Monday, 29 January 2018

First unexpected Machin of 2018 is probably the last from 2017

We are never surprised that the first Prestige Stamp Book of a year contains definitives with a year code from the previous year: that has become the norm.  So after that it is a waiting game until the first totally new and unexpected stamp appears, and this year we have had to wait less than a month.

News reached us last week of the second printing of the 50p dark grey or slate.  Yes, the second printing: the first was in on 180/9/2012 and the second was in October 2017.  This is a little-used value which postmasters tell me they cannot order, so presumably these are sold via Royal Mail's business user website.  My sub-postmaster thinks that it would be a useful value (like the non-existent 9p - for the difference between 2nd and 1st class letter rate) but he can't get it.  My thanks to RL for the picture.

We hope to have some soon: this is Norvic Checklist number 3051.7.




Posted by Ian - Norvic at 09:00
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8 comments:

  1. Anonymous29 January 2018 at 10:58

    I think this one is posted on the r.m. business web site issued in sheets of 25 (OR IS THIS THE 1ST ISSUE). If you look closely at their enlarged picture, it shows codes of ma12 mril. Does that exist or am I missing something.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ian - Norvic29 January 2018 at 11:04

      On RM website they are showing a pre-production mock-up with codes MA12 MRIL. If we noticed this earlier we didn't believe it then either!
      http://shop.royalmail.com/make-up-values/25-x-50p-stamp-sheet/invt/prod78610040

      Delete
    2. Anonymous29 January 2018 at 11:39

      Thanks for the reply Ian, can't afford that amount for a coil anyway??

      Delete
    3. Brian M29 January 2018 at 12:17

      I was looking at buying a sheet from Royal Mail web site but they charge £6.15 for postage which I find a bit over the top for £12.50 worth of stamps. The same price is charged for all stamps even if it is just 25 x 1p.

      Delete
  2. M29 January 2018 at 19:04

    I miss the 50p stamp! Not too bad to add on to a 1st, plus 2p for first rate of international airmail.

    Last week, I bought Game of Thrones from a busier post office than my usual one - their counter book had a tab for the 50p but had no stamps. I went to my local main post office today to buy add on stamps - their counter book did not have a tab for the 50p.

    I did tweet the suggestion to Royal Mail about having useful values to make up 2nd/1st up to some postage rates... but of course, they don't take any notice.

    As for 9p stamps, I bought a load from a post office when I realised they had disappeared from elsewhere. I still have a few!

    ReplyDelete
  3. GF1 February 2018 at 11:01

    I have just received an order from the Royal Mail website. The 50p is still M12L (18/09/12). I also ordered 2p and 10p stamps. 2p - M16L (05/07/16) and 10p - M17L (27/01/17). If post offices are not selling 50p stamps who is selling the M17L stamp?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ian - Norvic1 February 2018 at 11:06

      Stock at Royal Mail retail (ie through their website) is not separated as we do.

      I understand that 50p M17L is going to be available at Stampex (there may also be a new 2017 date for £2.55 as well), and that after that they will be put in with the regular stock. The fact that some have already escaped is said to be an error (in that they always intended new stock to go to Stampex).

      However, I have been debating with RM just how they do the philatelic distribution, given that these were printed last October and must have been at Tallents House since well before Christmas. More info as I can give it.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous15 February 2018 at 06:42

    Just to confirm that 50p stock - Year 17 - was on sale on the first day of Stampex.
    Doug (Enfield)

    ReplyDelete

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