I Focus... On the 1d Yellow Ochre (Part 3)

It began life as an experiment in a new type of stamp vending machine. The five stamp multi-value horizontal coil strip was issued in these new vending machines on 27 August 1969. The multi-value coil comprised 2x2d, 1x3d, 1x1d, and 1x4d stamps. Rolls of these coils came in two sizes, one comprising 300 sets of fives stamps and one with 600 sets.

To understand the idea behind this experiment we need to remember that Great Britain was close to the switch to decimalisation at the time. With that in mind, let us consider that the total value of each 5 stamp strip dispensed from the machine equaled 1 shilling. Here's the really cool bit to the experiment. The current one shilling coin in use was the same size, weight, and value as the forthcoming decimal 5p coin. Therefore the vending machines - in theory - would not require any alteration when the decimalisation switch was made.

In the midst of all this drama was the humble 1d yellow ochre machin definitive stamp. This new version of the 1d was printed using Head B (see Part 1). It had one centre phosphor band and a change of gum from PVA to Arabic. This is a striking finale in the life of the 1d machin definitive.

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Until next time...

I Focus... On the 1d Yellow Ochre (Part 2)

In my previous blog post I launched a new series focusing on the life and times of the 1d yellow ochre Machin head stamp. In that blog I discovered the subtle difference between head types A and B, and I also discussed the first use of coil printings for this stamp. To check out Part 1 click HERE. 

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In this blog we are going to open the cover as it were on 1ds in booklet form.  The 1d first appeared in booklet form on 25 March 1968. This was the first booklet in a series featuring different explorers on the various covers. This first booklet featured the portrait of David Livingstone and its total value was 10/-. The 1d in this booklet was printed in a single pane of 6 stamps. The stamps in this booklet have 2 phosphor bands and PVA gum (Please note that the head type of the 1d is type B throughout all the following booklets).

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Then on 6 April the humble 1d made an appearance in a new type of booklet with a total value of 2/-. This time it was printed in a horizontal se-tenant arrangement of 2 x 1d and 2 x 3d. The stamps in this booklet have 2 phosphor bands and PVA gum.  

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On 16 September 1968 a new explorer booklet came on the market. The cover of this booklet features Robert Scott the explorer and had a total value of 10/-. In this booklet the 1d appears in a single pane comprising 4 x 1d se-tenant with a vertical pair of 4d stamps. The stamps in this pane have one centre phosphor band and PVA gum.

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As if that weren't enough, our 1d friend made one final appearance in booklet form in a continuation of the explorer series which ran from February to November 1969. The covers of these booklets bore Mary Kingsley and Ernest Shackleton. In this series the pane configuration is the same as the last, but the 4d stamps have had a colour change to vermilion. Additionally, the 4 1d stamps have 2 phosphor bands. 

There is a lot of detailed information in this blog, and since I am still a novice Machin collector, there may be some mistakes. If there are any mistakes, do let me know in the comments. Additionally, I'd like to take the opportunity to thank Mervin Wallace for the use of his booklet images. Much appreciated.

Until next time...

I Focus... On the 1d Yellow Ochre (Part 1)

The 1d yellow ochre machin definitive stamp had quite an interesting career. There are many varieties to collect: from counter sheet examples to booklets and coils; and from different phosphor bands to different head types. So where does one start with such a plethora of varieties? As with a lot of cases, it is best to start at the very beginning.

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The 1d first appeared on 5 February 1968 in the form of post office counter sheets. It was printed in photogravre. And it had one distinctive feature which set it apart from all subsequent 1d iterations. This first  printing of the 1d was the only one possess what we now call Head A. All subsequent printings of the 1d had a different head style, known as Head B. So what is the difference between A and B? To make things easier, I've created an  illustration to explain the differences.

If you look closely at the bases of both head types, you can see that Head A has base that is quite flat. Now let's turn our attention to Head B. As you can see, the base of this head type is more rounded in comparison. So now we know the difference between Head A and Head B.

The second printing of the 1d was issued 11 March 1968. As with the first printing, it was issued in counter sheets. Unlike the first issue, this iteration of the 1d was printed using Head B. It should be noted that on this same day, Royal Mail also issued the 1d in vertical coils. These coils also bear the Head B type. These coil stamps can be differentiated from counter sheet examples by studying the vertical perforations to the left and right. These perforations will be machine cut as opposed to the torn perforations found on counter sheet stamps.

Now that our minds are spinning, it is probably a good idea to pause, to ruminate, and to digest all this new information. In my next blog I will delve into the intricacies of 1d booklet stamps.

Until next time...