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

Key Points

• This product is a 1991 Great Britain First Day Cover, featuring a single stamp and an illustration of Thomas Bewick’s "A Spanish Pointer."
• It includes a 26-pence stamp depicting George Stubbs’ painting "A Pointer," 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 Spanish Pointer," 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 Spanish Pointer" and a 26-pence stamp showcasing George Stubbs’ painting "A Pointer," 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 Spanish Pointer," 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’ "A Pointer," 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 Spanish Pointer and the Evolution of the Pointer Breed

An interesting aspect of this cover is its depiction of "A Spanish Pointer," which provides insight into the history of the Pointer dog breed. The Spanish Pointer, as depicted by Bewick in A General History of Quadrupeds, is considered an ancestor of the modern Pointer breed, which was developed in England in the 17th and 18th centuries. Spanish Pointers were brought to England from Spain and were known for their strong hunting instincts and ability to "point" at game, a trait that became the hallmark of the breed. Over time, British breeders refined the Spanish Pointer by crossing it with other breeds, such as the Foxhound, to create the sleeker, more agile English Pointer. This cover, by featuring Bewick’s engraving, highlights the historical significance of the Spanish Pointer in the evolution of a breed that became a favorite among hunters and sportsmen.

Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of the 1991 Great Britain Thomas Bewick "A Spanish Pointer" 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 Spanish Pointer." The cover showcases a detailed engraving of a Spanish Pointer in a reddish-brown hue, depicted in a hunting stance 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 Spanish Pointer" is printed below the illustration in red.

Affixed to the cover is a single 26-pence stamp, part of a 1991 British series celebrating art and animals. The stamp features George Stubbs’ painting "A Pointer," depicting a pointer dog in a white-and-brown coat, standing alert in a natural setting with trees and a sky in the background. The stamp is labeled "A Pointer – George Stubbs" and has a denomination of 26 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 Spanish Pointer" featured on this cover is one of Bewick’s engravings from A General History of Quadrupeds, showcasing his ability to capture the texture and posture 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’ "A Pointer" 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" and "A Fox Hound," 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 Spanish Pointer" 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" and "A Fox Hound," 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 26-pence stamp on the cover is part of a 1991 Great Britain series celebrating art and animals. The stamp features George Stubbs’ painting "A Pointer," depicting a pointer dog in a white-and-brown coat, standing alert in a natural setting with trees and a sky in the background. The stamp is labeled "A Pointer – George Stubbs" and has a denomination of 26 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 26p likely covered second-class mail). 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) and "A Fox Hound" (31p 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 Spanish Pointer and the Evolution of the Pointer Breed

An intriguing aspect of this cover is its depiction of "A Spanish Pointer," which provides insight into the history of the Pointer dog breed. The Spanish Pointer, as depicted by Bewick in A General History of Quadrupeds, is considered an ancestor of the modern Pointer breed, which was developed in England in the 17th and 18th centuries. Spanish Pointers were brought to England from Spain and were known for their strong hunting instincts and ability to "point" at game—a behavior where the dog freezes and points its nose toward prey, assisting hunters. This trait became the hallmark of the breed. Over time, British breeders refined the Spanish Pointer by crossing it with other breeds, such as the Foxhound, to create the sleeker, more agile English Pointer, which became a favorite among hunters and sportsmen. Stubbs’ "A Pointer" on the stamp likely depicts this later English Pointer, showing the breed’s evolution. This cover, by featuring Bewick’s engraving, highlights the historical significance of the Spanish Pointer in the development of a breed that remains popular today for its elegance and hunting prowess.

Table: Summary of Key Features

Conclusion

The 1991 Great Britain Thomas Bewick "A Spanish Pointer" First Day Cover is a historically significant collectible that celebrates the work of Thomas Bewick and British art through the depiction of "A Spanish Pointer." Its detailed illustration, clear postmark, and connection to George Stubbs’ "A Pointer" 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 the Pointer breed, this cover offers a unique blend of cultural and historical value, reflecting Britain’s rich tradition of art and natural history illustration.