Norvic Philatelics

New Machin definitive & Country stamps - 28 March 2006

Postage rate changes which take effect from 3 April will require several new stamps. The basic 1st & 2nd class rates will each rise by 2p, to 32p & 23p respectively. There will be no 32p or 23p stamps as these are satisfied by the 1st class gold and 2nd class blue. There is no need for a 'balancing' 9p as that already exists. The 60-100gr rates will rise from 46p (1st) to 49p, and from 35p (2nd) to 37p, so that two new stamps will be issued. The 100gr 2nd class stamp was only introduced in April 2005 at 35p and has one phosphor band, so we can expect the new 37p to have one band also.

International rates also rise at this time:
Basic Europe rate 10gr and postcards: +2p to 44p - new Machin and Country stamps to replace 42p (existing 'E' rate stamps bought for 38/40/42p still valid).

Basic Worldwide rate 10gr and postcards: +3p to 50p - the existing 50p stamp will replace the 47p.

Worldwide 20gr rate: +4p to 72p, new 72p Machin and Country stamps will be issued.

Worldwide 40gr rate: +7p to £1.12/£1.19 (zone 1/2). This should also be satisfied by the airmail NVI, but special stamps will be £1.19 instead of £1.12.

New stamps

All the stamps will be printed by De La Rue in gravure except the Northern Ireland stamps which will be litho.

37p olive green : 44p ultramarine : 49p rust : 72p red

44p & 72p England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland stamps will be issued in the same designs as the 42p & 68p in current use:

Norvic Philatelics will service Post Office first day covers for these stamps.

Prices:
Set of 4 Machin definitives on PO FDC with any postmark - £3.50
Country 44p & 72p stamps on individual PO FDCs with relevant postmarks - £2.50, set of 4 covers - £9.50
Mint stamps: Set of 4 Machins - £2.75, country stamps £1.50 per country.
Postage and packing is extra in all cases.

These special postmarks are available on the day of issue:

Ref FD611 - Bureau 'Scottish Coat of Arms' postmark	Ref FD612 - Windsor 'English Coat of Arms' postmark	Ref E4680 - Windsor Castle, Royal Mail permanent handstamp	Ref FD612n - Windsor plain FDI postmark	Ref M1005 - New Definitives, Machin Road, Birmingham
Ref FD613 - official FDI London postmark	Ref FD614 - official FDI Edinburgh postmark	Ref FD615 - official FDI Cardiff postmark	Ref FD616 - official FDI Belfast postmark	Ref M1004 - Machin Definitives, Stoke-on-Trent
Ref FD613n - official non-pictorial FDI London postmark	Ref FD614n - official non-pictorial FDI Edinburgh postmark	Ref FD615n - official non-pictorial FDI Cardiff postmark	Ref FD616n - official non-pictorial FDI Belfast postmark	L1000 - Country Definitives, Windsor
Additionally, any postmarks available on this date may also be applied to FDCs - see Permanent postmarks and Other one-day postmarks