I believe these were produced by Lifebuoy Soap advertising, and are based on the comic strip Dan Dare from the comic Eagle.
The first issue of Dan Dare stamps was produced in the UK in 1953 as a publicity item for Lever Brothers' Lifebuoy Soap. There were 32 stamps in total and were issued in groups of two in cellophane packets inside the wrapping of the soap. A special folder was also issued in which to place your stamps, and a special "Letter from Digby" explaining all this was also given away. However, the ones you have may be a different series but are a part of this sheetlet:
The two you have show Dan Dare and of course President Kalon of the Therons. The Therons are a peace loving race who live in floating homes in the southern part of Venus. Their hereditary enemies are the Treens, and they are allies of Dan Dare and Space Fleet. Their leader is President Kalon.
I just couldn't resist, and did a buy it now on these 3 mini sheets on e-bay:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/US-GB-CANADA-1958-Interplanetary-Postage-MNH-3-x-Mini-Sheets-of-8-Stamps-/262818200978?hash=item3d312f7d92:g:9Q0AAOSwRLZT2QBw
I've also put in a bid on 3 blocks of 4, all different, in the style of those shown in Ningpo's post.
I need to post a birthday card to a friend on Pluto. Does anyone know the space postage rate? My friend's birthday is next week. Do you think the card will reach him in time?
Bob,
I seem to recall hearing that the postal rates to Pluto from the planets went up, when Pluto was demoted to planetoid status.
Imagine that, inflation and deflation, all in the same sentence.
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stampmanjack APS Life Member 18 Apr 2017 02:00:44am
re: Interplanetary stamps
Bob
You have a better chance of the card getting to Pluto on time then having the USPS deliver anything on time in the U.S.
stampmanjack
"I've also put in a bid on 3 blocks of 4, all different, in the style of those shown in Ningpo's post."
Well, someone outbid me on these by a a big margin, at 4 AM. I was too chicken to put in an auto-bid, but in retrospect, if I had been up at that ungodly hour, I would have given it one more bid. I think it went for $22, or close to it.
I'll keep looking for these, as they are the ones I want most of what I've seen so far.
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