Long to Reign Over Us

Royal Mail issued a Miniature Sheet on Wednesday, 9th September to commemorate the historic landmark of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II becoming the longest reigning UK monarch, with Queen Victoria’s reign of 63 years and 216 days being exceeded by The Queen on that day. Whilst there is some debate about whether the actual date on which this milestone is reached is the 9th or 10th it is worth noting that Royal Mail chose the 9th as the issue date after consultation with the Palace.

The Miniature Sheet comprises five stamps including a specially created purple coloured First Class Definitive which will also appear in a Retail Stamp Book of six. In accordance with Royal Mail policy and as a tribute to this extraordinary and historic achievement, the Amethyst Purple stamp will also be included in the Retail Stamp Books of six stamps being issued from September 2015 to April 2016 – with the exception of the Christmas version. The only book to which this will apply during the remainder of 2015 will be the Rugby World Cup edition.

On the day that she became Britain's longest-serving monarch the Queen inaugurated the Borders Railway (part of the 'Waverley' line that was closed in 1969) by riding on a steam train along it. The line had re-opened between Edinburgh and Tweedmouth on Sunday 6th September.

The covers that we have produced feature all the Long to Reign Over Us miniature sheet and retail book stamps with a special Waverley station first day of issue postmark dated the 9th September as well as a Scottish 1st class regional stamp with a special 'Rail returns to the Scottish Borders' postmark dated the 6th September.