The designs, now held in the British Postal archive, were first mooted in 1978 in advance of the referendum held by Jim Callaghan’s Labour government on March 1, 1979.
Two sets of stamps were drawn up — one with a lion, a unicorn and a Scots thistle with the words “Scottish Assembly” in English and Gaelic; the other having the Queen’s head and the same text.
However the designs were not thought up to scratch and yet more were commissioned.
The four designs chosen for the final set showed a thistle and crown, two white unicorns with standards, a lion rampant, and a St Andrew’s cross and crown.
Douglas Muir, philately curator for the British Postal archive, said the number of options showed how seriously Royal Mail took the proposed Assembly.
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“Though plans for stamps which mark events are quite often discussed, it is rare that it goes so far that several different designs are drawn up, ready for production,” he said. “These designs are priceless and form part of an important historical record.”
Labour gave the Scots the chance to vote for devolution in 1979 after being alarmed by SNP advances and rising demands for home rule.
But the Scotland Act was subject to an amendment put forward by George Cunningham, a Scot with an English seat, ruling that a simple majority would not be sufficient for victory. Though 52% of those who voted backed the “yes” campaign, this only accounted for 33% of the total electorate and the plan was ditched.