’s focus on Thomas Bewick and George Stubbs, combined with its artistic and natural history theme, enhances its appeal to collectors of British stamps, art history, and natural history memorabilia.

Detailed Stamp Analysis

The 22-pence stamp on the cover is part of a 1991 Great Britain series celebrating art and animals. The stamp features George Stubbs’ painting "King Charles Spaniel," depicting a small spaniel with a white-and-brown coat, standing in a natural setting with trees and foliage in the background. The stamp is labeled "King Charles Spaniel – George Stubbs" and has a denomination of 22 pence, reflecting a lower-tier postage rate in the UK in 1991 (the first-class rate was 33p, as seen in the "Large Rough Water Dog" cover, while 22p likely covered a basic rate, possibly for postcards or lightweight letters). The design uses a muted color palette of greens, browns, and blues, capturing the naturalistic style of Stubbs’ work. The stamp’s placement on the cover, along with the clear Edinburgh postmark from the British Philatelic Bureau, enhances the item’s philatelic appeal.

Comparative Analysis with Other Collectibles

This cover is part of the same 1991 Great Britain series as the previously described covers featuring Bewick’s "Large Rough Water Dog" (33p stamp), "A Fox Hound" (31p stamp), and "A Spanish Pointer" (26p stamp), all valued at $5–$15. The series’ consistent focus on Bewick’s engravings paired with Stubbs’ paintings creates a cohesive set for collectors interested in British art and natural history. Unlike the U.S. Bicentennial-themed first day covers you provided earlier (e.g., from Mauritania, Mali, Maldives, Luxembourg, and Liberia, valued at $5–$20), this cover shifts focus to British heritage, appealing to a different collector base. Compared to other British first day covers from the 1990s, such as those celebrating royal events or literary figures (often valued at $5–$20), this cover stands out for its focus on art and animals, a less common theme. Compared to other art-related memorabilia, such as prints of Bewick’s engravings or Stubbs’ paintings, this first day cover offers a more affordable way to own a piece of art history. A high-quality print of a Bewick engraving might fetch $50–$100, while this cover provides an accessible entry point for collectors.

Unexpected Historical Detail: The Springer Spaniel and King Charles Spaniel in British History

An intriguing aspect of this cover is its depiction of two distinct spaniel breeds, each with a significant place in British history. Bewick’s "A Springer Spaniel" represents a working breed known for its role in hunting, particularly in flushing game birds from dense cover—hence the name "springer." Springer Spaniels have been documented in Britain since the 16th century and were prized by hunters for their energy and agility. The breed was later refined into the modern English Springer Spaniel, which remains popular for both hunting and as a family pet. In contrast, Stubbs’ "King Charles Spaniel," depicted on the stamp, is a toy breed associated with British royalty, particularly King Charles II (1630–1685), who was so fond of the breed that it was named after him. These small spaniels, often seen in portraits of the period, were bred as companion dogs for the aristocracy, symbolizing luxury and status. This cover, by featuring both a working and a companion spaniel, highlights the diverse roles of spaniels in British culture, from practical hunting partners to symbols of wealth and affection.

Table: Summary of Key Features

Conclusion

The 1991 Great Britain Thomas Bewick "A Springer Spaniel" First Day Cover is a historically significant collectible that celebrates the work of Thomas Bewick and British art through the depiction of "A Springer Spaniel." Its detailed illustration, clear postmark, and connection to George Stubbs’ "King Charles Spaniel" make it a standout piece for collectors of British stamps, art history, and natural history. Whether you’re interested in Bewick’s engravings, Stubbs’ paintings, or the history of spaniel breeds in British culture, this cover offers a unique blend of cultural and historical value, reflecting Britain’s rich tradition of art and natural history illustration.