King George VI died on the 6th of February 1952 and it became obvious that
stocks of the George VI stamps should be used up. In December of that year
an increase in postal charges were met by surcharging the George VI 1d
green stamp 3d.
In September 1953, an over-supply of ½d brown
George VI stamps were surcharged 1d to use them up.
This was the
second time that stamps from the
1938
King George VI issue had been surcharged to cover increased postage
rates, the first was during the Second World War. Those stamps are listed
separately under
1941 King
George VI Provisionals.