Spotted on eBay and worth a mention

All single self adhesive Machins from booklets are printed on the reverse with the part of the text and (or) colour of the booklet cover. Yet the stamps from recent presentation packs are only found with plain white die-cut backing (as punched-out singles)

These varieties in the pack include the 2nd and 1st class Machins, and the three "Overseas Universal" Machins. Which give specialists 5 new stamps to add to their portfolio.

The 2nd and 1st class Machins are the first normal definitives to be issued with a plain white die-cut backing, and as such, are new varieties.

The "Universal" Postcard stamp has been previously issued as a die-cut with a plain white backing (in 2004) but with bright fluor. This issue with plain backing has a dull fluor.

Similarly, the "Universal" Europe and Worldwide stamps have been previously issued as die-cuts. However, these original examples were punched out of their respective booklets, giving a coloured backing. These two stamps also now have a plain white backing.

All five stamps are printed in gravure by Walsall, and ALL have a dull fluor.

Latest News on Date Blocks

A lot of specialist collectors look for new date singles, pairs or blocks.

Alan Rice wrote me last week and asked "If I had any information on recent date blocks"

I presume Alan wants info on recent printing dates either new printings on RMS paper or the printing dates of the latest sheet issues introduced for the April price rise.

I hope this helps

These are the latest ( new stamps) from the Dunstable plant on RMS paper.

16p 05//01 07
46p 04/01/07
48p 12/01/07
50p 09/01/07
54p 08/01/07 - 09/01/07
78p 10/01/07

Further printings have been reported on RMS (existing values), these are as follows:

1p 09/01/06
2p 16/03/06
10p 10/03/06
20p 24/03/06
37p 30/01/06
50p 15/03/06
£1 22/03/06

Scott Monthly 40th Anniversary

Thanks to Larry Rosenblum I now have this complete article in pdf format.

Last month we dealt with a stamp magazine called Scott Monthly, I promised a review of the Machin article written by James Macay , however due to lack of time I will not be able to do this review at this time. (I am busier than normal packing for my move) . Untill I can find the time , I have placed links to it on my website.

I have found time to read it and find it of great interest, James shares his enthusiasm of the series with all.

I feel it deserves to shared. So if you wish to read the whole of the Scott Monthly article I have placed links from my website.

http://www.gbmachins.co.uk/html/40th_anniversary.html

Chambon Strips

Way back in May (which seems ages ago) I mentioned a printing press called The Chambon. Basicly the main difference to the format of the sheets was these had a different sheet layout to the norm and were printed in double sheets of 100, the sheets were located one above the other, not side by side.



While I was going through some stamps yesterday I came across this Chambon Strip ( or block of 20 + labels as some may describe it)
You will notice the gutter separating the two stamps. To the left this has a warrant number and in the centre it shows the wording TOTAL SHEET VALUE and two arrows.


The arrows are designed to aid Post Office staff to separate the sheets and total up the remainder of stamps unsold during the days trading.

If you collect mint singles it is advisable to collect this issue as a gutter pair.

It should be noted that Chambon printings affects 2 stamp issues printed in sheet form, these are both 10p values. The first is a two band FCP/DEX with 10 mm phosphor, the other is printed on PCP1/DEX with additional two 10 mm phosphor bands.