The inconsistency in Royal Mai's stamp product designs is the one constant: this time booklet fonts..

The Booklet of Pooh arrived this morning, the date of issue. One thing that is now confirmed is that the font used on the booklet is not the same as is used on contemporary Christmas and Definitive booklets.

In the picture below, the top booklet shows the pre-October 2016 style.  The "4 X" is thicker on the Pooh booklet but still has the closed '4" rather than the open "4" of the last two designs; the "1st" is almost identical.

This was replaced by the one with rounded lettering below, in October 2016. 

 

The November 2025 Queen Victoria (1d black) booklet had the text in a new format again.

Queen Voctoria booklet November 2025.

The definitive booklets with this font appeared gradually in spring of this year with an official distribution in March.    This change was ignored when the Winnie The Pooh booklet was produced.

Christmas 2025 font.

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Slogan postmarks for October - and interesting postmarks and news

October had, predictably, started with the British Heart Foundation (BHF) default slogan, and we already have both layouts, mine from Cornwall and RobertW sent one from Medway Mail Centre.

Cornwall Mail Centre 05/10/2026 and Medway 12-10-2026

British Heart Foundation  Cornwall Mail Centre 05/10/2026 

British Heart Foundation Medway Mail Centre 12-10-2026

 

 

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In previous Octobers there have been a number of interesting slogans but we have no indication that these will be repeated this year.

UPDATE 17 October.   Last minute news reaches me of a new slogan to be used to mark the visit of the Sultan of Oman to United Kingdom.

His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Sultan of Oman has accepted an invitation from The King to pay a State Visit to the United Kingdom from Tuesday 20th until Thursday 22nd October, 2026. 

Their Majesties The King and Queen will host the State Visit at Windsor Castle.

My thanks to PeterD and RobertW for speedily sending these images. Peter's from Gatwick, Robert wih one from each of Bristol and Medway thus giving us both formats.

Welcome His Majesty
Sultan Haitham bin Tarik
Sultan of Oman
State Visit 2026  

Sultan of Oman slogan Gatwick Mail Centre 19/10/2026

Sultan of Oman slogans Bristol Mail Centre 19/10/2026 and Medway Mail Centre19-10-2026

 

 

 

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In previous Octobers there have been a number of interesting slogans but we have no indication that these will be repeated this year.

UPDATE 17 October.   Last minute news reaches me of a new slogan to be used to mark the visit of the Sultan of Oman to United Kingdom.

His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Sultan of Oman has accepted an invitation from The King to pay a State Visit to the United Kingdom from Tuesday 20th until Thursday 22nd October, 2026. 

Their Majesties The King and Queen will host the State Visit at Windsor Castle.

My thanks to PeterD and RobertW for speedily sending these images. Peter's from Gatwick, Robert wih one from each of Bristol and Medway thus giving us both formats.

Welcome His Majesty
Sultan Haitham bin TarikSultan of Oman/State Visit 2026 

 

Sultan of Oman slogan Gatwick Mail Centre 19/10/2026

Sultan of Oman slogans Bristol Mail Centre 19/10/2026 and Medway Mail Centre19-10-2026

 

 

 

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In previous Octobers there have been a number of interesting slogans but we have no indication that these will be repeated this year.

UPDATE 17 October.   Last minute news reaches me of a new slogan to be used to mark the visit of the Sultan of Oman to United Kingdom.

His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Sultan of Oman has accepted an invitation from The King to pay a State Visit to the United Kingdom from Tuesday 20th until Thursday 22nd October, 2026. 

Their Majesties The King and Queen will host the State Visit at Windsor Castle.

My thanks to PeterD and RobertW for speedily sending these images. Peter's from Gatwick, Robert wih one from each of Bristol and Medway thus giving us both formats.

Welcome His Majesty
Sultan Haitham bin TarikSultan of Oman/State Visit 2026 

 

Sultan of Oman slogan Gatwick Mail Centre 19/10/2026

Sultan of Oman slogans Bristol Mail Centre 19/10/2026 and Medway Mail Centre19-10-2026

 

 

 

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Other postmarks and postal markings

 

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Remember, slogan postmarks appearing in October will be added to this post so check here before you spend time scanning and emailing.

A reminder of what these monthly listings are for.

For each month I record the different slogans in use, plus the default slogan that is used when there is nothing else.

For each of these I try to record only one of each of the basic two types, plus any that are reversed on square envelopes, which normally only gives three or four.  

Occasionally a slogan appears with different line spacing in the same format.

I do not record multiple versions of the same as any of these unless I later get a much better example of one that I showed purely for the record, but which is otherwise not very clear.

The only exception to this, which doesn't seem to happen much these days, is when a slogan is used well out of time.  

I mention this only to avoid readers unnecessarily duplicating what has already been provided.

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Pooh - another stamp issue for the bear and friends on 14 October 2026

Winnie-the-Pooh first appeared on a British stamp in 1979 as one of four stamps marking the United Nations International Year of the Child.  More recently Pooh and his friends featured on the 2010 Children's Books Europa set, though why ten stamps were devoted to one set of characters from the books is unclear.  Four years earlier, the Animal Tales joint issue with the USPS covered ten different books, but not including Pooh.

I must confess I thought the bear had made more appearances on British stamps, but I suppose the seemingly unending appearances of Paddington might have confused me.  Add in Rupert, Alice, Peter Rabbit, and many others, going back to the Greetings Booklets, one could - I hope - be forgiven for losing track.

But it would be difficult to argue against at least the basic premise of this issue as 2026 marks the centenary of the first publication of Winnie the Pooh by A A Milne in 2026.  You can read more about the character and the story behind the stores here on our webpage for the 2010 issue.

The new set is illustrated in "the style of E.H. Shephard's original book illustrations "before Pooh got his iconic red shirt".  Some may think the red shirt came with Disney, as shown on the PSB's definitive pane shown below, but the red shirt first appeared in 1932 as shown on the Piglet fan sheet when the characters were drawn in colour by Stephen Slesinger, a US comic book pioneer who bought the copyright to Pooh in 1930.  After Slesinger's death in 1953, his widow licensed the rights to Disney in return for regular royalties, which is why any first day covers or special handstamps now have to be licensed through The Walt Disney Company. 

The stamps 

 

Set of 6 x 1st class Winnie the Pooh stamps issued 14 October 2026.

 Miniature Sheet 

Miniature sheet of 4 x 1st class Winnie the Pooh stamps issued 14 October 2026.

Technical Details 

The set of stamps and miniature sheet is designed by Supple Studio ©Disney. Based on the ‘Winnie the Pooh’ works by A.A. Milne and E.H. Shepard. The 4x x 30 mm stamps were printed by Cartor Security Printers in lithography on gummed paper, in three sheets of 60 in vertical se-tenant pairs, with phosphor bars.  The 115 x 89 mm miniature sheet contains three 27 x 37 mm and one 41 x 30 mm (Eeyore) stamps perforated 14 (14½ x 14 mm Eeyore) printed in lithography on gummed paper with all-over phosphor.  The Press Sheet contains eight miniature sheets.

Collectors Sheet

The sheet contains 10 first class stamps with four of the stamps included twice, matched with other illustrations as labels.  The lithography-printed sheet is self-adhesive. 

Update: Reader Chris has commented that this is incorrect, the sheet has PVA gum and so the stamps are (more or less) the same as those in sheets - it is quite likely that the phosphor is differently spaced or the perforations might even be different, but I don't buy them for anyone so I cannot confirm.

Self-adhesive Collectors Sheet 

Prestige Stamp Book

The book describes the evolution of the story over a hundred years from the Milne story and Shephard illustrations to the modern Disney renditions.

Four prestige book panes including the set of 6, plus two extra Pooh & Piglet stamps,
miniature sheet and definitive pane containing 1p, 50p, £2, 2 x £1 definitive stamps.
These are should be coded M26L MPIL - but it's very faint!

The PSB and Limited Edition PSB are delayed until 26 November

 

Commemorative Stamp Book 

Continuing the practice of issuing retail-format self-adhesive booklets which are not sold anywhere but the Royal Mail philatelic service.  As usual 4x identical 1st class stamps but printed in gravure, rather than lithography.

Fan sheets

The four Fan Sheets are in editions of 5,000 priced at £8 each.  Each contains four identical stamps in a relevant background:  Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, and Eeyore.

Products available

Set of 6 stamps, miniature sheet, presentation pack, commemorative booklet, prestige stamp booklet, press sheet of 8 MS, collectors sheet, fan sheets (4), first day covers (3 including the definitive pane from the PSB), limited edition PSB, 50p coinx3 cover (reverse of coins designed by Disney), proof coloured silver and proof gold coin covers Character Packs for set, and MS, limited (5000) edition ingot (£50), framed miniature sheet (£40), framed set (£40).

Australia Post

As the comments make reference to the package issued by Australia Post I thought I would make an exception and show those as well - if only to show collectors of Royal Mail products that things could be worse.

Their Winnie the Pooh 100 Years Stamp Collection is AU$39.99 (£21.05 - plus shipping and import taxes if you choose to buy direct).  This is, of course, much cheaper than even a modest selection of Royal Mail's Pooh products. There is also a numimatic cover for AU£59.99.

The Collection contains these four sheets:

Miniature sheet of four unrelated flower stamps with Disney Pooh design on borders.

Gutter sheetlet of four slower stamps with attached Disney Pooh labels and a gutter strip of four more labels

Sheet of 6 self-adhesive MyStamps with designs depicting different Pooh characters.

Sheet of 6 self-adhesive MyStamps* with designs depicting the same Pooh characters.

Readers have commented on this blog about the absence of Kanga, Piglet and Rabbit. The Ozzies on the other hand have omitted the key characters of Owl and Christopher Robin, apart from on the throw-away sheet design (assuming you use the stamps, as some people do.)

* "With MyStamps, you can use our template and your own image to create a truly personalised sheet of 20 stamps. With six shapes on offer, each with a different look and feel, and your choice of postage type and rate, you'll be able to celebrate some of life's memorable moments stamped on your post.

"MyStamps are perfect for sending out birthday or wedding invitations, Christmas cards, or simply adding a personal touch to your mail."

These are similar to the original P-(ersonalised)stamps from Australia and Smilers from the UK, but are more like the Commemorative Sheets (for instance marking the Centenary of the Halley's Comet) that Royal Mail issued.  AusPost have made hundreds of such issues featuring all manner of cartoon and sports associations.

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Planned but not issued Greetings Booklet: Farm Animals 1995 precursor

The recent issue of domestic pets reminded me of a Farm Animals issue.  Not this one from 2005, but an earlier set which was planned for a Greetings Booklet.

Norvic Philatelics limited edition FDC for 2005 Farm Animals set. 

Readers may recall the post back in June of this year about 1995 plans for self-adhesive Priority Service Machin definitives.  When he sent me that information MM also sent an information sheet about a booklet of 10 1st class stamps depicting farm animals; the booklet would follow the style of the time with 20 greetings labels

Greetings in Art booklet issued 1995, 10 stamps and 20 labels.

The issue date was to be 31 January 1995, with the stamps designed by Why Not Associates and printed by Walsall Security Printers in litho.  The animals depicted appear to be, in order, Dog, Duck, Cat, Sheep, Donkey, Goat, Horse, Chicken, Cow, and Pig.

Click on the image for enlargement

In the event, the January 1995 stamp issue (on 17th) showed five cats, and the Greetings booklet issued in March was Greetings in Art, shown above.

The last of this type of booklets was issued in 1997-8 (19th century flower paintings).

In 1999-2000 the 25-set Millennium series were all square stamps and no more Greetings sets were issued until the silver 'Occasions' set issued as five separate sheets.  

Royal Mail eventually returned to the Farm Animals theme 10 years after the initial concept, with stamps designed by by Rose Design using woodcut-style illustrations by Chris Wormell.  

2005 Farm Animals stamps printed in gravure by Enschedé.

 

Woodcut was also the basis of the illustrations used in the Sheep, Pigs and Cattle Post and Go stamps designed by Robert Gillmor.  

As with the previously described priority services definitives, nobody knows Royal Mail decided not to proceed with the 1995 set.  As far as I know this did not go to the proof stage.

  

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How Royal Mail achieve the perfect handstamp on FDCs - updated

In a 2019 post I described the system that Royal Mail used to achieve mostly clean and legible handstamps on first day covers and other mail, including a video and GPO-published write up of the process.  This is an update of that article.

The handstamps are, for the most part, not handstamps at all, but are applied by foot- and hand-operated machines.  (The changeable date designs are still handstamps as far as I know. *)

You can read a detailed description here in our reference area. This is a pdf file, so you can download it, or read it in your web browser, depending on your system settings.

The article is copyright Royal Mail, 1993 & 2007, reproduced by kind permission.  

This is the machine which was at Europhilex in 2015

(There is a video of the operation on the 2019 post.)

I've now found a picture of a similar machine which was in use at the British Forces Postal Service HQ in Northholt, NW of London.   This obviously isn't identical but the technique is the same as the close-ups show.  If readers read the pdf referred to above in conjunction with these pictures it should provide a clearer idea of the operations.

As described in the article there is a camera in the unit which enables the user to see where the postmark will be applied on the cover.  The article refers to 'clichés' which has the postmark printed on as a, but the handstamp centres referred to them as 'foils'.

BFPS 'handstamping' machine 2010. 

 

This picture shows the handstamp which is on the machine to be applied to covers taped to the screen to ensure proper alignment.  It is similar to this one for BFPS 3107 marking the 69th anniversary of the Battle of Britain 17 September 2009.

BFPS 3017 handstamp

This picture shows one of the pads to which the ink is applied, before transfer to covers, with some foils alongside, presumably ones which have already been used.  

 

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Digital Switchover - Possible interruption to service

Tomorrow out telephone line will be subject to the Digital Switchover.

Many readers in the UK (and France, Australia etc) will have already experienced this with no problems - we don't expect any problem although our last interaction with the telephone system when we moved to this location left us for a month with no landline.

Our 0845 number (which redirects to our geographical number) will remain the same.  Eventually we will abandon that and switch to an 07 number but for the time being you will notice no difference if all works as it should.  

If anything goes wrong, there will be an interruption where we won't be able to make or receive calls or use our internet connection.

UPDATE - because of our peculiar configuration (there are two lines to the property but only one landline number) it took all morning, but with the technical expertise in the family all is now well!

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For sale again: Aerogrammes for collecting or use and this time more organised!

Firstly I would like to thank everyone who responded to the August offer of aerogrammes.  We had many satisfied customers who wanted some to use for postage, some to collect, and some to write messages, especially the thematic ones.

Now, what was unsold before has been supplemented by a dealer stock of a lot more individual titles many pristine in unfolded condition, ideal for use or display.

In addition to the special commemorative pictorial examples there are many different definitive ones, which I have tried to identify accurately in line with Collect British Postal Stationery.

This is a good opportunity to acquire additions to a thematic collection, to surprise friends abroad, or simply to use on parcels for postage as shown previously. 

Because this is such a comprehensive selection I have compiled a priced list which can be downloaded here.  

The buying process is not the same as before  - 

Send an email to my usual address with your order and address details (it's  ian@norphil.co.uk). At the same time leave a comment on this post [you MUST use a name, not Anonymous] to say that you have sent the email.  Blogpost comments always reach the right folder in my inbox: emails sometimes go to spam, and this will avoid my missing them.

Once your comment is published you will know that I have seen it and the email, and I'll answer emails as soon as possible. 

As before, bulk purchases of 10 or more NVI aerogrammes will be £1.50 each: these will be our choice but you may indicate a preference for general type - commemorative, definitive, Christmas, Scottish, Welsh, sport etc.  We'll try to accommodate these requests,

If you require specific editions they are as priced on the lists with NVIs (definitive or commemorative) being £2 each (discounts for larger quantities).   

A reminder that the face value of these is currently £3.60 and will probably rise next April.

Postage is extra and will be advised when we tell you what is available and how to pay. 

Many are unfolded, including some of the earliest ones, the Forces, and the more recent.  Please let us know if you want them sent unfolded - the most recent ones are 420 x 340 mm and cannot be sent as Large Letters.  They will be sent as Small Parcels with a minimum postage of £4 (inland). 

The lists only include mint aerogrammes.  I also have a bundle of (mainly) first day used - if interested in any, please ask.  Many have specific and relevant special handstamps or local postmarks.

If you have any questions, please ask.

I have now had the opportunity to photograph some of the listed stock. Due to their large size they are not suitable for scanning.  Click on the image to see them enlarged.

 AP21, 26, 28, 30, 31, 40, 42 includes Burns, Golf, 

AP 63, 64, 65 - Christmas 1985, Northern Lighthouse Board, Scottish Enlightenment

AP 66, 67, 68 - Christmas1986, Mary Queen of Scots, J M Barrie

AP69,70,71 - Christmas 1987, Year of the Bible, Glasgow Garden Festival

AP72, 73, 82 -Christmas 1988, National Portrait Gallery of Scotland, Wm Henry Playfair

AP83, 84, 85 - Christmas 1989, Forth Railway Bridge, Glasgow European City of Culture

AP86, 87, 88 - Christmas 1990, Rugby World Cup, Gaelic Society Centenary

AP90, 92, 96 - The Nature of Scotland, Christmas 1992, 150th Anniversary Caledonian Curling Club

AP 99, 100, 101 - Robert Louis Stevenson, Alcock & Brown, Regimental Centenries

AP 109, 110, 111 - Christmas 1994, Glasgow School of Art, Youth Olympics

AP 112, 113, 120 - Prehistoric Scotland, Christmas 1995, Scottish Football

AP 135, 136, 137 - English Crafts, Welsh Crafts, Scottish Crafts

AP 131 Christmas 2000, AP 117 Christmas 1997, AP 118  Nature of Scotland

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