An email from Ian Billings Norvic Philatelics

This email was sent to me by Ian Billings, in reply to the conundrum of the reproduced cylinders numbers at De La Rue. Thanks Ian this is most welcome.

"Whether or not this will make a great deal of difference to how stamps are produced, I don't know, but it is interesting:http://www.expressandstar.co.uk/2007/04/27/print-firm-eyes-stamps-contract/

Specifically:"Royal Mail will deal with three large suppliers to manage its entire print needs including stamps, labels, envelopes, leaflets and posters for internal and public use."These three companies would then sub-contract to smaller companies, of which Walsall Security Printers would be one.

"Recent discussions on the Virtual Stamp Club about USPS's arrangements mentioned that stamps could be printed by company S or its subsidiary, company B. The plate number prefix identifies the printing company, but clearly company B could run a reprint using plates/cylinders previously used by company S, without changing the plate number.

This followed discussions on USPS decision to not require new numbers for new plates (rather like the (presumably accidental) re-use of cylinder D1 for the latest 46p stamp from new cylinders. In the US the provision of a new number is no longer necessary or required, much to the annoyance of Plate Number Coil collectors, and others who use a new plate number to look for identifiable differences in the stamps. We will have to see how things develop".

Click on this link to visit Ian's Website: http://www.norvic-philatelics.co.uk

Retail Anniversity Booklets - New Ruby Cyl Block

In a previous post I promised you that there were other Anniversary items in the pipeline, this is the latest which includes a mock signature of the man himself to the right of the stamps.
Ironic really, as Arnold often refused to sign many products which bear his name.

The Booklet

6 x 1st class retail booklet ( value in the bottom corner) Obviously geared towards educating Joe public to the facts of the 40th anniversary.

At the same time they try to encourage budding new collectors to visit their website. This is a nice change, just to see a return to a normal run of the mill issue instead of stamps issued just for the philatelic market.

However: Royal Mail are not stupid. These advertisement labels are getting more regular on the inside of booklets covers, which in turn means more collectors buy them. How much longer before we see "VISIT W.H SMITH for your stamps stationary and cards?" (You seen it here first) . W.H Smith are due to take over the running of 70 Post Office branches in the near future.

The label to the left of the new retail booklet reads:

Machin 40th Anniversary

Arnold Machin is remembered as the creator of the iconic image of H M Queen Elizabeth that has since 1967, appeared on more than 175 billion Royal Mail stamps.
He was a skillful sculptor, illustrator and ceramics designer.

Discover more about Royal Mail stamps at www.Royalmail.com/stamps

Above: Thanks to the Philatelic Bulletin I can now show you the se-tenant Machin pane from the prestige booklet. Quite nice, I am looking forward to this one. Keep em peeled for mis- registration of phosphor bands

£1 Ruby from sheets of 200 (no logo) Another error?

The new ruby £1 value is also shown in the May 2007 bulletin (cylinder block form). The picture shown now has the cylinder number D1 number and has the colour of the stamps in the margin, it looks as though the settings are slightly lower than the previous £1 value.

As this is a different cylinder, I think it proves the point that the 46p cylinder D1 without logo was not printed D1 in error.

If the cylinder number was going to change it would have done so with the printing of this sheet. Or would it?

I have some details on file for previous Dunstable printings.

£1.00 Bluish Violet
D1 D1 D1 21/07/05 - 08/11/05, 11/01/06

D2 D2 D1 23/03/06

It is true to say that previous printings had the security of Iriodian ink, and as far as I know the new ruby stamps do not. Am I blowing the trumpet to soon? Lets have your views.

Please leave a comment if you have one.

The IPDA Comes of Age

April 2007 will be a date to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the founding of the Internet Philatelic Dealers Association ( now IPDA inc)

In order to do this Michael Dodd who is the publicity director ( CDD Stamps, Sydney, Australia) has designed a special cover with a limited edition of 100.

I might also mention that Michael has a great blog which is linked from this site below. Pay him a visit when time allows.

Back to the covers. These will be given free to all current members as a memento of the occasion. The image ( reduced size) has now been added above.

I have written about the IPDA inc previously and as a member myself and fellow director I do believe it is a worthwhile organization to belong to, no matter if you are a big bucks dealer or just an ordinary fellow who deals and sells the odd philatelic item on eBay or Yahoo.

What do I get for my money I am often asked?

Well for starters the fees are not expensive, at $20US per year, this works out at less than 38 cents per week. For this amount I can state with a clear conscience that as a member you will in the long run you get more than you pay for.

The IPDA inc will advertise your name and business on its well known website, you will receive a news letter 12 times a year. You may also add a banner onsite for a small amount, all revenue from advertising goes towards developing and promoting the association.

The association will also introduce you to contacts within the trade. But most important of all, worth more than all the tea in China and something you can not buy, this is, you get the respect and confidence of Internet buyers / sellers who will trade with you. I will even go so far as to say you will also get more business when people know that you are a member.

The Non profit making association was Incorporated this year and has a duly elected committee who insists on behalf of the membership that any new application for membership sign a disclaimer that they will abide by the associations rules and adhere to a strict code of conduct . They (applicants) are also checked out fully before they are given a membership number.

What are you waiting for?

If you sell on the Internet (part or full time) or you have an Internet auction identity on eBay or Yahoo, or any other online auction for that matter you are welcome to apply for IPDA membership. All new applicants over the next 6 months will also get the Special 5th anniversary cover sent to them free of charge as a token of gratitude.

Apply today: I have included a direct link to their website above , or just click on application form and fill in your details its as simple as that.

Once accepted download the logo for 2007 and join the list of respected International Online Philatelic Dealers, which grows steadily year by year.

Prestige Booklets

A few weeks ago I announced that I was updating my website with images and information on GB Prestige booklets and panes.

To date I have managed to add 16 new pages, with more to come . All the pages on show have images of the booklet covers, complete panes ( including selvedge) and text is added relating to the printer, and descriptions of the phosphor band layout ( where applicable).

If you have not managed to pay a visit yet here is a direct link, http://www.gbmachins.co.uk/html/prestige_stamp_booklets.html

Two new pages have been added today. Tales of Beatrix Potter and the Regional Northern Ireland books are now available for viewing.

This is quite a large project. New pages are added when time permits, if the booklet you wish to view is not live at this time please re visit at a later date to view progress.

Tips & Hints / Black Marker Bars

When I started this blog is was my intention to pass on some hints and tips to aid the Machin collector to come to grips with some of the less publicised terms, methods of collecting, errors, oddities, and identification of the said designs.

It was also my intention to show people how to pick up on these subjects and learn more about this Mania of mine.

As there is so much information to report ( new & old) It is sometimes difficult, unless I write 10 times a day to do this. Besides, if I did this you would be flooded with text and pics and be unable to digest what is written. I would also be on my computer 24/7 :-)

So whats the answer?

From today, once a week I will post what I will call "My hints & Tips page". And to start it off (although I have given tips in the past) I am going to deal with the subject of Black Marker Bars.

Some of you may be familiar with the term, but for those who are not, here is a quick low down.

The short hand or abbreviation for this in Machin terms is (BMB) and they are what the title suggests black marker bars, although I have also seen red ones. Marker Bars are found on the front of booklet covers (or the fold or spine of covers) of certain Booklets. Machine vended, Counter and Window booklets are known and catalogued with these markings to date.

Why a Marker Bar?

They occur on every 25th booklet and are added at the printers ( Harrison & Sons) during the print run of the booklet covers. The main reason for them is, they are used as an aid to staff employed as counters and packers in the packing dept.

Of complete uncut sheets of booklets, one sheet in every 25 will have marker bars printed on the cover, so when they are assembled and guillotined into individual finished books, each stack of 25, will have one layer with a marker bar booklet amongst them.

I presume this is in order to speed up the operation, the packers just separate the piles from marker to marker, once cut they can be banded into piles of 25 individual booklets and boxed.

Collecting this type of variety has grown very popular of late and as such, they now carry a premium over and above normal booklets.

Below is a booklet cover (Wales 10p booklet FA7 ) showing a marker bar, this usually found at the top and is always placed on the spine ( or fold) of the cover so it can be easily seen.

Cylinder booklets with BMBs are very scarce and if you manage to find one with good perforations you are on to a winner. Perforations on these types of booklets were nearly all trimmed to a certain degree during guillotining, so if you have one with perfect perforations you have a top dollar investment.

I always encourage people to collect booklets with the best perforations on the panes they can find. Slightly trimmed ( perhaps a quarter of a perforation hole showing) on one or more sides are fine, anything below this, I discard when a better example comes along.

Keep em peeled!

Next week. Miscuts:

But do not leave it for a week before a revisit. Bookmark this page and return everyday. I am sure I can find something to wet your appetite or get your attention before then.

And please do pass on the URL to other Machin or GB collectors that you think may find it of interest.

If you have a website or blog, write to me for an exchange of links at gbmachins@lineone.net

Professor John Hedgecoe & The Machin Design

Every one knows Arnold Machin created the bust that the famous stamps came from. What is not generally known is the involvement of top photographer Professor John Hedgecoe. Professor Hedgecoe worked closely with Arnold Machin and his photographs of the Queen in 1965 were fundamental to the design.

The iconic image created by the two men has been reproduced over 175 billion times since its creation! But history has tended to gloss over Professor Hedgecoe's role, giving all the credit to the equally deserving Arnold Machin. The definitives are even referred to as "Machins".
It’s only in the last few years that Hedgecoe’s part in the stamps has been universally recognised.

The first day cover from Buckingham Covers for the Machin’s 40th Anniversary seeks to redress the balance and celebrates Professor Hedgecoe, without whom the definitive stamps would not exist as we know them.

http://www.buckinghamcovers.com/shop/productdisplay.lasso?product_id=707&affiliate=mme

Click on the the link ( above) , When it opens you will be directed to a link where you can see and purchase covers from this great selection that are available from just £9.95.

These covers are based on Professor Hedgecoe's photographic work while working with Arnold Machin. They also has a special London postmark.

St George & The Dragon

Proud to be English, I can not ignore the date to day without a mention of The legend of George slaying a dragon and rescuing an innocent maiden from death.

The medieval George's Day is celebrated in England on 23 April, reputed to be the day of George's martyrdom in 303.

England's patron saint, a fourth century Christian martyr, is also patron saint of Georgia and the city of Moscow.

Very little is known about the real St George. He is thought to have been born into a noble Christian family in the late third century in Cappadocia, an area which is now in Turkey. He followed his father's profession of soldier and became part of the retinue of the Emperor Diocletian.

The emperor ordered the systematic persecution of Christians and George refused to take part. In 303, he was himself tortured and executed in Palestine, becoming an early Christian martyr.

No Machin stamps to commemorate the day, but we do have an interesting miniature sheet.


This is the second in the country series, a Miniature Sheet and Smilers sheet will be issued to celebrate St. George's Day. The Miniature Sheet will consist of : - 1st. class Lion & Shield definitive, 72p St. George, 72p Houses of Parliament & 1st. class St. George's Flag. It will be printed by De La Rue Security Print in Gravure.

The Smilers Sheet - 'Glorious England' - will consist of 20 x 1st. class Lion & Shield definitives and labels depicting 20 scenes of England, including The London Eye, The Needles ( Isle of Wight ), The Angel of the North ( Gateshead ) & Stonehenge. These will be printed by Cartor Security Printing in Lithography on self-adhesive paper. *

Due to a error in the spelling of Wight (Isle of Wight) these sheets were recalled and a reprint has been ordered, it will be interesting to see if any of the original errors reach the philatelic market.

* Thanks to John, MSN group Stamps of Great Britain for the pic and information on the stamps

Ins & Outs of Modern Machins

On the 30th March I wrote about "new changes in the pipeline" for Machin gummed counter sheets of ( 200) first & second class sheets of stamps with conventional PVA gum.

It has now been re confirmed that the sheets are to printed by De La Rue and will be issued on 5th June 2007.

(Left ) Out, the recent De La Rue printing with large value tablet in the top left corner.

It seems as though that there was no real need of a new definitive for normal first and second class mail up to the second PIP stage so these recently new stamps with a bigger value tablet will be phased out. The truth of the matter is - Royal Mail and customers were confused as to what was valid for the PiP larger letters.

The large (horizontal) 1st & 2nd class stamps will continue to be printed and used as normal for the larger letters ( max 353 mm long x 250 mm wide x 25 mm in depth.

( Left) Smaller value tablets in bottom corner are to be brought back in to use. Details of changes to self adhesive booklets and business sheets ( printed by Walsall) have not been announced at this time, but it seems these will also revert back to the original smaller value tablet designs eventually.

It will be interesting to see the sheet margin layouts for the new stamps, no logo, and perhaps a lower setting as the stamps introduced for the new postage rates on on 2nd April 07.

Another interesting question will be answered, we can also compare the cylinder numbers to previous issues from De La Rue ( where applicable). This will prove for sure if the D1 reprint of the 46p was an error or intentional.

Thanks to Denis Stevens for use of the images

Postal Stationary & The Machin Head

During a Machin debate on the MSN group Stamps of Great Britain, Larry Matthews wrote.

"Postal Stationary & The Machin Head"

"I am wondering, since I do not see any postings in here about them, if any of the SOGB club members also collect the GB stationery items with the "Machin" head design? I know I have a few, albeit, I do not specifically seek them out but do keep them if they come my way.

Also, do any members keep the colonial or commonwealth stationery items with the "Machin" head design?"


SINCE 1968 many items of stationary have appeared with the famous Machin bust incorporated into the design.

I am no expert on these, but do have a short list of certain items that are known from GB

Reply Postcards

POSTAGE 4d

IMPRESSED Octagonal 2½p, 3p, 3½, 4½p, 7p, 8½, 9p, 12p

Airmail picture postcards

London views
Stratford up-on Avon views

33p ( sets of 5)

Letter Cards

first class (2 bands)
5d, 3p, 3½p, 4½p, 7p, 8½p, 9p, 10p, 12p, 14p,

second class (one band)
4d, 2½p, 3p, 3½p, 5½p, 5½p, 7p, 8p, 10p, 11½p

Post notes

21p & 22p ( various designs)

Envelopes

Embossed
5d, 3p, 3p + ½p, 4p, 2½p

Typographed
3½, 5½p, 5½p, 6½p, 7p, 8p, 8½p, 9p, 10p

Revised size
10p, 11½p, 12p, 12½p 14p, 15½p

There are many other values & types of stationary to collect, to many to print here.

But here is a short run down

Special Envelopes, Private Cachets, Business Envelopes, Overseas forces letter envelopes, International Recorded delivery, Aerogrammes, Stationary stamped to order and Customised.

National Postal Museum cards, Self adhesive forerunners.

Just a few items ( many more are available and are issued every year ) to get your teeth into.

These are quite cheap to buy, they can be obtained from less than £1 - £5 and can form a nice collection

Thanks Chimmo for bringing this overlooked subject up.

Replies anyone?

Printers of Machin Material

This is information re produced from my web site.

Up to date seven printing companies have been employed by the Royal Mail, some we have mentioned already elsewhere on the site.

The printers are:

Harrison & Son of High Wycome / Photogravure & Gravure
Bradbury and Wilkinson & Co. / Recess
John Waddington Security Printers / Lithography
The House of Questa, South London / Lithography & Gravure
Walsall Security Print / Lithography & Gravure
Joh Enschede en Zonen of Holland / Photogravure & Gravure (Recess High Values only)
De La Rue / Gravure & ( Recess High Values only)

Sorting Stamps

Sorting Photogravure stamp from litho is not to difficult as all photo stamps are printed by a series of tiny dots. Under magnification they are easily seen especially in and around the margins, the Queens portrait and the value tablet. The pattern of dots show up as uneven edges.

Litho stamps on the other hand have crisp clear lines to these features.

Recent gravure issues were originally chemically etched and the stamps showed a clearer image. These were then modified to the most recent method EME or computer etched these computer etched stamps show a clearer sharper picture.

EME is short for Electro Mechanically Etched.

Print directions.

Four directions of print have been used with gravure printings, These are :

Sideways left or sideways right, upright and inverted.

To determine the direction of print on photogravure stamps again a good lens is required, the tiny dots (or points) show up as pointing in the print direction. Check it out, something for the beginner to do on a cold winter night perhaps!

Copyright

Alan Jones (Sunderland,UK) asks
"can I can use (copy) some of the information from this blog"

Alan, so long as you do not infringe on other writers copyrights, which has been reproduced on site by myself with permission of the authors who are copyright holders of their own material.
Ie: Deegam notations, Denis Stevens images of phosphor tags etc , all the other information introduced or written by myself on this blog can re-produced without my permission.*

Please do feel welcome to use anything that you think may be useful, this also applies to anyone else that may want to use it, be it for a news letter, a philatelic publication or stamp magazine, another website or Blog.

A disclaimer giving the name ( URL) of original source and if possible a link back here would however be appreciated. Spread the word that comments are welcome on this site ( the more the merrier)

I also accept articles for publication on this blog via email gbmachins@lineone.net (any offers?)

In addition to the above I am also welcoming exchange links to sites of interest, preferably sites that have a GB or better still Machin theme.

* Please note that all stamp images on site are copyright of the Royal Mail - and to reproduce those you should check with them at www.royalmail.com/ip

Was the 46p Cylinder Number D1 Printed in Error?

Due to the increase in postal tariffs on 2nd April 2007, we see new additions to the Machin Stable, these new values are now printed without the printers logo and have the colour of the stamps printed in the margins of the sheet ( could these a new colour margins turn into a new collecting phenomena?)

What seems to interest collectors more than the new layout of the margins is the reprint of the 46p from cylinder D1 pD1. This was withdrawn from general sale the previous year, but the stamps and old type cylinder blocks were still on sale at Tallents House, as are all stamps withdrawn, for one year from the date of withdrawal.

The new stamp printing (according to Royal Mail policy) should have been printed with the number Cylinder D2. What collectors are asking , is this a genuine error as some collectors and specialists suggest? Or is it a new policy from Royal Mail which conforms this 46p printing without logo and new settings (lower value tablet) to the rest of the new values printed for the rate rise?.

All the new values have Cylinder D1 D1 and due to the reprint we now have two with D1 which are different blocks ( and singles) for the 46p value.

Another change was the the issue of the reprint of the 50p stamps in a Grey colour, a change from sand, supposing, to deflect the similarity of sand colour from that of the 1st class gold, which was according to R M confusing to postal staff.

This 50p value was the only sheet from all the new printings to retain the De La Rue logo in the margin, this appears to be from the same cylinder as the previous printing (D2 D1) and the stamps have same high value settings.

For now, the experts are classing this 46p an an error by THE PERSON(s) who made up the cylinder for the printing? Are they correct? I guess real the answer to this one is" only time will tell ".

This time will be months away, as it will not be until new cylinders are needed for the existing values. Will these be printed without the logo and a colour in the margin?

I guess YES.

Will they have new settings?

Again I guess YES.

And lastly will these reprints have a new cylinder number bumped up by one digit, or as with the 46p above revert back to the original cylinder used on the previous issues?. It will be interesting to see, but my answer for this one, as I am now with the same opinion as the experts.
I think (it is a possible human error) but time will tell.

Larry informs us "I understand that the reasons for these changes to the Machin margins will be revealed in the Philatelic Bulletin in the near future".

Do you have an opinion, If so please reply to this post

Lest You Forget

Not a Machin Post, but I do occasionally (to add a bit of spice) veer from the subject if I think it will be of interest collectors.

Some Machin enthusiasts also collect County Pictorial Definitives. If this is true in your case, here is some information that may have passed you by.

Thanks to Douglas Myall, who has reminded me via his Deegam Report (71) that due to the rate increase on 2nd April 07, new values of Country stamps 48p & 78P in existing designs will be printed in gravure by De La Rue.

This leaves us with a potential sleeper in the form of the 72p Northern Ireland definitive.

Please read on.

To mark the 90th. Anniversary of the end of World War 1 (2008), the Royal Mail issued a miniature sheet for Remembrance Day on 9 November 2006, sheets will also be issued 2007 & 2008.

The first sheet in this series commemorates the 90th Anniversary of the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

The sheet features a new special ' Poppy' stamp, with a remembrance commemorative design, together with 4 x 72p country definitives from England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland.

This miniature sheet is the only source for the Northen Ireland 72p value printed in gravure, all previous printings were in Litho.

If you collect these stamps ( be it singles or se-tenant pairs) make sure that you have this on your wants list, It (the 72p gravure) will be listed in even the basic of catalogues.

The miniature sheet was printed by De La Rue ( S.G. No. MS 2685 )

Thanks Douglas for the reminder, what would we do without you? Your observations do not miss a trick.

Just another smilers sheet

There is also a Smilers Sheet entitled ' We Will Remember Them' consisting of 20 x 1st. class poppy stamps, printed by Cartor Security Printers in litho, this will also be different to the poppy stamp on the miniature sheet.

Again if you collect special issues and If you want completeness , get that piggy bank open.

NB:The labels on the generic sheet next to the stamps show four war Memorials.

Submarines and Self Adhesives

After 40 years to try and collect every Machin in all its forms, and sub categories is now a near impossible task unless of course you have pots of money. One way to enjoy Machins as a beginner is to pick a subject from the various issues from the past.

This is another closed chapter in the Machin series and there for should not be to difficult to complete, although some of the earlier ones such as mixed special issue /4 x 1st class Machin booklets depicting submarine self adhesives and the Punch Judy may now cost you a pretty penny to acquire.

This series was one of my favourites (at the time*) first issued 17th Apr 2001 Printed by The House of Questa in Gravure on OFNP/SA paper

2 x 1st-class Submarines 2 phosphor Bands
4 x 1st-class flame 2 phosphor Bands

Perforation for all these issues were kiss die cut
15½ x 14¼ (special issues)
14¾ x 14 Machins (Ellipses) Phosphor A - blue (long wave) Q1 / Q1 / Q1 Q1 Q1 Q1

This booklet was an immediate success with the general public and collectors alike, and several more booklets followed with the mixed content.

On the 4th Sep also printed by Questa was a booklet depicting two of the Punch & Judy stamps, another nice booklet, Flags and Ensigns followed on 22nd Oct 01, and Airliners on 2nd May 02.

* Royal Mail being what they are decided to milk in the profits and bring in several more subjects over the next couple of years or so. There is no fool like a collector, and yes, we bought them just to keep up with the new issues.

21st May 02 came a change of printer and World Cup 2002, 10th Sep 02 ( back to Questa) and Bridges of London.

2 x Hello stamps + the usual 4 x 1st class definitives came into the equation on 4 Mar 03.

Continuing: (another change of printer) : And a different format 29th Apr 03 De La Rue
Extreme Endeavours (right).

Number 10 in the series bought to us on 15th Jul 03 was A British Journey - Scotland.

18th Sep 03, Transports of Delight and last but not least 16th Mar 04, A British Journey - N.Ireland.

Ocean Liners made an appearance on 15th Jun 04 and a final printing with a Europa stamp with the subject of A British Journey - Wales.

What happened to the A British journey England?

I think SOMEONE at Royal Mail said " we have milked these long enough, lets have another change"

Anyway its only 14 booklets, 95% of the sujects are half decent and if you like self adhesives its one chapter that should be easy to start, collect and close.

New Definitive Catalogue

I wrote a small article about the MCC catalogue recently on SoGB which is one of the MS online stamp groups that I belong to.

A reply from someone mentioned "I had it all wrong and the Machin Collectors Club Catalogue will no longer be updated free to existing purchasers provided they are still a member."

I do not know if this still applies (the free updates) so I will not comment on it as yet.

But I can announce that who ever it was that informed me of this new catalogue had his information correct. "The MCC is to issue a new catalogue which as far as I know will re produce the orginal content, be it updated and an added section for Wilding definitives."

I have not seen it yet, but will be obtaining a copy for myself as I will be interested to compare price rises and new prices for stamps issued over the last couple of years. Besides this I was impressed with the previous version and will not recieve any updates even if they are still available to members, as I let my membership lapse for personal reasons last year.

This ( reproduced from the MCC website) is the advertising blurb for the new book.


MCC QEII Specialised Definitives Catalogue available from 22nd April 2007.

The MCC Specialsed Machin catalogue has now gone to press and will be available at our next fair at Dunchurch (near Rugby). With over 1200 pages and in full colour throughout plus hundreds of scans and illustrations this is THE definitive catalogue.






















It now includes the Wildings period - single stamps, cylinder blocks, coil strips and leaders, book panes (plain and cylinder) and booklets, all individually priced with realistic market prices (where known) Now in full colour throughout.

Published in two volumes in book form, slightly increased page size to 230mm x 155mm (The same size as the Stoneham catalogue)

More scans and diagrams to aid identification of individual items. All prices checked and updated. NO change to the price - This will still be only £35.95 offering superb value for money. Contents updated to the last minute before going to press. I.e. up to April 3rd 2007

Please note your order will be dispatched as soon as possible after 22nd April. UK delivery is by Business Post next day service.

Your comments are welcome on this subject

Do you know first hand if free updates for the previous catalogue are still available to members of the MCC? And if not, Why is this?

The MCC sold the catalogue on a promise of free updates and still quote this fact on their website, in my opinion, although I no longer qualify myself they should continue to honour their statement or give a substantual discount to all paid up members who purchase the new one.

Larry Rosenblum and GB Stamps

Sites of interest.

Another web site with a subtitle called Machin Mania.

I seems that I owe Larry Rosenblum an apology for using the same name as his site for this blog. I can only say to Larry that I did know about his website (which I rate very highly) and used the Mania title without thinking. It is a mania for me and thousands of other collectors.

I know that you read this blog and leave comments which we are very grateful for. If it is your wish Larry, I can change the name but this will mean that surfers who have bookmarked it or webmasters that have linked to it will have to change their settings. If it causes any confusion to you or your visitors and if it is your wish, I will.

I have also added Larry's site to my list of links ( more to be added soon) please do pay him a visit at www.gbstamps.com

Larry is a Machin specialist based in the USA and provides a wealth of knowledge, News, information, links, and fun for collectors of Great Britain stamps and related material. This is also the home of the Great Britain Collectors Club web site.

Try your hand at the Machin Quiz or read up on his Questions & Answers page. There is also a great section on identifying Machins.

Another Machin Anniversary Book

More good news for Machin enthusiasts, and a bit of advertising.

In conjunction with the 40th anniversary June 06th 2007, A twenty page booklet written for Royal Mail by Machin Guru Douglas Myall will be available and given away free to subscribers of the British Philatelic Bulletin next month (May 2007 ,Volume 44 Number 09)

Via his Deegam Report, (number 71) 13th January - 23rd March 2007, which by the way is in full colour and sent free by email in pdf form to all registered holders of the Deegam Handbook on CD.

Members of the Modern British Philatelic Circle also receive this Deegam report (black and white) in hard copy. This is also free and is supplied with a copy of the Circles publication (The Bookmark Journal)

To continue about the book, Douglas informs us :

"All Machin collectors will want this , whatever their level of interest. If you do not have a subscription I strongly recommend that you take one out now so that you do not miss this Free booklet"

My advice:

If you want to keep up with the latest GB News (other than reading this blog) subscribe to both of the above, it is money well spent and they are well in the reach of collectors pockets.

Unlike the mounds of confetti in the form of uncut sheets, generic sheets, ingots and coin covers churned out and described as stamps by Royal Mail. These publications will not break the bank, although its true to say the Bulletin does tend to advertise what I regard as "all the other crap above" which they have on sale in its pages along with some of the Machin news we all crave.

John E. Thompson & JET Phosphors

Another eMail from Brian Horton

Many thanks for describing the notched bands in such detail, it seems there is more to learn about these issues than one thought, with all the hidden secrets of specialisation perhaps Machins are a lifetime study in their own right.

Another question if you would be so good as to ( if possible) answer. I have seen the expression Jet Phosphor used in conjunction with certain Machins, even after a Google search I can not find any information on this topic. Anything at all concerning this topic that you can tell me would be appreciated.

Hello Brian and all visitors ( readers)

This is a subject known to specialists who are the main collectors of Jet phosphors. John E. Thompson discovered this variety of phosphor used to print phosphor bands on Machins. This phosphor was named JET by philatelists after Thompsons initials. The Post Office actually knew of the error and named it Yellow Phosphor.

Although these were printed in 1973 and were mentioned in some early catalogues they did not gain a permanent catalogue status in the Connoisseur until August 1995.

The anomaly resulted from an error at the printers Harrison & Sons sometime in the early months of 1973, when a zinc sulphide solution was inadvertently mixed with the normal purple phosphor ink.

It was estimated and has now been established from records of printing dates that certain printings in the second and third week of May 1973 were affected.

Identification

This error is most easily identified by testing the stamps for a reaction to long wave ultraviolet light. Usually stamps from this period (normal stamps) react only to shortwave UV, but those with JET phosphor react to long wave as well.

Jet Phosphor was found on several low value Machins printed during the period mentioned above. Twelve national definitives and four regional stamps have been affected (discovered).

I hope this helps.

Do you have a question? I can not promise that I know the answer, if I do not I may be able to find someone who does.

The Downey Head

Another double dose today to make up for missing a couple of days over Easter. Before you say, Whats this? I will explain that it is actually a Machin posting with a difference.

Someone once said "All stamps, and the material they depict are postal history in their own right, or in the case of modern material, they will be will be in the years to come". But what has this to do with Machins? Please bear with me for just a little longer.

If you have browsed my website you will have come across a section entitled Alternative GB, if you have not yet read it I suggest that you make time to so, as it holds some great information on Machin booklets and the panes they contain, click on the link above Machins Made Easy.

If we look close enough at certain modern Machin issues. These can actually describe Postal History through the nature of the theme and content. For this theme I am looking at Decimal Definitive Booklets and their covers, issued from April 1981 through to July 1985.

The contents of these form a very interesting collection of Machin definitives and the subject of the booklets describe stamps and Philatelic related material that was issued through the ages.

The Downey Head

This should please Michael of CDD Stamps as Downeys are a passion for him as Machins are to me. ( Just for you Michael)

The first George V stamps ( 1d and ½d ) were issued on 22nd June 1911 which was Coronation day. Although the design of these stamps are attributed to the name Downey, the actual work is also of three other people Some philatelists do refer to the name of Mr. Bertram Mackennal ( later to become Sir Birtram ) and Mr. G. E Eve, who drew the sketches. The name Downey only comes into the equation, as the sketches were engraved from a copy of a photograph of the King in a Admirals uniform taken by W & D Downey, who at the time were Photographers to the Royal Court.

The fourth name, almost a forgotten figure is the freelance engraver J. A. C Harrison who was contracted from the Royal Mint.

The booklet was issued on 30 September 1981, this booklet the 2nd in the series.
The contents of the booklet are a mixed pane of ten stamps 6 x 14p ( steel blue ) Machin definitives, with two side 4.5 mm phosphor bands, these covered the first class inland rate up to 60 gr.

Making up the remainder of the pane, joined se-tenant we have the remainder 4 x 11½p ( mushroom ) Machins these covered the second class inland rate up to 60 gr.

The 11½p values have either one 4 mm side band left or 4 mm side band right, .

The pane is available affixed to the booklet with either the selvedge affixed to the left 02 (above) or pane 02A (below). The stamps are printed by Harrison and Son on Fluorescent Coated paper and have a PVAD ( dextrin ) gum.

The 2 band stamps in positions 2 & 4 (14p values) have a right band short top and bottom, and Positions 3 & 5 left band short top and bottom. The 11½p values in position 7 & 9 have the left side band and stamps 8 & 10 a right side band.

The phosphor known as latterlite B3 glows violet when viewed under a short wave ultra violet light and has an afrerglow.

The pane shown (right) is the alternative ( 2A ) with the selvedge affixed to the right. For phosphor band alignment and printing details please refer to the information described above.

Your comments are always welcome, so do not be shy, what do you think of it so far? ( dont say rubbish :-) !

Boots Label Overprints

This is just a few of the labels that are available . Read on for more information.

Seems like an eternity ago now, but looking back through some of my old posts I did say I would show some pictures of the Boots Labels that were overprinted. Click here for a Current List Of Label Overprints that are available to collect.

A second post was added in December (reproduced below)

Several of the Boots Labels ( and the reprints ) described 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 original labels and add further interest to their collections.

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

Boots overprints are not cheap and some of the earlier ones retail in the region of £7 - 8 GBP each.

This is just a small selection to show you , having a wide selection in my my own collection with duplicates I can spare a few if anyone wants some. ( 5 different per collector only) if there are any left over afterwards you may apply for another lot.

I should say though, I feel these are over expensive to buy for what they are, but to replace them ( if I can still obtain them) would cost me more now than my selling prices.

They should be worth the money in the long run, as they are bound to continue to increase in value over a period of time and they do add that certain something to the album page, which is not only interesting to look at but they also make a great display.

Easter Special / Notched Phosphor Bands

In an email from Brian Horton, I am asked "I have heard that various Machins exist with notched, or stepped phosphor bands. What are these variations? Where could I obtain them?"

Mint examples can be obtained from certain mixed value and prestige booklet panes, on these particular varieties the make up of the phosphor bands consist of small notches (or steps, as some like to call them) in the top or bottom corner of the band.

Four types are catalogued ( see pic below).

These are notched or stepped either top left (N1), top right (N2), bottom left (N3) or bottom right corner (N4). It should also be noted that stamps also exist with combinations of short, inset and notched bands through error of alignment.

These can be very desirable stamps and are difficult to find , both mint and used stamps of this type are catalogued and will no doubt be rarities of the future.

Douglas G.A.Myall. Deegam publications has devised and written a reference system for these stamps, The Deegam SIN System. Douglas has kindly given his permission for these illustrations to be reproduced on my web site.

I can supply certain values, (mint only) most are in stock at this time. It should be noted that these notches are sometimes difficult to find and see, unless one knows which panes they exist on.

To actually see them It is suggested one uses a high powered magnifier (x 20 is recommended) in conjunction with a UV lamp.

For a list of notched bands and prices of stamps available please email me gbmachins@lineone.net

Acknowledgment

I am most grateful to Douglas G. A Myall, (Deegam Publications) 2 Elizabeth Avenue, Bridport Dorset DT6 5BA for his help and agreement for the use of his Deegam 1982 copyright ( notched band) System.

Sleeping Beauty

It seems that due to the 40th anniversary of the Machin there is an upward interest in the 4d Pre decimal Sepia. This was the first stamp to be issued 0n 05 June 1967 with the new Arnold Machin effigy of the Queens head.

Let me explain, I recently had an email from a well known dealer asking me if I had any of these particular stamps in stock that were for sale. The request was for stamps in cylinder block form with angled margins if possible.

All cylinders were requested but in particular stamps with Gum Arabic were at the top of his list.

As I am one of those people with a curious nature, I wrote back to him asking if he knew something I did not :-) , his reply is reproduced below.

"It seems that due to the 40th anniversary of the Machin, it is expected that a new found interest has developed for this stamp, bringing with it a new market demand. Prices for all issues of this stamp are expected to rise above the norm, which by the way has been settled to a degree since 1993.

Cylinders to look out for are 4, and 8, ( gum Arabic) these with angled margins are fetching in the region of £8 - £10 per block.

Cylinder 14 with 2 bands and Gum Arabic is listed in specialised catalogues as a rarity as it now commands a price of £10,000 for the no dot block." ( WOW!)

For your information here is a a Complete List ( dot & no dot blocks)

4d Sepia 2 band GA ( first issue as above)

Reprints

4d Sepia 2 Band PVA Gum
cyl 4,10, 12, 13, 14, and 15 cat prices are from £2.50 - £ 55

4d Sepia Centre Band PVA Gum
cyl 12, 13, 14, and 15 cat prices range from £3 - £45

If these stamps are on the rise, also watch out for the 1/- value 2 band ( pale violet) cylinder 3 and 1/9d value 2 band (Bright orange & black) cylinder 1A. Both with Gum Arabic.

Both of these stamps were issued on the same day.

Two variations of the Arnold Machin Special Issue

What else do we have for you today? Another double dose of information to go with the Regional posting below.

As it is Easter weekend I may not get the chance to post anything for a few days so some new close ups of the stamps that will be incorporated in Arnold Machin miniature sheet may be a good idea.

These as I have already explained in an earlier post, so to catch up you will need to fast track backwards and read it if you want the full low down.
This sheet will comprise of the new ruby and the old violet £1 definitive sitting se-tenant vertically above each other. The new Ruby colour was devised by Jeffery Matthews, who is the originator of the Jeffery Matthews colour palette.

These two £1 values will be flanked on the miniature sheet by the two 1st Class Special Issues, one 1st class commemorating an early 4d Machin (right) from1967.

A 1st class stamp showing a portrait of Arnold himself on the other .


The Variation News

This is not publicised anywhere else that I know of, so this news will be quite fresh, I have found out that this Arnold Machin Portrait stamp will differ to that which will accompany the Generic Sheet of 20 in the fact that the Generic sheet will be printed by Cartor ( A subsidiary of Walsall) in litho and the ( min sheet) by De La Rue will be printed in gravure.

If you collect special issues you will have to buy both in order to keep your collection up to date.

The present £1 violet definitive is to be withdrawn from post offices on the date of issue of the replacement £1 ruby red, so the Ruby stamps will also be available in Counter sheets of 200.
The printers are expected to be De La Rue who print the current Machins in sheet form and it is expected that they will be printed from the same cylinder as the former £1 value.

Do please inform you stamp collecting comrades of this blog, ( and Michaels) as it was through him I decided to start it. Since its humble beginnings in November I have had some great comments.

One person suggests "I re-name it to that of Machin news, as it is the most informative site on the web that deals with Machin definitives, its counterparts and as a bonus always has the very latest news available".

Thanks for that, it is nice to know my work is appreciated.

Happy Easter to all

Regional Machins

One subject I have not touched upon on this blog to date is that of Regional Machins, which is in reality the only closed chapter ( excluding Pre decimals and Anniversary double heads).

Although there were a lot of issues over the period whilst these were on sale, and this section is now closed, it is perhaps one of which could be completed by potential collectors without the worry of having to keep up with new issues.

This is still a vast specialised subject and hundreds of pages have been written about them, this post will only touch the surface, but will give the layman some idea of the stamps and what they represent. If you wish to learn more, I will no doubt be describing various aspects of this issue in the future, but in the mean time you will have to read one of the specialised catalogues that are recommended in earlier posts.

What is a Regional Machin?

Regional Machin stamps replaced the previous Country Definitives on decimalisation. They have the same Machin head as the nationals. The stamps were designed by Jeffrey Mathews, the machin portrait was in fact smaller, reduced in size in order to incorporate the corresponding country emblem in one corner.

The post office actually call these country issues, but to to philatelists they have always been called Regionals. The description of the individual emblems are as follows:

Isle of Man

The Legs of Man and the Celtic Ring.

Northern Ireland

The Hand of Ulster and Crown

Scotland

The Lion of Scotland

Wales

The Dragon of Wales

Harrison & Sons printed regional stamps in sheets of 200 up until 1981, then Waddington and Questa produced lithographic sheet versions. Walsall Security printers took over the contract and printed the later sheets in gravure.

Regionals have also been issued in se-tenant panes in prestige booklets, printed by Questa and Walsall. If you notice ( the wales 20p stamp above) with the latest printings, the stamps conform to the national Definitives and have security ellipses incorporated into the perforations

Prestige Panes

Panes can be found in The Scots connection £5 booklet, Gymru Wales Booklet, a pane from the Beatrix Potter Booklet, Several panes from the Northern Ireland booklet. The National Trust booklet produced a pane and The Speed booklet produced a pane also.

Finally a pane was issued in a Prestige booklet during the Stamp Show 2000, this marked the work of Jeffery Mathews.

The Welsh regional have had the ( P) in the value tablet omitted on the later issues and in June 1999 were the first to be decommissioned (along with stamps of Scotland).

Northern Ireland followed suit at a later date and now all these regional countries have their own pictorial country issues, so no further Machins will appear for these countries unless special prestige booklet panes are printed in the future.