Details about  BLACKPOOL v BOLTON 1953 FA CUP Football 20-Stamp Sheet

These Great Sporting Events "Local Issue" stamps were issued in 1996 by six postal authorities of the United Kingdom (UK).  They were released to chart the history of the FA Cup Final, and depict great moments from finals over the years.  The F.A. Cup Collection was officially authorised by the Football Association and the clubs who are featured.  Each of the six postal authorities issued six stamp designs and 2 souvenir minisheets, totalling 36 different stamps and 12 minisheets.  All of these are available as full sheets of 20 stamps, or individually in my other listings.

PLEASE NOTE: The stamps are not valid for postage in mainland Britain unless the Royal Mail postage stamps are also applied.  They were issued offshore and were only valid for delivery to the mainland Post Office, at which point the Royal Mail took responsibility for delivery.  The postal rates for delivery to the mainland was double those of the UK, hence some of the higher value issues.  The stamps are genuine, and listed in various stamp catalogues.  They were issued primarily to support the boat services to the mainland and the community councils of the islands.  They have also found popularity with visitors to the islands (who then use the postal service, e.g. for postcards) and stamp collectors worldwide.

And for those needing a Geography lesson, the six postal authorities are: BERNERA (Great Bernera and Little Bernera - northwest of the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides); DAVAAR - an island at the mouth of Campbeltown Loch in Kintyre Peninsular, Argyll; EASDALE - A small island in Argyll on the west coast of Scotland, 16 miles south of Oban; GAIRSAY lies at the eastern end of Eynhallow Sound and at the northern exit of Wide Firth, Orkney; and Gugh Island and St. Martin in the Scillies off Cornwall.