Stamp of approval

The National Motor Museum was a founder member of the British Motor Centenary Trust and started looking forward to the centenary of the Motor Industry. The other members of the Trust were The Science Museum, British Motor Industry Heritage Trust, Museum of British Road Transport at Coventry, along with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, and the Royal Automobile Club.

One of the many objectives of this Trust was to persuade the Royal Mail that they should bring out a set of commemorative stamps. As you can imagine, the Royal Mail has hundreds of applications from organisations wishing to be featured on stamps. It was thought it would be tough to get a set of stamps, as there had already been a car set in 1982. Any design for 1996 had to be completely different. When it was agreed that motor vehicles were on the short list, the Royal Mail commissioned several designers to come up with suggestions for 5 stamps. The brief did not specifically say they had to depict the industry because the stamps were due to come out on the 1st of October, to coincide with the Motor Show and the London to Brighton Run, rather than earlier in the year.

One of the designers who researched his ideas in our Library was very taken with a series of dramatic photographs which Simon Clay, the Trust Photographer, had taken in the National Motor Museum studio. The Royal Mail decided to work up some of Simon's pictures into a series of stamps. Only then did the theme of 1950's sports cars come to the fore.

Gradually, Jane Ryan from the Royal Mail found the commonality of the close-up front end view. Then there had to be the choice of cars. The black 1950 Jaguar XK120, belonging to John D Mayston-Taylor from Lynx Engineering was on temporary display at Beaulieu, and this was the first car chosen. An MG was specified and Royal Mail insisted that it was British Racing Green. BMIHT at Gaydon had been part of the consultation process and they had a red TR3. An Austin Healey was thought appropriate, and a blue one fitted into the scheme of things. So, at this point, there were four quite contrasting colours. The fifth car therefore had to be neutral, and the choice was between a white Morgan or a cream Jowett Jupiter.

The front of each car had to be original in appearance, and there could be no blemishes in the chrome or paintwork. Simon contacted dealers, owners’ clubs, and many private owners before choosing the final six. The cars came from all over the South of England. All of them were brought to Beaulieu for photography in the Museum’s studio, most being here for at least a week. 

Jane, from the Royal Mail was present for each car's final shoot. After all the pictures had been taken, Royal Mail had the agonising decision as to which car to leave out, and the choice ended up between the Jowett and the Morgan. The Morgan won! 

The National Motor Museum were justly proud that Simon, who has been the Museum’s photographer for six years, should have his work recognised chosen for this project – arguably 30 years ago stamps were even more prestigious and even more of a feature of everyone’s lives.  The stamps went on sale on 1st October 1996 and a commemorative first day cover was available from the Museum shop.

Feature based on an article in the Autumn 1996 Friends of National motor Museum Newsletter.

Large versions of the motor stamps with the photographic collections team at the National Motor Museum