Coronation Overprint Stamps Appraisal

Lundy Island 1953 Coronation Overprint 'By Air' Puffin Carriage Stamps

This is a pair of local carriage stamps from Lundy Island, an offshore island in the Bristol Channel. The set includes a 2 Puffin denomination in slate-blue/grey and a 4 Puffin denomination in maroon/brown. Both stamps are featuring a central Atlantic Puffin illustration and are commemorative overprints for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, dated '2-6-1953'. These are 'local' stamps intended to cover the cost of carrying mail from the island to the mainland GPO in Bideford. The stamps feature horizontal 'BY AIR' and 'CORONATION 2-6-1953' overprints in contrasting red/brown ink. Physically, they exhibit fine line engraving and traditional perforation. The 2 Puffin stamp shows clear, crisp printing with intact perforations, though some slight toning is visible on the paper. The 4 Puffin stamp is similarly well-preserved with sharp edges. Such stamps are a niche but significant area of British philately, specifically 'Cinderellas' or local post issues. The condition appears to be 'mounted mint' or 'unused', with no visible postmarks across the vignettes. These pieces represent a unique historical moment combining island isolation, avian iconography, and royal history.