Queen Elizabeth II 25th Anniversary Coronation First Day Cover, Gibraltar postmarked on June 12, 1978.
Gibraltar
Gibraltar was known to the Greeks and Romans as Calpe, one of the two Pillars of Hercules, and to Mohammed's followers as Djeb el Tariq, Hill of Tariq (who led the Muslims into Europe in 711). It became British when captured in the War of the Spanish Succession in 1704. A strongly fortified naval base, it withstood a three year siege at the end of the 18th century, and played an important role in World War II. In 1967, in accordance with a UN resolution, a referendum was held and Gibraltarians voted 12,138 to 44 to retain British links and not be incorporated into Spain.
Shown in this issue, designed by Walsall Studios and printed by Walsall Security Printers Ltd., are five British palaces:
6p — Holyroodhouse. This palace was erected near Edinburgh, on the site of Holyrood Abbey at the beginning of the 16th century. Restored by Charles II, it was used as a sanctuary for insolvent debtors in the 19th century, and only later restored as a royal residence.
9p — St. James' Palace. Swampy ground belonging to the Sisters of St. James in the Field was seized by Henry VIII in 1532 for a red brick castle, to the Court of which the credentials of foreign diplomats are still addressed.
12p — Sandringham House. Standing in 19,500 acres of sandy heath and farmland, the estate was bought by the Prince of Wales in 1861 as a winter residence for the partridge shooting season. George VI died here in 1952.
18p — Balmoral. On the banks of the River Dee, County Aberdeen, and acquired by Prince Albert in 1847, Balmoral's small castle was replaced in ensuing years by the present Scottish Baronial style structure. It is used as a summer residence for local grouse shooting and for visits to the Highland Games.
25p — Windsor Castle. This Berkshire residence stands in 13 acres and consists of two courts divided by the well-known Round Tower. Although the current site was first developed by William the Conqueror, Saxon kings had lived in Windsor in the 9th century. The Round Tower was built by Henry II, and the St. George's Chapel was begun by Edward IV. It is an excellent example of Perpendicular architecture, and is a mausoleum to recent monarchs.
