Postmarks and Postal History

Inkjet slogans abound and many only have a short lifespan. I have included this time two festive issues one advertising the Pantomime Christmas stamps which was in use between 17^th to 29^th November, which seems strange when it advertises stamps on sale on 4^th November. The second is advertising the Royal Mail website for getting details of last posting dates and postcodes and was due to be in use until 21^st December. It was produced in standard and bilingual versions.

The inkjet to the left was used to advertise the RAF Uniform stamps and this time it was in use a few days before their issue.

Post and Go Labels
Maidstone is one of the main Post Offices to have Post and Go machines and so I tried them out recently and have scanned in some of the label types. I was going to give them a glowing report as they are easy to use. I went back to get some from the second machine the next day as they can be identified by numbers on the labels but both machines were out of service. The following day both machines were still not working. A brusque customer service woman told me ‘The machines are not working.’ I commented they were not the day before either to be told, ‘They were working in the morning but not by afternoon. I think too many people have been using them. We have called out the engineers.’ A great idea then provided customers do not use them!

I show 4 versions here but five are available to print off and take away for postal use later. There is 1^st Class to 100g, 1^st Class Large to 100g, Europe up to 20g, Worldwide up to 10g (not shown) and Worldwide up to 20g. The first set of numbers at the base denote the branch code, then the machine number (here 2 on the top left set and 1 on the partial picture to the right), the session number and finally the transaction number. The labels have phosphor bands and an undulating repeating background reading Royal Mail as security features.

The post label above is for weighed items. You can weigh items on the scales attached to the machines and then you are given a selection of options. These labels have no Machin type head but have a left hand border security text and as far as I can tell this is the only way to get 2^nd Class. The weight is shown to the nearest tenth of a kilo and the postage rate. One difference here is that they have to be used that day or the next as they are dated. Machines were operational in mid-October in Bristol, Sunderland, South Shields, Doncaster, Ludgate Circus London, Maidstone, Belfast, Old Hastings and Birmingham. For the next phase, late October and November, they were being introduced in Derby, Clapham Common London, Basingstoke, Fareham, Grimsby, Chichester and Maidenhead.