Machin News March 2009

For those of you who do not subscribe to the Philatelic Bulletin, I can pass on some interesting news via this blog. I know it is perhaps a bit early for March News but I may just add to this post later on.

First a blow up of the new 22p Machin showing the wrong perforations. This stamp is described as having the Matthews Palate colour "stone", but looks more of a sh***y brown shade to me.

A little late, Machine vended Machin fast stamps are to be issued in packs of 5 values from Royal Mail's Philatelic Bureau in Edinburgh. We wrote about these last October.

The third mixed Machin / Special issue booklet to contain Spitfire and Concorde stamps which we mentioned recently will now go on sale early next year (2010 ) . Perhaps the reason for this delay or date of issue change is the fact that a new (extra) booklet will be issued on 21st May this year.

This extra booklet is described in the Philatelic Bulletin as 4 x 1st definitives and two flower greetings stamps ( Iris Latifolia & Tulipia ). These could be the same designs as the 1997 greetings stamps, they will go on sale prices £2.34. If this the flower stamps are the same they will have a new catalogue number as they will be of the self adhesive type.

The booklet is to commemorate The 50th anniversary of NAFAS which is the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies. It is written that these will contain the security (slit) stamps and will be printed by Walsall Security Printers.

Preview Of New Machins 31st March 09

Royal Mail have now released a preview of the new Machin Definitives & Country Stamps - issue date 31 March 2009. these are for the postage rate changes which take effect from 6 April 2009.

If you look closely you will notice that the perforations show three holes below the ellipse, this also occurred with the preview for the rate rise last year. The actual stamps, last year, when released were however perforated correctly with two complete holes below the ellipse. Expect the same this March.

It is also noticeable on this preview that no security slits are evident, as we all know these were introduced on certain stamps in February this year.

We were informed in advance by certain people that this issue would not be of the self adhesive variety and would have conventional PVAl gum.

Bits & Bobs

I had another house guest turn up (out of the blue) on Wednesday. My son in law ( left) came over on business and paid me a short visit. Braver than me, it was not that hot!!

Anyway whilst he was here he gave me a packet of used stamps (uncancelled on paper) in among them are half a dozen of the new security type Machins. Later today I will have some fun and try to remove them using the different techniques we have talked about. I will let you know how the operation turns out in a later post.

I also had a mail delivery from my address the UK. The Bookmark Journal arrived (February 2009) and the Deegam Report (80) both are interesting reading.

From the Deegam Report 80 (page 4) is a public announcement regarding the two terms Douglas Myall will use used to describe the two types of Self adhesive gum. In order to explain will have to quote his report here, I hope he does not mind.

"The laminate used for current self adhesives has several layers, including two gums ( acrylic and PVA). This type is denoted by the term OFNP/PSA the letters PSA may be regarded as made up of an amalgam PVAl = the letter (P). Self adhesive = (SA) and Acrylic adhesive (A), thus indicating the duel nature of the gum. The water soluble PVAl layer was originally included to make it easier for collectors to soak used stamps of the backing paper.

With the new security (slit) stamps this facility has now been abolished. Since the (P) element will no longer be part of the laminate, the new version will be designated OFNP/SA. This term will now be used in his level two handbook headings. Thus all sheet and booklet stamps will be new at Deegam level two."

Public Announcement:

The two terms of OFNP/PSA and OFNP/SA are placed in the public domain in the hope that they will be used by other publishers and by dealers, with the meanings he has assigned to them, to the benefit of all collectors.

Current Machin Issues

Some printing dates and cylinder numbers (thanks to the editor Keith Woodward, Bookmark Journal)

1p D2/D1 20/01/07 - 20/03/07
5p D2/D1 16/03/07 - 19/03/07
48p D1/D2 08/05/07
£1.00 D2/D2 15/03/07 (mauve)

9p D1/D1 19/03/08
1st L D1/D 25/02/08 - 26/02/08
2nd L D1/D1 27/02/08