Noting the changes

We are only three and a half months into 2009 and these new Machins are driving a lot of collectors (including myself) potty. With all the new stamps and changes to date there is so much to comprehend. Take your mind of the subject for five minutes and another new fact comes to light. I am now talking about the latest revelation discovered by Douglas Myall regarding the different alphabetical background text.

Larry has now observed more details with large and small wavy text. Add to this the fact that Ian has reported different sized gaps in the security slits giving us three different types of slits to date, by the way Ian suggests this (the wider gap) should be catalogued type 2a.

I do not know about your self, but I am still trying to get to grips with other formalities. Another of which is the new rate values from sheet printings with (conventional gum).



OK so we have now done away with the dot and no dot cylinder blocks, but still have a left and right pane. The left pane resembling the old style no dot pane which still retains a coloured vertical line from top to bottom and the right pane (replacement dot pane) which still retains a narrower margin without the vertical line. Both now have have the new type box grid which indicates either left or right. The D1 cylinder number despite Royal Mails publicity material showing otherwise is still adjacent to row 18. (See pics above). It is possible that this will (could)change to being opposite row 19 on future printings.

I have still not seen the cylinder block from the reprint of the 54p value (Rust) D1 D1, printing date 22/01/09. I have been told "It is just that, a reprint in the old style format. One difference is the sheet now has a bar code printed in ink-jet."

Can anyone tell me do the cylinder block numbers still portray the dot in the right pane?


....Roy

Images of hidden codes on Security Machins

My copies of the Machin booklets have arrived. Here are two images of the hidden codes. Above is "FOYAL" with the "F" circled. This is the large second-class stamp from a booklet of four. Below is "MTIL" with the "T" circled. This is the standard second-class stamp from a booklet of 12.


The gold color of the first-class stamps is harder to scan, but I'll give it a try and post them if I can get good results.

When doing these scans, I noticed for the first time that the letters of the overprint are smaller on the large-size stamp than they are on the standard-size stamp. You can see that in these images. I wonder why that is.

--Larry

Keep Smiling

Nothing what so ever to do with Machins, sorry about this, but I feel I have to have another dig at Royal Mail for flooding the market (once again) with stamps that will never see the light of day on a genuine letter used for postage.

I suspect that the majority of collectors are far from smiling these days, not when they learn that another private sheet of themed Smilers Sheets were released in April . How many is this to date? Just for April alone I know of at least three. When will it ever end?

This time in conjunction with Royal Mail it is Rushstamps who are the culprits, they have released yet another new themed smilers sheet entitled Earl Shilton Rocks!

The new Earl Shilton Scout Group Sheet features 20 x 1st Class Harry Potter stamps and commemorates the Centenary Year (1909-2009) of the Hinckley District Scout Council.

If you actually have piles of spare cash and really want these. They are only available from the one source.

Personally (like the miniature sheet) I think they are hideous.

Obviously this is not a recommendation to buy, just an observation.

Hidden Codes on Security Machins

Douglas Myall published the news yesterday that the non-denominated security Machins have a hidden code that identifies the format in which the stamp was issued. In other words, just by looking at a single stamp, you can tell if it came from a counter sheet, business sheet, booklet of four, booklet of six, booklet of twelve, or mixed definitive/commemorative booklet.


The code is a change of one letter in the curvy ROYAL MAIL pattern, located above the diadem.

The codes are as follows:

B replacing A in Royal - ROYBL MAIL - in business sheets of 50 (large 1st and 2nd Machins) [corrected April 19]

B replacing A in Mail - ROYAL MBIL - in business sheets of 100 (standard 1st and 2nd Machins) [corrected April 19]

C replaing A in Mail - ROYAL MCIL - in mixed booklets with four 1st Machins and two commemoratives ("C" is for custom)

F replacing R in Royal - FOYAL MAIL - in booklets of four stamps (large 1st and 2nd Machins)

S replacing A in Mail - ROYAL MSIL - in booklets of six (standard 1st Machins)

T replacing A in Mail - ROYAL MTIL - in booklets of twelve (standard 1st and 2nd Machins)

There are no hidden codes in counter sheets, which means that no denominated Machin has a code.

Royal Mail says that these codes let them know the source of a stamp when a problem is discovered, for example, a sub-standard application of the phosphor bands.

Myall is giving each of these stamps a separate number at level 3 in his Deegam Handbook. Users of the Handbook who have signed up for electronic download of his Deegam Reports can download the latest, DGR 82, at his web site, http://www.deegam.com/. This issue shows the various codes and includes his catalogue listing and profiles.

UPDATE: Some images are here.

If you need a refresher on these new Machins, click here and here. Also this lengthy discussion on the Machin forum.

--Larry

Sorry that I have not been posting so often lately, but I have had some computer problems. I did manage to get a couple of days surfing in, and managed to check and answered a backlogs of emails, then woe and behold it packed up again. I am connected again now, thank god, hopefully with no more problems.

I was going through the British Postal Museum & Archive site over Easter and spotted this picture which I thought was worth sharing.

"This witty poster advertisement in our archive sums up what is required very neatly, albeit with a chicken egg." http://postalheritage.wordpress.com/

It also fits the bill in respect to our previous posts.

Is this the egg that broke the chickens (Royal Mails) back?

To Buy Or Not To Buy

If you read the comments left for the last post, you will see that collectors are starting to get wise to the Royal Mails new issues marketing strategy. If you ask me it is not before time, wising up can save them a lot of money in the long run.

Collectors of blocks / strips are their own worst enemies. It is they themselves who decide to collect these formats in the first instance. I can own up as to being one of the guilty parties. But no more, my new issue collecting days are over except for a few carefully chosen items.

Do you remember the gutter pair fiasco? These (pairs) were paraded as gold dust by dealers and many collectors went out of their way to acquire them. In later years when they wished to part with them they find that dealers are not interested in them at all and are offering less than face value to take them off our hands. The same can be said for early commemorative cylinder blocks / traffic light blocks etc.

The longer you are in this game of cat and mouse the more you learn. Basic values, no matter what the format are worth basically what you pay for them.

Clever marketing by certain dealers advertise WANTED presentation packs blah blah. A ploy? Do these dealers have stocks of these piled so high that they want to make us think they are rarer than they are? Just reply to one of these advertisements and say that you have 20 or so to dispose of. See the results!

Above are just a couple of questions to ponder over. So before you go out and spend a fortune that you can not afford on new issues, have a think. By all means do continue to buy mint stamps, if this is your wish, but like Larry and Robert say, choose what you are buying because you want them, not because its what the dealers and Royal Mail are telling you you need.

Replies are welcome.

....Roy

De La Rue Security Cylinder Blocks (update)

If you collect cylinder blocks and like completeness be warned that it may get a bit expensive with these new self adhesive security printings.

Catalogue compilers intend to list all of the values in all available cylinder block formats from the primary sheets.

For the standard sized cylinder panes the identification box,s give 6 different combinations of cylinder blocks.

These are to be known as

Upper left
Upper centre
Upper right
Lower left
Lower centre
Lower right

Large 1st class and large 2nd class NVI cylinder panes giving 4 x identification box combinations

These are to known as

Upper left

Upper right

Lower left

Lower Right

That is a lot of cylinder blocks folks. The question now is how many will continue to collect them?

As I like to eat every now again and keep a roof over my head I have already opted out!

Bridge That Gap

Whist I was in the UK I managed to have a look at some of the new security booklets printed by Walsall, Philatelic issue date 31st March. I did not get the chance to see the De La Rue business sheets.

Rather than write about the new booklets I will quote, then send you over to Ian's Blog who has them covered already. Ian has checked his supply and informs us that some interesting facts have emerged.

" As previously mentioned on the Walsall printings the security cut is actually 4 cuts, compared with De La Rue's two cuts. On the latest (31 March) booklets the gap at the apex of the curve is wider than on the Design Classics (10 March) booklets.

The current (31 March) booklets have a wide gap on the 1st & 2nd books of 12, and a narrow gap on the 1st book of 6 and the Large Letter books."

Read Ian's complete report here

Cylinder Numbers / Dates DLR Security Issues

De La Rue (Dunstable) ATN security self adhesive definitive sheet printings.

Revised Machin definitives counter sheets were issued on 17th February 2009 featuring new security devices. These new sheets use self adhesive paper and come in new sheet sizes.

The stamps will include new security features namely:- Each stamp will carry four 'U' shaped die cuts within the design - one set of two over the value tablet and the other set behind the Queens back. A different self adhesive paper will be used that does not include the water soluble layer.

Additionally, an iridescent ink will be used to print a repeating wavy line text pattern of 'Royal Mail' in background around the Queens head; the head is overprinted also, but with a different pattern.

2nd class Light Blue D1 D1/D1

04/12/08 - 09/03/09

2nd Class Large Light Blue ( 2 bands) D1 D1/D1

10/12/08 - 25/02/09

1st class Gold D1 D1/D1

03/12/08 - 24/03/09 - 10/03/10

1st class Large Gold D1 D1/D1

09/12/08 - 24/03/09

1st Recorded Yellow/Red D1D1/D1

16/10/09 - 19/10/09

1st Recorded Large Yellow/Red D1D1/D1

21/10/09

50p Light Grey D1 D1/D1

08/12/08

£1.00 Ruby D1 D1/D1

08/12/08 - 09/12/08

£1.50 Terracotta D1 D1/D1

20/01/09 - 13/02/09

£2.00 Slate Blue D1 D1/D1

20/01/09

£3.00 Purple D1 D1/D1

20/01/09 - 23/02/09

£5.00 Grey Blue D1 D1/D1

20/01/09

Dunstable Dates And Cylinder numbers

Machins and information on the move to Dunstable.

By March 2005 after a long delay due to several problems, De La Rue had moved all plant from Byfleet and operations began on the ATN press at the new Dunstable plant. It has been said that "the first printings were the same ( indistinguishable) as those printed at the Byfleet plant" so early printings, unless you collect date blocks will have been catalogued under Byfleet listings.

Later printings, however are different in the fact that a duller flour incorporated into the paper, and they have a glossier appearance, it has also been reported that the last printing known on the brighter papers was 18/04/05. This being the £1.50 value.RMS Paper known as (Royal Mail Standard ) or (Specification). This is the paper currently used at Dunstable for all printings , this is also known in certain circles as ATN (c) Paper.This has a cream PVA gum (previous gum had a blue tint) and is dull in appearance, it is said that it was developed and designed by order of The Royal Mail to get near to that of HS2 used previously by Harrison's at the High Wycome plant.

The fist value on the new specification paper came to light ( 2p ) from a printing dated 22nd April 05. It is intended that all printings will be on this type of paper in the future.
Below is a basic list of Dunstable printings know to date. Some dates my be missing or overlooked. If you have any information or updates please email to my self or Larry (thanks in advance).

These are in order of value / colour of stamp, Cyl and Phos numbers and the date printed. All have a cream gum printed on RMS paper with no fluorescence in the surface coating.

1p Crimson D1 D1
20/05/05 - 22/07/05 - 23/07/05 - 09/01/06 - 10/01/06 - 20/01/07 - 21/01/07 - 21/03/07- 23/05/07

D2 D1 - 17/03/06 - 18/03/06 - 04/10/06 - 05/10/06 - 20/01/07 - 21 /01/07 - 21/03/07 - 23/05/07 - 27/02/08 - 28/02/08

2p Deep Green D1 D1
22/04/05 - 29/09/05 - 10/11/05 - 11/11/05 - 10/01/06
D2 D1 - 16/03/06 - 06/07/06 - 02/11/06 - 20/01/07 - 29/03/07 - 30/03/07 - 03/08/08

D2 D2 06 - 16/03/09

5p Claret D1 D1
23/05/05 - 23/07/05 - 09/11/05 - 12/01/06 - 17/03/06 -
D2 D1 - 23/08/06 - 24/08/06 - 03/011/06 - 16/03/07 - 19/03/07
D2 D2 - 17/04/07 - 04/03/08

9p Orange D1 D1
20/07/05 - 10/01/08 - 11/01/08 - 19/03/08

10p Deep Orange D1 D1
31/05/05 - 01/06/05 - 09/11/05
D2 D1 - 23/03/06 - 24/03/06 - 03/11/06 - 04/11/06 - 16/01/07 - 17/01/07 - 14/03/07 - 02/04/07 - 04/03/08 - 05/03/08 - 06/11/08

12p Turquoise D1 D1
27/04/07

14p Salmon Pink D1 D1
26/04/06 - 27/04/06 - 06/11/06 - 26/03/07

15p Shocking Pink D1 D1
08/01/08 - 19/03/08

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

17p Olive Green D1D1
23/01/09 - 24/01/09

20p Bright Green D1 D1
11/03/08

D3 D3
01/06/05

D4 D1
24/03/06 - 03/10/06 - 04/10/06 - 04/04/07 - 06/09/07 - 07/09/07 - 29/01/08 - 07/03/08 - 11/03/08

22p Stone D1 D1
22/01/09 - 23/01/09

35p Lime Green (centre band) D1 D1
24/07/05

37p Olive Green D2 D1
30/01/06 - 31/01/06 -30/03/06 - 31/03/06

42p Sage Green D1 D1
20/07/05

44p Ultramarine D1 D1
31/01/06 - 30/03/06 - 31/03/06 - 06/11/06 - 07/11/06

46p Old Gold D1 D1
06 06/05 - 04/01/07 - 12/09/07

47p Sea Green D1 D1
24/07/05 - 11/11/05 - 12/01/06

48p Rhododendron D1 D1
11/01/07 - 12/01/07

D1 D2 - 08/05/07

49p Rust D1 D1
01/02/06 - 0-3/04/06

50p Sand D1 D1
25/05/05 - 20/07/05 - 07/11/05 - 08/11/05 - 10/01/06 - 11/01/06

D2 D1 - 15/03 /06 - 07/07/06 - 05/10/06

50p Light Grey D2 D1
09/01/07 - 03/04/07 - 04/04/07 - 23/05/07 - 24/05/07 - 05/03/08 - 06/03/08

54p Rust D1 D1
08/01/07 - 09/01/07 - 03/04/07 - 04/04/07 - 13/09/07 - 22/01/09 - 2201/09 - 29/01/09

56p Lime Green D1 D1
18/03/08 - 20/11/09

60p Emerald 1D1D
21/01/10 - 22/0 1/10

62p Red D1 D1
24/01/09

67p Rhododendron D1D1
22/01/10 - 23/01 10

72p Red D1 D1
02/02/06

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

81p Sea Green D1 D1
09/01/08 - 10/01/08 - 18/03/08

88p Shocking Pink D1D1
23/01/10 - 25/01/10

90p Ultramarine D1 D1
25/01/09 - 25/01/10

£1.00 Bluish Violet D1 D1 D1

01/07/05 - 08/11/05/- 11/01/06 -

D2 D2 D1 22/03/ 06 - 23/03/06 - 10 /07 06 - 07 /11/06 - 08 /11/06 - 22/01/07 - 23/01/07 - 15 /03/07

£1.00 Ruby D1 D1
30/01/07 - 31/01/07 - 21/03/07 - 14/05/07 - 22/03/07 - 17/09/07 - 14/09/07 - 18/03/08

£1.46 Dark Turquoise D1D1

26/01/10

2nd Class Blue D3 D1
27/03/07 - 28/03/07

2nd class PiP Blue D1 D1
28/04/06 - 15/09/06 - 15/01/07 - 16/01/07

2nd class Large Blue ( 2 bands) D1 D1
15/05/06 - 16/05/06 - 06/09/06 - 07/09/06 - 12/09/06 - 11/11/06 - 05/12/06 - 13/03/07 - 27/02/08

1st Class Gold D1 D1 *
20/04/04 - 10/11/05 - 18/08/05 - 10/11/05 - 21/03/06 - 23/03/06

* Also known on this paper from previous printings at Byfleet - 02/04/03 - 20/05/03 - 18/09/03 - 25/03/04 - 20/04/04

D2 D1
29/03/07

1st class PiP Gold D1 D1
02/05/06 - 15/09/06 - 16/09/06 - 21 01/07 - 22/01/07

1st PiP Gold Large D1 D1
11/05/06 - 12/05/06 - 07/09/06 - 08/09/06 - 12/09/06 - 31/10/06 - 01/11/06 - 04/12/06 - 05/12/06 - 08/03/07 - 09/03/07 - 12/03/07 - 16/04/07 - 20/09/07 - 21/09/07 - 12/11/07 - 25/02/08 - 26 /02/08 -

Notes* Conventional Sheets PiP Printed by De La Rue issue date 01/08/06 Large 2nd class PVA cyl DI pD1. Unusually this has two bands, it is said " It is an aid so it can be used as first class if used on a standard letter or to make up with conventional values to the value for a 1st class large letter."

Next: De La Rue Self Adhesive Security Issues

Byfleet De La Rue Cylinders And Date Blocks

RMS Paper known as (Royal Mail Standard ) or (Specification) This is the paper currently used at Dunstable for all current printings , Known in certain circles as ATN (c) This has a cream PVA gum and is dull in appearance, developed and designed by order of The Royal Mail to get near to that of HS2 used previously by Harrison's at the High Wycome plant.

TR3: This is the main term for paper used by Royal Mail for the Byfleet printings, there are 3 types found to date with variations of OBA (Optical Brightening Agent) in the coating. These are listed and known to specialist collectors as Dull, Intermediate and Bright papers listings are given secondary codes by collectors as - d, - i, and - b.

TR3-d = DULL
TR3i = INTERMEDIATE
TR3-b = BRIGHT

(It is believed by some that this paper was also used for a very short period at dunstable, but others disagree) These above can be sub categorised into (with) different 2 gums ATN (1) - Layflat gum ATN (t) - Tinted Gum

HSC is another paper used at Byfleet, a single paned dull paper with Layflat gum (imported from Jon Enschede of Holland). Due to the fact only single panes could be used on the ATN press, only no dot cylinder blocks were available from this printing.

These are all of the dates recorded on site to date, it is quite possible that some dates exist and have not been recorded. The dates appear in order of Value / colour of stamp, Cyl and Phos numbers, Paper and gum. All are cylinder D1 D1 unless stated.

No Dot and Dot cylinder blocks were available on most printings (x) denotes that the dot block does not exist.

Previous on site listings of this same information will eventually be deleted so that we can now have this information to hand and update it on one single page. A permanent link will be added to this post at the top left of the blog.

Please note Dunstable printings RMS paper (from 22.04/05) and Self adhesive security (slit) stamps will be recorded on separate pages. A link to the pages will be added here in due course. I will not be recording Country Pictorial definitive dates at this time, but may do in the near future.

Thanks go to the MCC catalogue, the Bookmark Journal, Ian Billings and Richard Parsons for their listings and also their help and advice.

1p Crimson: D1 D1
Bright paper - tinted gum 19/-03/03
Intermediate paper - tinted gum 16/05/03 - 19/05/03 - 18/09/03 - 02/ 03/04 - 08/03/04 - 08/04/04 - 13/04/04 - 19/04/04 - 03/09/04

2p Deep green D1 D1
Bright paper - tinted gum 25/03/03
Intermediate paper - tinted gum 01/05/03 - 08/04/04 - 15/05/03 - 05/11/03 - 15/03/04 - 19/04/04 - 24/08/04 -

4p New blue D1 D1
Dull paper - tinted gum 01/04/03
Bright paper - tinted gum 01/04/03
Intermediate paper - tinted gum 18/09/03

5p Claret D1 D1
Dull paper - tinted gum 02/04/03
Bright paper - tinted gum 03/04/03
Intermediate paper - tinted gum 29/04/03 - 16/05/03 - 17/09/03 - 03/11/03 - 04/11/03 - 22/03/04 - 16/04/04 - 18/04/04 - 23/08/04

7p Magenta D1 D1
Intermediate paper - tinted gum 10/02/04 - 01/03/04 - 22/03/04 - 02/09/04 - 03/09/04

8p Deep yellow D1 D1
Bright paper - tinted gum 31/03/03
Intermediate paper - tinted gum 04/11/03

9p Bright Orange D1 D1
Intermediate Paper tinted gum 12/11/04 - 15/11/04 - 31/03/05 - 01/04/05 DLR logo -

10p Deep orange D1 D1
Bright paper - tinted gum 20/03/03
Intermediate paper - tinted gum 30/04/03 - 18/09/03 - 03/11/03 - 24/03/04 - 13/04/04 - 19/04/04 - 25/08/04
Intermediate paper - tinted gum (dark shade) -16/05/03
Dull paper -08/04/05

20p Bright green D1 D1
Dull paper - PVA layflat gum - 04/03/03
Bright paper - tinted gum ( pale shade) 25/03/03
Bright paper - tinted gum (dark shade) 04/03/03
layflat gum (dark shade) 04/03/03
(layflat gum (phosphor wash) 04/03/03
D3 D3 Bright paper- tinted gum (dark shade) 15/04/04
D2 D1 Dull paper - PVA layflat gum (normal shade) (no dot only)
12/02/04
D3 D1 Dull paper -11/04/05 - 12/04/05 - 15/04/05
D3 D3 Intermediate paper - tinted gum 02/03/04 - 15/03/04
D3 D3 Dull paper 26/08/04

33p Slate grey D1 D1
Dull paper - PVA layflat gum 04/03/03
Bright paper - tinted gum 25/03/03

34p Lime green D1 D1
Bright paper - tinted gum 04/03/03
Intermediate paper - tinted gum 28/04/03 - 17/09/03
Dull paper - tinted gum 28/03/03

35p Sepia-brown D1 D1
Dull paper - tinted gum ( no dot only) 11/02/04
D2 D2 Intermediate paper - tinted gum 03/03/04 - 04/03/04 - 12/03/04 - 07/04/04 - 23/08/04

This next issue was a stop gap short order (emergency printing) ordered by The Royal Mail from Jon Enschede of Holland. What was also interesting with this particular stamp is, it was printed with just one centre phosphor band. The Enschede 35p value only remained on sale for a short time until the De La Rue factory was operational, then a further reprint was issued (again with one CB) with the De La Rue logo.

Enschede 35p CB Lime Green E1 (centre band) 21 /12/04

35p Lime Green D2 D1(Centre band)
Intermediate paper tinted gum 05/04/05 - 06/04/05

37p Grey-black D1 D1
Intermediate paper - tinted gum 04/06/03

39p Light greyD1 D1
Dull paper - layflat gum (no dot only) 12/02/04
D2 D2 Intermediate paper - tinted gum 04/03/04 - 23/08/04

40p Greenish-blue D1 D1
Dull paper - layflat gum 6.00 (no dot only) 12/02/04

D2 D2 Intermediate paper - tinted gum 03/03/04 - 31/08 /04 - 04/04/05 - 05/04/05

41p Red D1 D1
Bright paper - tinted gum -04/03/03 -25/03/03

42p Sage green D1 D1
Bright paper - tinted gum 24/03/03 - 25/03/03
Intermediate paper - tinted gum 01/05/03 - 13/05/03 - 15/05/03 - 17/09/03 - 13/05/04 - 31/08/04 - 01/09/04 - 02/09/04 - 14/04/05

43p Pale Emerald D1 D1
Dull paper - layflat gum (no dot only) 11/02/04
D2 D2 Intermediate paper - tinted gum - 02/03/04 - 14/03/04 - 08/04/04

46p Old Gold D1 D1
Intermediate paper- tinted gum 15/11/04 - 16/11/04 - 01/04/05 - 04/04/05

47p sea-green D1 D1
Dull paper - tinted gum 29/03/03
Intermediate paper - tinted gum 15/05/03 - 24/08/04 - 12/04/05

50p Sand D1 D1
Bright paper - tinted gum 31/01/03 - 24/08/04
Intermediate paper - tinted -30/04/03 - 16/09/03 - 04/11/03 - 15/04/04

68p Stone D1 D1
Intermediate paper - tinted gum 03/06/03

£1 Bluish-Violet D1 D1
Intermediate paper - tinted gum 26/03/03 - 19/04/04 - 26/08/04 - 29/04/03 - 19/05/03 - 20/05/03 - 16/09/03 - 05/11/03 - 06/11/03 - 23/03/04 - 26/08/04 - 07/04/05

£1.50 Rust-Red D1 D1 D1
Intermediate paper - layflat gum 11/04/03 - 13/04/05

£2.00 Indigo D1 D1 D1
Intermediate paper - tinted gum (missing £ sign) 27/03/03
Bright paper - tinted gum 27/03/03

D2 D1 D1 Bright paper - tinted gum 13/04/05
Intermediate Paper 13/04/05

£3 Purple D1 D1
Bright Paper 28/03/03 - 14/04/05
Intermediate 28/03/03

£5 Sepia D1 D1
Intermediate paper - tinted gum 30/04/03 - 15/05/05
Dull paper -tinted gum 15/04/05

Continue to Dunstable printings on dull RMS paper

Alcohol Does The Job

From Ian @ norvic.

I was using alcohol-based after-shave to clean something and thought that it might also dissolve the gum on these new stamps. The result was spectacular: This wasn't just any after-shave, it was M&S After-Shave!
See norphil. blogspot.com/2009/03/security-machins-how-to-remove-from.html

From me:

I tried using harpic on these stamps and got the same results, a spectacular error with half the print missing. The stamp came away from the backing paper in a Giffy. You can also remove the print with a pencil erasure so watch out for spectacular errors on e-Bay..

Alcohol works, but is it worth the effort?

I have come to thinking WHATS THE BIG DEAL why remove these stamps from the backing paper at all? The mint stamps are collected on backing paper so why not used stamps too? This solution solves all our problems.

CUT & PASTE :-)

Security Stamps (part sheets)

Yes its me again. Just can not keep a good man down :-)

I have just received these pictures of parts of the primary sheets for the new security Machins issued on 17th March. For the reason I state on my previous post I have decided to share them with you today, rather than later.

The first below shows just a third (100) of the original sheet of 300. (notice the gutter between the two part sheets.

This second image (below) shows a quarter sheet of the Large stamps (50) of the primary sheet which was originally 200.

I'm not sure if I can post again before April, but please do pop back every now and again, cos you never know! Besides that Larry may have something for us whilst I'm away.

New Machins Printing Dates / Deegam Free Bee

I now have the printing dates for these Machin values. All are Cylinder D1/D1.

17p 24/01/09
22p 22/01/09
62p 24/01/09
90p 25/01/09

To recap the security Machins (sheets) were printed on these dates

1st 03/12/08 D1 D1 / pD1
2nd 04/12/08 D1 D1 / pD1 ( one centre phosphor bar)
1st-L 09/12/08 D1 D1 / pD1
2nd-L 10/12/08 D1 D1 / pD1( two side phosphor bars)
50p 08/12/08 D1 D1 / pD1
£1.00 08/12/08 - & - 09/12/08 D1 D1 / pD1

These high values were printed only a few days before the latest issue.

£1.50 20/01/09 D1 D1 / pD1
£2.00 20/01/09 D1 D1 / pD1
£3.00 20/01/09 D1 D1 / pD1
£5.00 20/01/09 D1 D1 / pD1

Just out of interest does anyone have the printing dates for the new Country Pictorial definitives? I have sneaky feeling this is the last time we will see these stamps printed on RMS paper with PVA gum.

...Roy

I was going to leave this until tomorrow, but as I am returning to the UK on Thursday for a few days I will be very busy over the next couple of days before I leave and may not have the chance to post it.

EVERYONE LIKES A FREE BEE

Did you know that the Deegam Priced Catalogue of Elizabethan Coil Leaders 1954-94. Can be downloaded free of charge?

"This major work is now out of print but is included in the CD version of the Deegam Handbook, where all Machin leaders issued to date are dealt with in Appendix 1. This 1994 edition lists all the Elizabethan coils from the start of Queen Elizabeth's reign to 1994."

If you do not yet own a copy of the Deegam Handbook on CD, this free PDF file can be downloaded from Douglas,s website . You do not need a password to do so, just click on the green download button on site.

The pdf file is 2.5 Mb. The contents include:

Illustrations of all text layouts on leaders

All Wilding leaders issued during the experimental graphite and early phosphor periods are listed.

Graphite and phosphor overprints illustrated

Original research on the alphabets used on Wilding leaders

How the Post Office stock code letters were allocated

Unique catalogue system based on stock code letters

Leader attributes include type and colour of paper and whether it is watermarked or gummed Separate sections for single value and multi-value rolls

Commemorative leaders included

An account of roll production on the Chambon press

Coil join pairs explained and listed

Coil vending machine test labels and their leaders

How to fold and arrange leaders for display

Packaging labels illustrated

Well what are you waiting for? There is no time like the present, nip over to the Deegam website and fill your boots. Oh by the way, Don't thank me, thank Douglas!

Stock Cards From Walsall?

Have you heard something new is happening in the world of stamps?

Whilst I was looking at Glenn Morgans website yesterday I decided to have a short browse around the Walsall Security Stamp Printers (flash site) (none flash site) .One of the links took me a new website of theirs called stampstore which I found rather interesting. Now I do not usually advertise commercial websites but I have made an exception in this case for two reasons.

This site caters for collectors and supplies several types of stamp carriers and stock cards, which are very reasonably priced. Roughly 20p each, this to me is very cheap for a quality product. The stock cards are available in many shapes and sizes and can cater for singles, pairs, small, large blocks or sheets.

They state that the materials used are all carefully selected for safe, long-term archiving, from the special acid-free, tough black backing-board and the permanently bonded crystal clear transparent mylar cover sheet to the low rated pH adhesive bonding. This is a professional customised range of storage solutions which will help to keep any one's collection in pristine condition.

The second reason for mentioning this site is the image produced above. What I would give for a set of these printers labels. Unfortunately they are not supplied with the products.

To order direct from the site simply click on the carrier solution that best suits your requirements from the range shown for more information. Then follow the clear instructions to order on-line.

Visit stampstore direct