If you buy Royal Mail's coin/medal covers, do you always check them for errors? MC noticed this one, and it may be that all are like that - check yours!
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| Royal Observatory coin cover with missing postmark error! |
Friday, 13 June 2025
Royal Observatory Coin Cover error - check yours!
Miscellaneous for sale: PSB definitive panes, presentation pack error, facsimile pack
There's not a great deal of news at present, so I am digging out some unusual items (mostly one-off) from my boxes to offer here rather than going to the trouble of adding them to the online shop. Postage is extra and depends on destination.
Firstly I have I've a few spare definitive panes from recent Prestige Stamp Books so I'm offering them here first rather than sending them back to Tallents House for refund.
Some are not in the latest Concise catalogue so I have guessed the catalogue numbers for those. (Note none of these have the stitching holes at left.)
Only one of each apart from D&D pane for which we have 3.
1. Dungeons & Dragons SG V5270l - 2p, 50p, £1x2 M24L - Price £3.75 (Cat £7.50)
2. Valour & Victory SG V5277l (?) - 20p & two each 50p & £1 M25L - Price £4.75
3. Churchill SG V5280l - two each 50p & £1 M24L - Price £4.50 (Cat£6.50)
4. Royal Armouries SG V5280m - two each 50p & £1 M24L - Price £4.50 (Cat£6.50)
5. Royal Observatory Greenwich SG V5280n(?) - 2 each 50p & 2nd class M25L - Price £4.75
Other offers
6. 2016 Great War Presentation Pack error - withdrawn from Post Offices - see blog.
I have a single copy of the Presenation Pack that was withdrawn because of an embarrassing error not on the stamps but on the miniature sheet holder. On the left, the first paragraph refers to Sergeant Albert Knight - his name was Alfred!
Price of pack with error £35 - or with correct version, £50 (retail for the error alone is nearly £50).
7. London 2010 Souvenir £1 PUC Facsimile pack - excellent reproduction of this iconic stamp. Price £17
8. Olympic Games 1948 Facsimile Pack 2012 - Price £12.50
The Facsimile pack, written by Douglas Muir, includes details of the selection process and unadopted designs from the 20 artists and printers who were invited to submit designs for consideration by the Stamps Advisory Committee of the time. The pack includes a non-postally valid Facsimile Sheet of the four stamps printed in gravure as a block of four.
That's all for now
Process:
1. Please check the comments to make sure what you want is still available.
2. Then leave a comment with which one(s) you want to buy, then email for payment details to ian-at-norphil.co.uk - and let me know where you live! (Postage will depend on UK or international.)
3. I'll reply same day if possible, and will show which ones are sold as soon as I can.
Posting will normally be on Tuesdays or Fridays.
Monday, 9 June 2025
Slogan postmarks for June - and other interesting postal markings.
June will have started as May ended with the default British Heart Foundation postmark although I've yet to see any examples.
We might get one for Father's Day as we did in 2023, and we might get one towards the end of the month for Pride Month, but there are no other regular slogans in previous years. Maybe the Royal Observatory will be marked, as has been done with previous years' June stamp issues.
Update 10 June
As predicted, the Father's Day slogan is in use. Thanks to OD on Stampboards for this example from Manchester Mail Centre 00/06/2025.
Don't forget
Father's
Day
Sunday 15 June
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| Father's Day slogan Manchester Mail Centre 09/06/2025 |
UPDATE
Thanks to SH for the other layout from Glasgow Mail Centre on the same day. I also received one from Cornwall Mail Centre (layout as above) dated 13/06/2025.
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| Father's Day slogan Glasgow Mail Centre 09-06-2025 |
Other postmarks and postal markings
Nothing remarkable was provided for May, except this one which was delivered in June, so I am including it here. Thanks to JH for sending this example of a 'Morse code' counter handstamp from Crab Lane Harrogate dated 30 May 2025.
Here from Google street view is the PO branch in the OneStop store at 40B Crab Ln, Harrogate HG1 3BG, which also has a bank of InPost lockers.
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| Crab Lane Post Office Harrogate HG1 3BG |
Remember, all postmarks appearing in June will be added to this post, so check here before you spend time scanning and emailing.
The Co-op is first retail chain to host Royal Mail parcel lockers
Parcel lockers first announced in January are now being installed in a partnership with the Co-op. From the Royal Mail press release:
Co-op and Royal Mail have signed a partnership to rollout parcel lockers at the convenience retailer’s stores. The first ones will launch in summer, with plans for lockers at 100 stores.
The lockers will add an additional convenient service for the community at Co-op stores, allowing people to drop off pre-labelled Royal Mail parcels and returns 24/7. Collection will also be available at the lockers soon.
The lockers provide label printing, meaning customers simply need to pay for postage online and print the label by scanning a QR code at the locker, or request a QR code if they are returning a purchase.
The Co-op is the first retail group in the convenience stores sector to host Royal Mail parcel lockers.
George Hayworth, Co-op’s Head of Online Development, said: “We are delighted to partner with Royal Mail, enabling Co-op to further expand its network of safe, secure and convenient parcel lockers. Co-op is focussed on developing added services and enhanced convenience – we aim to have the best small shops, and work to ensure our stores are a convenient destination for a range of services that meet local needs. Including growing our network of lockers to help residents, commuters and time-pressed consumers pick up or return parcels at a time that suits them, quickly, easily and conveniently.”
Thursday, 5 June 2025
Disposal of remaining Crown Post Offices to take place this year.
..... the last 108 Directly Managed Branches which are operated by the Post Office will be franchised by the autumn.
This means that those communities that currently have a Directly Managed Branch in their area will continue to be able to access Post Office services either at, or near to, the same location.
More details have been revealed in the last few days.
It is proposed that 56 Directly Managed Branches will be operated by three operators from the same premises where they are currently located whilst the long-term arrangements for the branch are finalised.
RF Retail
With 21 years’ experience in retail and Post Office, Richard Fleetwood, is the third generation of postmasters. His grandfather and father both ran branches, and his mother has had several senior roles managing Post Offices across the UK. RF Retail’s journey began when it opened its first store in the North East of England in September 2020. They currently operate six Post Office branches. RF Retail is also the largest independent operator of Banking Hubs in the UK after operating the first two in 2021. They currently operate six Banking Hubs. Another Post Office and Banking Hub are also being planned for this summer.
RFE will operate branches at Bransholme, Bridlington, Caernarfon, Chester-Le-Street, Crossgates, Gloucester, Grimsby, Morley, Nailsea, Oswestry, Redditch, South Shields, and Sunderland City.
UOE
Led by postmaster Elliot Jacobs, UOE operates nine 'Mains' Post Office branches, a Banking Hub, and a group of award-winning stationery stores across London, Hertfordshire and Surrey. With 28 years of retail experience — including over a decade as a Postmaster — Elliot brings deep expertise in running high-performing, community-driven retail operations, and is a non-executive director of POL.
Eight of UOE’s nine Post Office branches are former Directly Managed Branches (DMBs). Together, the UOE network serves over 2 million customers annually and employs more than 60 team members. All of UOE’s London Stores and Post Offices are open seven days a week.
UOE will operate these branches in London and beyond: Baker Street, Barnet, Brixton, Cambridge City, Golders Green, Hampstead, Harlesden, Harold Hill, High Holborn, Houndsditch, Islington, Kennington Park, Kilburn, Kingsbury, Kingsland High Street, Knightsbridge, Leighton Buzzard, London Bridge, Lower Edmonton, Milton Keynes, Mount Pleasant, Northolt, Oxford, Paddington Quay, Raynes Park, Roman Road Bethnal Green, St Peters Street St Albans, Stamford Hill, Wealdstone, and Windsor.
ZCO
ZCO is a well-established company based in Bolton that operates 21 Post Offices across the UK, which were all former directly managed Post Offices, as well as four banking hubs. ZCO was founded in 2014 by Zubeir Patel and now the Managing Director is Tan Musa. He has well-organised regional teams to assist with the running of Post Offices in England, Scotland and Wales.
A sister company, called Potent Solutions, set up in 2008, operates Post Office branches on a temporary basis to maintain service to communities. However, it is ZCO that is taking on these new franchised branches. The retail alongside their branches is traditionally cards and stationery. Bespoke retail also has included luggage and luggage accessories, souvenirs and beach equipment, depending upon each unique location.
ZCO will operate across the country: Bexhill-on-Sea, Canning Town, Cricklewood, Dereham, Edinburgh City, Furness House Barrow-in-Furness, Glasgow (West Nile Street), Haddington, Kendal, Kettering, Matlock, Melville Road Hove, Morecambe, Poulton-Le-Fylde, Rotherham, Saltcoats, South Ockendon, and Springburn Way Glasgow.
Run by postmaster Mikesh Parekh, Firstclass Retail operate thirteen Post Office branches in and around Greater Manchester, the majority of which are larger, Mains-style branches. With over fifteen years of experience as a postmaster, Mikesh has a wealth of experience in running post offices at the heart of communities. Being a postmaster runs in the family, with Mikesh having learned from his father at his branch in Oldham, who himself was a postmaster for fifteen years.
Mikesh also runs Interim Solutions, which delivers a number of temporary post offices. Between the two businesses, Mikesh currently operates around 30 branches and employs over 170 staff. Mikesh has a deep commitment to the community he serves and has a track record of working with local stakeholders to safeguard Post Office services.
Firstclass will run branches at Barnes Green Manchester, Breck Road Liverpool, Didsbury Village, Eccles, Hyde, Leigh, Old Swan Liverpool, and Salford City.
Liam Searle is at the helm of South Coast Retail in Dorset. He is the third generation of his family connected to Post Office branches. Both his grandmother and his father worked at Directly Managed Branches as counter clerks. His father’s career progressed to being an area manager before he took on Swanage Post Office when it was being franchised. Liam then took over as postmaster for Swanage in 2019. His Dad still helps at his Swanage branch and runs the outreach services.
The 36-year-old now also operates successful branches in Dorchester, Sherborne, Swanage, and Weymouth, plus three outreach services for three communities in the Swanage area. A banking hub also opens in Sherborne in June. Liam runs a close-knit company with 50 employees. The retail offering at his branches is cards, stationery, gifts and soft drinks.
SCR's new branches will be at Bideford, Liskeard, Mutley Plymouth, Newquay, Paignton and Teignmouth.
New operators for about another 30 branches are to be announced and will be added here.
Will there be new stamps from Post Office's new self-service kiosks?
Post Office Limited (POL) has awarded a contract for the supply of new SSKs to imageHolders - that may mean new stamps, time will tell.
This was first reported in January on the annual Post and Go News post; more information is now available.
From the Postage labels of the uk blog:
With the old NCR units on their way out, the Post Office is preparing to introduce new self-service machines. These new machines will continue to offer a wide range of services, but with improved technology, they will likely focus on contactless and card payments. This transition could mean more convenient and secure transactions for customers, but for collectors, the big question remains: will the new devices continue to offer the same collectible “Post and Go” labels?
The new machines will be equipped with the latest technology, and while it’s unclear whether they will provide the same unique stamps, many collectors are hopeful that new, limited edition stamps and postmarks will be introduced with the new systems.
The Final Year for NCR Kiosks
For now, collectors still have a chance to visit the NCR kiosks before they are replaced. These final months will offer a last opportunity to obtain stamps from these machines, which have produced some iconic labels over the years. Whether you’re looking to add to your collection of “Open Value” stamps or seek out a machine-specific code, this is the time to make those visits to your local post office before the NCR units are retired.
This is the new machine:
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| With thanks to Brian Sinnott and Elliot J. |
Brian also writes:
Design Highlights
Sleek, Space-Saving Build: The new kiosk fits seamlessly into tighter branch layouts without sacrificing functionality.
Integrated Parcel Sizing: Automated sizing and weighing hardware is built into the core unit, eliminating bulky add-ons and streamlining the user experience.
Dual-Mode Control Panel: A high-resolution touchscreen paired with tactile buttons ensures compliance with DDA accessibility standards.
Stamps on Demand
These kiosks aren’t just parcels
and labels—we’re expecting a new series of ‘Post and Go’ style stamps -
watch this space for information as soon as know
For the first time, collectors can capture not only photos of the kiosk’s streamlined chassis but also potentially secure trial-only stamp prints directly from the machine. Stay tuned for branch locations hosting the live pilot—and prepare your albums for a fresh wave of new collectables.
Royal Mail have been asked to comment on 'new stamps'.
350th Anniversary of the establishment of the Royal Observatory - 12 June 2025
Yet another Prestige Stamp Book is being issued, this time for the 350th Anniversary of the establishment of the Royal Observatory - probably more qualified than some subjects. Royal Mail is pushing the boat out with a set of six stamps, a miniature sheet, PSB and coin covers.
Information from Royal Mail
This stamp issue celebrates the history of, and the scientific developments achieved at, the Royal Observatory Greenwich, since the 350th anniversary of its foundation in 1675.
The Royal Observatory was founded by King Charles II and is one of Britain’s oldest institutions.
The Royal Observatory, Greenwich, was founded to provide better star charts that would enhance navigation for global trade.
Flamsteed House became home to ten successive Astronomers Royal who observed the stars and developed new instruments such as the Airy Transit Circle and Great Equatorial Telescope. Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) was made publicly visible via the Shepherd Gate Clock and its distribution via telegraph signals became an essential part of daily life.
Out at sea, Royal Navy surveyors plotted their longitude from Greenwich using chronometers based on John Harrison’s revolutionary marine timekeepers. The widespread use by ships worldwide of charts based on the Greenwich Meridian contributed to the international recognition of Greenwich as Prime Meridian of the world in 1884.
The Observatory survived two world wars but was ultimately defeated by London’s polluted skies. Today the historic site welcomes thousands of visitors each year and attracts even more people online with livestream events from the Annie Mauder Austrographic Telescope.
The stamps
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| Set of 6 x 1st class stamps marking the 350th Anniversary of the Royal Observatory,12 June 2025 |
In the order shown above: Flamsteed House; Airy Transit Circle Telescope; Shepherd Gate Clock; Prime Meridian; Great Equatorial Telescope; Annie Maunder Astrographic Telescope. [The stamps are in vertical se-tenant pairs in separate sheets, as shown above.]
Technical details and acknowledgements
Designed by Steers McGillan Eves, the 60 x 30 mm stamps are printed in lithography in sheets of 60 in se-tenant pairs by Cartor Security Printers (CSP). All images © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, except: Prime Meridian Stamp – lines of longitude drawing © Patrick Guenette/Alamy Stock Vector; Airy Transit Circle Telescope stamp – Black-and-white drawing © Chronicle/Alamy Stock Photo; Shepherd Gate Clock stamp – main image © Terry Mathews/Alamy Stock Photo.
The miniature sheet honours John Harrison, who has been honoured twice before on Britain's stamps.
The four-stamp miniature sheet celebrating Harrison's perseverance, determination and ingenuity.
Four First Class stamps showcase each of Harrison’s prototypes for measuring Longitude at sea that became known as H1, H2, H3 and H4.
H4, defying conventional wisdom by adopting a watch design went on to win the 1714 Longitude Act just three years before his death after a dispute over the criteria.
The next generation of clockmakers subsequently developed Harrison’s ideas into the marine ‘chronometer’ that became an essential part of navigational practice in the 19th and 20th centuries.
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| Miniature sheet of 4 x 1st class stamps issued to mark the 350th Anniversary of the Royal Observatory, 12 June 2025 |
Steers McGillan Eves also designed the 115 x 89 mm miniature sheet, which contains four 27 x 37 mm stamps printed in litho with ordinary gum by CSP. Stamp images © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London; background image – portrait of John Harrison oil on canvas by Thomas King © Science Museum, London/ Bridgeman Images.
Prestige Stamp Book
The 24-page Prestige Stamp Book explores the rich history of Astronomy at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich.
It contains all ten stamps in the Royal Observatory stamp issue and an additional page of definitive stamps, unique to the issue. Packed with historical insights the book delves into how the Observatory survived two world wars, the first female astronomers and various discoveries made by Astronomer Royals. The Special Stamp panes (including Minisheet) are printed in Litho and PVA gum. The Stamps on the Mixed Definitive pane are printed in Gravure and Self-Adhesive.
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| Cover of 350th Anniversary of the Royal Observatory Prestige Stamp Book, 12 June 2025 |
The definitive pane contains two 2nd class and two 50p stamps, cost £2.74, expected to be MPIL M25L
Products available
Set of 6 stamps, 4-stamp miniature sheet, first day covers (3 including PSB definitive pane), presentation pack, stamp cards (11), press sheet of 15 miniature sheets, £2 coin covers (cupro-nickel & brass, silver proof, gold proof), framed set, and a product described as a framed minisheet but which actually has the four stamps removed from the minisheet (or PSB pane, the mount has the same design as PSB pane 4).
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