UK plaster model used for philatelic portrait of King George VI

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Image copyright of the Postal Museum (UK).

See:

George VI Definitive Registration Sheets | The Postal Museum

Amongst the other unique material in our collection is a plaster model of the king's head created by Edmund Dulac. The model was used by Dulac and Eric Gill to create the low value definitive stamps.

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The portrait of King George VI on stamps issued during his reign.

I know nothing of this aspect of philately, but I am surprised that a round plaster model was used for the King's portrait.

I am well used to such models for coins, of course, but then coins themselves are usually round.

Below you see the portrait of King George VI on stamps that were issued during his reign.

[<k>]

Here I have darkened the image so that you can see the portrait more clearly.

[Figleaf]

Interesting to see the model. It helps understanding why Dulac thought he could design coins too. However, while stamps have more in common with printing, coins have more in common with sculpting.

Peter

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Edmund Dulac provided designs for the coinage of Edward VIII of the UK, but they were not adopted.

See: King Edward VIII: the unadopted coin designs of Edmund Dulac.