The year code below The Queen's chin, shows O15R instead of OVER.
The source code on the Counter Sheet stamps, to the right of The Queen's hair, shows (REI) GN. Unfortunately this position coincides with the security cuts in the self-adhesive stamps.
The source code on the 6 x 1st booklet stamp, to the right of The Queen's hair, shows GS instead of GN, following the principles established with the 1st class gold and red.
The source code on the miniature sheet stamp, to the right of The Queen's hair, shows GM instead of GN.
Mixed Content Retail Booklet of 6 x 1st class stamps.
The first of these will be for the Rugby World Cup, and will be issued on 18 September 2015. We don't yet have these, but would expect the source code to be (REI) GC.
UPDATE pm 9.9.15
Royal Mail's press release indicates that:
'the purple coloured First Class Definitive will replace the current red version for the next 12 months.'
But we have been told that there are no plans for a 12 x 1st booklet (which is good, considering the proliferation of M14L codes still in PO branches, with spring 2015 packing dates, and the absence of M15L codes on the red MTILs!) We have also been told that the change will not apply to Business Sheets nor to Large Letter stamps in any form. But that could all change in the next year!
UPDATE 10.9.15
Several people have sent examples of the slogan postmark in use to publicise this issue, and their own first day covers. Many thanks to Chris, Robert, and Dominic.
Surely there is no source code on the Counter Sheet. 'GN' is the normal spelling of REIGN, and therefore is repeated throughout the security print. As this is the Counter Sheet I would have thought you would just have the date code 'O15R'. Clearly the Machin from the MS and Booklet have a Source Code.
ReplyDeleteMy view - not shared by the Gibbons catalogue editors - is that MAIL and REIGN are just as much source codes as MPIL and REIGS in that they indicate the source as being counter sheets.
ReplyDeleteWhat on earth are you on about?
DeleteHey, it's only an opinion!
DeleteWhat is the source of a 1st class red with code MAIL rather than MBIL MSIL or MCIL? It's a counter sheet.
Therefore the MAIL indicates that the source is a counter sheet. Instead of having two sets of numbers (U2941-4 and U2945-56) Gibbons could have included them all in one range, and just put the MAIL in brackets in the listing as they do MBIL MSIL and MCIL.
But they didn't and that's their choice, just as they choose to have 'with or without' a date code, rather than giving each year code a separate number, which is something I discussed with Hugh Jefferies (SG Catalogue editor), and whose reasoning I entirely understand.
Do you think that we should expect to see Large versions in this new colour/underprint?
ReplyDeleteAs at 10.00 on the day of issue none of these stamps are on the Royal Mail web pages as far as I can see apart from a couple of images on the first page with a link which takes you to older stamps.
ReplyDeleteThey are now on the Royal Mail shop.
DeleteIan
ReplyDeleteThe Rugby Booklet does has the source code GC
John
Disagree with your view Ian, I'm with Chris and SG on this one - counter sheets are widely recognised in the trade as having "no source code".
ReplyDeleteGot my Philatelic Bulletin this morning, RM have managed to use incorrect mock up images of the £1.52 stamps with £1.33 values on them in the publicity pictures in both this and on the front page of their website. You couldn't make it up!
There are no Business Sheets, and no Large versions.
Additionally, can confirm that the Rugby booklets do have a C code, although its a devil of a job to see it as they've put it under the clips - making it a complete waste of time.
I note that the incorrect image of the £1.33 denomination on the front page of the website has now been replaced. Bet someone's got a verbal slap for that one!
DeleteNot only was the front page wrong - inside the bulletin they managed to have £1.33 values on one page and a miniature sheet on coin cover with £1.52 values on the opposite page!
DeleteWhat used to be the Head Post Office in Birmingham in Victoria Square but is now relegated to something less grand and said to be located in Pinfold Street which leads off from Victoria Square (but it does have 8 "Post And Go" kiosks) did not have any of the miniature sheets for sale and their existence was not known about by the man who seemed to be in charge. "We don't get everything" and "we might get some at some time".
ReplyDeleteThe office did however have the new definitive and booklet and I was finally able to track down a "Bees" booklet which was pleasing.
The miniature sheet and presentation pack were eventually tracked down in the Corporation Street branch office. So all was well that ended well but when the Post Office's staff at a previously important office don't even know about the existence of what should be a high profile issue it does make you wonder about how wise Royal Mail's lack of publicity until today regarding this issue was. If I were them I'd think about how useful their marketing advisors really are when it comes to philatelic sales to the general public.
By the way, there was no-one else at either busy post office who was intending to buy the new issue.
Edinburgh GPO had mini sheets only, nothing else. What a joke.
DeleteNo booklets supplied to my local PO they get whatever they are given apparently. Just had Bees turn up yesterday!
ReplyDeleteThe miniature sheet is now on the Royal mail website and to my surprise (and delight) I noticed that it is printed in intaglio (except the Machin stamp). Is it known whether the stamps were hand-engraved and if so, by whom?
ReplyDeleteRM's press release says that this "purple" definitive will replace the red version for the next 12 months.
ReplyDeleteI looked on their media website within the last hour and this release wasn't there!! Why they can't put them on earlier in the day - when they went to the press yesterday or earlier in the week, I really don't know!
DeleteThe purple will replace the red, but I've been told not on business sheets or Large stamps - and possibly not the book of 12. Royal Mail's news to dealers re the mixed content books of 6 was that it would be 'until next April' with the Rugby World Cup booklet being the only one in 2015.
So we could see a 16 version in various incarnations
ReplyDeleteIf not for the first mixed booklet of 2016 (which may be printed this year), then certainly some later in the year, I would think. And maybe the counter sheet as well.
DeleteAny idea whether Walsall or Cartor printed the Miniature sheet?.......I see there is no FSC code printed on this one
ReplyDeleteI wonder exactly how many of the miniature sheets will be sold given the lack of publicity. I know several non regular collectors who might well have bought a copy had they known it had been issued. This is not a very good advert for the competence of Royal Mail and its business management skills.
ReplyDeleteQuite agree. As predicted no Machin Panes were sent out to Philatelic customers with regular orders, so the 'First' new issue publicity leaflet informed those wanting such, would have to phone in and order and P/P would be free. So mid afternoon phoned the Philatelic Bureau to place an order. Chaos reigned. Staff were unaware of this news and did not have the order code to hand for the stamps, when they did, they added postage. The staff themselves had only learnt of the free postage when they themselves received and read the 'First'. Doesn't go well when the customer knows more about what's on offer than the staff.
DeleteThe new stock list doesn’t list (as well as First) don’t list the counter sheet the Amethyst 1st class stamp.
ReplyDeleteYou couldn't make it up could you ("piss ups" and "breweries" come to mind)!
ReplyDeleteI didn't even know that I wouldn't receive the sheet of Counter stamps on my order until I read this today - I have been wondering where they were. Why is this I wonder? I received the Miniature Sheet and Mixed Booklet as per my standing order so why not send the Counter Sheet as well. I did not receive a book of six "S" either.
Fortunately my local PO had been sent two sheets so I have bought one from them today.
What is the point of a standing order if you cannot guarantee the stock being received.
Dave, it's the same as when the Diamond Jubilee mini-sheet was issued; the counter sheet stamp was not distributed automatically "because some customers might not want both" - they thought.
DeleteDespite being a dealer, and obviously wanting to sell new stamps, I try to fight the corner of the 'ordinary collector', and told Royal Mail in 2012 that they were wrong on this. But they haven't got the message, and what is worse, in this case, you didn't even know what you weren't going to get until you didn't get it!
Apologies - it was the Book of 6 (S) I received with the Miniature Sheet NOT a Mixed booklet as previously said in my comment.
ReplyDelete