We understand that the Printer Locations shown on the A4 sheets of gold medal stamps are:
Preston
Edinburgh
Solihull
Attleborough
Swindon
London
We've also been told that three other printers are on standby in case the number of medals or demand for the stamps (or problems at one of the first 6) require additional facilities.
Overheard at local PO re Olympic stamps:-
ReplyDelete"Thank God they aren't doing silver and bronze medal stamps too. It would bankrupt me!"
So DON'T YOU EVEN THINK ABOUT IT, Royal Mail. And I hope that you are serious about Not repeating the exercise for the paralympics.
Events like the Olympics are great marketing opportunities but it could end up alienating collectors. Wasn't there the suggestion that if there were two (or more) winners then the single sheer would have them as alternate stamps?
"Wasn't there the suggestion that if there were two (or more) winners then the single sheer would have them as alternate stamps?"
DeleteNo, that suggestion was never made by Royal Mail.
The Paralympic Gold Medal miniature sheet of 6 stamps between them showing all Paralympian gold medallists may be what you are thinking of.
"Thank God they aren't doing silver and bronze medal stamps too. It would bankrupt me!"
Nobody has to buy them - and anybody can have single stamps instead of sheets.
Are six medals enough to bring the standby printers on-line?? :-)
ReplyDeleteDoubt it, they were well spaced through the day, and they can print more of the first 3 (for weekly delivery) after they have finished #6.
DeleteSorry that I wasn't clear. It was a member of the public (non stamp collector) who made the comment. He was purchasing the stamps to pass on to his grandchildren.
ReplyDeleteLike many, including Post Office staff (as highlighted elsewhere in the blog), he was buying the sheetlets because that was how they were being promoted for sale. The counter staff did not indicate that the guy could by single stamps possibly because they weren't told.
I wholeheartedly agree that people should buy what they can afford but, be honest, how many dealers would be interested in buying, say, a collection of FDCs with single stamps in 5 or 10 years time when the material comes on the resale market?
You have already pointed out that there are variations in some sheets due to the different printers being used. A study of all printings and all sheetlets may well be someone's pet project but, again, how will the price of the material increase? As of 7 August, it would cost him/her just over £1900 to get a copy of each sheet (4 sheetlets)from each printer and each winner.(cf plating Victorian stamps)
A good modern example is the Wincor-nixdorf/Hytec material. A cursory glance at e-bay throws up lots of hits where "dealers" are offering collectors strips rather than singles because there is more profit in it or they are trying to dictate the market. I am surprised at the number of these items on offer described as "scarce" and they are offering "more than 10" and have already sold another 30!
A look at my wincoralbum sites will show the make up of my collection which generally consists of the first class fast stamp rate with the odd collectors strip. I try to collect examples from each kiosk and, if other items come my way, I add to illustrate usage.
The point that I was making (probably badly) was that if we want to see stamp collecting, or philately, flourish in future, we have to be responsible in determining what is acceptable and what is not. It starts with each collector, dealer and learned philatelic society no matter how important. It should also start with the various postal administrations as if they are not responsible they will alienate collectors and thereby an important group of customers who buy "service" which they do not use. I stopped collecting Canada because the only way to obtain some mint issues was to buy a stamp booklet (eg Christmas stamps - 3 values - were sold only in booklets of 10 - and that was gradually being spread to other issues - a bit like the miniature sheets that seem to be tagged onto almost each new issue.)
If I decided to write up and prepare an entry to one of the various national competitions illustrating, say, "The Usage of Wincors at William IV office" where the only first class faststamps are included would it be as well received as "A Study of the London Gold Medal Winners 2012" where complete sheets are included?
Why are there so many sheets of US stamps from the 1930s-1950s still available? People were "sold" the idea that collecting these was a good investment. All down to marketing an investment idea NOT really respecting the customer (collector).
Apologies for being so long winded.
My local post office (in W H Smith) has been selling single stamps - they realised they could sell more if they split sheets and so this is what they did, much to the delight of the younger collectors who could get the whole set for £17.40.
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