A Multiple Cover and A "Must Read" For Machinites

Introducing a nice cover that commemorates five events in one.

1/ The Centenary of the Caledonian Philatelic Society 1906 - 2006

2/ The Rennie Mackinthosh move to Florine Terrace, Glasgow

3/ The Centenary of the first stage appearance of Stan Laurel at The Britannia Music Hall

4/ The 50th year of Europa Stamps

5/ The 88th PCPB (Philatelic Conference of Great Britain) at Renfrew, Scotland.

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British Stamp Printers By Glen Moran

Plenty of information on the Machin and the existing companies that print them is available first hand in this magnificent book written by Glen Moran.

This is the latest in a series produced over the last few years by Royal Mail.

This publication with 20 illustrated A5 pages describes Printing methods, and a close look at the many stamp printers of GB, some who now no longer exist

Recommended Reading

It is still available from Royal Mail, priced £2.95p

The Steel Wheel

Before Christmas I wrote about Railways, Steam Locomotives and the Machin, which I might add was received favourably by several readers. It just goes to show that there is more to write about and more to learn about Machins than one may think.

To continue on this theme, as a follow up, I thought you may be interested in a Prestige Booklet (number 07 in the series) that was issued on 18th March 1986

The Steel Wheel / The History of British Rail.

The booklet was printed in Gravure by Harrison & Sons Ltd containing stamps that had perforations of 14¾ x 14. All of the stamp panes had a PVA Dextrin gum. On the release date, 18/03/86 the booklet was sold over the counter at a face value of £5.00. It is catalogued today in the region of £12.00.

The booklet contained four different panes of Machins, each with a stub and interleaves that provide interesting information on The history of British Rail. Below is a picture of the front cover of the booklet. This is reduced in size.

The First and the Last

In the two hundred years since Richard Trevithick proved a steam engine could successfully haul a train on rails, Britain's railways have played a unique role in the development of the country,s industry and the mobility of the population.

As with all technology, nothing stands still and the move from steam to deisel power gradually came into effect. In March of 1960 the last steam engine ever built for British Railways came off the production line at the engine works at Swindon, Wiltshire. The locomotive with the engine number 92220 is fondly remembered by enthusiasts.

Its name - Evening Star - was an appropriate epitaph to steams long and proud reign on the railways of Britain, which was begun by Stephenson's steam engine - Rocket - 131 years earlier.

The stamps and panes


Pane one

9 x 17p greyish blue Machins printed in gravure on Advanced Coated Paper ACP(H)DEX gum. The 17p value was the first class inland rate up to 6o gr at the time of print.

The stub of the pane entitled Royal Mail by Rail shows two postal workers loading sacks of mail onto the TPO mail train " The Great West Down" at Paddington Station, London in 1968.

Pane two below Right

These are 9 x 12p emerald green with centre phosphor bands. This was the second class rate for inland postage up to 60 gr at the time of print.

The stamps on this pane are printed on FCP(H)DEX gum. The stub of the pane shows a picture of a powerful express. The Locomotives number 70048 has the express title of "The Irish Mail" ( which was the longest - running titled express service in the world) pulling the Mail and passenger coaches.

Pane three below

A mixed muli value Machin pane, where the stamps are placed se-tenant around a single 31p value.

The 12p stamps have either a left phosphor (side band) or right phosphor side band. The 17p and 31p Machins all have two side phosphor bands. printed on FCP(H)DEX gum

Although the locomotive shown is a diesel / electric, this is another final day. The picture on the stub shows the last mail pouch exchange near Penrith, Cumberland in 1971

Pane four right

The last of the panes from this booklet depicts on the stub a post office worker in 1948. He is busy sorting the Kings Mail mail whilst the express is on the move. The stamp pane shows 6 x 17p first class Machins, each has ACP(H)DEX gum

The Travelling Post Office

As a tribute to the end of Travelling Post Offices in the UK, a prestige booklet entitled Letters by Night was issued 16 Mar 2004. This was Printed by De La Rue Security Print UK and sold at a over the counter face value of at £7.44. This booklet is now catalogued at £13.50p

This Presisige booklet contained four pages of stamps, one is a page of mixed Machin definitives in se-tenant format surrounded by a central label.

The Print is in Gravure, on OFNP/PVA1 gum with security ellipses incorporated into the perforations. The stamp values consist of 4 x 37p dark grey Machins with two phosphor bands and 4 x 1st-class gold which also have two phosphor bands. The 1st class stamps above and below the label have short phosphor bands (either top or bottom) as to ensure they do not encroach over the label.

Although the story of British Rail and the TPO are but a chapter in the long history of Railways, it is undoubtedly one of the most significant.

Steam engines bowed out officially in the UK when the last scheduled steam hauled train, crowded with passengers wearing black ties completed the Preston to Liverpool run on August 3rd 1968.

Happy Holidays

HO, HO, HO

Seasons Greetings to all.

See my Christmas stamp designs. My wife says they are a spitting image of ME, cheeky begger!!! My nose is not that red!!

Enjoy the holiday and have a peacfull, plentiful new year. If you like a tipple, or like Santa a skin full over the coming new year, please remember, be safe to your self and others.

Drinking and driving costs lives.

http://www.gbmachins.co.uk

Member of the IPDA

Internet Philatelic Dealers Association

http://www.ipdaonline.org/

Machins, Train Spotting and The Age of Steam

As a lad I spent many hours on the embankment, at the train station, or visiting the Locomotive works and sheds in various locations across the UK .

What for? Well, I was pursuing a former boyhood hobby of mine, collecting train numbers, or Train Spotting as it is known by its geeky or nerdy name.

I reflect back now, and think this hobby was more of a fascination with the steel monsters of the time, the smell of oil, coal, the steam and the sheer power of these metal beasts that attracted me to this strange passtime.

I still hold a fascination for trains and Railways in a way, well they do say "men never grow up". I now have the opportunity to combine trains and railways with another boyhood hobby of mine, stamp collecting and Machins in particular.

Puzzled? All will be revealed, Just read on.

In 1983 Royal Mail issued a series of counter booklets depicting Railway Engines as theme for the covers . This was a series of 4 with illustrations by Stanley Paine.

Each of these booklets cost £1.25p on the day of issue and contained a pane of Machin defintives, 10 x 12½p values, this was at the time of print the second class rate for inland mail up to 60 grams. The stamps were light emerald green in colour and had a central 4 mm phosphor band. They were were printed on Fluorescent Coated Paper with a PVA dextrin gum.

The panes were available affixed to the booklet with either a left selvedge or a right selvedge . The booklets and stamps were all printed by Harrison & Sons Ltd of High Wycome.

Number 1 & 1A
GWR Isambard Kingdom Brunel

issue date 16/02/83

Number 2 & 2 A

LMS Class 4P Tank Engine

issue date 05/04/83

Number 2 & 3A

LNER Mallard

issue date 27/07/83

Number 4 & 4A

SR/BR Can Line

Issue date 26/10/83

If this has grabbed your interest and you wish to read about more GB Counter booklets, please visit my web site, where you will find another interesting series on British Postal History. http://www.gbmachins.co.uk/html/postal_history.html

Decimal Wildings

For a nice change, a piece about Wildings, well they do say

" A change is as good as a rest"

The picture above shows a booklet cover front & rear, the 10th in a series entitled " Postal History". This is depicting images of pre decimal Regional Wilding definitives. Wales ( 3d ), Northern Ireland (1/3d ) and Scotland ( 1/3d ).


The booklet (above) contained a mixed
pane of Machins (left) the cost at the time off
issue was £1.46p. The booklet is sub titled "
The Silver Jubilee of the Regional Stamp".

The release date for this booklet was 26
October 1983.

Back to Decimal Wildings

This is the master copy for the text that I used on my website to describe these issues. If you wish to look at pictures of the issues you will need to log on to the site.

If you would like to add to this posting (not that there is much more to add) other than the comparison of the values (pre decimal and decimal of the miniature sheets and pehaps the work of G Snipe and one other person , (who was it? ) in designing the frames and backgrounds. First answer will receive a nice gift

Decimal Wildings
In 1998 this design once again took the philatelic community by storm, it was in the form of the revival of several definitive values of the Wilding, with a difference, these were re- released in decimal values and a new type of format.
In March of 1998 the first on the scene were four panes. These were issued in the form of a Prestige booklet entitled "A Definitive Portrait" Printed by Walsall Security Printers in photogravure with computer technology.

Pane One
Nine stamps printed on OFNP chalk surfaced paper with PVA gum. The perforations are 14 x 14 with security ellipses incorporated into the perforations, noticeably is the fact these ellipses are one perforation hole lower than the modern day Machin definitives.

The value of each stamp is twenty six pence ( which was the first class rate up to 60g at the time of issue). The stamps have two 3 mm phosphor bands with a Blue fluor one each side of the stamp . Interestingly the phosphor bands are placed so that they are short of the perforations top, bottom , left and right. The colour of this stamp was based on the original issue pre decimal stamp with a five penny ( 5d ) value

Pane Two
Six stamps Perf 14 x 14 with security ellipse incorporated into the perforations and a value of each stamp of twenty pence ( second class rate up to 60g ). These have one side 3 mm phosphor band (the first row has a right band and the second row a left band, again with a blue fluor . The bands are also inset from the perforations as the pane above. The colour of this stamp was based on the original pre decimal stamp with a seven penny ( 7d) value.

Pane Three
This a mixed pane of eight stamps consisting of three different values 20p, 26p and 37p. These are joined se-tenant around a central label which shows symbols of the 4 countries which make up the United Kingdom. England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Phosphor bands are laid out in a fashion that the 20p stamps have one side band and the others stamps have two. Again they are 3 mm in width and are clear of the perforations with a blue flour. The 37p stamps are a reprint of the original six penny ( 6d ) value.

Pane 4
This is another mixed pane of six stamps consisting of two different values , 26p and 37p. These are joined se-tenant in alternative pairs.
Phosphor bands are laid out in a fashion that they have two phosphor bands 3 mm in width and are clear of the perforations with a blue flour. The 26p and 37p stamps are again a reprint of the original five penny ( 5d ) value and six penny ( 6d ) pre decimal value.

A gracious Accession Prestige booklet

To mark the 50th anniversary of HM Queen Elizabeth’s reign on the 6 February 2002 a second Prestige Booklet was issued. This one was Printed by Enschedé, the stamps are on Optical Free Non Phosphorised ( OFNP ) screened paper with polyvinyl alcohol acetate gum ( PVA) . The ellipses on these panes revert back to the norm where they are placed three perforation holes from the bottom of the stamps.
The stamps on this pane are both non value indicated 1st and 2nd class values. These were reprints of the original pre decimal definitives of 1952. Green ( 1½d ) second class and red ( 2½d ) first class . They both have 2 Blue B2 phosphor bands reacting to short and long-wave light.

To add to the authenticity of the 50th anniversary the paper had a watermark incorporated into it in the form of the number 50. The pane contained eight stamps which are joined se-tenant around a blank central label.

The wonky Wilding

The immage shows, that where the central blank label is, it gives the impression that a stamp has been removed. This stamp has been placed on what looks like a piece to the left of the pane. It is in fact a fifth 2nd class NVI stamp.
You will also notice that was placed on an angle. This stamp also has the 50 watermark, but the watermark, instead being horizontal projects at the angle of the stamp. This is affectionately known to collectors as the wonky Wilding and is one of a kind.

Wilding Miniature Sheet 01

On the 5th December 2002 we see an appearance of the First Wilding miniature sheet with nine new stamps. It has a similar label to the mixed pane in Definitive Portrait booklet. This pane is printed by De La Rue on screened ( OFNP optical free non phosphorised screened paper with polyvinyl alcohol acetate lay flat gum. It has blue fluor B ( no afterglow) phosphor bands which react under a long or short-wave lamp. This sheet also has the 50 watermark as above.

To add more interest to a decimal Wilding collection if you can obtain them. The Miniature Sheet left has been found with certain errors. The first to be reported was a phosphor shift down creating phosphor bands short at top. This affects the four stamps on the top row. It has also been reported with normal alignment and a missing perforation hole.

Wilding Miniature Sheet 02

The second miniature sheet containing nine new values was issued on 2nd May 2003. Again Printed by De La Rue on optical free non phosphorised screened dot paper with (PVA ) polyvinyl alcohol acetate lay flat gum.

As you can see these were different values to the first sheet. They had the same Blue B2 short and long-wave reacting fluor and the watermark 50.
The final pane / last piece in this Decimal Wilding jig - saw and this Alternative Decimal Wilding Collection comes from another Prestige Booklet.

A Perfect Coronation

This pane shows four decimal Wilding definitives, arranged se-tenant with a reprint of the 1/3d pre decimal Coronation special issue. The colours of the definitive stamps corresponding with their pre decimal counter parts of 1/- ( one shilling ) and 10d ( ten old pence ). The commemorative in this printing now has a value of £1.00.

Again, as was the first booklet described at the begining of this series, This pane was printed by Walsall. The stamps are printed on optical free non phosphorised screened dot paper with polyvinyl alcohol acetate gum. All have Blue B2 short and long-wave reacting fluor. This is also the last in the series bearing the Watermark 50.

Castles and Queens

A third miniature sheet can also be obtained with reprints of four of the Castle high value
stamps. These are printed in different colours ( 4 similar to the original pre decimal issues ) and have decimal values of 2 x 50p and 2 x £1.00.

Remember if you wish to see pics of the items described above you will have to vist my website, just type gbmachins into your browser.

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

Exhibition and Promotional Boots Labels Overprints

Several of the Boots Labels ( and the reprints ) described below in a previous posting were used by other organisations and were overprinted to publicise philatelic events and stamp dealing / collecting associations.

These overprints are now a new Machin collecting phenomena and are sort after by many specialists as they make a nice addition to the originals and add further interest to their collections.

I will add some pictures of the Boots Promotional overprints here shortly

Due to demand and a growing shortage of the Boots Labels , continuing the trend, labels without the Boots logo were also used for promotion. There are many to collect and as the popularity for them grows new designs are appearing on a regular basis.

A full list of these labels (including the Boots versions) were posted on the 26/11/06 this is due to be updated soon.

Enschede Emergency Printing

Enschede 35p CB Lime Green

This was a stop gap short order (emergency printing) ordered by The Royal Mail from Jon Enschede of Holland. What was also interesting with this particular stamp is, it was printed with just one centre phosphor band.

At the time De La Rue (who held the contract) were unable to re-print the issue as they were in the middle of transfering plant and materials from Byfleet to the new factory at Dunstable.

The Enschede 35p value only remained on sale for a short time untill the De La Rue factory was operational, then a further reprint 24/07/05 cyl D2 pD1(was issued (again with one CB) with the De La Rue logo.

I was also announced at the time that the Enshede version was a single no dot pane printing, which turned out to be untrue. It was later discovered that these had actually been printed on a double pane and the dot panes did exist, these were eventually available from certain quarters, but copies are still scarce* .

The Enschede stamps differ from DLR in the fact they have a glossier appearance and the fluor is very dull.

35p CB Lime Green - 21 /12/04
cylinder E1 *

De La Rue Dunstable Printings

Machins and information on the move to Dunstable.

By March 2005 after a long delay due to several problems, De La Rue had moved all plant from Byfleet and operations began on the ATN press at the new Dunstable plant.

It has been said that "the first printings were the same ( indistinguishable) as those printed at the Byfleet plant" so early printings, unless you collect date blocks will have been catalogued under Byfleet listings.

Later printings, however are different in the fact that a duller flour incorporated into the paper, and they have a glossier appearance, it has also been reported that the last printing known on the brighter papers was 18/04/05. This being the £1.50 value.

RMS Paper known as (Royal Mail Standard ) or (Specification) is the paper currently used at Dunstable for all printings , this is also known in certain circles as ATN (c) Paper.

This has a cream PVA gum (previous gum had a blue tint) and is dull in appearance, it is said that it was developed and designed by order of The Royal Mail to get near to that of HS2 used previously by Harrison's at the High Wycome plant.

The fist value on the new specification paper came to light ( 2p ) from a printing dated 22nd April 05. It is intended that all printings will be on this type of paper in the future.

More details on these values and the emergency 35p value (issued 05/05/05) printed by Enschede of Holland will be added here when the information has been confirmed.