Back to Machins

The last two posts as you are aware deviated from the Machin slightly. So for all you Machin Maniacs, today I will get back on track.

Starting with a bit of advertising, namely my website http://www.gbmachins.co.uk

For those of you that have visited The SOGB groups site you will notice that some of the information has been reproduced from my site for the benefit of informing or educating members. There is also a thread discussing Machin Catalogues that is very informative.

Many other topics are under discussion, if you like GB stamps please pay a visit and join in the activities. It is free to join and the members are a very friendly bunch. You can swap stamps, list duplicates and join in the organised events such as Round Robins and prize competitions.

Hope to see you there on the SOGB chat (when I can find the time).

Keep on Stampin.

Edward V111 Portrait

I know what you are thinking , " nothing like a Machin", but if you look at this photograph you will appreciate why Arnold Machin chose his design for the Machin. The same can be said for this issue.

Simplicity

This is a picture of an original Portrait Photograph of Edward V111 taken and signed by the photographer Hugh Cecil.

The photograph was suggested by J.H. Brown, to be used to form the basics for the simple short lived Edward V111 definitive stamps of 1936. Official dates 20th January - 10th December 1936.

During his short reign only 4 common definitives were issued: ½d, 1d, 1½d and 2½d. The stamps were watermarked block cypher ER with St Edwards Crown and printed in photogravure by Harrison and Sons in sheets of 240 (20 horizontal rows of 12). They were perforated 15 x 14.

Due to difficulties with the George V1 printings after Edwards abdication, they were not completely withdrawn from general sale until 29/ 07/ 37. It has been suggested that some booklets remained on sale even after this date.

Wembley Miniature Sheet

It seems as though Royal Mail are finally releasing the Wembley Stadium miniature sheet. The date announced is 17 May 2007. It has been said the stadium will still not be finished.


The design is to be changed for the third time. With the original announcement the england Pictorial Stamps were to be 68p values. These were to be changed to 72p last year, and now according to this new announcment they will be changed again to 78p representing the new 20gr rate ( April 2007 ) for airmail letters outside Europe.


The NVI 1st class Lion & shield Stamp although unchanged in design originally would have cost 30p , it then changed to 32p last April when postage rates altered. It will now finally cost collectors 34p, this is the new rate for 100g April 2007.



2nd class England Pictorial stamps will also have increased since the first Royal Mail announcement , from the original 21p, to 23p in April of 2006, and now after the 2007 rise, another increase of 1p to 24p.

This is an increase of ( for the sheet ) a face value from the original notification of £2.08 to £2.38 . A total of 30p extra.

Also announced on the same day will be a Smilers sheet of 20 Lion and shield stamps with 20 labels illustrating and describing 20 significant events from the history of Wembley Stadium.
These will include the 1924 British Empire Exhibition (SG 430-1), the 1948 Olympic Games (SG 495-8), Henry Cooper flooring Cassius Clay (1963), the 1966 World Cup Final (SG 693-5, 701), and Live Aid.

" Britannia Rules The Waves"

It has been suggested or you may have heard the expression " Britannia Rules The Waves"
Well in the world of the Machin I think this truly applies. This is one of my favourite Machins ( I actually have this sheet hanging in my study in a gold ornate frame) which holds a pride of place in my collection.


I am refering to the 1990 miniature sheet showing Britannia and the magnificent Sea Horses. The design ( by Sedley Place ) is one of not only beauty and intricacy but a miniature masterpiece in its own right.



Two different printing methods were also deployed to create this miniature masterpiece.

Printed by Harrison and sons perforated 15 x 14 it is printed on ACP paper ( bright ) with Dextrin gum. It was released to celebrate and commemorate the 150 anniversary of issue of the first uniform pre paid postage stamp, the penny black 1840 - 1990.

It contains a 20p double headed anniversary stamp designed by Jeffery Matthews. The anniversary stamp is printed in photogravure and the replica of the penny black printed in recess ( in order to look authentic), engraved by Christopher Matthews ( no relative to Jeffery) .


The sheet surround is based on the 1913 sea horse and Britannia high values, hence the title of this piece. These miniature sheets are not rare and can be picked up on eBay and other philatelic sites for a bargain price of a couple of GB pounds.

Go on treat your self, you will not regret it.