The Machin defino-memoratives

In the October issue of Scott Stamp Monthly, editor Donna Houseman discusses the problems of deciding whether certain stamps are definitives or commemoratives (special stamps to those of you in the U.K.). Specifically, she is struggling with the recent U.S. Flags of Our Nation coil stamps.

I figure that it's a terminology problem. It's as if we didn't have a name for the color purple, and we were trying to decide if it is a shade of red or a shade of blue.

So we need a new name for these difficult-to-classify stamps, and I suggest defino-memoratives.

We Machin collectors have our own defino-memoratives. They are the five Machins issued in 1990 that show both the standard Machin portrait of Queen Elizabeth II and the classic portrait of Queen Victoria.

The five values issued were 15p (second-class letters), 20p (first-class letters), 29p (airmail postcards), 34p (airmail letters to zone B), and 37p (airmail letters to zone C). The sheet stamps were issued on January 10, 1990. Booklets of 4 x 15p, 4 x 20p, 10 x 15p and 10 x 20p appeared on January 30. There are several varieties of these booklets (different printers, different printing methods, etc.). All of the stamps became obsolete on September 17, 1990 when rates increased, and they were replaced by the return of the standard Machin design.

Like commemoratives, these double-headers* were issued to celebrate a specific event, the 150th anniversary of the first postage stamp, the Penny Black. And like commemoratives, they had a limited life, going off sale later in the year.

However, they were issued in sheet and booklet format, and they replaced the regular Machin design while they were in use. As such, they were the definitives available for those five postal rates.

These are defino-memoratives for sure.

This is not a serious problem for us, because regardless of how we classify them, they are still Machins and they fit comfortably in our collections.

Incidentally, the black double-header made a brief re-appearance as a first-class non-denominated (NVI) stamp in a booklet pane in the Special by Design prestige booklet issued on February 15, 2000. (Pictured below)

So next time someone comes over to visit, you can say, "Hey, would you like to see my defino-memoratives?"

If you'd like to see all of these stamps, they are illustrated on Roy's web site and my web site.

*In the United States, the term double-header refers to two baseball games played by the same teams on the same day. The use of the term to refer to a stamp with two heads pictured on it, as it is commonly done for these stamps, at least in the U.S., is a nice play on words.

--Larry

Another link added today

Today I have added a new link. This is a blog written by Adrian on philately in general.

Adrian states

"My main collection is on Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands. I also have a more general world collection (leaning heavily towards Europe), focus sing largely on various definitive sets. I also have a soft spot for birds on stamps. I hope to be blogging daily (well, almost!) on what I've done, what I've found out and what I still need to know!"

Saying this above, he also writes about stamps of Great Britain and one post in particular concerns The Machin. His site is well written and its obvious he is a bit of a Machin nut, this is why I have included him in the links section today.

Another site I have not mentioned for a while is Michael Dodds blog cddstamps.blogspot.com. Michael often refers in his posts to Machin design and other GB stamps of interest.

Do you have a website or blog that you would like me to link to, or perhaps give just a mention on these pages?. If so, just write to me at gbmachis@lineone.net with the details and I will take a look.

ATN Sheets and Marginal Markings - Part 2

Always glad to oblige.

Here's a block showing the marginal markings that Roy mentioned below.

Opposite row 18 (the top row of this block which is the 18th row down from the top of the pane) is the phosphor control mark. I show it here in light blue, but of course on the real stamps it is only visible under ultraviolet light.

Opposite row 19 is the colour control mark, and below that are the colour dabs.

A quick trip to a couple of reference works didn't turn up any information on these markings. I believe they are used to insure that the positioning of the paper is correct and the the inks (colour and phosphor) are being applied correctly.

I'm going to see if I can find out a little more about them. If so, I'll update this entry.

I would add one other thing to Roy's comments. Cylinder blocks, such as the 46p block of six that Roy shows, are almost always collected with an angled side margin and have been for the last couple of decades. Angled lower margins are less common, especially with stamps like these where the margin is perforated through. I believe collectors would find that recent cylinder blocks with straight side margin would be worth less than blocks with the angled margins.

Tallents House (the British Philatelic Bureau) sells cylinder blocks with straight margins.

--Larry

ATN Sheets and Marginal Markings

It is now common knowledge that The Primary sheets of Machin stamps printed by De la Rue (before trimming) contain 400 stamps, they are printed in gravure on on the ATN press.

Before I begin I will mention that all current values are printed upright and are now on a uniform OFNP/PVAl (dull) paper to the (Royal Mail Specification) RMS. They no longer have the De La Rue Logo situated in the margins. Previous printings may have the logo and been on dull, intermediate or bright papers.

The actual Primary sheets for these stamps are separated by a vertical gutter into two half sheets of 200 - The left margin carrying the the no dot cylinder numbers, and the right bearing the dot. Both of these cylinder numbers are situated alongside row 18.

What other marginal markings are available to the collector?. This depends on the individual collector as to what he/she wishes to spend as there are several. Each to his own as the saying goes.

The choices on what to collect (or not to) are various depending on how much ones budget stretches to. The obvious are the date blocks, both left and right, these are normally found running vertically reading from the bottom upwards between rows 12 -13 on both the dot and no dot sheets.

Cylinder blocks are described elsewhere on site and are briefly mentioned at the end of the post.

Some people collect the colour imprint arranged in the dot and not dot margins beside rows 3 reading upwards. The dot sheet also has the phosphor and what are now known as the "Phosphor Colour Electromat Control Marks", these are found alongside 18 - 19 and below these are what we now call "The Colour dabs".

(Sorry I do not have a picture of a Electromat block) perhaps someone could send me one or maybe Larry can help by posting one here.

I personally have no interest in these (either colour markings or Electromat blocks) so I do not collect them, but a lot of Machin specialists do - My reasons are they do not give the required information of the printing date or Phos and cylinders numbers, so in my mind they are just an extra collecting expense. The same can be said of collecting the arrows or half arrows on the sheets.

Arrows are found situated between columns 5 -6 and rows 10 - 11, both top and bottom in the dot and no do dot sheets.

Colour blocks are usually collected in blocks of 6 with angled margin or blocks of 8 with straight margins; date Blocks are usually collected in blocks of 8 with angled margins both top and bottom. Electromat blocks again are collected in blocks of 6 - angled margins top and bottom are usually an option.

Finally the phosphor cylinder blocks are collected in blocks of 6 - angled margins again are an option.

A Glut of Machin Signed Covers

Like Larry I am a bit dubious of some signed covers.

Since my original post about Arnold Machin signed covers and Larrys reply there seems to be quite a lot appearing on the market. As well as the one described yesterday I spotted another last week, so these although nice objects are not as rare as I fist thought.

I have also come across this one left (ending 1st September) unlike the one which I reported on yesterday which has a start price £27.50.

This one has a low start price of £7.99. It is double signed.

It looks to be a cover with the first 3 pre decimal stamps issued in 1967 and a gold 1st class stamp dated 1997 (5th June) for the 30th Anniversary Machin stamps.


Described as a Benham cover signed by Arnold Machin (1911-99) & Lord Glenamara (Edward Short), who was Postmaster General in 1967.

Up for Auction

One of my jobs for today was to go through the auctions just to see if anything interesting hit me. I often spend an hour or two just browsing to see what other people are selling.

The first item that I stopped to look at was yet another cover signed by Arnold Machin

Description Definitives 1st & 2nd Self Adhesives .... NVI's Horizontal with Windsor Castle Special Cancel on Benham official cover and signed by Arnold Machin designer of the Machin stamps.

My second selection was a group of miscut booklets. Issued 13 June 1977.

Twelve10p Machin folded type booklets which show a 'miscut error in the top margin selvedge resulting in the 6p stamp transposed to the right side of the pane instead of the correct format of left side!

These booklets are described as having perforations clipped at the left edge but condition is described mint as issued. Stanley Gibbons catalogue reference is SG FA3.

A s I collect booklets it was a shame about the perforations I might have been tempted to have a bash at these.

A third item which although not rare, is a Machin Black print which is apparently valid for postage. I already have a few of these so again no bids from Mrs Simpsons lad.

There were one or two other items that took my interest, namely a couple of misperforated singles. The start price on these was out of my league so I have ended up not buying or bidding on any of the lots.

All these items still have quite a distance to run, so I have bookmarked them just to see what the realise.

Thats it for a couple of days, I have a lot of work to do in the near future so I may not post for a bit. But do not let that put you off visiting, read some of the back posts and leave a comment or two. I will respond by answering you comment (or email). Also you never know Larry ( or Allan) may just pip me to the next post.

Have a good weekend.

Guess Who?

There are no prizes for guessing who the man is in this portrait as I think it is to easy. However If you fancey a bit of fun I can give you a small Clue.

He died in 1866, I will add the answer to this post on Saturday 23rd.

Perhaps this was not as easy as I thought, we had no replies. I can now inform you that it is Thomas De La Rue (1793-1866).

De La Rue are the current printers of Machin definitives in sheet form. Thomas himself was a pioneer printer of the Victorian era, an historic figure for playing card collectors and philatelists.

PiP Spot the Differences

A recent e mail from Tony Carter who inquired about Pricing in Proportion Stamps.

"Dear Roy,

New to Machins having only been a Maniac for only 18 months I still have a lot to learn. This is just one of my problems at ths time . I am a little confused and wander if you cold help.

I have been informed that there are several types of 1st and 2nd class (large PiP) Machins, they all look the same to me. Can you help?."

Hello Tony,

As far as I am aware there only two of each of the (basic) Large PiP Machins, these are the sheet variants and booklet variants. However for the specialist (as with most Machin values) there are many stamps from different Prestige Booklets, business sheets and Coils to collect.

Getting back to the basics

You can separate the two basic types quite easily as sheet stamps have normal perforations and booklet stamps are separated by the kiss / die cut method which simulates perforations.

I also believe that the phosphor arrangement is different, Both 1st and second class have 2 ( blue) phosphor bars, sheet stamps having wider bars. I guess there are also errors with short or inset bars available.

The sheet stamps are on the left.

For more information on PiP Machins click here Plase note this information is not up to date, you will need to cross reference with newer posts on Prestige booklet panes issued after this was written.

"Thanks again" to Dennis Stevens for the pics.

If you have not already done so, do not forget to vote on The Readers Poll

Thomas De La Rue (A Bit of History)

I was trawling the web yesterday and came across this, Although it does not mention the printing of Postage stamps (documented elsewhere) it does give some interesting facts on the History of De La Rue.



Thomas De La Rue was the founder of the original company, born in Guernsey in 1793. After a 7-year printing apprenticeship Thomas moved to London and developed a straw bonnet millinery firm in which he experimented using Macintosh’s patent "for rendering substances impervious to water" and examined substitute leather invented by Hancock.



In 1833 Thomas in partnership rented 110, Bunhill Row, Finsbury,(left) which remained the business home until it was destroyed in 1940 during the Blitz.

William IV granted a Royal Letter Patent in 1832 for improved playing cards. These were of outstanding paper and registered print quality. Many other patents followed. Thomas de la Rue died in 1856, leaving a well established family business which had developed several diverse industries.

The ethos of the Thomas de la Rue Company has always been to seek scientific and technological leadership in its many fields, coupled with commercial acumen. Warren de la Rue, Thomas’ eldest son born in 1815, became an eminent scientist much involved with the new business world of envelopes and stamps.


Sir Evelyn Andros de la Rue held many patents on fountain pens. The Onoto pen, using a filling plunger, was launched in 1905 and established a great market presence.

In the plastics field Thomas de la Rue acquired interests in Telenduron products in 1914 whereby battery boxes and electrical insulators were moulded from bituminous compounds. Endura-ware tableware products were subsequently produced from thermosetting plastics. Major business growth by 1937 led to the Walthamstowe Avenue Works enjoying large investments in 1000 to 1500 ton presses moulding novolak phenolic resins, the number of hydraulic compression presses growing to 70.

Phenolic cloth laminate ‘Delaron’ sheeting was produced for electrical and mechanical use. In collaboration with the British Post Office De La Rue Plastics Ltd. produced components and coloured telephone housings over many years. Moulded phenolic radio cabinets were also major production.

The Avenue Works and ancillaries at one stage were the largest moulding group in Europe and their value was proved in World War II. During this time many items were produced for the armed services, including Bakelite phenolic grenades, communications equipment and large items for Wellington bombers. Joint work with groups such as Plessey, using for example high dielectric Bakelite materials and producing plastic replacements for metal car components, provided essential support to the war effort.

Plastic non-metal toilet seats for minesweepers provided a novel approach. Injection moulding developed with use of new polythene resins for radio and radar, as well as high numbers of cellulose acetate combs.

By 1945 the Avenue Works and related groups employed 3000 people working in three shifts, producing items such as thermoset car components. Other products emerged using new polymers such as polypropylene, nylon and high impact polystyrene .

Major changes took place in 1946/47 when the moulding interests were sold to National Plastics Ltd., with the insulation, industrial and decorative laminates moving to North Shields in the north east of England. In 1959 National Plastics was acquired by Courtaulds Limited, whilst Formica Limited became the laminate group in North Shields, manufacturing and marketing decorative and industrial laminates from 1946 (reference 5). Formica Ltd. became part of Formica International Ltd., with De La Rue holding a major interest in collaboration with US Cyanamid Corporation, which had established the US Formica Corporation in 1914.

By 1968 De La Rue was manufacturing large volumes of metallic, decorative and electrical laminates in fourteen countries, with huge press capacity in North Shields and in France. Investment in research and development at the Maidenhead Research Centre (left) provided many innovations in the above business alongside the continuing Thomas De La Rue security printing businesses. Formica International was sold to American Cyanamid in 1977.

The De La Rue group continues to use and develop plastics materials in its many varied business interests including banknote threads, holograms, security documents and printing components. It remains the world’s largest security printer.

Recent History

1986 Bradbury Wilkinson acquired.

1987 Fortronic acquired. Amblehurst acquired (later to become De La Rue Holographics).
1989 De La Rue acquires controlling interest in Garny AG.

Sale of Crosfield Electronics Norton Opax plc makes a bid for De La Rue. Defeated when they were acquired by Bowater.

1990 Robert Maxwell's 21.7% shareholding dispersed among institutional investors.
De La Rue House in Basingstoke officially opens.1991 The De La Rue Company plc becomes De La Rue plc.

1992 Inter Innovation acquired (including LeFebure in USA).

1993 MB-Clarke acquired.

1994 Camelot is awarded licence to operate UK National Lottery. Nairobi banknote factory opens.

1995 Portals Group plc acquired. Brandt Inc acquired. McCorquodale Security Cards Inc acquired. Applied Systems Institute Inc acquired. Associated Cash Handling in South Africa acquired (now De La Rue Cash Systems South Africa Ltd). De La Rue buys Ensec's banking automation division and Ensec buys back De La Rue's 44.7% shareholding in Ensec.

1996 Hong Kong banknote factory sold to Hong Kong Monetary Authority.

1997 De La Rue acquires Harrison & Sons. De La Rue acquires Philips Cartes et Systèmes in France Brandon Gough takes over as Chairman from Lord Limerick. De La Rue launches major rebranding programme.

1998 Jeremy Marshall retires as chief executive. De La Rue sells Garny, LeFebure and Lerchundi exiting the physical security business. De La Rue acquires Cellograf Simp in Italy. Ian Much appointed as chief executive on 1 September. Haydn Abbott resigns as managing director Cash Systems. De La Rue closes Bensalem manufacturing plant in USA.

1999 De La Rue completes sale of terminals business to Ingenico SA. Launch of joint venture between Bank of Portugal and De La Rue. Sale of Card business to F C Oberthur of France for £200m.

2000 Appointment of Jon Marx as managing director of Security Products. Launch of new Global Services division. Michael Jeffries and Keith Hodgkinson appointed as non-executive directors of the Board following the retirement from the Board of Lord Wright of Richmond GCMG and Brian Birkenhead. Acquisition of Ascom Banking Automation cash handling business by Cash Systems.

2001 Acquisition of US based Currency Systems International Inc. wholesale cash processing business by Cash Systems. Acquisition of ATS Money Systems Inc., the US based provider of cash handling systems and software by Cash Systems. Disposal of 50:50 joint venture company De La Rue Giori, (banknote printing press manufacturer) to German printing press manufacturer Koenig and Bauer. Security Products and Global Services operations merged.

2002 Camelot awarded second seven year licence to operate national lottery. Acquisition of Papelaco, Portuguese self service cash handling machine manufacturer by Cash Systems.

Readers Poll

To keep readers informed my self , Larry and Allan try to post here as often as we can, sometimes it is every day, other times perhaps two or three or even four or five times a week. You will notice if you scroll down to the bottom of the page we have added a readers poll.

In order for us to get an idea of the amount of times and when we receive visitors it would be helpful if you could take a few seconds to inform us.

Thanks in advance:

Pete The Pop Art Man

I thought you may be interested to know that "Pete thepostpopartman" has replied to the post Nelson Mandela and Machins

The Background is;

Red: 4d with some dates 1970 + deeper red 8p, Green 8 ½p, 12p, 18p, 20p, 2p, White first class, Yellow 8p, 35p, 46p, Black 4d, 9p, first, 75p, 20p + 20p double head , Purple , 2d, 3d, 5 ½ p , Brown 24p , 26 p, Deep brown 7p, Orange 10p, Light orange 10p ,Deep orange 10p, Deep blue 5d ,Various blues 2nd, 3p, 4p, 15p.

Grey hair 4 ½ p, 14p, and 17p. Light grey 7p , 29p

Shirt collar olive 18p and 30p All others on shirt are South Africa, RSA or Suid Afrika

Many thanks Pete, So now we all know. By the way congratulations on your work, very artististic. Just a suggestion, what about a picture of a Machin itself made up of Machins? Now that would be something.

Master the Machins

How would you like to learn all about the Machins from an expert collector, along with other interested collectors? Linn's columnist (and my good friend) David Alderfer is giving a two-day course called Collecting the British Machins under the auspices of the APS.

It will be held in Chicago on November 19 and 20, 2008, just before the Chicagopex exhibition.

The description of the class includes this:

The course will focus on the various characteristics that collectors must consider in order to appreciate all the varieties. Characteristics include colors, face values, numerals, papers, gums, phosphor band variations, perforations, regional issues, methods of printing, booklets, se-tenant combinations, and postal history.

A PowerPoint presentation illustrating key points and hands-on experience will be part of the workshop. There will be something of interest for beginner, intermediate, and advanced collectors alike.

Any questions please contact Gretchen Moody at http://www.stamps.org/TheAps/requests_gretchen.htm or phone 814-933-3810. The formal announcement is at http://www.stamps.org/Education/edu_Courses.htm.

--Larry

Back to the Future

A rather smelly tramp walked into Stanley Gibbons in London. The shop assistant asked "can I help you sir"
"Yes" replied the tramp " I have this mint 1d black that I wish to sell"

The clerk a bit apprehensive of the mans appearance asked him "is it your property and where did you acquire it ?"

"I was once an eccentric millionaire collector and had some time on my hands so I built an electronic time machine out of used Machins and went back to 1840, this is a souvenir from my visit" said the tramp.

The clerk thought poor fellow I will humour him, "If the time machine was electronic how did you get back from Victorian times"

The tramp replied " I knew you might not believe me, it was not so easy, my back battery power pack sent me back to the future, and I spent my complete fortune trying to return, it took me 12 years, Inflation was rife, I slipped into destitution and became homeless, this is why I look so scruffy.

"Who was on the throne whilst you were in the future? Charles or William"?

"Neither" said the Tramp Lizzie was following in her Mothers footsteps and was still alive, she refuses to give up the throne"

The shop assistant thought to himself, well I have heard enough and had a bit of fun. "I'm sorry sir although this is a genuine 1d black the stamp has been very badly creased on its travels and only has one very poor margin, I am afraid it is not good enough to place into Gibbons stock. If you want to sell it I suggest you put it on eBay.

The tramp replied "all that work and travel for nothing, I guess this sheet of £14.00 value Machins cylinder D2 D1 no dot with marginal dates showing 21/03/2019 is no good either.

Dave Atrthur Machin Forum has moved

This is an email received recently to inform us that THE MACHIN FORUM HAS MOVED

"Hi Roy,I just noticed that you need to update the link to Dave's Machin Forum on the bottom of the blog page. It still has his old address."

It can now be found by clicking HERE

The Bookmark in our links column for the old site has now been replaced with the revised URL. Dave has recently lost a lot of data due to a computer problem and many of your posts have been accidentally deleted.

This is a pity as a lot of good information had been logged and in some cases cross referenced with this blog. If you would like to visit and add a few words or repeat your old postings this will help Dave get the site back on track.

Thanks in advance

200 Posts And Counting

This is, believe it or not the two hundredth post on this blog. The first posting was on November 24th 2006 which dealt with Byfleet & Dunstable Printings types of paper and gums. A good record over approx eighteen months considering I was offline for a period of nine months or so.

A lot has happend in the Machin world over the last 18 months, to name but a few. Two rate rises, endless new issues from Prestige books, missing pound signs, 00 values, we also seen the 40th Anniversary Of The Machin Definitive come and go.

As this is an anniversary of sorts, I would like to take this opportunity to say thanks to Larry Rosenblum GB Stamps USA for all his posts to date, I hope that he will continue to share his knowledge with us in the future. Also thanks to Allan Oliver for his insight into training bars. Allan still has updates on Machin training stamps to post, we will see these added as soon as he finds time.

Not forgetting the readers and people who leave comments, many thanks to you all, in a way it is also your blog, without you asking questions, or giving your opinions on what has been written to date we would not have a Machin blog. Lastly thanks to Douglas Myall for his brilliant handbook and Deegam Reports, you also have him to thank in a way as he was the person who got me seriously involved with these bits of coloured paper in the first place.

Please do continue to post your comments, ask questions or simply let us know what you would like us to write about. Here is a toast (cheers & thanks again) I look forward to the next 18 months , hopefully many many more Machin issues and another 200 posts.

Roy

SG Specialised Vol 4 & A Happy Birthday to Me

Well its not actually my birthday, as it passed a couple of weeks ago. My age? Don't ask, but I'm no longer 59.

One of my presents arrived today (a bit late) from the UK (talk about snail mail). Posted on July 22, I think it did a world tour before hitting the door mat.

The book was actually released 28 March 2008 - Rather than order it direct at the time I set my stall out and told everyone in my family what I wanted for a birthday surprise. IE: The new Gibbons GB Decimal Specialised Catalogue Volume 4 . Crafty me, knew that my eldest daughter always buys me something philatelic.

However as I have been out of the loop for some time so to speak, unknown to me until later, I found out that by following advice (from who?) it was decided to divide the former volume 4 into two separate volumes, 4 & 5 fast bound, to match Volumes 1- 3 in this series.

Needless to say I am not a happy chappie, now I have to either buy volume 5 my self or wait until Christmas. Christmas is months ahead, so it looks as though I have to spend my own hard earned!




Back to volume 4


After a quick shufty I see that the new volume 4 includes all sheet and booklet stamps showing the Machin' head, apart from the non-value indicator stamps (NVI's) and self-adhesives, which will be covered in the new Volume 5, along with regionals, postage dues, greeting stamps and other sections of the previous volume 4.


The new volume 4 lists all the Machin definitives issued between 1970 and the end of 2007 (except those mentioned above), with booklet panes and complete booklets in the comprehensive detail which collectors have come to expect from Stanley Gibbons.

I seem to be spending more money on catalogues these days than I do on the actual stamps, but saying this I feel it is a must to have the latest information at hand if you deal in the modern Machin errors like myself.

Arnold Machin signed card

Roy's last post woke a long-dormant brain cell. It led me to an album where I found a copy of the cover he showed. Next to it was this card, created around the same time and also signed by Arnold Machin.

There are 500 copies of this one, and the back says that proceeds will go to a charity of Machin's choice. These cards show up on eBay from time to time.

While we're on the subject of Machin autographs, I have one other. It's a page in a Machin album that was sold in the 1970s and 1980s by Urch, Harris, a British stamp company. If anyone has any more information, such as the beginning and end dates of sale of the autographed album, let us know.

I used it for a few years, then gave it up for two reasons. First, they replaced whole pages every year in order to add just a stamp or two, and I got tired of remounting. Second, I became interested in varieties for which there were no spaces in the album. So I decided to stop getting updates, but I kept the album because of the autograph.

If I recall correctly, Urch, Harris was bought by Stanley Gibbons.

--Larry

Arnold Machin Signed Cover

Whilst browsing eBay today I came across this unusual lot. It has 5 days to finish and to date has no bids on it.
The lot is described as - 1970 high values definitive first day cover - Official Arnold Machin signed - and rare. Issued on the 17th June 1970 for the official Arnold Machin OBE Patron of Staffordshire Society for Mentally Handicapped Children.


It also states that only 100 covers were produced to raise funds . It is signed on the front by the by the great man him self, the number on the reverse is 80.


More information from the seller states it is a rare FDC which does not seem to be listed and has a printed letter inside informing people that these covers originally sold for £10 each.

Information that is not given in the write up - looking at the picture supplied it is also addressed to Arnold Machin Esq.



The starting price is £14.99 with £1 postage. I personally think this is a nice collectors item, but as I do not collect covers will not be bidding on it. If you fancy a dabble on this, here is a direct link to the offer

What A Carry On

My daughter came to visit this week, as usual she bought with her a bag of goodies from the home country. Along with the packs of bacon, cheddar cheese, Rizla cigarette papers and various lines of cosmetics for the wife she offloaded several stamp booklets on me to use as postage when I send letters or cards back to the UK by courier (now ain't that nice?)

This was one of the booklets from the parcel which I thought was quite colourful. Checking it out on the web I came up with this information.

Now pay attention you horrible lot

One of a series of stamp promotional self adhesive Retail Booklets. This was issued on 10th June 2008.
The booklet contains 6x1st NVI gold stamps (priced at £2.16) and has a "Carry on Sergeant" film label advertising the issue of special stamps celebrating 50 years of Carry On films.

The booklet was produced by Walsall and printed in gravure. Apparently, no cylinder number books exist on this edition, but the right hand strip shows characters from the Carry on Sergeant film.

I am not one who normally collects self adhesive booklets unless they appeal to me. This one was to good to use as postage, so I now have 4 copies tucked away.

00 values More News

Back in December 2007 Lary reported these 00 value Machins were steadily appearing on the Philatelic Market, he also reported -

" Recently, Douglas Myall told me that Royal Mail has told dealers that these labels are considered Royal Mail property, should not be sold, and may be reclaimed by Royal Mail. I don't think, however, that individual collectors who purchased them are likely to be bothered. "

This next piece which concerns these labels was reported in the MBPC publication The Bookmark Journal (April 08) Vol 37 N0 5 under the heading of Trevs Snippets.

" Following on from the tale of the £5 brown (these were stamp(s) allegedly stolen from the printers) it seems that Royal Mail,s fraud department have been contacting vendors and demanding the return of examples of this stolen property".

It continues "The same action has now been taken with vendors of the 00 value machins".

If you are a individual collector who purchased these , watch out if you try to re sell them, big bro RM will be on your tail.

De La Rue Cylinders And Dates

It has been sometime since anyone added information to this list, in fact as I have been offline I do not remember the date when it was last updated. This is a link to the previous list if I have missed any new or past printings please let me know and I will add them to this list.

Thanks to Alan Rice for the reminder. I posted a update on printing dates some time back ( July 07), these have now been linked to this list.

1p Crimson
D2 D1 - 20/01/07, 21/0107 07, 21/03/07

2p Deep Green
D2 D1 - 20/01/07

5p Claret
D2 D1 - 16/03/07 - 19/03/07
D2 D2 - 17/04/07

9p Orange
D1 D1 - 10/01/08, 11/01/08

10p Deep Orange
D2 D1 - 17/01/07, 14/03/07

14p Pink
D1 D1 - 26/03/07

15P Shocking Pink
D1 D1 - 08/01/08

16p Bright Pink
D1 D1 - 05/01/07, 02/04/07

20p Bright Green
D4 D1 - 24/03/06, 04/04/07, 06/09/07, 07/09/07

46p Old Gold
D1 D1 - 04/01/07

48p Amethyst
D1 D1 - 11/01/07, 12/01/07
D1 D2 - 08/05/07

50p Light Sand
D2 D1 - 09/01/07, 03/04/07, 04/04/07,23/05/07, 24/05/07

54p Rust
D1 D1 - 08/01/07, 09/01/07, 03/04/07, 04/04/07

56p Lime Green
D1 D1 - 09/01/08

78p Emerald Green
D1 D1 - 10/01/07, 14/09/07

81p Sea Green
D1 D1 - 10/01/08

£1 Mauve
D2 D2 - 22/01/07, 23/01/07

£1 Ruby
D1 D1 - 30/01/07, 31/01/07, 21/03/07, 22/03/07, 17/09/07

2nd PiP Blue
D1 D1 - 15/01/07, 16/01/07

2nd Blue
D3 D1 - 28/03/07

1st PiP Gold
D1 D1 - 21/01/07, 22/01/07

1st Gold
D2 D1 - 29/02/07

1st (large) PiP Gold
D1 D1 - 08/03/07, 09/03/07, 12/03/07, 16/04/07, 20/09/07, 22/09/07