Tuesday 7 November 2017

Royal Mail Marks the Queen's Platinum Wedding Anniversary on 20th November 2017

The short answer to the many questions and enquiries is, YES, I do know what Royal Mail are planning for 20th November, and YES it is subject to strict embargo, and NO I can't tell you what's going on until the information is released by RM.

This is really frustrating for collectors - and us - because now that companies are obliged to inform customers in advance what they are planning to charge on their next invoice, or for their next sending which is on standing order(!), they are sending out these notices to tell you how much they will be charging you, but they can't print the details on the notification - and if you phone them up, they can't or won't tell you either.  Call centre staff are complaining (to callers) that they are fielding more phone calls about this than about anything else in recent times.

When in doubt, Wikipedia is a good source, so I suggest you look here and make your own mind up.   And maybe look at other postal administrations' websites. At least one administration in the British Isles has announced its stamps for that date, but this is not visible on their website.  I probably saw it on twitter.

According to news.com.au (!) the Royal Mint and Royal Mail both have products for this 'event'/'anniversary' which is a surprise.  However, no pictures were shown of either, nor details given.

I am sure you can work it out if you have time.  I am equally sure that most people will think that the secrecy is unwarranted, and will regard this 'surprise' issue as a damp squib.

UPDATE:
Sorry, I should have said that I won't be publishing the answer, even in comments, as Royal Mail have already got uppity when I had something on the website which suggested what the stamps will be for.   So, sorry 'Cruyff', that one's not getting through even though it is correct.

UPDATE 2150, 7 November 2017.

Although we understood that there would be no announcement until possibly the day before the anniversary, my thanks to MC for pointing out that Royal Mail have now added the Platinum Wedding Anniversary miniature sheet and other products to their online shop - but they still haven't told us the embargo is lifted - thanks a lot, guys!


Details of the stamp designs and other technical details are as follows:

Other products:
Presentation Pack, First Day Cover, Stamp Cards (7), Souvenir Pack (£14.99), Press Sheet of 14 MS (edition of 500) (£102.56).
Coin cover - edition 10,000 (£19.95) plus three more with proof coins:
Silver proof (500) - £82.50
Gold proof (500) - £1,975
Framed MS - £19.99
Limited edition framed print and stamps (70) - £119.99
Platinum proof (500) - £4,950

These can be ordered direct from Royal Mail - advance orders can be placed now.

We shall not be stocking this issue in any form.

9 comments:

  1. ok then :) thanks for update :)

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  2. Not sure how legal this transaction can be. I have never heard of any company/shop sending an order acknowledgement for goods that you don't know what you are getting. I have been sent an order advice notice that money will be debited by VDD within 3 days of the 20th November. I'm sure the Queen with all her so called offshore funds wouldn't stand for this despite being married for 70 years on that date. Guernsey appear happy to make announcements!
    Doug (Enfield)

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  3. Hmm. Wouldn't £1.40 have been a better value as it is worldwide rate and therefore Commonwealth, rather than Europe 100g?

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  4. Full details are now in the British Philatelic Bulletin which arrived this morning. Fourteen pages - 15 if you include the front cover!

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  5. Lovely black and white photos. Again! How many seconds did these stamps take to 'design'? What kind of message is Royal Mail trying to send out? Not even a proper mention on the stamps themselves as to what they're commemorating. Remember one of the 2012 Diamond Jubilee stamps which just had 'Golden Jubilee 2002' written on it? RM seems very reluctant to mark the event and has made no effort in the design.

    J. Paul Murdock

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  6. As always another money spinner for RM. Another commemorative issue which will never increase in value. Mini sheets torn up and used in discounted postage.

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  7. "This is really frustrating for collectors - and us - because now that companies are obliged to inform customers in advance what they are planning to charge on their next invoice, or for their next sending which is on standing order(!), they are sending out these notices to tell you how much they will be charging you, but they can't print the details on the notification - and if you phone them up, they can't or won't tell you either."

    Just thinking - they will need to announce the 2018 programme pretty soon or we will the same problems when they send out the notifications for the first issue in January - assuming there is one!

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    Replies
    1. Good point: I think the same may happen again.
      The first issue is due later than usual, around 20th Jan. The news is due to be released in the quiet-news period between Christmas and New Year, and it will then get maximum exposure and set social media alight!

      Delete
  8. I dont think RM are after a big "surprise". I think it's more about their ages and whether they might have to have a re-think at short notice if something happens to either of them.

    ReplyDelete

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