One Good Turn Deserves Another

Something different today, but still on the Machin theme.

You will notice I have started to list my links to other sites of interest above left. There are many links on the Internet promoting stamp collecting and Machins in particular, and in the near future I will be listing some of them on these pages.

Today I am promoting a website and Blog of a fellow director of the Internet Philatelic Dealers Association, Michael Dodd.

Michael has in the past produced articles on the Machin, he writes a interesting blog, and adds to it almost every day. This is a direct link to pages that he wrote in November 2006.
Please take a look I'm sure you will appreciate the content.

What you don't know about Machin

This is an interesting piece about a public house in the Black Country with a very unusual name. "The Arnold Machin".

More About Machins

This is a second article and describes "A Second Machin Head" Please pay him a visit. Take a few minutes and have a browse around his site, read his other musings, I am positive you will not be disappointed.

http://blog.michael.dodd.com/blog/_archives/2006/10

Pricing in Proportion

Pricing in Proportion is aguide to the issues released to date. I wrote this and posted it to a couple of the online groups, for ease of reference it has been reproduced here

Well its been a short while since August 21st, the date when Royal Mail introduced the revision of the inland Mail Rate to reflect what we are now calling Pricing in Proportion ( POP )
To cope with the new tariff several new stamps have already been released. These have been separated into two main groups ( standard and Large) and then (to date ) to help with identification divided into 5 sub groups.

MAIN Group A
These stamps are the standard letter versions for 1st class (32p) & 2nd class (23p) for letters up to 5mm thick 240 mm x 125 mm (up to 100 gr ). These are sized the same as current definitives with a bigger value tablet in the top left corner.

MAIN Group B
Large versions which are wider than the standard have been released for the bigger letters over 5mm thick and over 240 mm x 125 mm up to 353 mm x 250 mm and 25mm in thickness. It should also be noted that all of these new Machins show a smaller head (including the ones described above). The large rate (horizontal stamps) show a much bigger value tablet at the top left and the word large in the bottom left.

The full range of Machin Definitive Products to date are listed below:

SUB Group One

Conventional Sheets PIP Printed by De La Rue Dunstable. Issue date 01/08/06

Standard 2nd class PVA (centre bands) cyl DI pD1

Standard 1st class PVA (two bands) cyl DI pD1
Large 2nd class PVA (two bands) cyl DI pD1 *
Large 1st class PVA (two bands) cyl DI pD1

SUB Group Two
Coil Stamps ( 500,1000 & 10000) Printed by De La Rue

Standard 2nd class PVA Centre band 15/08/06
Standard 1st class PVA two bands 14/11/06

SUB Group Three
Booklets (self adhesive) Printed by Walsall

Large 4 x 1st class two bands W1pW1 15/08/06
Large 4 x 2nd class centre band W1pW1 15/08/06
Large 4 x 2nd class centre band cyl W1pW1 12/09/06
Large 12 x 1st class two bands cyl W1pW1 12/09/06
Standard 12 x 2nd class centre band W1pW1 12/09/06

SUB Group Four
Prestige Stamp Books

( Victoria Cross ) printed by Jon Enschede of Holland 4 x Standard fist class (ex multi value se-tenant pane) PVA gum 21/09/06

(World of invention) printed by De La Rue Dunstable 4 x standard 1st class(ex multi value se-tenant pane. PVA gum 01/03/07

SUB Group Five
Business sheets of 100 (self Adhesive) Walsall dates on reverse of top panel

Standard 2nd class centre band
Standard 1st class two bands
-------------------------------

New gummed sheets

12p and 14p Machin Definitives were also been issued on 01/08/06 as make up values between the rates for large size 1st and 2nd class letters. These are in gravure on conventionaly PVA gummed paper, printed by De La Rue. Cylinder numbers are D1 phD1.

Notes
* Conventional Sheets PIP Printed by De La Rue issue date 01/08/06. Large 2nd class PVA (two bands) cyl DI pD1 unusually this has two bands, it is said " It is an aid so it can be used as first class if used on a standard letter ".

If you can add to this this list with short or inset bands please feel free to do so, perhaps we can also add to it with every subsequent issue, I am sure with new prestige booklets and the 40th anniversary of the Machin next year (2007) there will be many more to come.

It has been confirmed that the Machin pane from the inventions Prestige booklet will have 4 x standard PIP 1st class stamps and 4 x 5p (plum) in a se-tenant pane. The centre label will show a pic of Rowland Hill. This has been added to the listing above.

Be sure to come back for information on the contents of the NEW anniversary of the Machin Prestige booklet due in June 2007, which will be added shortly. This information is available now in snippets but it is still under Royal Mail embargo until January 17th 2007. You will not be dissapointed!

Birthday Bash for the Machin

Collectors and the Royal Mails Stamp advisory selection committee are looking ahead to the year 2007, and one design they are looking at in particular is the Machin Definifitive. Why 2007 and the Machin you may well ask?

This will be the the year when Arnold Machins classic design reaches its 40th anniversary. The date June 5th 2007 is to be used to commemorate the date when the first definitive stamps based on his plaster cast were issued.

Its was any ones guess what the new stamps of 2007 would look like, and what format (s) they will be released in, but speculation was and still is already buzzing amongst collectors.

Although 2007 is still a long way ahead, planning for the issue started early this year. Below is some text which I wrote for ANSC and SOGB back in August 06.

"Do not exclude the possibility of a special issue miniature sheet and a second Prestige booklet, similar to the one released in 1999 entitled "A profile on Print".

Myself as a long in the tooth collector personally I cant wait........ Roll on 2007. Up to date Billions of stamps with the Machin design have been printed, love them or hate the Machin is still with today and it is here to stay for the formidable future.

No one would have imagined that this design would become so popular, not only with specialist philatelic authors and collectors but also with the general public. The basic series is, now running into nearly 500 different stamps from several different printers with thousands of collectable variations. It must also be now said that the Machin must be the longest running stamp design in production to date."

New Information that has come to light (gained) since the above was posted proves that the thinking at the time was correct.

There was speculation, and hope, then an announcement that the 40th anniversary of the Machin would be only be covered by a miniature sheet with a new £1.00 value in Ruby Red. This is not what Machinites would call a big splash By Royal Mail for this long awaited anniversary issue.

It has now also been announced in the ABPS News (December 2006) that a Machin Prestige booklet will now accompany the miniature sheet, issue date June 5th 2007.

It had to happen, and this was not through pressure from collectors that made Royal Mail change their minds. As we all know Royal Mail will use every opportunity to grab the cash from collectors wallets, something that we all have a moan about, not that I am moaning on this occasion, (well not moaning so much).

I suppose they could have cancelled the March 1st Prestige booklet (World of Invention or if it was to late to do this, cancel the second booklet due in September (British Army Uniforms).

Comments anyone? Please do leave your comments they are very welcome.

Douglas G. M. Myall.

A name that is synonymous with collectors of Machin stamps, I would go to far as to say that he has done more to put Machins on the map than any other author. His studies and publications are without doubt the most comprehensive that I have read. The complete Deegam handbook is a must for any serious collector.

The Hand Book is housed in two large binders, pending the issue of supplement's it consists of 1272 fact filled pages, it is kept up-to-date by Deegam Reports. These are available to Handbook owners free online. They are also available free from selected stamp clubs. To date there have been several DGRs since the 3rd edition was published.

If its Machin orientated then the Handbook is where you will find it. Douglas is always grateful for new reports for inclusion, All booklet panes and their DP numbers are mentioned, along with a diagram of the pane and also the layout of the phosphor bands (where applicable).

The Deegam Notations

If you already own a copy of the Deegam handbook, or have read a copy of a Deegam report, you will be familiar with these.Douglas was a founding member of the BDSSC and the GB DSB SC, for whom he devised their catalogue systems. He also devised several techniques for the identification of single Machin stamps, including head and value types and settings and his SIN (short, inset and notched) system for phosphor bars.

His notations are used worldwide by collectors, clubs, dealers and other catalogue publishers, including Connoisseur, Stoneham and Michel. If you are a private collector his Deegam Profiles are a great way to write up ones collection. These stamp-sized bits of paper include all the attributes which make a single stamp unique and have graphic representations of the perforations and phosphor overprints.

The new award winning Handbook has been described as the Machin Encyclopedia. It plus the profiles provide a complete system for beginner, intermediate and specialist collectors.

The Complete Deegam Machin Handbook is also obtainable on CD-ROM
This is one piece of software specialist Machin collectors MUST have on their wants list. Click on thi link above to order it direct from Douglas from my website. More information and a direct link is available, you can pay via PayPal.

Machin Forgeries

Although these are housed in many collections, and are regularly seen for sale on eBay auction sites, they are illeagal. The following is a extract from the PTS news.

It is illegal to own these stamps, there is a misconception that just because there is no intention to use these stamps, or they are already used that it is OK to do so.

Beware, there is a paragraph in the 1981 counterfeiting and forgeries act that actually states " knowingly having them in your possession without lawful authority is in its self a criminal offence". There is a possibility of collectors and dealers getting prosecuted, the maximum punishment is two years in the slammer.

A Profile of The Millennium Machin

Forward

Information on this topic has been somewhat ignored to date. It has also been established that certain specialized catalogues have listed some wrong information. The information that is available to the collector elsewhere at this time is also spread across so many pages from different sources.


As there are many different formats of the design this makes it a very difficult subject to research. With no cross referencing and (or) the wrong listings for certain issues of this definitive, this can also be very confusing. Hopefully, with the information that has been compiled and put together in this document, it will make life a little easier for most in the future.

What is a Millennium?

Millennium is a period of time, equal to one thousand years. It originates from the Latin mille, ( thousand ), and annum, ( year ). The term may implicitly refer to calendar millennia; periods tied numerically to a particular dating system , specifically ones that begin at the starting (initial reference) point of the calendar in question, typically the year 0 or the year 1.

What is a Millennium Machin?

Millennium Machin Definitives were first introduced to the public, collectors (and with great anticipation) to the philatelic community by the Royal Mail on 06th January 2000 to celebrate the Millennium Year 2000 AD.

The newly adapted Millennium Machin ( right) was designed to resemble as closely as possible the original Arnold Machin plaster bias - relief portrait of her Majesty the Queen. The gravure ( EME ) print process used, shows the adaptation of the bust in the original clay colour on a white background in very fine fine detail.

The work of adapting the new stamp design was contracted out to the Chase Design Group, notably the actual designer of the new layout was Richard Scholey, who did a magnificent job in the transformation. So much so, eight out of ten Machinites have voted it their favorite stamp from the long running Machin series.

They were first issued in booklets of 10 and counter sheets on 06/01/2000 from post offices and certain retail stores across The UK. The stamps were released as a temporary replacement for the 1st class non value indicated ( NVI ) flame red definitive stamps, which at the time of issue cost 26p, this was the rate for First Class items up to 60g within the UK. The rate increased to 28p on 27.04.2000.

Only De La Rue security printers, printed the counter sheets. Two other printing companies were employed to print stamp booklets and commemorative panes. Due to this fact, the portrait images, ellipses (left), perforations, phosphor fluor , direction of print and formats do vary from one printer to another.

Although at first glance, all stamps seem to be identical, the stamps when studied closely can be distinguished by minor subtle differences in the design. These differences are be divided into three main sub types, breaking down to many different varieties from the three printing companies employed by Royal Mail.


The stamps were on sale in various formats throughout the Millennium Year 2000 AD. Some of the issues corresponding with the Stamp show 2000 held at Earls Court London. They were taken off sale one year later (after the corresponding issue dates ) in 2001. Philatelic counters retained stock and sold them for a further year after the withdrawal (subject to stock unsold or to exhaustion ).

The three printing companies, Walsall Security Printers,The House of Questa & Thomas De La Rue Ltd were employed by the Royal Mail throughout the year 2000 to print the Millennium definitive.

All formats of the stamps were printed in gravure, Computer Engraved ( CE ) or using the correct term, Electronically Mechanically Engraved (EME). The new head design was to become known to Machin specialists as “The Millennium Head”. The majority of most Machin catalogues sub list it as “ Head Type B5”


Walsall Printings

No Post Office counter sheets were printed by Walsall. Millennium Machins definitives from this printer were only released in a series of Retail Booklets, Commemorative Booklets and unfolded panes or Prestige Booklet Panes.

The first to be issued was in the form of retail Booklets containing 10 stamps: The Date of issue was 06/01/2000. The booklet was reissued on 14th March 2000 with a revised contact telephone number in the back of inner cover.

A new Retail Booklet ( and unfolded panes ) were issued on 21. 03. 2000 to publicize, promote and commemorate the Stamp Show 2000 held at Earls Court, London. Some say this was “The worlds foremost stamp exhibition and the major philatelic event of the century”. It ran from 22nd -28th

The booklets and panes contained 4 x millennium Machins and had a promotional Postman Pat label attached to the right of the stamps.



A second booklet and unfolded label pane was issued on 04. 04. 2000 to commemorate the opening of the Botanical Gardens of Wales, the label on this issue depicted an orchid. The format of the panes as above x 4 + label depicting an Orchid.

Two different Millennium special issue stamps (a separate pane of 2 x special issues) and panes of Machins were also issued in mixed content booklets, these were issued on 26th May 2000.


The special issue stamps are not Machins and will not been described in detail in this work.

Two spectacular panes printed by Walsall were also issued in two Prestige Booklets. Special by Design, date of issue 15. 02. 2000 and A Treasury of Trees, date of issue 18. 09. 2000.

A third prestige pane A Life of a Century described in certain quarters as “A Walsall printing” was actually printed by Questa. This pane is listed on these pages correctly and will be described under the appropriate Questa headings.

For more detailed information and images please visit my website