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Post & Go Labels - October 2014

The Wincor Post & Go Machines have had a belated software upgrade to fix the tariff rate from 'Europe 20g' to 'Euro 20g / World 10g'. In doing so, the typeface uses the wrong size giving Large text (as was used for the original Post & Go labels). Those recorded so far include : -

Series	Designs	Year Code	Reported
Machin	Machin (olive brown)	MAIL	20th Oct 2014
	Machin (olive brown)	MAI3	Nov 2014
Flag	Union Flag	MAIL	Oct 2014
Christmas	Robins	MAI2	Nov 2014

Farm Animals	Sheep	MAIL	Oct 2014
	Pigs	MAIL	Oct 2014
	Cattle	MAIL	Oct 2014
Freshwater Life	Lakes	MAIL	Oct 2014
	Rivers	MAIL	Oct 2014
British Flowers	Spring Blooms	MAI4	Oct 2014
	Symbolic Flowers	MAI4	Oct 2014

The BPMA RM Series II Post & Go machine has had an addition printing unit attached giving the system the ability to print from four different rolls. From 21st October 2014 the four labels being vended included the following (note : the change in text size and the repositioning of 'The BPMA') :-

The Royal Navy Museum (NMRM) RM Series II Post & Go machine vended two new label variants from 21st October 2014 : -

Post & Go Machin Design - September 2014

The Post & Go Machin design in Cyan / Bright Blue (for Second Class NVI rates) was found during September 2014 with the year code MAI4. Its appearance was from NCR machines reported on 22nd September 2014. The bulk of those found initially all seem to have the same interrupted phosphor band shift.

Post & Go British Flora II - Symbolic Flowers (17th September 2014)

The second issue of the Post & Go British Flora series was issued on 17th September 2014. These can be found coming from all three machine types - namely Wincor, NCR and RM Series II.

Additionally, the Poppy design which has been produced in special single design rolls (to be generally available from 21st October 2014) was available at Autumn Stampex 2014 with a special overprint including the text 'First World War Centenary'.

The BPMA - 80th Anniversary of Inland Airmail (August 2014)

The BPMA mark the '80th Anniversary of Inland Airmail' between 20th August and 20th October 2014 with a special overprint on their Post & Go machine. Labels carry a modified text including 'Inland Airmail 1934' plus an 'Inland Airmail' logo. The machine vends second class Machin labels (bright blue - year code MAI2) from one roll and first class Machin labels (olive brown - no year code 'MAIL' and year code MAI3 have been available) from the other. A second class collectors strip of six consisted of 3x2nd and 3x2nd Large was available for a few days only. Subsequently, the machine software was modified to vend just a strip two - 2nd and 2nd Large.

PhilaKorea Stamp Exhibition (August 2014)

PhilaKorea Stamp Exhibition was held in Seoul, Korea between 7th and 12th August 2014. Royal Mail attended with RM Series II Post & Go vending machines. The Machin and Union Flag Post & Go labels were vended with a special PhilaKorea overprint. As with the Melbourne Exhibition last year, two versions were available, one at the exhibition in Seoul and the other from Tallents House (the Philatelic Bureau).

Large User Rolls of 10,000 (July / August 2014)

The latest Large User Roll printings are now available as mint versions from Tallents House (the Philatelic Bureau). These are self adhesive Walsall printings on a pale bluish grey backing / carrier paper. Every tenth stamp carries a number on the reverse.

Cover Changes on Retail Booklets and Business Sheets - 31st July 2014

Minor changes to covers are being made to all Retail Booklets and Business Sheets from the 31st July 2014. The changes are to the STD code part of the telephone and text numbers :-

All these Retail Booklets and Business Sheets are still produced by Walsall carrying the FSC code C023216.

Format	Source	Source Code	Year
6x1st RM Red	Retail Booklet	MSIL	MI4L
12x2nd		MTIL	MI4L
12x1st RM Red		MTIL	MI4L
4x2nd Large		MFIL*	MAI4
4x1st Large RM Red		MFIL*	MAI4
100x2nd	Business Sheet	MBIL	MI4L
100x1st RM Red		MBIL	MI4L
50x2nd Large		MBIL*	MAI4
50x1st Large RM Red		MBIL*	MAI4
The Source Code MBIL and MFIL is in the new position in front of front curl of Queens hair as per the other year code I4 printings.
A constant flaw can be found on the back cover of some booklets (some plain / none cylinder booklets). This consists of three yellow blobs of colour- see image below. Its confirmed on the 6x1st, 12x2nd, 12x1st, 4x2nd Large and 4x1st Large booklets.

Permanent Post & Go RM Series II machine at the Royal Navy Museum

A permanent Post & Go RM Series II machine was installed at the Royal Navy Museum in the Historic Dockyard in Portsmouth. The first day was the 28th July 2014 vending Machin and Union Flag labels (both labels without year codes). The labels include the overprint inscription - 'The NMRN'.

Post & Go RM Series II machines at York - July 2014

The York Stamp and Coin Fair was held on 18-19th July 2014. RM Series II Post & Go machines were vending Machin and Flag labels. This was the first time the new tariff rates - Euro 20g / World 10g, Europe 60g and Worldwide 60g appeared without a special overprint from these machines. The text 'World 10g' is no longer bold (as was the BPMA issue - see BPMA below) making it more like the NCR equivalent (see entries below). The Office Code Id was 'B7GB14'.

Post & Go Philatelic Carrier Card - July 2014

A Philatelic Carrier Card / Collectors Pack containing Open Value Post & Go labels was issued on 7th July 2014. Five Open Values were in the pack namely : Second Class (2L), Second Class Large (2LG), First Class (1L), First Class Large (1LG) and Airmail (A). The first class labels (olive brown) have no year code and the second class (cyan) are MAI2. These labels mimic output from NCR machines but have in fact been produced as 'Specials' with office code 'B7GB14' and machine code 'C001' and transaction number 015 for all five labels - the print may not be produced by thermal printer. The pack is numbered 15 and was priced at £3.78

Post & Go Machin Design - June 2014

The Post & Go Machin design in Olive brown (for First Class NVI rates) was found during June 2014 with the year code MAI4. Its appearance was from NCR machines reported on 27th June 2014.

Post & Go machines update - June 2014

Post & Go NCR machines vending Pictorial labels with the 'Euro 20g / World 10g' rate are starting to appear using some of the older issues. The roll size for the NCR machine is larger than that for the Wincor machines and it was intended the old Wincor rolls would not be used on the new machines. However, it would seem that the roll size problem can be circumvented relatively easily.

2nd and 1st Large NVI from counter sheets

Both the 2nd and 1st Large NVI values from counter sheets can be found with a missing 'L' from the word 'MAIL'. This occurs in the upper left corner just to the upper right of the value '2nd' or '1st'. The year code for these is MI4L.

1st NVI Royal Mail Red from Large User Rolls of 10,000 with year code MI3L (June 2014)

Used examples of the 1st Royal Mail Red from Bulk Mailing companies have started to appear in June 2014. These carry the codes MRIL and MI3L. They were also found on letters sent out by Royal Mail to their shareholders - date stamped 11 Jun 14.

Post & Go - Tariff Rate Correction from 'Europe 20g' to 'Euro 20g/World 10g'

While it had been intended to drop the Worldwide 10g rate (this rate was not included on the 2014 Price Card - 'Our prices') Royal Mail have in fact retained the rate step with a price of 97p. This is the same as the Europe 20g rate. As a consequence, the Post & Go 'Europe 20g' label text will be modified to 'Euro 20g/World 10g'. This occurred for the BPMA machine on 28th April 2014 (this coincided with the change dropping the 'Postage Due 1914' tag).

It occurred on 5th June 2014 for NCR machines. Its believed the Wincor machines will not be modified.

As this 'Euro 20g / World 10g' rate change is unlikely to apply to the Wincor machines the host of previous series pictorial labels turning up is unlikely. This is because the NCR first class labels are wound onto a different larger size core which should prevent the previous issues being used in the NCR machine (this can, however, be circumvented). The Flowers - Spring Blooms is the current pictorial issue and the were produced by the printer in the large roll size.

Country Pictorials 2014 - Printings of the 97p values

Four new 97p values (same designs as for the 88p values) for each of the Country Pictorial definitive series were issued on 26th March 2014. The primary sheet had 8 panes of 25 with both the England and Scotland values assigned individual primary sheets, while the Northern Ireland and Wales values occupy the same primary sheet.

Post & Go Machines - Europe 60g and Worldwide 60g / Designs.

Now that the 2014 tariff rate changes have become effective we have the potential for any of the designs that have been issued since 2009 'popping up' with the new Europe 60g and Worldwide 60g rates. The following have been reported :-

Series	Designs	Machine	Year Code	Reported
Definitives	Machin	Wincor *	MAIL	31/03/14
Definitives	Machin	NCR	MAI3	31/03/14
Definitives	Machin	NCR	MAI4	27/06/14
Definitives	Union Flag	Wincor *	MAIL	31/03/14

Birds I		Wincor *
Birds II		Wincor *		Apr 2014
Birds III	Freshwater	Wincor *		Apr 2014
Birds IV	Seabirds	Wincor *
Farm Animals	Sheep	Wincor *		31/03/14
	Pigs	Wincor *		31/03/14
	Cattle	Wincor *		31/03/14
Freshwater Life	Ponds	Wincor *		31/03/14
	Lakes	Wincor *		02/04/14
	Rivers	Wincor *		31/03/14
British Flowers	Spring Blooms	Wincor *	MAI4	31/03/14

Christmas	Robins	Wincor *	MAI2	31/03/14
	Robins	Wincor *	MAI3

Note: the '60' of '60g' appears to be a smaller typeface from Wincor machines.

New Open Value rates were also introduced including IS, IT and ITS for International services. From 5th June 2014, the 'Europe 20g' tariff rate was changed to 'Euro 20g / World 10g' on NCR Machines.

Secondary Hidden Iridescent Code - Year 2014 identifier

Gravure - Self Adhesive Issues

Value	Source	Format		Year Code
2p	Sheet		MAIL	MI4L	Oct 2014
5p					Dec 2014
10p					Apr 2014
20p					Apr 2014
81p					16/01/14 *1
97p					17/01/14 *1
£1					Apr 2014
£1.28					Apr 2014
£1.47					20/01/14 *1
£2.15					21/01/14 *1

2nd	Sheet		MAIL	MI4L	22/01/14 *1
1st			MAIL	MI4L	Apr 2014
2nd Large			MAIL	MI4L	May 2014
1st Large			MAIL	MI4L	Apr 2014
SD 100g			MAIL	MI4L	Aug 2014
SD 500g			MAIL	MI4L	Nov 2014

2nd	Business Sheet	100x2nd	MBIL	MI4L	Jul 2014
1st	Business Sheet	100x1st	MBIL	MI4L	31 Jul 2014
2nd Large	Business Sheet	50x2nd L	MBIL*2	MAI4	March 2014
1st Large	Business Sheet	50x1st L	MBIL*2	MAI4	May 2014

2nd	Booklet	12x2nd	MTIL	MI4L	26 May 2014
2nd Large	Booklet	4x2nd L	MFIL*2	MAI4	31 Jul 2014
1st Red	Booklet	4x1st, 2x1st	MCIL	MI4L	15th Apr 14
	Booklet	6x1st	MSIL	MI4L	Jul 2014
	Booklet	12x1st	MTIL	MI4L	March 2014
1st Large	Booklet	4x1st L	MFIL*2	MAI4	31 Jul 2014
*1 : Date of printing
*2 : The Source Code MBIL and MFIL has been repositioned to in front of front curl of Queens hair.

RM Series II Exhibition Post & Go Machines.

The Salisbury Stamp Show was held between 14-15th March 2014. RM Series II Post & Go machines were vending both the Machin and Union Flag labels (both were produced without and with date codes). This was the first appearance of the Machin RM Series II print with standard text (previously, they had 'Stampex 2014' overprint).

The New NCR Post & Go Machines for the Post Office Network

The first office to have the new NCR Post and Go machines became operational on 28th February 2014 at the Harpenden office in Hertfordshire. The main features include :-

The typeface is broadly similar to that of the Wincor machines, however, the make-up of the bottom code line is different : -

New Post & Go Machines at Spring Stampex 2014

Spring Stampex was held between 19th and 22nd February 2014. A new Post & Go Machin label overprint was used for the exhibition, the text being 'Stampex 2014 19-22 February'. Both 'MAIL' (no year code) and MAI3 were vended during the show. The Post & Go machines at the show were new and these produced different coding on the bottom line, leading with the code block 'B2GB14' followed by the machine number ('A005' and 'A003' on the examples below), and then a four digit transaction number. These machines are known as RM Series II and are for exhibitions and special events only (Wincor Nixdorf machines in Post Offices will be replaced by NCR machines).

Also vended at the exhibition by RM Series II machines were the Union Flag (both no year code and MAI3) and Flowers Spring Blooms, both of which had the normal overprint (no 'Stampex 2014'). One RM Series II machine was vending Post & Go labels for Jersey Post with a Flag of Jersey design (these labels had Jersey tariff rates). This threw up another variant as the machine also vended the Union Flag which had a machine code 'J001'.

B.P.M.A Postage Due 1914 - 19th February 2014 to 5th April 2014

The Post & Go RM Series I machine at the BPMA is marking the anniversary of the introduction of the first Postage Due stamps with a new overprint - 'The BPMA Postage Due 1914'. These are available between 19th February and 5th April 2014. Both the Machin Head and Union Flag labels will carry the overprint. Additionally, 'MAIL' (no year code) and MAI3 have been vended for both designs. If you visit, its pot luck what rolls are loaded at any point in time.

2nd NVI Bright Blue from Large User Rolls of 10,000 with year code MI2L (Late 2013/early 2014)

Another version of the 2nd NVI Bright Blue from Large User Rolls has been discovered. These carry the codes MRIL and MI2L. Previously, these had been found with the year code MAI2 (ex Enschedé). Its believed that the new versions were printed by Walsall and that the 1st NVI Royal Mail Red was also produced, although not yet found. Mint versions of the 2nd NVI became available mid February 2014. The pale bluish grey backing / carrier paper does not carry numbers every tenth stamp (unlike the Enschedé versions).

Latest Post & Go labels with Year Code changes (November 2013)

During November 2013 two new Post & Go Labels were issued. The Robin pictorial label was used again for the Christmas period - new labels had the year code MAI3 (some offices still had last years stock with the year code MAI2) these were available from 5th November 2013. Also, the bright blue second class Machin Head label appeared with the year code MAI3. These were being vended from a travelling Post Office that was operating up until Christmas (see News 2013 page for details), these were first available on 20th November 2013.

Children's Christmas stamps - issued 5th November 2013

A new version of the 'Business Sheet' format was introduced for the Children's Christmas stamps on 5th November 2013. The sheets contained 25 (5x5) stamps arranged vertically, the sheet was concertina style giving three panels and no printing date or sheet serial number was on the reverse. The top panels show the standard product branding, Red Post Box (2nd) or Snowman (1st), FSC logo (C023216 - Walsall), Barcode and five stamps arranged vertically. Two sheets were produced, one 25x2nd and the other 25x1st. Between 2001 and 2005 the Christmas 'booklets' were concertina style units containing 24x2nd or 12x1st stamps which were arranged horizontally.

Machin Pane from The Merchant Navy Prestige Booklet - issued 19th Sep 2013

The Machin pane from the Merchant Navy Prestige booklet has thrown up a nice new variety. The ellipse perforation holes are NOT in the normal position - near the bottom of the vertical sides, but erroneously near the top of the stamps. It will be interesting to know whether this was the result of the perforation comb being 'pinned' incorrectly or whether comb block had been mounted 'inverted ' on the perforator. All Machin panes from the Merchant Navy booklet exhibit this variety. The panes were printed in Litho by Enschedé (the last time Enschedé printed panes for Prestige books was back in 2007 - British Army issue).

1st NVI Gold from Large User Rolls of 10,000 with year code MAI2

A USED copy of 1st NVI Gold with the hidden codes MRIL and year MAI2 has been reported with an August 2013 date. This is interesting as its the second 1st NVI Gold with a year code 12 (the other was from 12x1st booklet) for 2012 - the year of the 1st NVI Diamond Blue colour. The source code MRIL on the image doesn't show up very well.

The mint versions are available through dealers, however, its unclear whether Tallents House will stock them. They come on the pale bluish grey backing / carrier paper which is numbered.

Post &Go Machin Head and Union Flag with year code MAI3

Royal Mail had Post & Go RM Series I machines at the York Stamp and Coin Fair (19th - 20th July 2013) vending the Machin Head and Union Flag labels. Both these were new versions as they carry the year code MAI3 within the 'ROYAL MAIL' wavyline text.

Post & Go Australia Expo May 2013

Royal Mail had Post & Go RM Series I machines at the stamp exhibition held in Melbourne, Australia for the Australia 2013 Stamp Expo between 10th and 15th May 2013. These machines vended both Machin and Union Flag Post & Go labels with a 'Australia 2013 Stamp Expo' overprint. Tallents House (the bureau) also made the overprint available, however, the text on these is different, being - 'Australia 2013 World Stamp Expo'.

Private Sponsored Post & Go Labels - Scottish Congress April 2013

The second private sponsored Post & Go labels were available at the 84th Scottish Congress held in Perth. This event occurred between 19th and 20th April 2013 with RM Series I machines vending Machin and Union Flag labels for the six standard Post & Go differing tariff rates.

Royal Mail Signed For - 2nd April 2013

Two specific stamps were issued for 'The Recorded Signed For' tariff rate in November 2009. From April 2013 these two stamps have been re-issued with the revised text 'Royal Mail Signed For' to reflect the change in service name.

Country Pictorials 2013 - Printings of the 88p values

Four new 88p values (same designs as for the 87p values) for each of the Country Pictorial definitive series were issued on 27th March 2013. These were all printed on the same primary sheet which had 8 panes of 25, interesting the England value occupied five panes with the other countries occupying just one pane.

78p, 88p and £1.88

Three new counter sheet values were issued on 27th March 2013 comprising 78p, 88p and £1.88. The prevailing contract for counter sheets was held by De La Rue, however, in the light of relocating their printing facility from Dunstable to Gateshead (late 2012 / early 2013), Walsall produced stopgap printings for the three values. These are readily identifiable in singles as they have the year code MI3L (De La Rue's versions will have the year code MAI3). The cylinder block grid box has just four positions as the Chesnut press uses cylinders that do not have the width capacity that is available on the De La Rue ATN press. Additionally, the sheets bear the Walsall FSC code C023216.

Secondary Hidden Iridescent Code - Year 2013 identifier

Gravure - Self Adhesive Issues

Value	Source	Format		Year Code
10p	Sheet		MAIL	MAI3	Aug 13
20p					Jul 13
78p	Sheet (Walsall)		MAIL	MI3L	05/02/13 *1
	Sheet (De La Rue)			MAI3	Jul 13
	Pres Pack			MAI3
88p	Sheet (Walsall)		MAIL	MI3L	04/02/13 *1
	Sheet (De La Rue)			MAI3
	Pres Pack			MAI3
£1.28	Sheet			MAI3	Apr 13
£1.88	Sheet (Walsall)		MAIL	MI3L	07/02/13 *1
	Sheet (De La Rue)			MAI3
	Pres Pack			MAI3
£2	Sheet		MAIL	MAI3	Apr 13

2nd	Sheet		MAIL	MAI3	Sep 13
2nd Large	Sheet		MAIL	MAI3	Jun 13
1st Red	Sheet		MAIL	MAI3	Sep 13
1st Large	Sheet		MAIL	MAI3	Sep 13
1st RMSF	Sheet		MAIL	MAI3
1st L RMSF	Sheet		MAIL	MAI3

2nd NVI	Business Sheet	100x2nd	MBIL	MI3L	Mar 2013
2nd Large	Business Sheet	50x2nd L	MBIL	MAI3	Aug 2013
1st Red	Business Sheet	100x1st	MBIL	MI3L	Apr 2013
1st Large	Business Sheet	50x1st L	MBIL	MAI3	Oct 2013

2nd NVI	Booklet	12x2nd	MTIL	MI3L	Mar 2013
2nd Large	Booklet	4x2nd L	MFIL	MAI3	Aug 2013
1st Red	Booklet	6x1st	MCIL	MI3L	9 May 2013
1st Red	Booklet	6x1st	MSIL	MI3L	Feb 2013
1st Red	Booklet	12x1st	MTIL	MI3L	Apr 2013
1st L Red	Booklet	4x1st L	MFIL	MAI3	Aug 2013

1st Red	Rolls	10,000x1st	MRIL	MI3L	11 Jun 2014
*1 : Date of printing

Value	Source	Format		Year Code
1p	PSB	Mixed	MPIL	MI3L	Football
2p	PSB	Mixed	MPIL	MI3L	Football
2p	PSB	Mixed	MPIL	MI3L	Classic Locos
5p	PSB	Mixed	MPIL	MI3L	Football
5p *	PSB	Mixed	MPIL	MI3L	Merchant Navy
5p	PSB	Mixed	MPIL	MI3L	Classic Locos
10p	PSB	Mixed	MPIL	MI3L	Football
50p *	PSB	Mixed	MPIL	MI3L	Merchant Navy
1st Red	PSB	Mixed	MPIL	MI3L	Football
* The ellipse perforation holes are set near to the top of the vertical sides

Spring Stampex 2013 - RM Series I Post & Go Machine

The Spring Stampex exhibition held between 20th and 23rd February 2013 had further additions to the Post & Go Label range printed by RM Series I machines. A new colour for the Machin Head version was issued on 20th February 2013 for the second class tariff rates. This is a bright blue / cyan colour for 2nd and 2nd Large values. Interestingly, these now carry a year code - MA12 which can be found in front of the Queens forehead. These will be available from larger offices at some point (in the event, they did not appearing during 2013).
Also, another exhibition 'Special' was vended with 'The Coronation 60th Anniversary' text, again issued on 20th February 2013 - these do not have a year code. Six values were available including 1st, 1st Large, Europe, Worldwide 10g, 20g and 40g rates.

British Postal Museum & Archive (BPMA) - RM Series I Post & Go Machine

A RM Series I machine has been in operation in the foyer of the British Postal Museum & Archive from the 3rd December 2012. The overprinted text includes the strap The B.P.M.A (not 'The British Postal Museum & Archive' as had originally reported). Initially, the machine vended the Machin Head and Robin designs which was replaced by the Union Flag design from 21st Feb 2013.

Camden Christmas Post Stop - RM Series I Post & Go Machines

Two RM Series I machines were in operation at a special Camden Christmas Post Stop (North West London) between 16th November and 24th December 2012. The machines Office/Transaction code line included ANGB12 (ADGB12 in December) and A3 or A4. Note: these machines were not located in the Camden Post Office but at Camden Lock Market in the Stables Market area.

Machine	Source	Design	Year Code	Loc Code	Operational
RM Series I	Reel A	Robin #1	MI2L	ANGB12*	16 Nov to 24 Dec 2012
	Reel B	Machin #2	none
#1 The only source of RM Series I printed Robin 'MI2L' code labels #2 The first time the Worldwide 40g rate has appeared from RM Series I with the Machin Head
* this code changed in December to 'ADGB12' and was probably changed automatically by software.
Both designs could be purchased for the six different tariff rates in continuous strips of six.

Post & Go Christmas 2012 - Robin Labels

The Robin Post & Go label has been re-issued for the 2012 Christmas period. This differs from the original printings in that a Year Code has now been added.

Private Sponsored Post & Go Labels

The first private sponsored Post & Go labels were available at the 94th Philatelic Congress of Great Britain held in Perth. This event occurred between 20th and 22nd October 2012 with RM Series I machines vending Machin and Union Flag labels for the six standard Post & Go differing tariff rates.

The bottom code line used the Office code 'AOGB12' (Autumn Stampex used A9GB12).

NVI Country Pictorial Sheet printings

Further Cartor printings of the NVI Country Pictorials (to add to the Scottish 2nd and 1st values issued 27th June 2012) are appearing. The 2nd NVI for England and 1st NVI for Wales were reported during Aug/Sep 2012 both of which have a print date of 11/07/12. From the plate grid position of these values, two other value/country combinations are likely to turn up for this date.

76p Pink Sheet printings

The 76p Pink sheet printing was originally printed from ink cylinder D1 in combination with two others values - the £1.10 and £1.65 respectively. Thus the 76p came with four cylinder grid positions - from the left hand column of the primary sheet. A latter printing from ink cylinder D2 has now appeared. This came from a different primary sheet format that only contained the 76p value and so cylinder D2 can be found with 12 cylinder grid positions. Additionally, colour imprint has been repositioned and so now occurs in the cylinder block (this is similar to the 87p, £1.28 and £1.90 values) and FSC logo and info is adjacent to rows 1 and 2.

Business Sheets - Missing Letter in wavyline 'ROYAL MAIL' text

The Customised booklet - 'Celebrating 50 years of NAFAS (National association of Flower arrangers)' was discovered, back in 2009, to have an 'A' omitted from the 'ROYAL MAIL' iridescent layer (click

here to view). We can now add the 2009 Business Sheets of 50 to this class of variety. The missing letter is the 'M' of 'MAIL' and is located behind the rear of the band of the diadem and occurs on all stamps within the Business Sheet. This variety occurs for both the 50x2nd Large and 50x1st Large Business Sheets that carry the hidden source code 'ROYBL' with no hidden date codes - this implies a common iridescent cylinder was used for both values.

Jumbo Stamp Coils for Commercial Bulk Mailers

Self Adhesive jumbo rolls of 10,000x2nd produced for Commercial Bulk Mailers have been reprinted and are now available (the 10,000x1st version is probably available also but has yet to be confirmed). The contract for producing these has now been taken over by Enschedé. They can be identified by the source code 'MRIL' and year code 'MAI2'. The year code is interesting in that all other standard sized definitives have the year code 'MI2L' whereas these use the the last two characters of word 'MAIL' - this form is generally used for Large sized definitives. Additionally, the backing / carrier paper is different - the colour is now pale bluish grey (this is similar to the backing paper used for retail coils sold in boxes of 100 and 200 back in the late 1990's).

Scotland Country Pictorials 2012 - Printings of 2nd and 1st NVI values

Reprints of the Country Pictorial NVI values are starting to appear (27th June 2012 saw the Scotland values issued) now that Cartor has taken on the contract. These are Litho printings using a counter sheet size of 50 (5 rows x 10) which differs from the 87p and £1.28 values (see below). The two Scottish values are printed side by side from the same plates. Four grid positions are present with the 2nd NVI values occupying the upper or lower right hand boxes while the 1st NVI values occupy the upper or lower left hand boxes.

Country Pictorials - 2012 Printings of the 87p and £1.28 values

Two new values for the Country Pictorial definitives were issued on 25th April 2012 for each of the four countries. The values in question were the 87p and £1.28 and retain the same designs as the 68p and £1.10 values which they replace. The counter sheet size was 25 stamps. The plate arrangement for the England and Scotland values followed the style set with the 2011 printings (87p : 4 left grid positions; £1.28 : 4 right grid positions;). However, the laydown for the Northern Ireland and Wales values was new with a single plate producing four different value / country combinations - N.Ireland values occupy the four left grid positions and Wales values occupy the four right grid positions.

Country	4xLeft Grid Positions	4xRight Grid Positions
England	87p : 4xplate grid positions	£1.28 : 4xplate grid positions
Scotland	87p : 4xplate grid positions	£1.28 : 4xplate grid positions

N. Ireland	87p : 2xplate grid positions - right £1.28 : 2xplate grid positions - left	None
Wales	None	87p : 2xplate grid positions - right £1.28 : 2xplate grid positions - left

Counter Sheet Format

The format of the counter sheets issued in 2012 has been revised to include the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) information which occurs adjacent to rows 1 and 2. As a result of this the colour imprint has been repositioned down adjacent to row 3 (and so will occur in the cylinder block of 6).

Secondary Hidden Iridescent Code - Year 2012 identifier and Diamond Jubilee codes

For the year 2012 the iridescent wavyline 'ROYAL MAIL' was used or the standard definitive range, however, first class values in the colour diamond blue used the iridescent wavyline 'DIAMOND JUBILEE'. The position for the standard NVI definitive is the same as 2011 (in front of the front cross of the Queen's diadem) but takes the form 'MI2L'. For the Large Letter rate the form is 'MAI2'.
All the 1st class NVI Machin values were issued in the Diamond Blue colour during 2012 and the iridescent overprint text used was 'DIAMOND JUBILEE' - hidden source codes were used (the 'O' in the word 'DIAMOND') but year codes were not. In the case of the NVI Large stamps, the hidden source code occurs with the first 'E' in the word 'JUBILEE'.

Value	Source	Format		Year Code
50p	Sheet		none	MI2L	3rd Jan 2013
68p	Sheet		none	MI2L	25/01/12 *1
76p	Sheet		none	MI2L	25/01/12 *1
87p	Sheet		none	MI2L	25 Apr 12
£1 Ruby	Sheet		none	MI2L	07/02/12 *1
£1 Brown	Sheet		none	MI2L	3rd Jan 2013
£1.28	Sheet		none	MI2L	25 Apr 12
£1.90	Sheet		none	MI2L	25 Apr 12

2nd NVI	Sheet		none	MI2L	13/02/12 *1
1st NVI *	Sheet		MOND	n/a	6th Feb 2012
1st Red	Sheet		none	MI2L	3rd Jan 2013
2nd Large	Sheet		none	MI2L	29/02/12 *1
1st Large*	Sheet		ILEE	n/a	Mar 2012
1st Large Red	Sheet		none	MAI2	3rd Jan 2013

2nd NVI	Business Sheet	100x2nd	MBIL	MI2L	Mar 2012
1st NVI *	Business Sheet	100x1st	MBND	n/a	6th Feb 2012
1st Red	Business Sheet	100x1st	MBIL	MI2L	3rd Jan 2013
2nd Large	Business Sheet	50x2nd L	MBIL	MAI2	Apr 2012
1st Large*	Business Sheet	50x1st L	ILBE	n/a	Mar 2012
1st Large Red	Business Sheet	50x1st L	MBIL	MAI2	3rd Jan 2013

1st NVI *	Booklet	6xmixed	MCND	n/a	31st May 2012
1st Red	Booklet	6xmixed	MCND	MI2L	9th Jan 2013
1st NVI *	Booklet	6x1st	MSND	n/a	1st Oct 2012
1st Red	Booklet	6x1st	MSIL	MI2L	3rd Jan 2013
2nd NVI	Booklet	12x2nd	MTIL	MI2L	Jan 2012
1st Gold	Booklet	12x1st	MTIL	MI2L	Apr 2012
1st NVI *	Booklet	12x1st	MTND	n/a	6th Feb 2012
1st Red	Booklet	12x1st	MTIL	MI2L	3rd Jan 2013
2nd Large	Booklet	4x2nd L	MFIL	MAI2	Jul 2012
1st Large*	Booklet	4x1st L	ILFE	n/a	Mar 2012
1st Large Red	Booklet	4x1st L	MFIL	MAI2	3rd Jan 2013

2nd NVI	Rolls	10000x2nd	MRIL	MAI2	Mid 2012
2nd NVI	Rolls	10000x2nd	MRIL	MI2L	2013/14
1st Gold	Rolls	10000x1st	MRIL	MAI2	Jul 2013
1st Red	Rolls	10000x1st	MRIL	MAI2	3rd Jan 2013
* Colour : Diamond Blue with 'Diamond Jubilee' overprint *1 : Date of printing

Post & Go Labels

As of December 2011 some Post and Go machines were still vending labels with the Large typeface and some had interesting variations - the 'Worldwide up to 10g' with the 'up to 10g' omitted and the 'Worldwide up to 40g' with the 'up to 40g' with compressed typeface.

Horizon Labels - New Die Cut Layout

During November 2011 a new version of the Horizon label started to appear with a revised layout of the Die Cuts that feature within the body of the design giving two vertical columns - one indented from the left and the other indented from the right. This new layout may well be an attempt to address operational problems still being experienced by counter staff with the Horizon label. These first occurred with just sheet numbers on the reverse of the label set, however, a change was soon made to include a code letter prefix - most letters between 'A' and 'Z' have been seen.

In late September 2011 (26th September 2011 has been seen) the Horizon software was upgraded with the result that the Machin Horizon labels print now included two additional codes - these are Royal Mail internal accounting codes. The first occurs after the 'Royal Mail' strapline and is the letter 'c' in the example below - each service indicator e.g '1LG' will have a corresponding accounting code. The second occurs after the 'POSTAGE PAID UK' text and is a '4' in the example below, this code indicates VAT rating (for further details - Click

here).

Horizon Labels - Serial Numbers on the reverse of the counter Sheetlets

During the first half of 2011 the Horizon two part cut label sets started to appear with a printed Sheet Serial Number on the reverse of the carrier paper. The serial number occurs centrally (printed horizontally between the two Horizon Labels in relation to the images on the reverse) and consists of 9 digits printed by an ink jet printer.

Self Adhesive - New Rate Value Counter Sheets

New rate value definitive counter sheets were issued on 29th March 2011. These are self adhesive sheet printings using the same sheet format as the low values (see below) and have the iridescent overprint with the hidden year code MIIL. They have the four additional security 'U' shaped die cuts. Initial cylinder numbers are all D1.

Self Adhesive Low / Make-up Value Counter Sheets

Low value definitive counter sheets have been reprinted on self adhesive paper and were issued on 8th March 2011. These are printed in sheets broadly in line with the prevailing 50p and £1 values, however, these low values will NOT have the iridescent overprint but do have the four 'U' shaped die cuts. The counter sheet size is now 25 stamps, coming from primary sheets of 300 (12x25). In the case of the 2p, 5p and 20p values, a shared primary sheet is used which means only 4 cylinder grid positions will occur for each value (the 2p occupies left grid positions, the 5p occupies central grid positions and the 20p occupies right grid positions). The initial cylinder numbers are all D1.

Secondary Hidden Iridescent Code - Year 2011 identifier

The secondary hidden code within the iridescent wavyline 'ROYAL MAIL' text for the year 2011 came in two forms. The position for the standard NVI definitive has changed from that used for 2010 in that it is now printed in front of the front cross of the Queen's diadem and takes the form 'MIIL' .
The Large NVI definitive has the year code positioned in front of the Queen's neck (between the '1st' and 'ge' of Large) and takes the form 'MAII' and the source code is behind the Queen's neck.

	Value	Source			Year Code
	50p	Booklet	Mixed	MPIL	MIIL	Morris

	68p	Sheet		none	MIIL	11/01/11 *
	76p	Sheet		none	MIIL	10/01/11 *
	£1	Sheet		none	MIIL	30/08/11 *
	£1.10	Sheet		none	MIIL	10/01/11 *
	£1.65	Sheet		none	MIIL	10/01/11 *

	2nd NVI	Sheet	xxxxxxxxx	none	MIIL	22/11/10 *
	1st NVI	Sheet		none	MIIL	22/11/10 *
	2nd Large	Sheet		none	MAII	24/11/10 *
	1st Large	Sheet		none	MAII	23/11/10 *

	2nd NVI	Business Sheet	100x2nd	MBIL	MIIL	11/11/10 *
	1st NVI	Business Sheet	100x1st	MBIL	MIIL	16/11/10 *
	2nd Large	Business Sheet	50x2nd L	MBIL	MAII	11/02/11 *
	1st Large	Business Sheet	50x1st L	MBIL	MAII	31/01/11 *

	2nd NVI	Booklet	12x2nd	MTIL	MIIL	Mar 2011

	1st NVI	Booklet	6x1st	MCIL	MIIL	Thunderbirds
			6x1st	MSIL	MIIL	Mar 2011
			12x1st	MTIL	MIIL	Apr 2011

	2nd Large	Booklet	4x2nd L	MFIL	MAII	22 Mar 2011
	1st Large		4x1st L	MFIL	MAII	22 Mar 2011
* Date of Printing

Post and Go Labels ~ Point of Sale Text

With the introduction of the 'Birds' pictorial Post and Go labels it was necessary to modify the machines software to cater for the new design. These 'Bird' designs called for the Point of Sale text to be compacted and printed on the left hand side. Apparently, this software change could not been carried out remotely and an engineer had to attend site to upgrade each machine. As a consequence, some machines were modified prior to the 'Birds' introduction date of 17th September 2010, resulting in the Machin design label being used with the revised 'compact' point of sale text.

A new type of printer was used to produce the Post & Go labels at the Stampex exhibition in February 2011. This produced the Type II - Compact text albeit with a slightly 'taller' typeface. Notice the '20g' elements on the line below 'Europe'; and the code line - second group has 2 digits (was 1), third group has 6 digits (was 5).

Machin Horizon Labels - variations in the Point of Sale text

The point of sale text can be found having two formats for the date - the original uses obliques as separators while more recently hyphens have been used as separators. In conjunction with this change the text is lighter / thinner than before.

Machin Horizon Labels - Straight Edges

With the greater use of the Machin Horizon labels, operational difficulties were being experienced when feeding the two part cut label set into the printer for the second time. In order to address this problem new versions have been produced with straight edges and rounded corners replacing the simulated die cut perforations. These revised versions were first introduced on 23rd August 2010 at the Old Street Post Office in London EC1.

England Country Pictorials - Two Differing Silhouette Head Types

The England Country Pictorials use a solid silhouetted Head printed in silver with the full bleed versions being printed between 2001 and 2003. These all had a common Head Type I - ribbon flowing and almost detached from hair. With the change to the 'white' framed design (14 Oct 2003) a new Head Type II was introduced - ribbon bunched and protruding out of the hair. Then in late 2005 the Head Type I version reappeared. There followed a crossover period when both Head Types were in use before the Head Type I became the norm. Interestingly, the Head cylinder number did not change for printing the two different Head Types for the 72p, 2nd NVI and 1st NVI values, whereas, the 44p did use a different Head cylinder.



Head Type I (Ribbon flowing)	Head Type II (Ribbon bunched)
The ribbon appears to be flowing and almost detached from the hair Queens. The Queens nose is slender. The base of dress has shallower wave and is more pointed at front.	The ribbon appears bunched and protrudes out of the hair. The Queens nose is bulbous. The base of dress has deeper wave and is more rounded at front.

Value	Design		Cyl	Date	Type
44p	Oak Tree	Sheet	D1 D1 ph D1	07/02/06	Bunched	xxxxxxxxxxxx
				08/02/06	Bunched
			D1 D2 ph D1	04/04/06	Ribboned
				05/04/06	Ribboned

72p	Tudor Rose	Sheet	D1 D1 ph D1	03/02/06	Bunched
				09/02/06	Bunched
				07/07/06	Ribboned
				10/07/06	Ribboned
		M/S		Nov 06	Ribboned	Lest We Forget

2nd NVI	Three Lions	Sheet	D1 D1 ph D1	10/04/03	Bunched	to 22/07/05

				07/11/05	Ribboned	to - date
		PSB		Feb 05	Bunched	Bronte
		M/S		May 07	Ribboned	Wembley

1st NVI	Lion & Shield	Sheet	D1 D1 ph D1	06/04/03	Bunched	to 06/09/04

				17/08/05	Ribboned	to - date
		M/S		Apr 07	Ribboned	Celebrating England
		G/S		Apr 07	Ribboned	Glorious England
		PSB		Sep 07	Ribboned	British Army
		G/S		Sep 07	Ribboned	Glorious U.K

Wales Country Pictorials - Colour

The 1st NVI Dragon design in the Wales Country Pictorial series has be found with an interesting colour variant. Originally, the second cylinder was printed using a Lemon / yellow colour, however, recent printings have used a Black with this second cylinder. These later printings with the Black colour emanate from De La Rue (Dunstable).

'NAFAS' Booklet - Missing Letter in wavyline 'ROYAL MAIL' text

The Customised booklet - 'Celebrating 50 years of NAFAS (National association of Flower arrangers)' has been discovered to have an 'A' omitted from the 'ROYAL MAIL' iridescent layer. This occurs by the left frame - in front of the Queens lips on all 4 of the 1st NVI gold stamps and applies to the complete NAFAS issue. Other customised booklets (e.g British Design Classics 1 to 4) do not exhibit this variety.

Prestige Booklet panes - Different Typeface used for Numerals '4' and '5'

Two of the Prestige Booklets produced by Cartor contain a value tablet using an erroneous typeface. The story goes that Cartor had not been supplied with the fonts for the '4' and '5' and so used digits from another font family (clearly, no representation back to Royal Mail was made). Additionally, the colour on the 54p value is appreciably different - the 5p is darker. Both these stamps will become Key Machin singles 5p - SG Y1743t; 54p Y1757.

Secondary Hidden Iridescent Code - 2010 year identity

A second hidden code within the iridescent wavyline 'ROYAL MAIL' text was introduced for 2010 printings. This occurs in front of the Queens forehead and represents the 'year' code taking the form 'MAIO' across the range of printings.

	Value	Source			Year Code
	50p	Booklets	Mixed	MPIL	MAIO	George V

	2nd	Sheet	xxxxxxxxx	none	MAIO	10/03/10 *
	1st	Sheet		none	MAIO	10/03/10 *
	2nd Large	Sheet		none	MAIO	17/09/10 *
	1st Large	Sheet		none	MAIO	15/03/10 *
	1st Rec	Sheet		none	MAIO	11/03/10 *
	1st Rec L	Sheet		none	MAIO	12/03/10 *
	SD - 100g	Sheet		none	MAIO	14/08/10 *
	SD - 500g	Sheet		none	MAIO	16/08/10 *

	2nd	Business Sheet	100x2nd	MBIL	MAIO	05/03/10 *
	1st	Business Sheet	100x1st	MBIL	MAIO	02/03/10 *
	2nd Large	Business Sheet	50x2nd L	MBIL	MAIO	30/09/10 *
	1st Large	Business Sheet	50x1st L	MBIL	MAIO	09/03/10 *

	2nd	Booklet	12x2nd	MTIL	MAIO
			Mixed	MPIL	MAIO	George V
	1st	Booklet	6x1st	MCIL	MAIO	Olympic, etc
			6x1st	MSIL	MAIO
			12x1st	MTIL	MAIO
			Mixed	MPIL	MAIO	George V

	2nd Large	Booklet	4x2nd L	MFIL	MAIO
	1st Large	Booklet	4x1st L	MFIL	MAIO

	2nd	Coil	500x2nd	MRIL	MAIO	Normal Gum
			1000x2nd	MRIL	MAIO	Normal Gum
			10000x1st	MRIL	MAIO	Self Adhesive
	1st	Coil	500x1st	MRIL	MAIO	Normal Gum
			1000x1st	MRIL	MAIO	Normal Gum
			10000x1st	MRIL	MAIO	Self Adhesive
* Date of Printing

12 x1st Retail Booklets - Cover variations

The cover of 12x1st Retail booklets has been discovered with a new print setting. These occur on books with the additional security features (issued from 31st March 2009). Both covers can be found on cylinder combination W5 W1 W1 with the Hidden Code MTIL (no year code). The normal books have the large '12x1st' text 59mm from the right hand side of the white Barcode box, while the variant has the '12x1st' text set at only 54mm. The normal book is the top image below :-

Design	No Year	Year MAI3
Machin			including Euro 20g / World 10g
Union Flag		x	including Euro 20g / World 10g


Oak Tree	Thistle	Linen	Daffodil

Value	Country	Design	Plate	Grid Positions
97p	England	Oak Tree	pl C1 C1 C1 C1 C1	All eight
			pl C1 C1 C1 C1 C2	All eight
97p	Scotland	Thistle	pl C1 C1 C1 C1	All eight

97p	N. Ireland	Linen	pl C1 C1 C1 C1 C1	Left four (2x2)
97p	Wales	Daffodil	pl C1 C1 C1 C1	Right four (2x2)

Branch Office Id	Machine	Session No.	Transaction No.	Machine Supplier
Six digits	One digit	Five digits	Two digits	Wincor - Nixdorf
e.g 242007 1-05140-03

Six digits	Two digits	Six digits	Two digits	NCR (2014)
e.g 008033 68-000924-03


87p N.Ireland	£1.28 N.Ireland	87p Wales	£1.28 Wales

Euro 20g / World 10g Rate

Wincor (Oct 2014)	NCR (available since Jun 2014)

Label Designs	Year Code	Comments
Machin (olive brown)	MAIL	The BPMA; 'Inland Airmail' removed
Union Flag	MAIL	The BPMA

Poppy	MAI4	The BPMA
Machin (cyan /blue)	MAI2	The BPMA; First time without 'Inland Airmail'

Post & Go British Flora II - Symbolic Flowers

Euro 20g World 10g ex NCR	Stampex First World War Centenary

The BPMA Inland Airmail 1934

Second Class - MAI2	First Class - no year code

PhilaKorea 2014 - World Stamp Expo Images - ex Tallents House versions

Machin - no year code	Union Flag - no year code

Location	Design	Year Code	Office Code
Seoul, Korea	Machin	MAIL	B8KR14
	Machin	MAI3	B8KR14
	Flag	MAIL	B8KR14
Tallents Hse, UK.	Machin	MAIL	B8GB14
	Machin	MAI3	B8GB14
	Flag	MAIL	B8GB14
	Flag	MAI3	B8GB14


The NMRN Machin (no year code)	The NMRN Union Flag (no year code)


'open value' second large letter	'open value' first class basic letter

Australia 2013 Stamp Expo

A5AU13 (ex Melbourne)	A5GB13 (ex Tallents House)



Recorded Signed For (old) 2009-2012	Royal Mail Signed For (new) 2013


Machin Head (from 3rd Dec 2012)	Union Flag (from 21st Feb 2013)


2nd NVI	2nd NVI (back)
ex 10,000x2nd Bulk Mailer Rolls (printed by Enschedé)

Value	Colour	Printer	Sheet	Printed	Notes
68p	Sea Green	De La Rue	25	11/01/11	12 Cyl grid positions
76p	Pink			10/01/11	4 Cyl grid positions
£1.10	Lime Green			10/01/11	12 Cyl grid positions
£1.65	Sage			10/01/11	4 Cyl grid positions


Heavy / Bold Text Date Format : 17/06/10 (with obliques)	Light / Thinner Text Date Format : 26-07-10 (with hyphens)


Second D1 Cylinder printed Lemon De La Rue (Byfleet)	Second D1 Cylinder printed Black De La Rue (Dunstable)

54p Value Tablet / Colour

Normal Numerals Jeffery Matthews Standard	Erroneous Numerals Classic Album Covers Panes

Classic Album Covers			£8.06	7 Jan 2010
	~ Pane 1	4x20p, 2x60p, 2x54p	Cartor	Litho
	~ Pane 4	5x10p, 2x22p, 2x5p		Litho
The Royal Society			£7.72	25 Feb 2010
	~ Pane 2	4x54p, 4x22p	Cartor	Litho