Arnold Machin Overprints / Post & Go

It did not take long for these to be offered on eBay.

For those of you who have not as yet heard of or seen these. It is a strip of six new stamps which can be added to the the Machin List. Details from the seller are below.

Royal Mail have issued an unannounced STAMPEX ONLY tribute to ‘Arnold Machin’ in the form of an overprinted set of Post & Go stamps

This overprint was only available during Autumn Stampex 2011, and were applied on the existing ‘Machin’ Post & Go stock on the Hytech Stamp Machines.

The auction was for a strip of six and comprises of values of 1st Class , 1st Class Large, Europe 20g, Worldwide upto 10g, 20g and for the first time worldwide up to 40g

The set were Selling at £7.99 with a face value of £5.40. If you could not get to Stampex this is not a bad price for six new Machins.

Japex Publicy Continued

Robert Bostock sent me a note informing me that the Bookmark Journal dealt with this same subject. So I had seen it before. It just got lost in the grey matter. Thanks to Robert and the Modern British Philatelic Circle I can produce the article from February 2008 Volume 37 No. 4 of ‘The Bookmark’ Journal entitled Members News JAPEX ‘07

The Circle has a thriving membership in Japan. While few in number, they help to promote GB philately within the Japan Philatelic Society in a big way. Member Ikuo Ikehara was member of the organising committee of JAPEX ‘07 and he and other members of the British Stamp Study Group of JPS mounted a special 40 frame exhibit of Machins to celebrate 40 years of Machins.


The Group also arranged a special overprint of a Boots label and produced a special cover to mark the occasion. The label is that issued by The Post Office in 1995 which includes a 1st-class fame defnitive with phosphor bars reacting blue under UV.

The label (above) and two variants of the special cover are illustrated here. The one with the three different 1st-class Machins tied with three different hand stamps is particularly attractive.
Many thanks to Ikuo who keeps us in the picture and who sent the label and covers.

What Do You Know Joe?

Joe is a pal of mine who lives a few doors away. We were discussing Machins last night (as well as other things).

The topic got round to overprinted Boots miniature sheets and Joe informed me that he has one of the unbranded sheets (without the Boots logo) with blue phosphor that was issued to mark the 40th Machin anniversary.I had not heard or seen this variety so I asked Joe to dig it out for to look at.

It turns out that it was issued in 2007 at JAPEX - TOKIO as a Publicity Overprint which also commemorated 40 years of Machins 1967-2007. A limited edition of 500 were prepared as a special exhibit by the British Stamp Study Group of JPS. Well I live and learn.

Today I actually found one on the net for sale at £9.99, I'm not sure I admire it that much to pay this price, but have copied the image for you to look at.

News is also out with the codes on the Arnold Machin Centenary Souvenir Sheet. It has been confirmed that this has the year code AM11 and the source code MMIL.

Stampex Continued

Last week I wrote a little about some of the GB stamps and products that would be available at the show. Today I would like to coninue on the Stampex theme.

Most will know this year’s Autumn Stampex will be held at Islington Business Design Centre from 14–17 September. As well as Royal Mail many dealers and stamp distributors will attend the show.

However Stampex is not just about dealers and new issues . I have been informed that The Friends of the BPMA will be manning Stand 20 throughout the event. Here on sale you can get their new postcard packs plus a selection of other products.

The BPMA, have stated

"This year’s stand will look better than ever – decorated with a range of memorable images from their own collection."

They continue with a statement informing us that "it is important to us to work with philatelists, philatelic traders and postal history enthusiasts to ensure we develop our services in line with what you want, and to enable us to keep caring for these collections for generations to come – and we need your help! We know Stampex is a date which will be in many of our followers’ diaries and we’d like to meet as many of you as can we while we’re there this September."

If you are one of the ones who are attending this event why not join them a drink at Stampex and tell them what you think!

Whether you’d like to find out more about what’s in their philatelic vault, how you can see it, or other services – or simply wish to tell them what you like about them, or what they could do better, then they would love to speak to you – please drop by for a drink and say hello!

A Machin collectors bonus.


You can have A chance to win a signed copy of A Timeless Classic: The Evolution of Machin’s Icon by The BPMA’s Philatelic Curator Douglas N. Muir.

Staff from the BPMA will be at Stampex across the 4 day event so please do come and find them.

Any visitors to the Friends’ stand also have the opportunity to win a copy of one of their most popular books, A Timeless Classic: The Evolution of Machin’s Icon, signed by the author! Just drop a business card in the pot to enter the prize draw.

We have covered this book before, but for those who have not heard of it here is a brief rundown.

The evolution of Machin’s icon include a foreword by Tony Benn (Postmaster General 1964–66), who instigated the revolution in British stamp design in the mid 1960s. There is an introduction by David Gentleman, the foremost stamp designer of the period and collaborator with Benn in the design revolution; and finally a personal note from a memoir by Francis Machin, Arnold Machin’s son.

This book is well-researched and its examination of the development of a British icon makes for riveting reading.

Dont You Just Love Stampex

Why do we all look forward to Stampex? The next one AUTUMN will be held between 14th and 17th September 2011.

As well as the Arnold Machin centenary mini sheet £4.60 various other issues will come out during the event. It could again turn out to be another very expensive day for visitors who like to pick up all the GB goodies.

Other issues include - A Generic Sheet celebrating the 350th anniversary of the first Postmark £9.50 and special facsimile block of 4 Penny Red stamps in a special pack £5.95, both will be issued 15th on September 2011.



The fourth and last of the Post and Go 'Bird set' machine labels £2.76 will be issued on 16th September 2011 and will feature Seabirds. Oh not to forget the Olympic & Paralympic Games retail book 6 also to be issued on the 15th, ANOTHER £2.76.

Special issues are also in the pipe line with a set of Kings & Queens 5: House of Hanover. £4.64 A miniature sheet will accompany this at a cost of £2.90.

GOOD JOB I TOLD YOU TO KEEP THOSE PIGGY BANKS TOPPED UP EH?