here - deegam publications

The Deegam
Priced Catalogue
of
Elizabethan
Coil Leaders
1954 – 1994
Fourth edition, 1994
By the same author
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4 & " ' 5‘The Bookmark’ Catalogue
‘The Bookmark’ Journal,
British Philatelic Bulletin
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The Deegam Priced Catalogue
of
Elizabethan
Coil Leaders
1954 – 1994
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© 1994 D. G. A. Myall
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Copyright notices
The contents and layout of, and the codification systems used in, this Catalogue are fully
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Permission is hereby given for material used in this Catalogue to be quoted editorially in
philatelic magazines or similar periodical publications (whether or not published as a
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the author at the address below.
A general license is hereby granted for the use of the author’s copyright catalogue numbers
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Permission to use any of the illustrations in this Catalogue must be applied for in writing.
Nothing set out above is intended to affect the ability of private collectors to use the numbers
and systems for the purpose of writing up their collections, whether or not pages containing
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This Catalogue is sold on condition that it is not, by way of trade or otherwise, lent, re-sold,
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form and without a similar condition, including this condition, being imposed on the
subsequent purchaser or successor in title.
I, Douglas G. A. Myall, hereby assert and give notice of my right under section 77 of the
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this publication.
Published by D. G. A. Myall, 2 Elizabeth Avenue, BRIDPORT, Dorset, DT6 5BA, England
© August 1994
‘Deegam’ is a registered trade mark.
The dp logo is a common law trade mark in use by D. G. A. Myall.
L
Contents
Part 1 — General Notes
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Part 2 — The Lists
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Appendixes
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vi
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6
Introduction
work is not about Drake,
Raleigh or recent Prime Ministers,
6
but about QE2 coil wrappers, com-
monly called leaders, which are found
on rolls of stamps sold by the Post
Office. Very little has been published
about this branch of philately. The most
informative was an historical study
by
Langston and Corless in 1960. That
was invaluable in describing the various machines for which rolls of stamps
were made, and the methods employed
in their production. It also included a
check list of rolls issued from 1938 to
April 1960. Few articles have appeared
in the philatelic press, the most notable
on the Elizabethan issues being !those
by E.C.Ehrman and Cyril Jonas.
Langston and Corless’ check list is now
more than 30 years out of date and their
booklet is no longer in print. The purpose of the present work is to present a
complete and up-to-date list of all the
coil stamps so far issued in the Elizabethan era, together with an account of
the features which distinguish their
leaders. In doing so, it does not go over
again the ground so well covered by the
above authorities, but it is necessary, in
order to present a coherent account, to
repeat the basic facts about coil stamp
machines and the rolls produced for
them. In addition, this work contains
much new information derived from
original research.
while in store. At the printer’s works
each roll is secured by pasting it down
onto itself. Second, when the vending
machine is being loaded, the wrapper is
undone and is used to thread the roll
through the machine. It thus ‘leads’ the
roll through the mechanism so as to
deliver the first stamp to the aperture,
rather like loading a roll of film through
a projector. The leader is then torn off
and usually thrown away. Wrappers for
rolls used in business machines may
not need to be loaded in this way and
leaders for them are often simply cut
through.
So that the leader may be easily removed after the machine is loaded, it is
usually rouletted where it is attached to
the first stamp to be delivered (see figure 2). A few leaders are perforated
instead, while others are neither rouletted nor perforated.
Rolls are supplied by the printers with
an end paper, or trailer. In some cases
this forms the core onto which the roll
is wound, but its main function is to
ensure undamaged delivery of the last
stamp on the roll. In order to do this, it
must be long enough to reach from the
carrying spindle in the machine to the
delivery aperture, before it runs off. The
minimum length varies from 2 inches to
10 inches, depending on the machine
for which the roll was prepared, and
whether or not it forms the core. Like
the leader, it is usually rouletted so as
to facilitate separation of, in this case,
the last stamp from the roll.
The wrapper, or leader, serves a dual
role as its names imply. First, it is used
as a wrapper round the roll of stamps
1. ; Stamps of Great Britain Issued in Rolls and the
Machines which use them, March 1960.
2. ; A Basic Guide to Coil Production; Stamp Collecting Weekly,
18 September 1969.
3. The Wilding Coil Issues of GB; Stamp Collecting Weekly, 27 August 1970.
1
The terms ‘leader’ and ‘end paper’ are
thus derived from their intended final
usages. In fact, the methods of roll production require that the end paper be
attached first, and the leader last. This
will be clear from an account of current
roll production on the Chambon press.
The Chambon press is smaller than any
of the other presses used for printing
stamps intended for roll production. In
particular, its cylinders have a maximum of 10 columns of stamps. All
Chambon rolls made for vertical delivery therefore have only 10 to a set.
2
(Cylinders for the Jumelle and Thrissell
presses had 12 columns, giving sets of
12 for rolls delivering lower end first.)
All rolls intended for sideways delivery,
including multivalue rolls, have 10 to a
set, no matter on what press they were
printed.
All leaders are pre-printed in sheets in
numbered groups of 10 or 12, depending on the number of rolls to be prepared from the cylinder employed.
Figure 1 illustrates part of an uncut
group of ten 13p NL leaders. The fullsize sheet from which it was taken
measures 8 inches by 13 inches. Along
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both short sides of the sheets and on
the same side as the printed matter, is
a gummed strip 5mm wide. Both these
strips are rouletted. The sheet is also
rouletted across the short side to the
right of the roll numbers, 8cm from the
edge. These attributes are illustrated in
the reduced size illustration in figure 2.
In fact, these sheets are printed in the
web, then cut and stacked ready for roll
production. They are not separated into
individual leaders until the actual process of coil manufacture begins, when
a pile of them is taken to the roll making
machine.
Chambon presses web-print the stamps
from single pane cylinders and deliver
them in jumbo-sized coils. At the start
of roll production, one of these is taken
to the coil machine and the web is cut
to provide a starting point. A leader
sheet is taken from the pile and is attached to the web by its short, unprinted, end. The web is then wound on
as many rows as are needed to make up
the content of the roll, (see sidebar),
and cut. The two cut ends of the web
are then re-joined with a second leader
sheet. The gummed edge to the left of
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! the printing is attached to the piece of
the web just removed, and the gummed
edge to the right of the printing is attached to the remainder. This procedure is then repeated until there are 10
sets, which make up a working reel.
More than one working reel is made up
for each session.
The NL rolls were continuously printed
from cylinders that produced 12 rows of
stamps per revolution. An arrowhead was
engraved in the left and right margins of
the cylinders (see figure 6 for an example)
and the printers measured a revolution
from one arrowhead to the next. A consecutive forty-two sheet length (504 rows)
was taken for a set, but as only 500 stamps
were required for each roll, the last four
rows were torn off by hand and discarded
before the next leader sheet was joined.
Before a working reel is placed on the
slitting machine, the printed part of the
first leader sheet to have been attached
is removed as waste. The remainder of
this first sheet will form the end papers,
to be affixed to the cores of the first rolls
to be produced from the reel. The reel3
ing, slitting and winding then proceeds
until the next leader sheet is reached,
when it is separated at the ungummed
rouletted mark. The printed portion of
the second sheet forms the leaders for
the first set of rolls and the unprinted
portion forms the end papers for the
second set of rolls. This process is repeated until the 10 sets on the working
reel are made up.
The purpose of the rouletting of the
gummed strips is to enable the first and
last stamps in a roll to be detached by
the customer as they are delivered to
the aperture of the machine. This is
necessary for rolls produced from continuous web printing, since the leaders
and end papers are stuck direct to the
stamps. The detachable gummed strips
thus fulfil the same role as did the perforated margins which were used in the
manual production of some rolls from
sheets.
On receipt of rolls from the printers, the
Post Office checks them and then seals
them for storage. Until 1969 this was
done by passing tape (usually pink but
occasionally deep red or even white)
through the core and fastening its two
ends with red wax impressed with the
St. Edwards crown. There have been
slight differences in the seals over the
years, but these are not within the
scope of this Catalogue. In fact, it is
recommended that the wax and tape be
removed before mounting the leader for
display. This should be done carefully,
so as to reveal the rouletted end of the
leader where that exists.
From 16 October 1989, wax sealing and
red tape were displaced by small strips
of transparent sealing tape.
From the method of Chambon roll production already described, it will readily be understood that preservation of a
leader in its original uncut and undam4
aged state is not a common thing. In
particular, rolls prepared for affixing
machines and sold commercially are
almost invariably cut, thus effectively
rendering them in two pieces, albeit still
joined under the wax or Sellotape. Even
where separation is attempted at the
original pasted join, it is exceedingly
difficult to succeed in achieving this
without tearing or thinning the leader.
In order to mount and display leaders
which have been cut, it will usually be
necessary to separate the two pieces at
the original join and then effect a repair,
e.g., with a stamp hinge.
How many stamps?
The question of how many stamps
should be attached to a leader is mostly
a matter of preference (assuming that
one’s choice has not been pre-empted
by a previous owner.) Ideally, the minimum number is three. This allows the
end stamp to be folded back so that the
gum, watermark, graphite lines, or
other interesting and identifying characteristics on the reverse side may be
displayed, as well as the value, colour
etc. of the stamp itself.
Longer lengths may be retained for special purposes; for example, to demonstrate that the roll was made by joining
sheet strips, or to show that a flaw was
constant by having two examples on
the same piece. Any length over, say,
five or six stamps will, however, present
problems of mounting, and many such
strips purchased from old collections
will be found to have been folded
across some of the stamps contained in
them, or even to have had stamp hinges
stuck to the face of some stamps.
If the leader is the primary purpose of
the display, it will usually have to be
folded. The object should be to present
to the viewer: the front of the leader (to
show its colour, the printed text, and
the layout); the reverse of the leader (to
show whether the paper is rough or
smooth, self-coloured or white, and
whether the leader is watermarked,
gummed etc.); and the front and back
of the attached stamps. There are two
methods of doing this.
2nd fold
1st fold
$
The second method of display is suitable for leaders which deliver the
stamps left side first. (It is also recommended for the unusual L and R rolls
which delivered top end first.) This also
involves two folds. The first fold is to the
left of the printer’s imprint and is made
# The first method is suitable for leaders
which deliver stamps lower end first,
and involves two folds. The first fold is
made at right-angles across the leader
just to the left of the printer’s imprint,
doubling the leader under and thus
making the stamps visible to the right.
The second fold is also made at rightangles across the leader, to the right of
the roll number, doubling the end underneath so as to reveal ⁄ " or so of the
underside of the leader – this is sufficient to show its characteristics. This
method presents leader and stamps in
a single line. It is illustrated in figure 3.
reverse of leader with
rouletting
stamp 3
diagonally downwards at 45°, so that
the printed part is above and at rightangles to the rest of the leader. The
second fold is also at 45°, bringing the
rest of the leader and the stamps parallel to the printed portion. This second
fold should be made so as to leave a
small piece of the reverse side visible
between the two parallel lengths. This
method will leave the stamps face uppermost, and at least one should be
folded back to show the reverse. It is
illustrated in figure 4.
All types of leader may be folded by
method 2 if desired. An advantage of
$
% % 2nd fold
"
# 5
method 1, where it is available, is that
it permits more variable mounting arrangements on the album page, (horizontal, diagonal, vertical), than does
method 2.
For exhibition purposes, it is desirable
to vary the arrangement from page to
page if possible. No more than two, or
at the very most three, leaders should
appear on any page. More than this will
give a cluttered appearance, even with
the minimum of descriptive wording.
The roll number is meant to indicate
that part of the cylinder from which the
attached stamps came, i.e., the column
(for vertical coils) or the row (for sideways coils), so that damaged areas can
be quickly located for repair, but it is not
as simple as that. Even if wrappers are
put on in the correct order, the correlation between the roll number and the
stamp column, or row, will depend on
the way the stamps are reeled. This is
particularly true of rolls for vertical delivery. If these are reeled face inwards
to the core, column 1 will equate with
roll 1. But if they are reeled face outwards, roll 1 will be from column 10 (or
12). Moreover, double pane cylinders
were sometimes used, distinguished by
the cylinder number having a dot in the
(usually) right-hand pane and no dot in
the other. No such distinction was
made on the leaders, so that roll 6, for
example, may have come from either
pane.
This inconsistency can be confusing if
one is seeking to establish that a flaw
came from a given roll number, or is
attempting to establish a multipositive
tie-up between cylinders used for coil
stamps and other cylinders used for
printing sheet or booklet stamps. Indeed, it makes it unsafe to be dogmatic
in asserting that a given flaw will always
be found on rolls with the same number. For example, a flaw found on roll 4
6
of the ⁄ d G, W, Y or AA coils (with !⁄""
cores, for use in Kermode machines)
will occur on roll 9 of D coils (1⁄"" core,
for use in POKO machines) – provided,
of course, that these come from the
same pane of the same cylinder. This
sort of thing can also happen inadvertently.
Multivalue rolls are known with the
stamps presented inverted to the leaders, with consequential reversal of the
normal roll numbering. These are listed
in section 5 of the Catalogue.
The placing of the roll number in relation to the rest of the printing on Wilding wrappers varies, not only from roll
to roll, but also, occasionally, on leaders with the same stock code letter, and
having identical stamps. This would
seem to indicate that the roll number
was added as a separate operation, but
the printers deny this and say that it
was always printed with the main text.
There must, therefore, have been more
than one printing of certain leaders, in
which the placing of some of the roll
numbers in a set (but not necessarily all
of them) differed.
Langston and Corless call these differences ‘settings’, and tabulate them by
measuring the distance between the extreme right hand edge of the letter ‘ ’ in
the word and the extreme left
hand edge of the roll number. Many of
their different settings coincide with the
use of different typefaces on the leader
(see Appendix 1). On the other hand,
many leaders have different typefaces
but the same setting.
The variations in the alphabets used for
the stock code letter (and in some of the
other printing on the leader) are of
much more importance than variations
in the placing of the roll numbers. Accordingly, roll number settings are not
further considered in this Catalogue.
No leader is known with two different
settings of the same roll number with
the same alphabet.
Basically, there are only two types of
coil vending machine, viz: official and
private; although there are several subtypes of each. The main difference between the two types is that the official
machines are coin-operated and simply
deliver the stamp, while private machines are either hand or electrically
operated and automatically affix the
stamp to mail as part of their operation.
The Post Office has produced stamps in
a special format for use in many of the
private machines.
Private machines which vend loose
stamps derived from normal sheet
make-up are not covered in this book.
Official Machines.
There have been two principal types of
machine used on official premises to
vend stamps printed in rolls. These are
the ‘Kermode’ (named after the lady
who introduced the original New Zealand invention to this country in 1906),
and the ‘G’ machine. Neither is now in
use.
The Post Office allocates code letters to
all its vending machines, whether they
be used for rolls, booklets, postal orders, or postal stationery, etc. The last
of the Kermode type were known as B4
and C4 machines (see below). The sequence had reached F (dispensing 2/booklets of stamps) when new roll machines were installed, and these were,
accordingly, designated G.
(In the decimal era, the F machines
were modified to take the 7-sided 50p
coin, and these were known as F2, the
original F machines being renamed F1.
They have since been followed by further booklet machines, known as H, J,
K and L.)
The Kermode machines dispensed one
stamp (B4) or two stamps (C4) for a
single coin. The rolls had a !⁄"" cardboard core onto which the end paper,
which was usually about two inches in
length, was wound. The stamps were
almost invariably reeled face inwards to
the core and delivered lower end first.
The G machines were designed to dispense a variable number of stamps for
one or more coins. They were mainly
used for the multivalue rolls that were
delivered left side first. An exception
was a prototype machine used for some
of the H rolls.
Hillday machines
Hillday machines, which are electronically-operated and give change, have
been installed in most of the main Post
Offices. They are more economic than
counter staff and save queuing. The
first machine was installed in Winchester in May 1987. It dispensed single 1stor 2nd-class stamps from vertical rolls.
In March 1992, Mark 2 machines dispensed the 33p rolls of stamps for airmail postcards. Mark 3 machines,
dispensing four different rolls (1st- and
2nd-class letters, overseas postcards
and airmail letters) began to be installed in 1993. Some offices, however,
loaded the slots with only rolls for the
inland letter rates (two slots for each).
Private Machines.
Today, there are many different types of
stamp affixing machine used by commercial organisations with a large user.
They range from the hand-held Twinlock Postafix to some very large wallmounted machines. However, they
may be categorised into two principle
types: those which deliver stamps vertically and those which deliver stamps
sideways. The first of these types to be
established commercially were the
POKO and Multipost machines respectively.
7
POKO machines
The original POKO machines were of
German origin, built by Göbel of Darmstadt (the same firm that made the Libra
booklet making machine used by Harrisons). The name is derived from
rto ntroll (postage control).
This type of machine delivers stamps
vertically. Rolls for them have a 1⁄""
cardboard core when the stamps are
delivered lower end first, and a ⁄ " core
made from the end paper when the
stamps are delivered top end first. End
papers are usually about 6⁄ inches
long for the former and about 10 inches
for the latter, the longer papers being
needed partially because of their use as
the core. The stamps are reeled face
outwards from the core.
Multipost machines
The original Multipost machines were
of American origin. They delivered
stamps sideways. Rolls for them had a
⁄ " core made from the end paper. End
papers were usually about 10 inches
long. The stamps were reeled face outwards from the core and were delivered
left side first. Multipost machines
ceased to be sold in the U.K. about
1958 as improved machines of the type
began to appear. The modern Bandafix,
for example, is a machine of the Multipost type.
References to POKO and Multipost in
the Catalogue lists are intended to indicate only the type of machine for which
the relevant rolls were prepared. This
information serves as an indication of
8
the core size and length of the end
paper, rather than that the roll was actually prepared for the named machines.
Apart from simple hand-held types, all
roll dispensing machines, whether official or private, are maintained by Post
Office engineers. For testing purposes,
the engineers use specially designed
labels printed by Harrison in roll form.
Poached eggs
The main design used in Elizabethan
machines is a modification of the
‘poached egg’ of the previous reign.
Those are known to have been postally
used (possibly because a machine
vended them), and the design now has
the added words: ‘For Testing Purposes
Only’. They are known on various papers, both watermarked and non-watermarked.
These testing labels, too, have their
leaders, and figure 5 shows one with
lengthwise delivery labels. Very little is
known about the different leaders prepared for these labels as, naturally,
none was officially issued. The few that
are known are listed in Section 6.
Hillday labels
Test labels for Hillday machines are
printed by that firm. They are ungummed. The design (figure 6) consists
of a large letter H and the firm’s address,
printed in red. Each label is individually
numbered in black. There was no
leader.
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Pre-decimal cylinder prefix letters
/
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1 2
% 3 21–row to provide continuously printed
rolls for the relevant graphite lined
stamps with E watermark.
Decimal numbers
The numbering of the cylinders used for
decimal coils and booklets follows a
different system. Those for booklets are
prefixed B; those for rolls are prefixed
10
R. (A few early decimal rolls were
printed from unprefixed unified cylinders. These were designed to print
sheets and booklets as well as coils,
although in the event they were not
used for sheets.)
All decimal roll cylinders are made for
continuous printing and no handmade
rolls from sheet printings exist. Consequently, no cylinder numbers appear
on the rolls as issued. At least, they
were not meant to! But, by a happy
mischance, a piece of the selvedge with
a cylinder number remained attached
to a decimal multivalue coil and caused
a stoppage in the ‘G’ machine in which
it was loaded. It was rescued for an
interested philatelist by an alert postmaster. It is illustrated in figure 7.
The numbers of all cylinders, including
unified cylinders, used for all Elizabethan coil production are given in the
Catalogue lists as part of the entry for
each leader.
Commemorative coils
The only Elizabethan commemorative
stamps ever to have been issued to the
public in roll form were the World Scout
Jamboree trio of 1st August 1957. They
were produced for the affixing machines used to service first day covers.
The cylinders used were: 2 ⁄ d J1; 4d J1;
1/3d J2. The letter J probably stood for
Jamboree. They were for continuous
printing and the stamps were made into
! "
rolls, each containing 4,800, and numbered from 1 to 6. (The stamps were
twice the size of the definitives and so
yielded half the usual number of rolls.)
The rolls were placed on public sale at
the London Chief Office, but there was
little demand for them (probably because of their high cost – the 1/3d roll
cost £280). Consequently, some of
them were re-wound into smaller rolls
of 480 for the 2⁄ d and 4d, and of 240
for the 1/3d, in which form they were
placed on sale on 2nd September 1957.
Again, sales were poor.
The total numbers of rolls sold were:
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1
11
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Of the large size, 13 rolls of each value
were used for official First Day Cover
servicing.
In addition to those from the smaller
rolls, about 20 sets of the leaders from
the larger rolls survive, including those
from the fdc servicing, although most of
the latter do not have any stamps attached. All Scout Jamboree rolls were
withdrawn from sale on 11th September 1957.
The Vacumatic machines in which the
rolls were loaded for cover servicing
were tested by Post Office engineers.
The testing labels used were the usual
adaptation of the ‘poached egg’ design
in grey-black on E watermarked paper,
but were in pairs to correspond with the
size of the special issue, and were imperforate between.
Red labels on C watermarked paper
(CPP) were specially prepared and issued with the Philatelic Bulletin in 1964
— see page 147.
! On 7 February, 1989, as part of its campaign to popularise stamp collecting,
the Sunday Times magazine contained
a Valentine’s day card with an unused
Cupid Greetings stamp affixed. These
were from column 2 of the web used for
the first issue of these special booklets,
and were made into coils specially for
the event, the rest of the print being
discarded as waste. The leaders consisted of perforated blanks, but it is not
known whether any survived.
" The information printed on a stamp roll
leader is usually more extensive than
that shown on the test leader in figure
5. Changes in this information, in the
paper from which the leader is made,
and in the stamps to which they are
affixed, make coil leaders a fascinating
subject for study, accentuated by the
fact that many of them are extremely
scarce. The variables taken into account in differentiating leaders for inclusion in this Catalogue are described
below.
Paper and Printing
A leader is usually colour coded in
some way. Early Elizabethan issues
were attached to leaders made of paper
of the same colour as the stamps, and
the printing was usually in black, although red, orange and green are
known. Later, plain buff coloured paper
became more usual, with the printing in
approximately the same colour as the
stamp. Both coloured and buff papers
may be either smooth or rough in texture. Paper is sometimes self-coloured
and may have a white reverse. Buff
paper is always self-coloured.
There are, however, several cases
where the colour of neither the paper
nor the printing bears any relation to
the colour of the stamps. An obvious
example, of course, occurred with the
11
multivalue coils. Most other cases are
because the leaders prepared for one
issue continued to be used for a later
one. This happened most notably with
the pre-decimal 4d stamps; the leaders
for the Wilding issues were printed in
blue, the colour of the stamps, but this
was unaltered for the Machin 4d sepia
and the Machin 4d red.
Printer’s Watermark.
Leaders made from coloured paper with
a white reverse sometimes bore the
printer’s house watermark, viz: ‘Harrison & Sons, London’, in multiple script.
This is almost invariably across the
leader rather than along it. Consequently, the complete watermark is not
seen on any individual leader – see
figure 8. The sole exception occurred on
the ⁄ d P coils. On these, the watermark
appeared lengthwise down the leader,
and so is complete. This is illustrated in
figure 9. Self-coloured paper, whether
buff or not, is never watermarked.
Except on P coils, the printer’s house
watermark, viewed from the front, may
be found either upright or inverted in
relation to the printer’s imprint.
left
4 ' 5
6 below
7 ' 6
8 12
Gum
Some leaders are gummed, others are
not. Gumming is confined to the early
Wilding issues, and was probably to
facilitate use of the leader as a sealing
wrapper to secure the roll while in store.
This was wasteful of a scarce product
(only gum arabic was used) and when
pasting and wax sealing became the
norm gumming was dispensed with.
In 1989, wax seals were discontinued
and all rolls were secured by a narrow
strip of transparent Sellotape.
Perforation
Some leaders are perforated at their
long edges, gauge 14; others are imperforate. There is no consistent pattern.
Some of the leaders used on rolls made
from sheets are imperforate, while
many of those used in mechanical roll
production are perforated. Perforation
was not, therefore, to facilitate their
manual separation during roll production. (Leaders have been slit and rolled
by machine from the earliest days.) It is
more likely that it was a requirement of
certain machine loading and delivery
mechanisms.
Perforated leaders appeared less often
from around 1963, and eventually perforation was considered to be unnecessary. Leaders for some rolls issued
during the change-over can accordingly
be found both perforated and imperforate for the same stamp issue. These are
listed separately in the Catalogue. No
decimal leader is perforated.
When perforation of leaders ceased,
the divisions between them on the uncut leader sheet were marked by dotted
cut lines. These were to provide guide
lines for aligning the cutting machine,
and properly severed leaders show only
a trace of the dotted lines. Figure 10
shows a miscut leader with a full cut
line. Cut lines were soon dispensed
with, and very few such leaders exist.
Stock Letter Codes.
! The Post Office Supplies Department
needs a means of identifying rolls in
store when responding to requisitions.
Rolls may differ, not only in the method
of delivery or value of the stamps, but
also in the number of stamps in the roll.
(Some machines in busy locations have
a bigger user than others and larger
capacity rolls mean less frequent reloading.) Ever since 1912, the different
rolls have been identified by their stock
letter codes printed on the leader.
Basically, stock code letters are allocated in alphabetical order, but there
have been some important exceptions.
For example, gaps caused by discontinued rolls are often re-used. Also, where
the code consisted of a single letter, the
letters I and Q were not used because
of possible visual confusion with the
letters J and O, which were. The letters
U and V were omitted until 1949. After
the letter Z was reached and there was
no ‘vacant’ letter, the series continued
with double letter codes AA, AB etc.
A change was made in the system with
the advent of multivalue rolls. The first
of these were issued on 27 August 1969,
and were coded GL and GS. These were
mnemonic codes and referred to the
fact that they were for use in special
machines, known to the Post Office as
‘G’ machines. The letters L and S stood
for ‘large’ and ‘small’ respectively. The
GL rolls had exactly the same stamp
make-up as the GS rolls but had twice
as many stamps — 3,000 (600 strips of
5) against 1,500 (300 strips). (These
rolls should not be confused with thed G rolls coded in the normal alphabetical sequence described above.)
With the change-over to decimal coinage in February 1971, multivalue strips
continued to be dispensed from the G
type machines, but the coding system
was changed to alphanumerical: G1,
G2, G3 etc.
The purely alphabetical sequence was
continued for the other decimal rolls,
but began afresh at the letter A, and
with either the letter L or the letter S
added; giving AS, CL, etc. This time,
however, the letters L and S stood for
‘lengthways’ and ‘sideways’ respectively, referring to the method of delivery. The letter G was originally omitted
from the decimal series of single value
rolls, presumably because the combinations GS and GL might be confused
with the pre-decimal multivalue rolls
produced for the G machines. However,
12⁄ p GL rolls were issued on 1 February 1982.
In 1979, there was a change in the
policy of allocating code letters for the
single value rolls for lengthwise delivery. A new alphabetical series was begun, with the letter L as a suffix. In 1986,
a fresh series was started for sideways
delivered rolls, with the letter S as a
prefix.
Partly because of this inconsistency in
the decimal roll lettering, and partly
because the future is uncertain, decimal single value rolls are catalogued in
two separate sections in this book depending on the method of delivery of
⁄
13
the stamps – sections 3 and 4. Full
details of the differing methods used to
allocate stock letter codes to the decimal single value rolls are given in
Appendix 3.
Typefaces.
The typeface used to print the code
letter (and most of the other printing on
the leader) was a serif type for pre-decimal rolls and a sans serif type for decimal rolls. However, there were two
quite different typefaces used for most
of the Wilding issues. (On a few rolls
there were three.) These are illustrated
in Appendix 1. They are referred to in
this Catalogue as alphabet 1, 2 or 3 in
the order in which they appeared for
each stock code. This important identifying feature was published for the first
time in the first edition of the Leader Catalogue.
A quick way of distinguishing alphabet
1 from the others, on all rolls up to and
including Z, is to look at the letters and in the word printed on
the leader. In alphabet 1 they are wide;
in the others they are thin and narrow.
Overprints etc.
It has already been mentioned that the
printers occasionally used leaders that
had been prepared for an earlier issue.
Sometimes, this practice required that
the information printed on the leader be
amended. Such amendments were usually made by overprinting or by overstamping, but an occasional alteration
was made by hand.
The automatic mail sorting and facing
experiments, carried out during the
decade from 1957 to 1967, were confined to selected geographical areas.
This led to a need for Post Office Supplies Department to be able to identify
the specially treated stamps when
meeting requisitions from those areas.
The stamps concerned were: the graphite lined issues, with St. Edward and
14
Multiple Crowns watermarks; and the
stamps overprinted, sequentially, with
B1 (green), B2 (blue) and B3 (violet)
phosphor bands.
All these experimental issues were
printed in roll form, although not all
values and stock letters were affected.
The relevant leaders were subjected to
a total of eight different overprints or
handstamps. These are all illustrated in
figure 11. Overprints 1, 2, 5 and 6 were
handstamps; the others were typographed. The colour of the handstamped overprints varies, as does the
number of times they may appear on a
particular leader. Details are given in
the lists.
The overprints were not tied exclusively
to the issues they described, since
stocks of leaders already printed and on
hand were used to exhaustion when
later stages of the experiments made
some of them obsolete. It seems that
any kind of overprint sufficed for Supplies Department’s purposes, even if it
were technically wrong. An interesting
example of this is OP7, where leaders
already overprinted simply
had added to them when the B3
violet phosphor replaced the B2 blue
phosphor, making a nonsensical overprint.
Some B3 phosphor rolls are known to
have been issued with plain leaders.
There are also one or two cases of nonphosphor stamps being attached to
leaders bearing a phosphor overprint,
but these were probably caused by
omitting the phosphor from the stamps
in error.
From mid-1967, after the field trials
were successfully completed, phosphor
tagged stamps became the norm, and
roll leaders ceased to differentiate between phosphor and non-phosphor
stamps. Areas that were not automated
simply ignored the phosphor.
LINE
STAMPS
OP1
3mm x 19mm
OP3
21⁄2mm x 141⁄2mm
OP5
5mm x 19mm
OP7
(the position of
the B3 varies)
LINE
STAMPS
OP2
3mm x 23mm
OP4
21⁄2mm x 101⁄2mm
OP6
51⁄2mm x 8mm
OP8
2mm x 101⁄2mm
figure 11 overprints used for leaders with
experimental phosphor stamps
Other types of overprint have occurred
in the decimal issues and are described
in the detailed lists. They were usually
made as a result of gum changes, not
because these made any difference to
the Post Office’s operational requirements but in order to meet philatelic
requisitions. They were made before
the printed sheet of leaders and trailers
was slit during production.
The printed information on the leaders
varies, but, in addition to the stock code
letter and roll number, almost always
includes: number and value of the
stamps, the price of the roll, the method
of delivery of the stamps, and the
printer’s imprint. Towards the end of the
Wilding issues, the (EIIR) cipher was
added and the price was moved from
the centre to the left.
This reference to the Queen as the second of that name caused some protests
in Scotland where she is in fact the first
Elizabeth to rule that country. Leaders
for the early Machin decimal stamps
included ‘QE II — MACHIN’ (despite
the previous objections); this was
sometimes in brackets. Later still, all
references to the monarch or to Machin
were dropped.
The eight different layouts (and three
subtypes) employed for the printed information on leaders are illustrated in
figures 12 – 22 on the following pages.
Some otherwise identical issues appeared with more than one layout and
these are all noted in the detailed lists
in Part 2 of the Catalogue.
A few specially made up rolls not
placed on general sale have leaders
with no printed information on them.
They include some of the ‘Readers Digest’ rolls and the giant rolls of 10,000
stamps which appeared from late 1990.
Printer’s imprint
The printer’s imprint on the leaders always appears at the left of the other
printing and at right-angles to it. It always reads upwards.
The Harrison imprint on the leaders
remained unchanged for the whole of
the period from 1954, when the first
Elizabethan rolls were issued, until well
into the decimal era. There have still
been only two imprints used. No leader
occurs with both types of imprint and
they are, accordingly, not mentioned in
the detailed lists.
15
8 $ 8 9
-::+
" $
8 9
;-:: <=':
> "
8 9
;-:: <=': 9
8'?0 9 @A<
:: <=':
&
"
8 9
;-::5<=': 9
8'?0 9 @A<
::
<=':
(
>
8 % 9
;-:: <=': 9
8'?0 9 @A<
:: <=':
4
>
8 % 9
;-:: # <=': 9
8'?0 9 @A<
::
<=':
16
7
&
8 % 9
;-:: <=': 9 8'?0
:: <=':
&
8 % 9 ;-:: #
<=': 9 8'?0
::
<=':
(
B=A- 283
4
B=A- 9 8'?0 9 @A<
Part 2 of this Catalogue lists all known
different leaders under each stock code
letter. The list is divided into five groups
as follows:
• Section 2 — all single value predecimal rolls, whether Wilding or
Machin.
• Section 3 — single value decimal
rolls for lengthwise delivery.
• Section 4 — single value decimal
rolls for sideways delivery.
• Section 5 — the multivalue rolls,
whether pre-decimal or decimal.
• Section 6 — the Jamboree rolls
and all known leaders with testing
labels.
In each section, other than Section 6,
the rolls are listed in alphabetical order
of stock code letters. Where more than
one colour of paper was used under a
given code letter, the leaders are listed
in separate groups and cross-referenced. Apart from this, leaders are, as
far as is known, placed in chronological
order of issue. However, many dates of
issue are unknown (there was rarely
any kind of official announcement) and
some of the dates given in the Catalogue are simply those of the earliest
known purchases (taken from contemporary reports) or of first deliveries from
the Post Office Supplies Department.
Each different leader is given a unique
catalogue number, consisting of the
17
Stock Code Letter + the chronological
number. Thus H3 indicates the third
issue (in chronological order) of the 4d
stamps from rolls with stock letter H.
Individual roll numbers are indicated,
where required, by a slash after the
catalogue number. For example, H3/7
indicates the leader from roll 7 of the
above 4d set. Where desired, the number of stamps attached is given after a
+ sign. For example, A1/7+5 indicates
roll number 7 of the 4d A leader with
five E watermark stamps attached.
The leaders with inverted printer’s
watermark do not warrant full Catalogue numbers as they are so numerous
(there is hardly an issue of the relevant
period that does not exist in both
forms), but they may be distinguished,
if desired, by the addition of a lower
case letter ‘a’ to the main Catalogue
number. For example, DG X1a/9 means
roll 9 of the 1d X coil with Tudor watermarked stamps and with an inverted
printer’s watermark on the leader.
Although, in compiling this Catalogue,
reference has been made to a very wide
selection of leaders, it is possible that
there are some types unknown to the
author which would need to be placed
in their proper chronological context,
thus displacing any subsequent reference numbers for the stock letter concerned. Only four have come to light
since the first edition of this Catalogue
was published in 1982, but the author
would be glad to learn of any which are
unlisted, with a view to their inclusion
in a future edition.
!
Numbers issued
Some of the leaders are rare – in many
cases fewer than 100 are known to have
survived, and some exist in single figures only. Where known numbers issued are small, they are given in the
lists.
18
Reason for issue, etc.
Information specific to a given type of
roll is included at the start of the lists
under the stock letter concerned. This
includes the reason for its issue or withdrawal. For particularly interesting
leaders, some historical notes are included –see, for example, stock letters
G and M in Section 2.
Each entry in the Catalogue gives details of the stamps attached to the
leader. For decimal issues, these include the Catalogue numbers from The
Complete Deegam Machin Handbook.
The usual philatelic abbreviations are
used in the lists. They include:
Gum
GA
PVAl
DEX
Heads
Gum Arabic
Polyvinyl Alcohol adhesive
Polyvinyl Alcohol adhesive
with Dextrin added
A, B etc.; as used in The Complete
Deegam Machin Handbook, where they
are illustrated.
Paper
ACP
CPP
FCP
OCP
PCP
PPP
WPP
OFNP
OFPP
‘A’ Coated Paper
Cream paper printing
Fluorescent Coated Paper
Original Coated Paper
Phosphor Coated Paper
Phosphor Printed Paper
Whiter paper printing
OBA-free non-phosphorised
paper
OBA-free phosphorised
paper
The Wilding portrait stamps were all
CPP or WPP; the Machin stamps were
on one or more of the other papers.
(Wilding stamps on chalk coated paper
do not exist in rolls; they were issued
only in booklet form.)
Phosphor types
B1
B2
B3
A
C
Green phosphorescence under
long wave ultra violet light;
Blue phosphorescence under
long wave ultra violet light;
Violet phosphorescence under
short wave ultra violet light;
A new phosphor introduced in
1986
‘A’ phosphor with a yellow-green
fluor added.
The B1, B2 and B3 phosphors were
used for the Wilding issues; B3 was
used for all the Machins, both pre-decimal and decimal, up to the end of 1986.
An official announcement in the Philatelic Bulletin of August 1986 stated that
‘A’ phosphor would be used for all future printings employing phosphor cylinders (as distinct from phosphor
coated papers.) However, it was not
used on roll stamps until the 14p OL
and SD rolls, which were issued on 5
September 1988. The SB rolls were
therefore the last to be issued with the
old B3 phosphor.
printings for horizontal rolls, where it
was sideways left (viewed from the front
of the stamp). Rolls were made up from
sheets if the cost of making a special
cylinder for continuous printing was
not warranted by the numbers required. Where such a roll was for horizontal delivery, the stamps therefore
had upright instead of sideways watermarks. These are distinguished in the
lists.
No stamp with the Machin portrait exists on watermarked paper.
#$ Non-standard abbreviations used in
the Catalogue lists in Sections 2 to 6 are
as follows:
Direction of Printing
U upright;
I inverted;
SR sideways to the right;
SL sideways to the left.
These variations correspond to the direction of the watermark on watermarked papers, and they have the same
Phosphor application
basic cause. The direction of the printCB Centre bar, usually 4mm wide;
ing on lengthwise delivered stamps is
LB side bar left;
usually upright (in relation to the porRB side bar right;
trait) but was occasionally inverted. On
2B one bar left and one bar right;
sideways delivered stamps it may be
8mm Width of the bands producing either to the left or the right. The deterthe bars;
mination of printing direction is fully
9.5mm Width of the bands producing described in The Complete Deegam Mathe bars;
chin Handbook, where greatly enlarged
150
coarse mesh screen
photographs show exactly what to look
(150 lines per inch);
for in making an identification.
250
fine mesh screen
Value Types and Settings
(250 lines per inch).
The System of identifying the
Watermarks
origin of single values is used in this
book. It is fully set out and illustrated
T E2R cipher and Tudor crown;
E E2R cipher and St. Edward’s crown; in The Complete Deegam Machin Handbook. An example of the usefulness of
C Multiple St. Edward’s crown.
system may be seen in the entry for
All the Wilding portrait issues have one this
or other of these watermarks. This was the AS coils in section 4.
always upright, except on continuous
19
Method of Delivery of the Stamps
This is indicated on the leader and is
abbreviated in the Catalogue to:
LEF
Lower end first W
TEF Top end first;
LSF
Left side first;
RSF Right side first
‡ On most leaders for decimal rolls designed for vertical delivery, there is no
indication of the fact, but on a few early
ones the expression used was: ‘lower
edge first’.
Leader Paper Characteristics
In the column headings in the Catalogue lists, the following abbreviations
are used:
W the leader paper is Watermarked;
G the leader is Gummed;
P the leader is Perforated;
I the leader is Imperforate;
— not applicable
(i.e. not watermarked, not
gummed, or not perforated,
as appropriate);
L type of layout, numbered to
accord with the illustrations
in figures 12 to 22;
A Alphabet type, numbered as in
Appendix 1.
Single stamps derived from coils are
inherently identifiable as such, even if
the rolls were made up from stamps
originally printed for sheets. A full account of the methods by which identification may be made was originally
given by the author in an article for the
British Decimal Stamps Study Circle in
1974 and now forms part of ‘The Complete Deegam Machin Handbook’. It involves examination of the edges of the
stamp under a glass. Where a stamp
was torn (T) from its neighbour, the
edge will be frayed. Where it was guillotined during production, the perforations will be clean cut (C).
20
In what has since become known as the
stamp are taken in turn in clockwise
order starting at the top with the image
upright. Thus a non-marginal stamp
taken from a sheet will be TTTT; a
stamp taken from a horizontal coil will
be CTCT; one taken from a vertical coil
will be TCTC. These notations are occasionally used in the lists in this book.
convention, the four edges of a
%
& Since each section of the Catalogue
lists is in alphabetical order of stock
letter, and since many values were issued under more than one letter (especially in the pre-decimal period), some
form of cross–reference between the
two may be found helpful. This is given
in Appendix 2, where all the code letters
so far used for each value are listed.
Vertical and horizontal coils are distinguished. (The method used by the Post
Office to allocate stock code letters to
the single value decimal rolls is explained in Appendix 3.)
When a need to issue a value in roll
form, whether for vertical or horizontal
delivery, arose for the first time, there
was not always time for the printers to
make the special cylinders required to
meet the release date. Accordingly,
some Wilding issues were made up by
hand from sheets. When cylinders later
became available for continuous printing, the rolls were made by machine but
continued to be issued under the same
stock letter. This distinction, where it
exists, is made in the main lists and not
in the cross–reference table. This practice resulted in the popular coil join
pairs which are listed in Appendix 4.
'
All the stamps in this Catalogue were
printed in photogravure by Harrison &
Son Ltd.
&
Rolls are packed into cartons for delivery to Royal Mail Stores and from there
to Post Offices, philatelic outlets and to
large commercial organisations, in response to requisitions. The number of
rolls in a carton varies according to the
size of the roll. The cartons bear a label
stating the contents and other relevant
information, such as the identifying
stock letter code.
Some of these labels are illustrated in
Appendix 5 where an account is given
of those rolls on concurrent sale and
issued under the same stock letter code.
These had, therefore, to be identified by
other means. This led to the use of ‘type
numbers’ on the labels.
Some firms privately prepared rolls for
their own use. They were vertical coils,
made up from sheet stamps and joined
by the selvedge. Those known to the
Editor are the 6d and 1/- Wilding
stamps with St. Edwards Watermark.
The leaders were plain brown paper,
unprinted, but sometimes with manuscript additions. For example, the 1/roll leader is known annotated ‘960 x
1/-’. Prices over £200 have been asked
for a single example but, because such
rolls could be made today without difficulty, they are not further mentioned
or listed in this Catalogue.
The prices given in the lists which follow are for leaders in good condition
with three stamps attached (or a strip of
five if from a multivalue roll). Three
stamps are sufficient to mount and display the leader according to the methods recommended on page 5.
Substantial discounts should be expected if the leader is not continuous,
i.e., has been cut into two pieces, or is
damaged or if the stamps do not have
full perforations, unless the leader is
exceptionally scarce.
The author is not a dealer and does not
undertake to supply leaders for sale.
G
21
Reserved page
22
SECTION 2
Pre-decimal rolls
Vertical and Horizontal
(Wilding portrait and
Machin head)
23
Stock letter
A
!"!
#$ $% This value prepaid the foreign letter rate until 17 May 1965, when it became the
minimum rate for inland letters, leading to continuous production. It became the
minimum 2nd-class inland letter rate on 16 August 1968, following the introduction
of the 2-tier post. Rolls were not produced for public slot machines as these would
have required the use of more than one coin (but see the note under code letter H
regarding the experimental machine at Cannon St., London).
A1
.
8.56
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in blue.
15.00
The stamps are Wilding E watermark,
from sheet cylinder 3; made up from strips
of 20 joined by top or bottom margins.
Some rolls were secured by a strip of
yellow paper.
A2
.
.57
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in blue.
20.00
The stamps are Wilding C watermark CPP,
from sheet cylinder 6; made up from strips
of 20 joined by top margins.
A3
9.
3.64
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in blue.
12.50
The stamps are Wilding C watermark WPP,
from sheet cylinder 8; made up from strips
of 20 joined by bottom margins.
A4
24.
5.65
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in blue.
18.00
The stamps are the C wmk. deep shade,
continuously printed from cylinder P1.
A5
.
.67
–
–
I
2
2
Printed in blue.
8.00
The stamps are as A4.
A6
15.
5.68
–
–
I
2
2
Printed in blue. No overprint.
47.50
The stamps are Machin sepia 2B/150 GA
head A, from cylinder P3; DG PD5.1.4.
A7
16.
9.68
–
–
I
2
2
Printed in blue. No overprint.
22.50
The stamps are Machin sepia CB/150 PVAl
head A; from cylinder P3; DG PD5.5.2
A8
21.
2.69
–
–
I
2
2
Printed in blue. No overprint.
47.50
The stamps are Machin red CB/150 PVAl
head A, from cylinder P3; DG PD5.7.10
24
! … ! "
Stock letter
B
!"!
#$ & This roll was principally used by business houses for prepayment of printed papers.
After the basic rate for these was increased to 1 ⁄ d on 1 June 1951 it became a stage
rate and demand declined. In fact, stocks of the George VI rolls were sufficient to
last until 1958 so that it never appeared with the Tudor watermark stamps.
Following one of the Post Office’s periodic reviews of operational requirements, B
rolls were withdrawn in 1963. They were reeled face outwards from the core.
B1
3.
3.58
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
15.00
There is only one alphabet; it has the
wide E in DELIVERY.
The stamps are Wilding E watermark,
from cylinder B1 or B2.
B2
.
1.59
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
15.00
The stamps are Wilding C watermark
CPP, from cylinder B1.
B3
19.10.62
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
10.00
The stamps are Wilding C watermark
WPP, from cylinder B3.
# ! … # ! "$
% #&!'%(
25
Stock letter
C
' !"!
#$ $% The 3d rate applied mainly to printed matter above the basic rate until 1 October
1957 when the ordinary letter rate was raised from 2 ⁄ d to 3d, leading to continuous
printing. The printed matter rate was raised from 2 ⁄ d to 3d on 17 May 1965.
C1
.
4.54
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in violet.
47.50
There are four bands of cross-hatching left
of the printer’s imprint.
The stamps are Wilding T watermark,
from cylinder 3; made from strips of 20
joined by the bottom margins.
C2
.
.55
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in violet. There is no cross-hatching.
37.50
The stamps are as C1.
C3
.
9.57
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in violet.
17.50
The stamps are Wilding E watermark,
from cylinder 9; made from strips of 20
joined by the top margins.
C4
.11.57
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in violet.
40.00
The stamps are Wilding E watermark,
continuously printed from cylinder M1 or M2
C5
.
6.59
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in violet.
30.00
The stamps are Wilding C watermark
CPP, from cylinder M1 or M2.
(See also C9)
C6
29.
5.62
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in violet.
37.50
The stamps are Wilding C watermark
WPP, from cylinder M1 or M2.
(See also C7 and C10)
C7
.
.62
–
–
I
1
2
Printed in violet.
22.50
The stamps are as C6.
(See also C10)
)( )' )* + ) , 26
)&! … )&! "
Stock letter
C
(continued)
' (!()%
#$ $% The rolls for Post Office vending machines were made following the increase in
letter rates on 1 October 1957. The original POKO 1 ⁄"" cores were replaced with
false metal ones to adapt them to the !⁄"" spindles in the P.O. machines. The letter
rate was increased to 4d on 17 May 1965, but, as the postcard rate became 3d,
these rolls continued in production until the Machin design was introduced in 1967.
(No Machin rolls with stock letter C were produced.)
C8
.
9.59
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in violet.
175.00
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP3) in red.
The stamps are graphite lined C watermark,
from cylinder M1 or M2.
Although continuously printed, only 19 rolls
were issued.
& & The change of paper was intended to indicate the changed purpose of the rolls; C8
being from a surplus of the former paper.
C9
.
1.61
W
–
P
1
1
Printed in violet.
7.50
The stamps are Wilding C watermark
CPP, from cylinder M1 or M2.
(See also C5)
C10
30.
4.62?
W
–
P
1
1
Printed in violet.
5.00
The stamps are Wilding C watermark
WPP, from cylinder M1 or M2.
(See also C6 and C7)
)-! … )-! "
27
Stock letter
D
⁄ !"!
!% & These rolls were principally for business users who needed a stage rate or a make-up
value. Demand for ⁄ d rolls for Post Office machines was sufficient to warrant
continuous printing, and the same cylinders were used for these rolls, although,
unlike those for the P.O. machines, they were reeled face outwards from the core.
D1
.
7.54
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
5.00
There is only one alphabet; it has the wide E
in DELIVERY.
The stamps are Wilding T watermark
from cylinder A1 or A2.
D2
.12.55
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
5.00
The stamps are Wilding E watermark
from cylinder A1 or A2.
D3
13.11.61
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
7.50
The stamps are Wilding C watermark
CPP from cylinder A1, A2 or A3.
D4
30.
4.62
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
5.00
The stamps are Wilding C watermark
WPP from cylinder A3 or A4.
28
.! … .! "$
% Stock letter
E
* (!()%
#$ & 1d rolls had been made available from Post Office machines ever since the early
Kermode trials of 1906 (see rolls X and Z), although the smaller E rolls were first
issued in 1937. In July 1968 the Post Office announced that, following a review of
requirements, the range of rolls was being streamlined to cater for current demand
and that, as a result the E rolls, among others, were being sold to exhaustion, with
the then current stocks expected to last until well into 1969.
E1
.
4.54
W
G
P
1
2
Printed in black.
10.00
The stamps are Wilding T watermark
from cylinder B1 or B2.
E2
.
8.55
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
10.00
The stamps are Wilding E watermark
from cylinder B1 or B2.
E3
.10.55
W
G
P
1
2
Printed in black.
7.50
Otherwise as E2
E4
19.11.57
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
57.50
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP3) in red.
The stamps are graphite lined E watermark
from cylinder B4.
Only 4,695 rolls were issued.
E5
.
1.59
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
75.00
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP3) in red.
The stamps are graphite lined C watermark
from cylinder B4.
Only 691 rolls were issued.
E6
.
6.59
W
G
P
1
2
Printed in black.
17.50
The stamps are Wilding C watermark
CPP from cylinder B1
(See also E7 to E10)
E7
.
.59
W
–
P
1
2
Printed in black. The stamps are as E6.
10.00
E8
.
.60
W
G
P
1
2
Printed in red. The stamps are as E6.
10.00
E9
.
4.60
–
–
P
1
2
Printed in red. The stamps are as E6.
7.50
/ ! … / ! "
% /-!.%'
29
E10
.10.60
W
#$ & –
P
1
2
Printed in red.
(contd.)
10.00
Only leaders with the printer’s watermark
inverted are known. The stamps are as E6.
E11
.11.60
W
G
P
1
2
Printed in black.
20.00
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP3) in red.
Printer’s watermark inverted.
The stamps are 2B B1 (green) phosphor
from cylinder B3.
E12
.
8.61
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
17.50
Overprinted BLUE PHOS (OP4) in red.
The stamps are 2B B2 (blue) phosphor CPP
from cylinder B3.
E13
13.
6.62
W
G
P
1
2
Printed in red.
7.50
The stamps are Wilding C watermark WPP
from cylinder B3. (See also E14 to E16)
E14
25.
9.62
–
–
P
1
2
Printed in red. The stamps are as E13.
5.00
E15
.
9.62
W
–
P
1
2
Printed in red. The stamps are as E13.
5.00
E16
.
.62
W
–
P
1
2
Printed in black. The stamps are as E13.
7.50
E17
29.
7.63
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
10.00
Overprinted BLUE PHOS (OP4) in red.
The stamps are 2B B2 (blue) phosphor WPP
from cylinder B3.
E18
15.10.65
–
–
P
1
2
Printed in red.
17.50
Overprinted B3 BLUE PHOS (OP7) in red.
The stamps are 2B B3 (violet) 8mm
phosphor from cylinder B3
E19
.
.67
–
–
P
1
2
Printed in red. No overprint.
12.50
The stamps are 2B B3 (violet) 9.5mm
phosphor from cylinder B3.
(See also E20)
E20
.
.67
W
–
I
1
2
Printed in black.
7.50
Overprinted B3 PHOS (OP8) in red.
The stamps are B3 9.5mm as E19.
E21
27.
5.68
W
–
I
1
2
Printed in black.
25.00
Overprinted B3 PHOS (OP8) in red.
The stamps are Machin 2B/150 PVAl head B
from cylinder B1; PD2.1.2
(See also E22 and E23)
E22
.
6.68
–
–
I
2
3
Printed in black. Rough white reverse.
17.50
The stamps are as E21.
E23
.
6.68
–
–
I
2
3
Printed in black. Rough blue reverse.
The stamps are as E21.
30
12.50
Stock letter
F
⁄ !"!
+ & There was a need for a 2 ⁄ d stamp throughout the Elizabethan period until the
increases of 17 May 1965. It was the ordinary inland letter rate from 1 May 1940
to 1 October 1957. On that date, it became the postcard rate. On 1 October 1961
the printed matter rate was raised from 2d to 2 ⁄ d (the postcard rate was not
changed). Despite this continuous need there were few F rolls issued. None was
issued with C watermark on cream, none with graphite or phosphor lines, and none
with type 2 diadem.
There were no 2 ⁄ d rolls issued with the Machin portrait.
F1
.11.54
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
8.00
There was only one alphabet; it had the
wide E in DELIVERY.
The stamps are Wilding T watermark
type 1 diadem, from cylinder L1.
F2
.11.55
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
10.00
The stamps are Wilding E watermark
type 1 diadem, from cylinder L1 or L2.
F3
30.10.63
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
10.00
The stamps are Wilding C watermark
WPP, type 1 diadem, from cylinder L2.
, 0 1
2 ! … 2 ! "$
% 31
Stock letter
G
* ⁄ (!()%
!% & ⁄ d stamps had been made available since the very earliest trials of Kermode
machines, although the smaller G rolls were not issued until 1937. General sale
of⁄ dd stamps in vending machines was discontinued when the 2oz letter rate was
reduced from 4⁄ d to 4d in May 1965 as the general public’s need for stamps was
adequately catered for by the 1d and 3d rolls. Machines for ⁄ d coil stamps were
withdrawn on 29 February 1968, except as noted below.
It was announced in May 1969 that all ⁄ d stamps would be withdrawn from sale
on 30 June 1969 in preparation for demonetization of the ⁄ d coin, which ceased
to be legal tender on 1 August 1969. In fact, they were not withdrawn until 31 July
1969 but the late fee of ⁄ d for letters going by Travelling Post Offices (sorting offices
on night trains) was increased to 1d on 1 July 1969. At the five London termini from
which T.P.O.’s leave (Euston, Kings Cross, Liverpool Street, Paddington, and
Waterloo) there were special vending machines dispensing ⁄ d stamps for users of
this service, and these had been modified the previous April to vend two ⁄ d stamps
for a 1d coin. There was also a machine at London Bridge. It is believed that these
machines vended stamps from G11 and G12 below. They were finally taken out of
service in 1970.
There was also a machine at a postbox in Lewis’ department store in Manchester,
Piccadilly, dispensing non-phosphor stamps as late as 21 June 1969. It is thought
that this was simply overlooked during the general 1968 withdrawal and eventually
ceased through lack of supply.
G1
.
4.54
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
5.00
The stamps are Wilding T watermark
from cylinder A1 or A2.
G2
.
6.56
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
The stamps are
5.25
Wilding E watermark
from cylinder A1 or A2.
G3
19.11.57
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
10.00
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP1) in black.
The stamps are graphite lined E watermark,
converted cylinder 4.
(See also G4 and G5)
G4
?
.
.58
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP2) in black.
The stamps are as G3.
32
12.50
Stock letter
G5
?
.
.59
W
P
(continued)
!% & G
G
1
1
Printed in black.
(contd.)
12.50
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP3) in red.
The stamps are as G3.
G6
.
9.59
W
G
P
1
2
Printed in black.
The stamps are
7.50
Wilding C watermark
CPP from cylinder A1, A2 or A3.
(See also G7 and G8)
G7
?
.
.60
W
G
P
1
2
Printed in red.
7.50
The stamps are as G6.
G8
?
.
.60
W
–
P
1
2
Printed in red.
7.50
The stamps are as G6
G9
.11.60
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in red.
22.50
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP2) in black.
The stamps are 2B B1 (green) phosphor
from cylinder A3.
G10
.
8.61
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in red.
17.50
Overprinted BLUE PHOS (OP4) in red.
The stamps are 2B B2 (blue) phosphor CPP
from cylinder A3 or A4.
G11
16.
5.62
W
–
P
1
2
Printed in red.
The stamps are
5.00
Wilding C watermark
WPP from cylinder A3 or A4.
G12
27.
7.63
W
–
P
1
2
Printed in red.
15.00
Overprinted BLUE PHOS (OP4) in red.
The stamps are 2B B2 (blue) phosphor WPP
from cylinder A3; on very thin paper.
G13
.10.63
W
–
P
1
2
Printed in red.
10.00
Overprinted PHOS (OP5) in black.
The stamps are as G12, but on paper of
normal thickness.
G14
15.10.65
W
–
P
1
2
Printed in red.
7.50
Overprinted B3 PHOS (OP8) in red.
The stamps are 2B B3 (violet)
8mm phosphor, from cylinder A4.
*! … *! "
33
Stock letter
H
* $
#$ $% This value prepaid the foreign letter rate until 17 May 1965, when it became the
minimum inland letter rate, leading to continuous roll production. On 16 September
1968, it became the minimum 2nd-class inland letter rate following the introduction
of the 2-tier post. A proposal to increase this rate to 6d from the end of 1970 was
not agreed, but the need for this roll ceased on decimalisation of the currency on
15 February 1971.
H1
.11.55
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in blue.
The stamps are
47.50
Wilding T wmk. (upright)
from cylinder 1, made up from strips of 12
joined by left margins.
H2
.
6.56
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in blue.
The stamps are
25.00
Wilding E wmk. (upright)
from cylinder 1, made up from strips of 12
joined by left or right margins;
(left margin at the leader).
H3
.
2.60
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in blue.
25.00
The stamps are Wilding
C wmk. (upright)
CPP, from cylinder 8, made up from strips
of 12 joined by left or right margins;;
(left margin at the leader).
H4
3.
9.63
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in blue.
The stamps are
17.50
Wilding C wmk. (upright)
WPP, from cylinder 8, made up from strips
of 12 joined by right margins;
(left margin at the leader).
H5
31.
5.65
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in blue.
12.50
The stamps are the deep shade,
Wilding C wmk. (sideways), continuously
printed from cylinder P2.
3 + , 34
3&! … 3&! 4
Stock letter
H
(continued)
* (!()%
#$ $% H6, H7, H8 and H10 were also sold from a prototype decimal P.O. vending machine
installed at 33 Cannon Street, London, in late August 1967. This delivered three
stamps at a time for a shilling piece. It is possible that H9 was also sold through
this machine.
H6
20.
4.67
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in blue.
17.50
Overprinted B3 PHOS (OP8) in red.
The stamps are 2B/250 B3 (violet) 9.5mm
phosphor from cylinder P2.
H7
8.
9.67
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in blue.
17.50
Overprinted B3 PHOS (OP8) in red.
The stamps are Machin sepia GA 2B/250
head A; cylinder P1; PD5.2.1
(see also H8)
H8
.10.67
–
–
I
2
2
Printed in blue. No overprint.
20.00
The stamps are as H7.
H9
16.
9.68
–
–
I
2
2
Printed in blue. No overprint.
12.50
The stamps are Machin sepia PVAl CB/250
head A; cylinder P5; PD5.6.2
H10
12.
2.69
–
–
I
2
2
Printed in blue.
10.00
The stamps are Machin red PVAl CB/250
head A; cylinder P2 or P5; PD5.8.13
H11
[1]
19.
1.71
–
–
I
2
2
Printed in blue.
75.00
The stamps are Machin red PVAl CB/250
head B from cylinder P7; PD5.8.14
5 6
7 8 3 + #
9 + 0 "4 : -* # 0 ; 8 0 #
3 ! … 3
% ! 4$
35
Stock letter
J
* !"!
, -$
The 6d stamp had been made available in roll form since 1939. It was much in
demand, especially by lawyers, to prepay the stamp duty on certain documents
which were evidence of legal rights. Although it was issued in roll form throughout
the Wilding period, it was not continuously printed until 1965, when the paper
used for the leaders was changed (see next page). With the abolition of the relevant
duty in the 1970 Budget, the demand for this value in roll form ceased.
J1
.
3.54
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in black.
27.50
The stamps are reddish-purple Wilding
T watermark from cylinder 1, made from
strips of 20 joined by bottom margins. Some
rolls were secured by a strip of yellow paper.
J2
.11.56
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in black.
47.50
The stamps are reddish-purple Wilding
E watermark from cylinder 2, made from
strips of 20 joined by top margins.
J3
.
6.58
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in black.
27.50
The stamps are deep claret Wilding
E watermark from cylinder 3, made from
strips of 20 joined by top margins.
J4
.
6.59
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in black.
The stamps are Wilding
12.50
C watermark
CPP from cylinder 3 made from strips of 20
joined by top margins.
J5
12.
2.63
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in black.
10.00
The stamps are Wilding C watermark
WPP from cylinder 8 made from strips of 20
joined by top margins. (See also J6.)
: , 36
:&! … :&! "
Stock letter
J
(continued)
* !"!
#$ $% J6
.
.65
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in black.
7.50
The stamps are Wilding C watermark
WPP continuously printed from cylinder Q1.
(See also J5.)
J7
17.
7.67
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in black. No overprint.
7.50
The stamps are Wilding 2B
B3 (violet) 9.5mm phosphor
from cylinder Q1. [1]
J8
.
6.69
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in black.
45.00
The stamps are Machin 2B/150 PVAl head B
from cylinder Q2; PD7.1.2
A few rolls are known with the stamps on
75.00
thin paper.
J9
.
9.70
–
–
I
2
2
Printed in black.
275.00
The stamps are Machin 2B/250 PVAl head B
from cylinder Q2; PD7.2.1
Very few rolls are known.
5 6
8 < = 1
>.-?@
:*! … :*! "$
% :-!& % "
37
Stock letter
K
⁄ !"!
. & K1
.
6.54
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
12.50
There is only one alphabet. It has the wide E
in DELIVERY. The printer’s watermark is
known inverted only.
The stamps are Wilding T watermark
from cylinder C1 or C2.
K2
.10.56
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
10.00
The stamps are Wilding E watermark
from cylinder C1 or C2.
Stock letter
L
* ⁄ / % !"!
. & L1
.
4.54
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
12.50
There is only one alphabet; it has the wide E
in DELIVERY.
The stamps are Wilding T watermark
from cylinder C1 or C2.
L2
.11.55
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
7.50
The stamps are Wilding E watermark
from cylinder C1 or C2.
L3
.
.58
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
7.50
The stamps are Wilding C watermark
CPP from cylinder 15, made from strips of
20 joined by bottom margins.
38
! …
! "
Stock letter
M
* ⁄ $
#$ $% M rolls were first made available in 1937, and were continuously printed after the
basic letter rate was raised to 2 ⁄ d on 1 May 1940. On 1 October 1957, the letter
rate was raised to 3d, and 2⁄ d became the postcard rate. It also became the printed
matter rate on 1 October 1961. On 17 May 1965, the postcard and printed matter
rates were increased to 3d and demand for 2 ⁄ d rolls ceased.
M1
15.11.54
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in red.
The stamps are
25.00
Wilding T watermark
(sideways), type 1 diadem,
from cylinder L3
M2
23.
3.56
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in red.
The stamps are
7.50
Wilding E watermark
(sideways), type 1 diadem,
from cylinder L3
M3
.
.59
–
–
I
1
2
Printed in red.
75.00
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP1) in black.
The stamps are type 2, graphite lined,
E watermark (upright), from sheet cylinder
49, made from strips of 12 joined by the
right margins; (left at the leader).
(See also M4 and M5.)
M4
19.11.57
–
–
I
1
2
As M3, but overprinted twice in black.
75.00
The stamps are as M3.
M5
.
.59
–
–
I
1
2
As M4, but overprinted twice in violet. [1]
75.00
The stamps are as M3.
M6
10.11.60
–
–
I
1
2
Printed in red.
27.50
The stamps are Wilding C watermark
(sideways) CPP, type 1 diadem
from cylinder L3, (See also M7.)
M7
.
.61
–
–
I
1
3
Printed in red.
12.50
The stamps are as M6.
5 6
7 8 + 0 ) 8 0 8 0 0 ;0 7 1& 1. 1( ".' 1 ! … 1 ! 4
39
Stock letter
=
M8
3.
8.62
–
I
(continued)
#$ $% –
M
1
3
(continued.)
Printed in red.
17.50
The stamps are Wilding C watermark,
(sideways), type 1 diadem, WPP,
from cylinder L3.
(See also M10 and M11.)
M9
.
9.65
–
–
I
1
3
Printed in red.
125.00
The stamps are Wilding C watermark,
(sideways), type 2 diadem, WPP,
from cylinder L5.
This was the only continuously printed coil
issue of the type 2 diadem. [2]
M10
11.12.62
W
& & –
P
1
2
Printed in red.
45.00
The stamps are Wilding C watermark,
(sideways), type 1 diadem, WPP,
from cylinder L3.
(See also M8 and M11.)
M11
?
.
.63
W
–
P
1
2
Printed in orange. The colour is quite
75.00
different from the shades of red normally
used, and leaders are rare.
The stamps are as M10.
(See also M8.)
A"6
40
7 "⁄ 7 ;
+ 0 + " , + " 0 8 -(* 0 "⁄ " < @ " 7 1 " , " 1 "⁄ + -(* 1 -'( B "⁄ & < * 1 -'(@
7 -'( = ". 1- 0 1?! … 1?! 4
Stock letter
N
* ⁄ $
. $% 0 1⁄ d was the printed matter rate until 1 June 1956, but demand so declined after
the increases of that date and 1 October 1957, that continuous printing ceased.
There were no N rolls with C watermark on cream paper.
N1
15.10.54
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in black.
12.50
There is only one alphabet. It has the wide E
in DELIVERY.
The stamps are Wilding T wmk. (sideways)
from cylinder C3. (See also N2.)
N2
15.10.54
–
. $% % –
I
1
1
Printed in black.
7.50
The stamps are Wilding T watermark
(sideways) from cylinder C3.
(See also N1.)
N3
7.
3.56
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in black.
5.00
The stamps are Wilding E watermark
(sideways) from cylinder C3.
N4
19.11.57
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in black.
27.50
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP1) in red, twice.
The stamps are graphite lined E watermark
(upright) made from strips of 12 from sheet
cylinder 21 joined by the right margins;
(left margin at the leader).
N5
.
4.68
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in black.
10.00
The stamps are Wilding C watermark
(upright) WPP, made from strips of 12 from
sheet cylinder 22, joined as N4.
="! … ="! 4
41
Stock letter
O
* $
#$ & O rolls had been made available since 1938 and were continuously printed. After
the printed paper rate was increased to 1 ⁄ d on 1 June 1951, demand for O rolls
declined and all the Elizabethan rolls were made up from sheets. Although the rate
changes of 17 May 1965 made the 1d the difference between the minimum postcard
and printed paper rates and the basic letter rate, the increased demand for it still
did not warrant continuous production of the sideways rolls. On the introduction
of the 2-tier service on 16 September 1968 the production of O rolls ceased.
O1
.
4.55
W
G
I
1
1
Printed in black. There is only one alphabet.
15.00
It has the wide E in DELIVERY. The printer’s
watermark is known inverted only.
The stamps are Wilding T watermark
(upright) made from strips of 12, from sheet
cylinders 1 and 2, joined by left margins.
O2
.
1.56
W
G
I
1
1
Printed in black. The printer’s watermark is
17.50
known upright only.
The stamps are Wilding E watermark
(upright) made from strips of 12, from sheet
cylinder 1, joined by left or right margins;
(left at the leader).
O3
.
.61
W
G
I
1
1
Printed in black.
17.50
The stamps are Wilding C watermark
(upright) CPP, from sheet cylinder 4, made
from strips of 12 joined by right margins;
(left at the leader).
O4
11.
6.65
W
G
I
1
1
Printed in black.
15.00
The stamps are Wilding C watermark
(upright) WPP, from sheet cylinder 4,
made up as O3.
42
+ ! … + ! 4
Stock letter
P
* ⁄ $
!% & P rolls were first made available in 1938, and were continuously printed. Following
the rate changes of 1 June 1951, there was only a small demand for this value in
rolls for the sideways delivery machines, and it was never continuously printed in
the Elizabethan era.
These rolls are the only ones with the printer’s house watermark parallel to the long
side of the leaders — see figure 9 on page 12. The watermark is inverted on P1, P2
and P3, and upright on P4.
P1
.
4.54
W
G
I
1
1
Printed in black. There is only one alphabet.
12.50
It has the wide E in DELIVERY.
The stamps are Wilding T watermark,
from sheet cylinder 1; made from strips of
12 joined by the left margins.
P2
.
7.56
W
G
I
1
1
Printed in black.
10.00
The stamps are Wilding E watermark
from sheet cylinder 1; made from strips of
12 joined by the left margins.
P3
.
7.56
W
G
I
1
1
As P2 but stamps joined by the right
20.00
margins; (left margin at the leader).
P4
.
.60
W
G
I
1
1
Printed in black.
12.50
The stamps are Wilding C watermark CPP, [1]
from sheet cylinder 3; made from strips of
12 joined by the right margins;
(left margin at the leader).
5 6
= ) 0 &! … &! "
43
Stock letter
Q
!"!
#$ $% There was a continual demand for the 2d stamp for revenue purposes (it was
required on all receipts for money or money’s worth). The basic postcard rate was
2d from 1 May 1940 until 1 October 1957, and it was the printed matter rate from
1 June 1956 until 1 October 1961. Although demand for Q rolls was comparatively
small, it was always continuously printed, the same cylinders being used as for the
V rolls. After the 1961 changes, demand for Q rolls declined and none was printed
after the tariff changes of 17 May 1965.
Q1
.
6.55
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in black.
27.50
There is only one alphabet. It has the wide E
in DELIVERY.
The rolls were secured with a strip of
yellow paper.
The stamps are Wilding T watermark,
from cylinder D1.
Q2
.
4.56
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in black. The rolls were secured with
12.50
a strip of yellow paper.
The stamps are Wilding E watermark,
dark brown shade, from cylinder D1.
Q3
.
7.58
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in black. There was no strip of
12.50
yellow paper.
The stamps are Wilding E watermark,
light brown shade from cylinder D2.
Q4
.
1.59
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in black.
17.50
The stamps are Wilding C watermark CPP,
from cylinder D2.
Q5
.
.62
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in black.
10.00
The stamps are Wilding C watermark WPP,
from cylinder D2.
44
C&! … C&! "
Stock letter
R
* / % !"!
, 0
& Apart from the short-lived L rolls, this unusual method of delivery is unique in the
Elizabethan issues. In reply to an enquiry, the Post Office confirmed that rolls were
produced for the three basic types of machine referred to in Section 1, but added:
“The R roll does not fall within any of these styles and I am afraid we are unable
to say for what particular type of machine it is produced.” (Postal Services Dept.
ref 20189/61 5th May 1961.) They had, nevertheless, been produced in this form
since 1920!
R1
.
2.55
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
10.00
There is only one alphabet. It has the wide E
in DELIVERY.
The stamps are Wilding T watermark,
from cylinder D1.
R2
.10.55
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
7.50
The stamps are Wilding E watermark,
dark brown shade, from cylinder D1.
R3
.
7.58
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
7.50
The stamps are Wilding E watermark,
light brown shade, from cylinder D2.
R4
.
3.59
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
5.00
The stamps are Wilding C watermark CPP,
from cylinder D2.
R5
?
.
.62
–
–
P
1
1
Printed in red.
7.50
The stamps are as R4.
R6
23.11.64
–
–
P
1
1
Printed in red.
5.00
The stamps are Wilding C watermark WPP,
from cylinder D2.
R7
.12.67
–
–
P
1
1
Printed in black. No overprint.
12.50
The stamps are Wilding 2B B3 (violet)
9.5mm phosphor from cylinder D2.
D&! … D&! "
45
Stock letter
S
* ' $
#$ $% S Rolls were issued throughout the pre-decimal era. They were printed continuously
after the basic letter rate was raised to 3d on 1 October 1957. On 17 May 1965, 3d
became the postcard and printed paper rates.
S1
.
5.54
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in violet. Rolls were secured by a
25.00
strip of yellow paper.
The stamps are Wilding T watermark
(upright) made from strips of 12 from sheet
cylinder 3, joined by left margins.
S2
.
5.57
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in violet.
15.00
The stamps are Wilding E watermark
(upright) made from strips of 12 from sheet
cylinder 3, joined by right margins;
(left margin at the leader).
S3
22.11.57
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in violet.
17.50
The stamps are E watermark (sideways),
continuously printed from cylinder M9.
S4
.
1.58
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in violet.
45.00
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP1) in black.
The stamps are graphite lined E watermark
(upright) made from strips of 12 from sheet
cylinder 7, joined by the right margins;
(left margin at the leader).
Only 991 rolls were issued, including S6.
S5
24.10.58
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in violet.
17.50
The stamps are Wilding C watermark
(sideways) CPP, continuously printed from
cylinders M9 and M10. (See also S7 and S13.)
S6
.12.58
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in violet.
37.50
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP2) in red.
The stamps are as S4.
S7
?
.
.59
–
–
I
1
2
Printed in violet.
12.50
The stamps are as S5. See also S13.
46
8 ! … 8 ! 4
Stock letter
=
S8
.
8.59
–
I
(continued)
#$ $% –
S
1
1
Printed in violet.
175.00
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP1) in red.
The stamps are graphite lined, C watermark
(upright), from cylinder 11, made from
strips of 12 joined by the right margins;
(left margin at the leader).
Only 56 rolls were issued.
S9
30.
4.62
–
–
I
1
2
Printed in violet.
10.00
The stamps are Wilding C wmk.
(sideways) WPP, printed continuously from
cylinder M10 or M11.
S10
19.
6.67
–
–
I
1
2
Printed in violet.
17.50
Overprinted B3 PHOS (OP8) in red.
The stamps are Wilding CB B3 (violet)
phosphor from cylinder 11.
S11
2.10.67
–
–
I
1
2
Printed in violet.
12.50
Overprinted B3 PHOS (OP8) in red.
The stamps are Machin CB/250 GA head A,
from cylinder M2; PD4.2.1
S12
.
9.68
–
–
I
2
3
Printed in violet. No overprint.
95.00
The stamps are Machin CB/250 PVAl head A,
from cylinder M2; PD4.4.5.
This was an error of gumming and fewer
than a dozen rolls exist.
S13
?
.
.59
W
& & –
P
1
1
Printed in violet.
15.00
The stamps are Wilding C wmk.
(sideways) CPP, printed continuously from
cylinder M9 or M10. (See also S5 and S7.)
8 4! … 8 4! 4
47
Stock letter
T
* $
% 0$ $% The 2d value was much in demand by financial houses for receipt purposes, which
is why most T rolls were continuously printed.
T1
8.10.54
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in black.
7.50
The stamps are Wilding T wmk. (sideways)
from cylinder D3.
T2
31.
7.56
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in black.
5.00
The stamps are Wilding E watermark
(sideways) dark brown shade,
from cylinder D3.
T3
5.
3.57
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in black.
10.00
The stamps are Wilding E watermark
(sideways) light brown shade,
from cylinder D3 or D4.
T4
T5
.57
–
–
I
1
2
Printed in black. The stamps are as T3.
19.11.57
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in black.
.
7.50
75.00
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP1) in red, twice.
The stamps are graphite lined, E watermark
(upright), from sheet cylinder 17,
made from strips of 12 joined by the right
margins; (left margin at the leader).
Only 1,713 rolls were issued, including T6.
T6
.
.58
–
–
I
1
2
Printed in black.
50.00
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP2) in red, once.
The stamps are as T5.
T7
3.
4.59
–
–
I
1
2
Printed in black.
10.00
The stamps are Wilding C watermark
(sideways) CPP from cylinder D3 or D4.
(See also T8 and T13.)
T8
.
.61
–
–
I
1
3
Printed in black, dark brown paper.
12.50
The stamps are as T7. (See also T13.)
48
7&! … 7&! 4
Stock letter
T9
27.
7.62
–
I
(continued)
% 0$ $% –
T
1
3
(continued)
Printed in black.
5.00
The stamps are Wilding C watermark
(sideways) WPP from cylinder D3 or D4.
(See also T14.)
T10
6.
4.67
–
–
I
1
3
Printed in black.
17.50
Overprinted B3 PHOS (OP8) in red.
The stamps are C wmk. (sideways) 2B B3
(violet) phosphor, from cylinder D3.
T11
4.
4.68
–
–
I
1
3
Printed in black.
17.50
Overprinted B3 PHOS (OP8) in red.
The stamps are Machin, 2B/250 PVAl head
B, setting c, from cylinder D1. PD3.2.1
(See also T12.)
T12
.
5.68
–
–
I
2
3
Printed in black. No overprint.
12.50
The stamps are as T11.
T13
?
.
7.62
W
& & –
I
1
2
[1]
Printed in black.
75.00
Printer’s watermark inverted.
The stamps are Wilding C watermark
(sideways) CPP from cylinder D3 or D4.
(See also T7 and T8.)
T14
[1]
?
.
.63
W
–
P
1
2
Printed in black.
47.50
The stamps are Wilding C watermark
(sideways) WPP from cylinder D3 or D4.
(See also T9.)
5 6
# 7 & 7 . 7 & 7 . 7 7 & , 7 . 7
0
7 ! … 7 ! 4$
% 49
Stock letter
U
⁄ !
" # These large rolls were produced for Post Office vending machines situated at
counters. For an explanation of the value types see the footnote to M9 on page 40.
7
.10.54
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
75.00
The stamps are Wilding T watermark,
type 1 diadem, from cylinder L1.
7
.
5.56
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
75.00
The stamps are Wilding E watermark,
type 1 diadem, from cylinder L1 or L2.
!"! … !"!#
U is the only pre-decimal stock
letter to have been issued with
more than one value. U leaders
with 3d stamps are listed on the
next page.
50
Stock letter
U
(continued)
' (!()%
#$ $% When the letter rate was increased from 2 ⁄ d to 3d on 1 October 1957, demand for
2⁄ d rolls at counter sites ceased. On 13 November 1957 a roll of 3d stamps was
produced for use in the usual wall-mounted etc. vending machines. It was kept
under the same stock letter as that for the former 2 ⁄ d rolls (U1 and U2).
U3
13.11.57
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in violet.
27.50
The stamps are Wilding E watermark
from cylinder M1 or M2.
U4
.
9.59
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in violet.
27.50
The stamps are Wilding C watermark CPP
from cylinder M1 or M2.
(See also U14.)
U5
3.
8.61
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in violet.
17.50
Overprinted BLUE PHOS (OP4) in red.
The stamps are Wilding 2B
B2 (blue) phosphor CPP,
from cylinder M1 or M2.
U6
12.10.62
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in violet.
10.00
The stamps are Wilding C watermark
WPP, from cylinder M1 or M2.
(See also U7 and U15.)
U7
.
.62
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in black.
12.50
The stamps are as U6.
U8
7.
5.64
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in black.
12.50
Overprinted BLUE PHOS (OP4) in red.
The stamps are Wilding 2B
B2 (blue) phosphor WPP,
from cylinder M1 or M2.
(See also U9.)
U9
7.
5.64
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in black.
10.00
Overprinted PHOS (OP5) in red.
The stamps are as U8.
& E + , E*! … E*! "
51
Stock letter
U
(continued)
' (!()%
#$ $% U10
.
5.65
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in black.
17.50
Overprinted BLUE PHOS (OP4) in red.
The stamps are RB or LB B2 (blue) phosphor
from cylinder M1 or M2. They were:
U10 RB
U10A LB
U11[1]
RB from odd-numbered rolls and
LB from even-numbered ones.
15.10.65
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in black.
37.50
Overprinted BLUE PHOS (OP4) in red.
The stamps are RB or LB B3 (violet)
phosphor from cylinder M12. They were:
U11 RB
U11A LB
U12
U12A
RB from odd-numbered rolls and
LB from even-numbered ones.
15.10.65
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in black.
12.50
Overprinted B3 BLUE PHOS (OP7) in red.
The stamps are as U11/11A.
U13
18.
8.67
–
–
I
2
2
Printed in black.
7.50
Overprinted B3 PHOS (OP8) in red.
The stamps are the Machin CB/150 GA,
head A; PD4.1.2, from cylinder M1.
U14
?
.
.62
W
–
P
& & 1
1
Printed in black. The printer’s watermark is
35.00
only known inverted.
The stamps are Wilding C watermark CPP,
from cylinder M1 or M2. (See also U4.)
U15
23.
1.63
W
–
P
1
1
Printed in black.
25.00
The stamps are Wilding C watermark WPP,
from cylinder M1 or M2. (See also U6.)
5 6
7 #& E "! "
% E 4! %& E 4!"%& 52
Stock letter
V
(!()%
, 0
& Although the 2d stamp was much in demand for revenue duty on receipts, it was
not made available in Post Office vending machines until well after it became the
postcard rate in 1940. In fact, since there never was a 2d coin, special machines
(type C4) had to be made which vended a 2d stamp on insertion of two 1d coins
and, in 1949, these were the subject of field trials at selected sites where postcard
traffic was heavy. Following the adoption of these machines, the 2d stamp for rolls
was printed continuously except where the demand was small, as, for example, in
the experimental graphite/phosphor sorting areas.
V1
.10.54
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
10.00
The stamps are Wilding T watermark,
from cylinder D2.
V2
.11.55
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
7.50
The stamps are Wilding E watermark,
dark brown shade, from cylinder D2.
V3
18.11.57
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
100.00
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP1) in black.
Printer’s watermark inverted.
The stamps are E watermark, graphite lined
from sheet cylinder 17, made from strips of
20 joined by top margins.
Only 534 rolls were issued, including V6.
V4
.
7.58
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
7.50
The stamps are Wilding E watermark,
light brown shade, from cylinder D2.
V5
.11.58
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
7.50
Printer’s watermark inverted.
The stamps are Wilding C watermark CPP,
from cylinder D2.
(See also V9 and V10.)
V6
.11.58
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
75.00
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP3) in red.
The stamps are E watermark graphite lined
(as V3).
53
Stock letter
V7
.
6.59
W
P
(continued)
, 0
& G
V
1
1
(continued)
Printed in black.
125.00
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP3) in red.
The stamps are C watermark, graphite lined
from sheet cylinder 17, made up from strips
of 20 joined by top margins.
Only 530 rolls were issued.
V8
.11.60
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
90.00
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP2) in red.
The stamps are CB B1 (green) phosphor,
C watermark, from sheet cylinder 17, made
from strips of 20 joined by top margins.
V9
?
.
.61
W
–
P
1
1
Printed in black.
5.00
The stamps are Wilding C watermark CPP.
(See also V5 and V10.)
V10
?
.
.61
–
–
P
1
1
Printed in black.
5.00
The stamps are Wilding C watermark CPP.
(See also V5 and V9.)
V11
.
8.61
–
–
P
1
1
Printed in black.
80.00
Overprinted BLUE PHOS (OP4) in red.
The stamps are CPP, LB B2 (blue) phosphor,
C watermark, from cylinder D2.
V12
.
1.62
–
–
P
1
1
Printed in black.
50.00
Overprinted BLUE PHOS (OP4) in red.
The stamps are CPP, 2B B2 (blue) phosphor,
C watermark, from cylinder D2.
V13
20.
9.62
W
–
I
2
2
Printed in black.
5.00
The stamps are Wilding C watermark WPP,
from cylinder D2.
V14
21.
1.63
W
–
I
2
2
Printed in black.
17.50
Overprinted BLUE PHOS (OP4) in red.
The stamps are WPP, 2B B2 (blue) phosphor,
C watermark, from cylinder D2.
54
B ! … B&! "
Stock letter
V15
15.10.65
–
I
(continued)
, 0
& W
V
2
2
(continued)
Printed in black.
12.50
Overprinted B3 BLUE PHOS (OP7) in red.
The stamps are Wilding 2B B3 (violet), 8mm
phosphor, from cylinder D2.
(See also V16.)
V16
?
.11.65
W
–
I
2
2
Printed in black.
17.50
Overprinted B3 PHOS (OP8) in red.
The stamps are as V15.
V17
.
.67
W
–
I
2
2
Printed in black.
10.00
Overprinted B3 PHOS (OP8) in red.
Printer’s watermark inverted.
The stamps are Wilding 2B B3 (violet) 9.5mm
phosphor, from cylinder D2.
V18
19.
3.69
–
% 0$ $% –
I
3
3
Printed in black.
27.50
The stamps are Machin 2B/250
PVAl head B; from cylinder D2; PD3.2.2
V19
?
.
3.69
–
–
I
3
3
Printed in black.
275.00
The stamps are as V18 but the phosphor
screen is 150; PD3.1.3 [1]
5 6
B - F 9 " + # + ? 0$ B ?! … B ?! "
55
Stock letter
W
⁄ (!()%
, %
& The ⁄ d stamp was one of the first to be made available in rolls for vending from
Post Office machines. These had “Kermode” printed on the leaders and they were
not allocated Stock letters until 1928, after the Kermode Company ceased trading,
when the 960 size were given the letter W and the 1920 size the letter Y. (The 480
size G rolls were not issued until 1937.) The need for ⁄ d rolls ceased after the letter
rate was reduced from 4 ⁄ d to 4d in May 1965 and all ⁄ d roll machines were
withdrawn on 29 February 1968 (but see the main note under stock letter G for
exceptions).
W1
.
5.54
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
4.00
The stamps are Wilding T watermark,
from cylinder A1 or A2.
W2
.
9.55
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
5.00
Some leaders are on a bright orange paper.
The stamps are Wilding E watermark,
from cylinder A1 or A2.
Some were on thin paper (dark leader only).
(See also W5.)
W3
19.11.57
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
12.50
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP1) in black.
The stamps are graphite lined E watermark
(upright), from converted sheet cylinder 4.
(See also W4 and W6.)
W4
19.11.57
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
10.00
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP2) in black.
The stamps are as W3. (See also W6.)
W5
.
.58
W
G
P
1
2
Printed in black.
3.50
The stamps are Wilding E watermark,
from cylinder A1 or A2. (See also W2.)
W6
.10.58
W
G
P
1
2
Printed in black.
10.00
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP3) in red.
The stamps are as W3. (See also W4.)
W7
.
6.59
W
G
P
1
2
Printed in black.
The stamps are Wilding C watermark CPP,
from cylinder A1, A2 or A3.
(See also W8, W9 and W10.)
56
5.00
Stock letter
W8
.
6.59
W
–
P
1
2
W
(continued)
Printed in black.
7.50
The stamps are Wilding C watermark CPP,
as W7. (See also W9 and W10.)
W9
.
.59
W
G
P
1
2
Printed in green.
5.00
The stamps are as W7.
(See also W8 and W10.)
W10
.
.59
W
–
P
1
2
Printed in green.
7.50
The stamps are as W7.
(See also W8 and W9.)
W11
.10.59
W
G
P
1
2
Printed in black.
12.50
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP3) in red.
The stamps are graphite lined, C watermark,
from converted cylinder 4.
W12
.11.60
W
G
P
1
2
Printed in black.
17.50
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP3) in red.
The stamps are 2B B1 (green) phosphor
from cylinder A3.
W13
.
8.61
W
–
P
1
2
Printed in black.
10.00
Overprinted BLUE PHOS (OP4) in red.
The stamps are 2B B2 (blue) phosphor CPP,
from cylinder A3. [1]
W14
30.
4.62
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
7.50
The stamps are Wilding C watermark WPP,
from cylinder A3 or A4.
(See also W15 to W17.)
W15
.
.62
W
G
P
1
2
Printed in black.
5.00
The stamps are as W14.
(See also W16 and W17.)
W16
.
.62
W
–
P
1
2
Printed in green.
3.00
The stamps are as W14.
(See also W15 and W17.)
W17
.
.62
W
–
P
1
2
Printed in black.
3.00
The stamps are as W14.
(See also W15 and W16.)
W18
.
.65
W
–
P
1
2
Printed in black.
17.50
Overprinted B3 (OP6) in black and BLUE
PHOS (OP4) in red.
The stamps are 2B B3 (violet) phosphor,
from cylinder A4.
W19
15.10.65
W
–
P
1
2
As W18, but overprinted B3 BLUE PHOS
12.50
(OP7) in red.
5 6
7 ⁄ #" <@ 57
Stock letter
X
(!()%
#$ & 1d “Kermode” rolls of 960 stamps were available for many years prior to the
allocation of the letter X in 1928, after the Kermode Company ceased to exist. (The
smaller 480 size E rolls were not issued until 1937.) They continued until decimalisation
X1
.
5.54
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
4.50
The stamps are T watermark,
from cylinder B1 or B2.
X2
.
9.55
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
7.50
The stamps are E watermark,
from cylinder B1 or B2. (See also X5)
X3
19.11.57
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
12.50
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP3) in red.
The printer’s watermark is only known
inverted.
The stamps are graphite lined E watermark,
from cylinder B4.
X4
18.12.58
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
17.50
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP3) in red.
The stamps are graphite lined C watermark,
from cylinder B4 or
the converted sheet cylinder 7.
X5
.
1.59
W
G
P
1
2
Printed in black.
5.00
The stamps are as X2.
X6
.
2.59
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
5.00
The stamps are C watermark CPP,
from cylinder B1 or B3.
(See also X7 to X11, and X13.)
X7
.
.59
W
G
P
1
2
Printed in black.
5.00
The stamps are as X6.
X8
.
.59
W
–
P
1
2
Printed in black.
3.00
The stamps are as X6.
58
G.! … G.! "
Stock letter
X9
.
6.59
W
P
(continued)
#$ & G
X
1
2
Printed in red.
(contd)
5.00
The stamps are as X6.
(See also X7, X8, X10, X11 & X13.)
X10
.
.59
W
–
P
1
2
Printed in red.
3.00
The stamps are as X6 etc.
X11
.
.59
–
–
P
1
2
Printed in red.
5.00
Some leaders have a blue-white reverse.
The stamps are as X6 etc.
X12
.11.60
–
–
P
1
2
Printed in red.
17.50
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP3) in red.
The stamps are Wilding 2B B1 (green)
phosphor, from cylinder B3.
X13
.
1.61
–
–
P
1
2
Printed in red.
27.50
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP3) in black.
The stamps are Wilding C watermark CPP,
from cylinder B1. They are without
phosphor, probably in error.
(See also X6 etc.)
X14
.
8.61
W
–
P
1
2
Printed in red.
12.50
Overprinted BLUE PHOS (OP4) in black.
The stamps are Wilding 2B B2 (blue)
phosphor, CPP, from cylinder B3.
X15
12.10.62
W
–
P
1
2
Printed in black.
5.00
The stamps are C watermark WPP
from cylinder B3.
(See also X16, X18 and X21.)
X16
.
.62
W
–
P
1
2
Printed in red.
5.00
The stamps are as X15.
X17
28.11.63
W
–
I
1
2
Printed in black.
7.50
Overprinted BLUE PHOS (OP4) in red.
The stamps are Wilding 2B B2 (blue)
phosphor, WPP, from cylinder B3.
X18
?
.
.65
W
–
I
1
2
Printed in black.
5.00
The stamps are as X15.
G "! … G "! "
59
Stock letter
X19
15.10.65
–
I
(continued)
#$ & W
X
1
2
(contd)
Printed in black.
12.50
Overprinted B3 BLUE PHOS (OP7) in red.
The stamps are Wilding 2B B3 (violet),
8mm phosphor, from cylinder B3.
(See also X20.)
X20
?
.
.66
W
–
I
1
2
Printed in black.
10.00
Overprinted B3 PHOS (OP8) in red.
The stamps are as X19.
X21
.
7.66
W
–
I
2
3
Printed in black.
5.00
The stamps are as X15.
X22
.
.67
W
–
I
2
3
Printed in black.
7.50
Overprinted B3 PHOS (OP8) in red.
The stamps are Wilding 2B B3 (violet),
9.5mm phosphor, from cylinder B3.
(See also X24.)
X23
.
.68
–
–
I
2
3
Printed in black. No overprint.
7.50
Some leaders have a blue-white reverse.
The stamps are Machin 2B/150 PVAl head B;
from cylinder B1. PD2.1.2
(See also X25.)
X24
.
.67
–
#$ -$ $% –
I
2
3
Printed in black.
7.50
Overprinted B3 PHOS (OP8) in red.
The stamps are Wilding 2B B3 (violet),
9.5mm phosphor, from cylinder B3.
(See also X22.)
X25
14.
4.68
–
–
I
2
3
Printed in black.
7.50
Overprinted B3 PHOS (OP8) in red.
The stamps are Machin 2B/150 PVAl head B,
from cylinder B1. PD2.1.2
(See also X23.)
60
G" ! … G" ! "
Stock letter
Y
⁄ (!()%
!% & Early ⁄ d rolls had “Kermode” printed on the wrapper. The Stock letter Y was not
allocated until 1928, after the Company ceased trading. (See also stock letter W.)
The general need for ⁄ d rolls ceased after the letter rate was reduced from 4 ⁄ d to
4d in May 1965 and all ⁄ d roll machines were withdrawn on 29 February 1968
(but see the main note under stock letter G for exceptions).
Y1
.
6.54
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
4.50
There is only one alphabet. It has the wide E
in DELIVERY.
The stamps are Wilding T watermark,
from cylinder A1 or A2.
Y2
.
9.55
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
3.50
The stamps are Wilding E watermark,
from cylinder A1 or A2.
Y3
19.11.57
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
17.50
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP1); once in
blue and once in black.
The stamps are graphite lined E watermark,
from converted cylinder 4.
(See also Y4.)
Y4
19.11.57
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
12.50
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP2) in black.
The stamps are as Y3.
Y5
.
6.59
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
12.50
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP3) in red.
The stamps are graphite lined C watermark,
from converted cylinder 4.
Y6
.
6.59
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
7.50
The stamps are Wilding C watermark CPP,
from cylinder A1, A2 or A3.
(See also Y7.)
Y7
?
.
.60
W
–
P
1
1
Printed in black.
5.00
The stamps are as Y6.
H ! … H ! "
61
Stock letter
Y8
.11.60
W
G
P
1
1
Y
(continued)
Printed in black.
27.50
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP3) in red.
The stamps are Wilding 2B B1 (green)
phosphor, from cylinder A3.
(See also Y9.)
Y9
.
7.61
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
22.50
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP3) in red.
The stamps are as Y8 but from sheet cylinder 1 and made from strips of 20 joined by
top margins.
Y10
.
8.61
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
7.50
Overprinted BLUE PHOS (OP4) in red.
The stamps are Wilding 2B B2 (blue)
phosphor CPP, from cylinder A3.
Y11
20.
7.62
W
–
P
1
1
Printed in black.
5.00
The stamps are Wilding C watermark WPP,
from cylinder A3 or A4.
Y12
.11.64
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
7.50
Overprinted BLUE PHOS (OP4) in red.
The stamps are Wilding 2B B2 (blue)
phosphor WPP; from cylinder A3.
Y13
15.10.65
W
–
P
1
1
Printed in black.
7.50
Overprinted B3 PHOS (OP8) in red.
The stamps are Wilding 2B B3 (violet),
8mm phosphor; from cylinder A4.
62
H.! &%(
Stock letter
Z
(!()%
#$ & [1]
Early ⁄ d rolls of 1,920 had “Kermode” printed on the wrapper. They were not
allocated the letter Z until 1928, after the Company ceased trading — see also stock
letter X. They continued until decimalisation and were used for pre-decimal
Machins.
Z1
.
5.54
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
4.50
The stamps are Wilding T watermark,
from cylinder B1 or B2.
Z2
.
9.55
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
5.00
The stamps are Wilding E watermark,
from cylinder B1 or B2. (See also Z9.)
Z3
19.11.57
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
37.50
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP1) in red.
The printer’s watermark is only known
inverted on Z3 to Z8.
The stamps are graphite lined E watermark,
from cylinder B4.
Z4
19.11.57
W
G
P
1
1
As Z3 but with OP1 twice in red.
37.50
Z5
19.11.57
W
G
P
1
1
As Z3 but the overprint occurs twice in red
37.50
and once in black.
Z6
.12.57
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
47.50
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP1) and (OP3),
both in red.
The stamps are as Z3.
Z7
.12.57
W
G
P
1
1
As Z6 but OP1 occurs twice: once red, once
47.50
in blue; plus OP3 in red.
The stamps are as Z3.
Z8
.12.57
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
22.50
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP3) once in red.
The stamps are as Z3.
Z9
.10.58
W
G
P
1
2
Printed in black.
7.50
The stamps are Wilding E watermark,
from cylinder B1 or B2.
(See also Z2.)
5 6
7 I 63
Stock letter
Z10
.
1.59
W
P
(continued)
#$ & [1]
G
Z
1
2
Printed in black.
7.50
The stamps are Wilding C watermark CPP,
from cylinder B1 or B3.
(See also Z12 and Z18.)
Z11
.
6.59
W
G
P
1
2
Printed in black.
17.50
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP3) in red.
The stamps are graphite lined C watermark,
from cylinder B4 or sheet cylinder 7
converted from 20-row to 21-row.
Z12
.
7.59
–
–
P
1
2
Printed in black.
5.00
The stamps are as Z10. (See also Z18.)
Z13
.11.60
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
27.50
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP3) in red.
The stamps are Wilding 2B B1 (green)
phosphor, from cylinder B3.
Z14
24.
7.61
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
75.00
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP1) and (OP3),
both in red. The printer’s watermark is only
known inverted.
The stamps are graphite lined C watermark,
with misplaced lines. [2]
(See also Z15 and Z16.)
Z15
24.
7.61
W
–
P
1
2
Printed in black.
55.00
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP2) in black.
The printer’s watermark is only known
inverted.
The stamps are as Z14. [2]
(See also Z16.)
5 6
5"6
7 I 0 J # K;K ( ' * ? " 7 3! &.44 J 7 J . J ( J ' J . J (! … J (! "
64
Stock letter
Z16
24.
7.61
–
P
(continued)
#$ & [1]
–
Z
1
2
Printed in black.
40.00
Overprinted LINE STAMPS (OP3) in red.
The stamps are as Z14. [2]
Z17
.
8.61
–
–
P
1
2
Printed in black.
12.50
Overprinted BLUE PHOS (OP4) in red.
The stamps are Wilding 2B B2 (blue)
phosphor CPP, from cylinder B3.
Z18
?
.
.62
W
–
P
1
2
Printed in black.
5.00
The stamps are Wilding C watermark CPP,
from cylinder B1 or B3.
(See also Z10 and Z12.)
Z19
6.
7.62
W
G
P
1
2
Printed in black.
5.00
The stamps are Wilding C watermark WPP,
from cylinder B3.
(See also Z20, Z21, Z25 & Z26.)
Z20
?
.
.63
W
–
P
1
2
Printed in black.
5.00
The stamps are as Z19.
Z21
?
.
.65
W
–
I
1
2
Printed in black.
3.00
The stamps are as Z19.
Z22
.
6.65
W
–
P
1
2
Printed in black.
17.50
Overprinted BLUE PHOS (OP4) in red.
The stamps are Wilding 2B B2 (blue)
phosphor WPP, from cylinder B3.
Z23
15.10.65
W
–
P
1
2
Printed in black.
17.50
Overprinted B3 BLUE PHOS (OP7) in red.
The stamps are Wilding 2B B3 (violet),
8mm phosphor, from cylinder B3.
Z24
.
7.66
–
–
I12.50
2
3
Printed in black.
Overprinted B3 PHOS (OP8) in red.
The stamps are Wilding 2B B3 (violet),
9.5mm phosphor, from cylinder B3.
(See also Z28.)
Z25
.
7.66
W
–
I
2
3
Printed in black.
3.00
The stamps are Wilding C watermark WPP,
from cylinder B3.
(See also Z19, Z20, Z21 & Z26.)
5 6
7 I J"(! … J"(! "
65
Stock letter
Z26
.
.67
–
I
(continued)
#$ & [1]
W
Z
2
3
Printed in black.
17.50
Overprinted B3 PHOS (OP8) in red.
The printer’s watermark known upright only.
The stamps are as Z25; probably a missing
phosphor error.
Z27
11.
3.68
–
–
I
2
3
Printed in black. No overprint.
7.50
The stamps are Machin 2B/150 PVAl head B,
from cylinder B1. PD2.1.2
(See also Z29.)
Z28
.
.67
–
#$ -$ $% –
I
2
3
Printed in black.
12.50
Overprinted B3 PHOS (OP8) in red.
The stamps are Wilding 2B B3 (violet),
9.5mm phosphor, from cylinder B3.
(See also Z24.)
Z29
11.
3.68
–
–
I
2
3
Printed in black.
12.50
Overprinted B3 PHOS (OP8) in red.
The stamps are Machin 2B/150 PVAl head B,
from cylinder B1. PD2.1.2
(See also Z27.)
5 6
7 I J"'! … J"'! "$
L J"'!( % '$ ( J"' ' 66
Stock letter
AA
⁄ (!()%
!% & AA coils were for use in machines situated in exposed and usually isolated places,
hence the small number of stamps in the roll. They were introduced following trials
with rolls of George VI stamps under the Stock letter EXP, (for ANFosed, not
ANFerimental), which were first issued on 1 April 1954 and had a short life.
All AA rolls were withdrawn shortly after May 1965, when the 2oz letter rate was
reduced from 4⁄ d to 4d.
AA1
.12.54
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
There is only one alphabet.
[1]
12.50
It has the
wide E in DELIVERY.
The stamps are Wilding T watermark,
from cylinder A1 or A2.
AA2
.
5.56
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
8.50
The stamps are Wilding E watermark,
from cylinder A1, A2 or A3.
AA3
.
2.59
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
7.50
The stamps are Wilding C watermark CPP,
from cylinder A1, A2 or A3.
(See also AA4.)
AA4
.
.59
W
–
P
1
1
Printed in black.
7.50
The stamps are as AA3.
AA5
30.
4.62
W
–
P
1
1
Printed in black.
5.00
The stamps are C watermark WPP,
from cylinder A3 or A4.
5 6
) / 0 7
" D / B/DH
" & , 7 + & 2D87 . "! … "! "
may
67
Stock letter
AB
(!()%
#$ & AB coils were for use in machines situated in exposed and usually isolated places,
hence the small number of stamps in the roll. They were introduced following trials
with rolls of George VI stamps issued on 1 April 1954 under the stock letter code
EXP, (for ANFosed, not ANFerimental).
All AB rolls were withdrawn in 1965.
AB1
.10.55
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
10.00
There is only one alphabet. It has the wide E
in DELIVERY.
The stamps are Wilding T watermark,
from cylinder B1 or B2.
AB2
.
8.56
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
8.50
The stamps are Wilding E watermark,
from cylinder B1 or B2.
AB3
.
3.59
W
G
P
1
1
Printed in black.
7.50
The stamps are Wilding C watermark CPP,
from cylinder B1 or B3.
AB4
22.
6.62
W
–
P
1
1
Printed in black.
7.50
The stamps are Wilding C watermark WPP,
from cylinder B3.
68
# ! … # ! "
Stock letter
AC
* ' (!()%
#$ $% These rolls, and the AD series, were introduced to suit new vending machines
installed in 1960, as the U rolls were considered to be too large at certain sites. A
review of demand led to the withdrawal of all AC rolls in 1968.
AC1
1.
4.60
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in red.
12.50
The stamps are Wilding C watermark CPP,
from cylinder M1 or M2.
AC2
14.
7.61
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in red.
27.50
Overprinted BLUE PHOS (OP4) in red.
The stamps are Wilding 2B B2 (blue)
phosphor CPP, from cylinder M1 or M2.
(see also AC11)
AC3
12.
3.64
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in red.
7.50
The stamps are Wilding C watermark WPP,
from cylinder M1 or M2.
(See also AC12)
AC4
.
.65
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in red.
12.50
Overprinted BLUE PHOS (OP4) in red.
The stamps are Wilding 2B B2 (blue)
phosphor WPP, from cylinder M1 or M2.
AC5
5.
5.65
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in red.
17.50
Overprinted BLUE PHOS (OP4) in red.
The stamps are RB or LB B2 (blue) phosphor
from cylinder M1 or M2. They were:
AC5
RB
RB from odd-numbered rolls and
AC5A
LB
LB from even-numbered ones.
AC6
15.10.65
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in red.
12.50
Overprinted B3 BLUE PHOS (OP7) in red.
The stamps are RB or LB B3 (violet)
phosphor, from cylinder M12. They came
AC6
RB
AC6A LB
from alternate rolls as in AC5/5A.
(See also AC7/7A.)
) ! … ) ! "
69
Stock letter
AC7
?
.11.65
–
I
(continued)
#$ $% –
AC
1
1
(continued)
Printed in red.
12.50
Overprinted B3 PHOS (OP8) in red.
AC7
RB
The stamps are Wilding B3 (violet) RB or LB
AC7A
LB
phosphor as AC6/6A.
AC8
6.
3.67
–
–
I
2
2
Printed in red.
12.50
Overprinted B3 PHOS (OP8) in red.
The stamps are Wilding CB B3 (violet)
phosphor, from cylinder M12.
AC9
18.
8.67
–
–
I
2
2
Printed in red.
17.50
Overprinted B3 PHOS (OP8) in red.
The stamps are Machin CB/150 GA head A,
from cylinder M1. PD4.1.2
(See also AC10.)
AC10
[1]
18.
8.67
–
–
I
2
2
12.50
The stamps are as AC9.
AC11
Printed in red. No overprint.
?
.
.63
W
& & –
P
1
1
Printed in red.
37.50
Overprinted BLUE PHOS (OP4) in red.
The stamps are 22B B2 (blue) phosphor CPP,
from cylinder M1 or M2
(see also AC2)
AC12
?
.
.63
W
–
P
1
1
Printed in orange.
12.50
The printer’s watermark known upright only.
The stamps are Wilding C watermark WPP,
from cylinder M1 or M2.
(See also AC3)
5 6
, D / B/DH
2D87 # ) )*! )*!"
70
Stock letter
AD
' (!()%
#$ $% These rolls, and the AC series, were introduced to suit new vending machines
installed in 1960, as the U rolls were considered to be too large at certain sites. A
review of demand led to the withdrawal of all AD rolls in 1968.
AD1
1.
4.60
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in green.
12.50
The stamps are Wilding C watermark CPP,
from cylinder M1 or M2.
AD2
14.
7.61
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in green.
17.50
Overprinted BLUE PHOS (OP4) in red.
The stamps are Wilding 2B B2 (blue)
phosphor CPP, from cylinder M1 or M2.
(see also AD13)
AD3
10.
4.64
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in green.
12.50
Overprinted BLUE PHOS (OP4) in red.
The stamps are Wilding 2B B2 (blue)
phosphor WPP, from cylinder M1 or M2.
AD4
3.
5.65
–
–
I
1
1
Printed in green.
17.50
Overprinted BLUE PHOS (OP4) in red.
The stamps are RB or LB B2 (blue) phosphor
WPP, cylinder M1 or M2. They were:
AD4
RB
RB from odd-numbered rolls and
AD4A
LB
LB from even-numbered ones.
AD5
15.10.65
–
–
I
1
2
Printed in green.
12.50
Overprinted B3 BLUE PHOS (OP7) in red.
The stamps are RB or LB B3 (violet)
phosphor, from cylinder M12. They came
AD5
RB
from alternate rolls as at AD4/4A above.
AD5A
LB
(See also AD6/6A.)
AD6
15.10.65
–
–
I
1
2
Printed in green.
27.50
Overprinted B3 PHOS (OP8) in red.
AD6
RB
AD6A
LB
The stamps are as AD5/5A.
.! .!"
71
Stock letter
AD7
14.
4.67
–
I
(continued)
#$ $% –
AD
1
2
Printed in green.
17.50
Overprinted B3 PHOS (OP8) in red.
The stamps are Wilding CB B3 (violet)
phosphor, from cylinder M12.
(See also AD8.)
AD8
?
.
4.67
–
–
I
1
2
Printed in green. No overprint.
12.50
The stamps are as AD7.
AD9
13.
9.67
–
–
I
2
2
Printed in green.
27.50
Overprinted B3 PHOS (OP8) in red.
The stamps are Machin CB/150 GA head A,
from cylinder M1. PD4.1.2
AD10
26.
9.68
–
–
I
2
2
Printed in green.
17.50
Overprinted B3 PHOS (OP8) in red.
The stamps are Machin 2B/150 PVAl head A,
from cylinder M1. PD4.6.1
AD11
26.
9.68
–
–
I
2
2
Printed in green. No overprint.
12.50
The stamps are as AD10.
AD12
.
3.69
–
–
I
2
2
Printed in green. No overprint.
17.50
The stamps are Machin 2B/150 PVAl head B,
from cylinder M4. PD4.6.2
AD13
?
.
.63
W
& & –
P
1
1
Printed in green.
27.50
Overprinted BLUE PHOS (OP4) in red.
The stamps are Wilding 2B B2 (blue)
phosphor CPP, from cylinder M1 or M2.
(see also AD2)
AD14
?
.
.63
W
–
P
1
1
Printed in green.
10.00
The printer’s watermark known upright only.
The stamps are Wilding C watermark WPP,
from cylinder M1 or M2.
(See also AD15)
AD15
?
.
.63
–
–
P
1
1
Printed in green.
7.50
The stamps are as AD14.
72
*! … *! "
Stock letter
AE
1 !"!
2 -$ $% AE (and AF) rolls were introduced for users of commercial affixing machines ready
for the new 2-tier post due to come into operation on 16 September 1968, at the
same time that the 1st-class minimum letter rate was raised to 5d. No 5d rolls for
Post Office vending machines were produced as new coin operated machines,
dispensing a mixture of stamps for a single 5d coin were planned for 1969 (see GS
and GL multivalue rolls in Section 5). In view of that, it was decided that the time
and cost of converting the existing vending machines to take 5d rolls was not
warranted.
AE1
9.
9.68
–
–
I
3
1
Printed in black.
27.50
There is only one alphabet; it has the narrow
E in DELIVERY.
The stamps are Machin 2B/150 PVAl head B,
from cylinder S1. PD6.1.2
Stock letter
AF
* 1 $
2 -$ $% The notes at AE above apply also to AF rolls.
AF1
9.
9.68
–
–
I
3
1
Printed in black.
22.50
There is only one alphabet; it has the narrow
E in DELIVERY.
The stamps are Machin 2B/250 PVAl head B,
from cylinder S2. PD6.2.1
2 ! … 2 ! 4
73
Reserved page
74
SECTION 3
Decimal rolls
Single value
Vertical delivery
75
Stock letter
AL
! "# #$ These rolls replaced the 7p XL rolls when the basic 2nd-class inland letter tariff was
increased from 7p to 8p on 20 August 1979. They were printed from the unified
cylinder 8, which was also used to print panes DP34/34A in the 80p counter book
which was issued on 3 October 1979. It was also capable of printing sheets but was
not used for that purpose. The rates were increased again on 4 February 1980,
following which these rolls were themselves replaced by the 10p CL rolls issued on
11 June 1980. The 8p AL rolls had a short life.
Leader
Issued
AL1
Layout
Description
!" # $% #& '
( )( * +%&$
Price
&$%
%& '
! These rolls were issued as part of a trial by Post Office Counters Ltd. to assess
demand. The value prepaid the basic worldwide airmail letter rate (outside Europe).
The date of issue is when the rolls were available from philatelic outlets; they were
not sold from machines in the main post offices selected for the trials until late
March 1992. When installed, the Hillday machines dispensed 18p, 24p, 33p and
39p stamps, the then current 2nd-class, 1st-class, worldwide postcards and worldwide airmail letter rates. They replaced many K machines dispensing 50p and £1
booklets. See Appendix 5 for a note of the packaging label used on this issue.
Leader
AL2
Issued
&&
Layout
Description
) , -$ !" #&. +/% &
Price
$%
… 76
Stock letter
BL
! "# #$ These rolls replaced the 9p YL rolls following the increase in the minimum 1st-class
inland letter rate from 9p to 10p on 20 August 1979. They were themselves replaced
on 11 June 1980 by the 12p DL rolls issued as a consequence of a further rate
increase on 4 February 1980.
The 10p BL rolls were printed by a unified cylinder which was also used for the
panes DP35/35A in the £1 counter book issued 3 October 1979, and, later, for the
CL rolls issued 11 June 1980 (when 10p became the minimum 2nd-class rate).
Leader
Issued
BL1
Layout
Description
0 1 2
0
!" $% & '
( )( * $ $ + %%/
Price
%%%
! !
" #
#
# ! ! $ % & ! !
!
#
'
# ! #'# !
! " !
( &
) … )
* ) % 77
Stock letter
BL
(continued)
& '
! These rolls were issued following the increase in the 2nd-class minimum inland
letter tariff to 19p on 1 November 1993. They replaced the 18p XL rolls. There were
issued in the by now customary three lengths of 500, 1000 and 10,000. Because
all were stocked under the same code letter they were designated types 1, 2 and 3
respectively (see Appendix 5). Type 3 was available only to special order.
Leader
BL2
Issued
/
Layout
Description
3 ) ,$.
4)
5 67 !" # $% #& '
( * 89 5 (
+ %$&
Price
$%
& "
These rolls were prepared for use only in the Hillday machines installed in the larger
Post Offices. They were not sold direct to the public.
Leader
BL3
Issued
/
Layout
Description
3 ) , %.
4)
5 #&
Price
%%%
&
(
These rolls were prepared for large commercial users and were reeled gum side in.
Leader
BL4
Issued
&/
Layout
Description
5
0 45
5 5 #&
Price
$%%
+
) ), - ). / )0 78
Stock letter
CL
)⁄ )
*+"# #$ These rolls replaced their pre-decimal equivalent sold under Stock Letter A. At the
time, the basic 2nd-class rate for the inland tariff was 2 ⁄ p, but the pre-decimal 4d
stamps could also be used. It was, however, necessary to add 1p to 4d to make the
equivalent of 2⁄ p — Your Guide to Decimal Currency, Post Office, ref: PL(DC)
1/1/71. The 1p stamp was also issued in rolls — see stock letter EL.
Leader
Issued
Layout
CL1
$ &
$
Description
:! ;; <=;7 =6> 6 # &$% '
( * 8 +&$&&
Price
$%%
! "# #$ On 4 February 1980, 10p became the minimum inland letter rate for 2nd-class
letters. This value already existed in lengthways delivery rolls under stock code BL
but they were on paper with allover phosphor and so were unsuitable. New rolls,
under a new stock Letter were therefore required. Code CL was re-used as the
2⁄ p rolls previously sold under this combination had been withdrawn in 1978.
The unified cylinder used to print the stamps had previously been used to print
stamps for the BL rolls, and for the £1 counter books.
Leader
CL2
Issued
-%
Layout
Description
0
!" # $% & ' (
)( * $ $ + %% %$
Price
%%%
' … '
79
Stock letter
CL
(continued)
) '
! These rolls were issued following the increase in the 1st-class minimum inland letter
tariff to 25p on 1 November 1993. They were on sale at smaller Post Offices and,
unlike CL4 below, complete rolls, designated Type 1, were available from the
Philatelic Bureau. They replaced the 24p YL rolls.
Leader
CL3
Issued
/
Layout
Description
3 . ) , &$.
4?
5 6 !" & #& '
( * 89 5 (
+&$%&&
Price
-$%
) '
! These rolls were prepared for use only in the Hillday machines installed in the larger
Post Offices. They were not sold direct to the public. They had the same code letter
as the smaller rolls of 500 issued on the same day but were packaged as Type 2.
Leader
CL4
Issued
/
Layout
Description
3 . ) ,&$%.
4?
5 6 !" & #& '
( * 89 5 (
+&$%&&
Price
$%
'0 … '0
" 1
! ! 2 %
80
Stock letter
DL
% )
*+"# #$ These rolls replaced their pre-decimal equivalent sold under stock Letter AE. At the
time, the basic 1st-class rate for the inland letter tariff was 3p but the pre-decimal
5d stamps could also be used. It was, however, necessary to add 1p to 5d to make
the equivalent of 3p — the Post Office’s ‘Your Guide to Decimal Currency’, ref:
PL(DC) 1/1/71. The 1p stamp was also issued in rolls — see the stock code letter
EL. The 3p DL rolls were withdrawn in 1975.
Leader
Issued
Layout
DL1
$ &
$
Description
:! ;; <=;7 & =6> 4)
6 &# &$% & # '
( * 8 % +/% &
Price
$%%
) $ "# #$ The second use of stock letter DL was for 12p rolls which replaced the 10p BL rolls
following an increase in the minimum 1st-class inland letter rate on 4 February
1980. They were themselves replaced on 11 March 1981 by the 14p FL rolls after
the rate had been further increased on 26 January 1981. The stamps were printed
by a unified cylinder which was also used for the panes in the £1.20 counter books
— DP39/39A.
Leader
DL2
Issued
-%
Layout
Description
0 0
!" '
( * + &% /
Price
$%%
- … -
81
Stock letter
DL
(continued)
% '
! The third use of stock letter DL was for 35p rolls which replaced the 33p ZL rolls
following an increase in the minimum worldwide postcard rate on 1 November
1993.
Leader
DL3
Issued
/
Layout
Description
3 . ) , $.
45
6 !" #& '
( * 89 5 (
+/$%$
Price
$%
-, … -,/
! 3 -,32
82
Stock letter
EL
)
(,
- " #$ It was intended to restrict the sale of the first decimal roll stamps for the general
public to the G type vending machines dispensing multivalue rolls, but trials had
been delayed and not all G machines were ready by D-day. ‘Some offices therefore
had converted B4 machines installed, which issued 1p stamps from EL rolls.’ (Post
Office Gazette, November 1970.) At the time, 1p stamps were much in public
demand as they could be used with pre-decimal 4d and 5d stamps to make up the
new inland base rates of 2 ⁄ p (2nd-class) and 3p (1st-class).
Leader
Issued
Layout
EL1
$ &
$
:! ;; <=;7 & =6> )
5 6 &# &$% # ;
( * 8 + %&&
$%
EL2
9 /
$
:! ;; <=;7 & =6> )
)0 5 5 +
5 )0 @
) ( 5 + &# &$% A # '
( * 8 + %
-$%
EL3
9 /
$
:! ;; <=;7 & =6> + )@
5 B
. ( 5
4 4* 40 + 5
4B 5 !& 4) 0
B) 0 ( * 8 $ 8 -C +
&# &$% # ' + %&
⁄
Description
Price
&&$%
0 4 % 4 … 4
83
Stock letter
EL
(continued)
⁄ ! These rolls replaced the 10p CL rolls when the minimum 2nd-class inland letter
rate was raised from 10p to 11⁄ p on 26 January 1981. The 1p EL rolls had been
withdrawn in February 1980 and the vacant code letters were re-used.
The 11⁄ p EL rolls became obsolescent when the 2nd-class rate was raised to 12 ⁄ p
on 1 February 1982.
Leader
EL4
Issued
/
Layout
Description
0 B
5 !" # $% #& '
( * #$ + $&/
Price
%%%
, '
! The third use of stock letter EL was for 41p rolls which replaced the 39p AL rolls
following an increase in the minimum worldwide airletter rate on 1 November 1993.
Leader
EL5
84
Issued
/
Layout
Description
3 . ) ,&%$.
0
6 !" A #& '
( * 89 5 (
+ %/
Price
$%
Stock letter
FL
, !+"# #$ These rolls were required following the rise in the basic 1st-class inland letter tariff
from 12p to 14p on 26 January 1981. They became obsolescent following a further
rate rise, to 15⁄ p on 1 February 1982
Leader
FL1
Issued
/
Layout
Description
0.
D
5 0 E
5 & !" 4 & '
( * #/ + % / 1 2
Price
$%
' ), % ) ! 1 " ! -#0.0. 50 1 ! + + … +
85
Stock letter
GL
)⁄ !+"# #$ These GL rolls replaced the 11 ⁄ p EL rolls, following the increase in the minimum
inland 2nd-class letter rate from 11⁄ p to 12⁄ p on 1 February 1982. This rate
remained unchanged when tariffs were again increased on 5 April 1983. The GL
rolls continued to be available until the KL rolls were introduced after a further
increase in the 2nd-class rate to 13p on 3 September 1984.
Leader
1 2
GL2
Issued
&&
Layout
Description
0
5 !" # $% & '
( * # + &$ /
Price
$%%
$ $ ! Leader
GL3
Issued
9 &&
Layout
Description
0
0) ( 5
+&
)0 + &$ /
Price
$%%
6 ! 2 '
) ! -#22 52 1 + *7 % ) ! ⁄ 6 6, … 6,
86
Stock letter
HL
⁄ !+"$ #$ HL rolls replaced the FL rolls for business use, and were issued on the same day
that the 1st-class minimum inland letter rate was raised from 14p to 15 ⁄ p.
Following a further rise in the rate to 16p on 5 April 1983, the HL rolls were replaced
with JL rolls.
Leader
HL1
Issued
&&
Layout
Description
Price
B
5 !" & '
( * #[1] + $$ &
Stock letter
$%%
JL
. ($ #$ JL rolls replaced the HL rolls, following an increase in the minimum 1st-class inland
letter rate from 15 ⁄ p to 16p on 5 April 1983. They were themselves replaced by the
LL rolls when the rate was further increased to 17p on 3 September 1984.
Leader
JL1
Issued
&% /
Layout
Description
4?
5 !" '
( * #/ [2] + -%/&
Price
$%%
). ! -#2020 522 1
% ) ! + 89 :
! ! 1 ! ), ! -#;; 5; 1 2 *7, 87
Stock letter
KL
% ! KL rolls were issued on the first day of a tariff increase that raised the basic 2nd-class
inland postal rate from 12⁄ p to 13p. They were replaced by 12p ML rolls following
the further tariff changes of 4 November 1985, when the 2nd-class rate was reduced
from 13p to 12p. However, the value remained on sale in sheet form, unchanged,
and when the rate was again raised to 13p on 20 October 1986, KL rolls were
re-issued. (Compare the treatment of the 12p rolls DL and ML where the colour of
the stamp was changed.)
Leader
Issued
Layout
Description
KL1
/ . *5 5 !" # $% & '
( * #[1] + /%&&
KL2
9 F 4) B
Stock letter
Price
$%
&$%%
LL
/ ! These rolls were issued when a revised postal tariff raised the minimum 1st-class
inland letter rate from 16p to 17p. This remained unaltered when the next tariff
changes took effect on 4 November 1985, and LL rolls remained available until the
18p NL rolls were issued following a further tariff change on 20 October 1986.
Leader
Issued
LL1
/ 88
Layout
Description
. 4)
5 !" & '
( * #[2] + %&/
Price
&$%
). ! -#;7;7 5, 1
). ! -#;*;* 5. 1
Stock letter
ML
% )
* "# #$ The basic 2nd-class letter rate was raised to 3p on 10 September 1973. This value
was already available in DL rolls but it had 2 phosphor bars and so was not
appropriate to the new service. The sheet stamp with one central phosphor bar was
issued on the first day of the rate change, but rolls were not issued for some time
and the exact date of issue of the ML rolls was not announced. No instructions
were issued to withdraw the DL rolls, and it seems that the Post Office were content
for stocks of these to be exhausted first.
Leader
Issued
Layout
Description
Price
ML1
9 -
:! ;; <=;7 =6> 4)
5 !" # $% & # '
( * 8 +/%-
$%%
ML2
9 -
:! ;; 3 <=;7 3 =6> 4)
5 !" # $% & # '
( * 8 +/%-
$%%%
) ! On 4 November 1985, the minimum 2nd-class inland letter rate was reduced from
13p to 12p, and these ML rolls replaced the 13p KL rolls. Although the 12p CB
stamp had been issued in the earlier DL rolls, these were not re-issued because the
12p stamp had ceased to be produced following the 1981 tariff changes and when
the 1985 changes made it necessary to re-issue it, the colour of the stamp was
changed from yellowish green to emerald green.
Leader
Issued
ML3
& $
Layout
Description
0
5 !" # $% / #& '
( * # % [1]. + &%/
Price
&$%
) ! -#7070 5 1
89
Stock letter
NL
! The minimum 1st-class inland letter rate was raised from 17p to 18p on 20 October
1986 and these rolls replaced the 17p LL rolls.
Harrisons ceased to make Phosphor Coated Paper in late 1986 (it was replaced by
“A” Coated Paper, more usually known as ACP), but it was not until early 1988
that stocks of the paper were exhausted and ACP began to be used for these rolls.
The NL2 rolls were first seen in March, 1988 but the official date of release was 3
May 1988. Although leader paper referring to ACP was printed for other values, all
18p ACP roll stamps were issued with the leader referring, erroneously, to PCP. By
the time the 18p PCP leader paper was used up, the rates had changed and demand
for the 18p roll ceased.
Leader
Issued
Layout
Description
Price
NL1
&% %-
4?
5 !" #& '
( * #& + %/
/$%
NL2
/
4?
5 !" #& '
( * #& + %&$
$%
) ! -#** 57 1 < =' ) ! >
< … <
90
Stock letter
OL
%⁄ )
* "# !+! These rolls were introduced following the rise in the minimum inland 1st- class
letter rate from 3p to 3⁄ p on 10 September 1973.
When 3⁄ p became the 2nd-class rate on 24 June 1974, no lengthwise delivery 3 ⁄ p
CB rolls were issued and the OL rolls continued on sale until exhausted. In fact,
no new lengthwise rolls for either the 1st-class or 2nd-class service were issued for
the 1974 rate changes, nor for the later changes effective 17 March 1975. The next
lengthwise delivered rolls for the 1st-class service were the 8 ⁄ p TL rolls issued on
28 January 1976, which was some months after 8⁄ p became the minimum 1st-class
rate (29 September 1975). It seems clear that commercial roll users were not well
supplied during a time of rapidly rising inflation.
Leader
OL1
Issued
9 Layout
-
Description
:! ;; <=;7 & =6>
0
5 !" &# $% '
( * 8 8$ +/$/$
/⁄ 6 Price
%%%%
? ! 0 % ? … ?
91
Stock letter
OL
(continued)
, ! These rolls were issued in consequence of the increase in the minimum secondclass inland postage rates on 5 September 1988.
Leader
Issued
OL2
$ Layout
Description
4)
5 !" # $% #& '
( * # + %/
Price
-$%
, '
! These rolls were prepared for use solely in Post Offices with a large user. They were
available at the same time as the rolls of 500 under the same stock letter code; the
first time that this had ever occurred. The rolls were secured with deep red, instead
of pink, tape. The date of first issue was supplied by the Post Office, after the
existence of these rolls was discovered by the author in mid-September 1989. They
were withdrawn at the close of business on 30 September 1989 and, since they
were never available to the public, leaders are scarce. (Alerted by the discovery,
the market acquired good quantities of leaders for rolls of 1,000 stamps for
subsequent
Leader
OL3
values.) See also note [2] below.
Issued
.
4.89
Layout
8
Description
1 Phos Line — PVA Dex,
Price
37.50
printed in blue.
The stamps were unchanged from OL2.
DG140.4.3
! " ##$ % & '( )( $ &* + +
& ,
- .. & 92
Stock letter
PL
! These rolls were issued following the increase in the 1st-class minimum inland letter
tariff to 19p on 5 September 1988.
Leader
PL1
Issued
5.
9.88
Layout
8
Description
Phos Coated Paper — PVA Dex,
Price
7.50
printed in orange vermilion.
The stamps were ACP/DEX T1/B2 U,
from cylinder B3. DG190.1.3 [1]
They were reeled gum side out and attached to
the left of the leader.
PL2
.
4.89
8
As PL1 but the stamps (also reeled gum side
125.00
out) were attached to the right of the leader;
probably caused by an inverted printing of the
leader text. These are scarce.
"
! These rolls were prepared for use solely in Post Offices with a large user. They were
available at the same time as the rolls of 500 under the same stock letter code; the
first time that this had ever occurred. The rolls were secured with deep red, instead
of pink, tape. The date of first issue was supplied by the Post Office, after the
existence of these rolls was discovered by the author in mid-September 1989. They
were withdrawn at the close of business on 30 September 1989 and, since they
were never available to the public from the Philatelic Bureau or Philatelic counters,
leaders are scarce. Experimental rolls of 1500 were also prepared; see note [2] on
the previous page.
Leader
Issued
PL3
.4.89
Layout
8
Description
ACP — PVA Dex, printed in orange vermilion.
Price
37.50
The stamps were the same as on PL1.
DG190.1.3
/ % # 0
#
, & $ 1
93
Stock letter
QL
! These rolls were issued for use by Readers Digest pending the issue of a revised
multi-value roll to meet the proposed tariff increases. Approval for these was
delayed and they did not come into effect until 5 September 1988. However, the
roll stamps for the basic inland letter rates were printed in anticipation of approval
for them and were allocated the letter codes OL (14p) and PL (19p) in normal
sequence — see Appendix 3. Consequently, these 1p rolls were coded QL, although
they were in fact issued before the OL and PL rolls. They replaced the sideways
delivered SC rolls, although the latter were not withdrawn from philatelic sale until
30 September 1989.
Leader
QL1
Issued
26.
7.88
Layout
8
Description
ACP — PVA Dex,
Price
12.50
printed in red.
The stamps were ACP/DEX T5a/B2 U,
from cylinder R38. DG10.13.5
2
94
. ( &
$ ($ 314
…
314
Stock letter
RL
#⁄ $% !&! These rolls were issued following the increase in the 2nd-class minimum inland
letter tariff to 6⁄ p on 29 September 1975.
The last previous 2nd-class rolls issued for lengthwise delivery in business affixing
machines had been the 3p ML rolls issued in April 1974. None was issued for the
3⁄ p rate effective from 24 June 1974, or the 5 ⁄ p rate which lasted from 17 March
1975 to 28 September 1975.
Leader
RL1
Issued
28.
1.76
Layout
7
Description
Printed in black.
Price
17.50
The stamps were FCP/DEX CB/150 T1b/B2 U,
from cylinder 7. DG65.2.3 [1]
5 & & %4 %6
5 ( . & &
#7%$ 8 & +( & .* ( 9 & -.&
#7%
2
. ( &
$ ($ '14
…
'14
'1 % & + (
95
Stock letter
RL
(continued)
! An increase in the minimum inland letter rate from 14p to 15p on 2 October 1989
necessitated the issue of these rolls, for the private POKO-type and the Post Office
Hillday machines. Although intended to be issued on that day, they were postponed
because of ‘production requirements’.
The roll code letters were the next in the second decimal series (see Appendix 3);
it was coincidence that they were the same as the 6 ⁄ p rolls, which were coded in
the first series.
Leader
RL2
Issued
16.10.89
Layout
8
Description
Price
1 Phos Line — PVA Dex,
6.50
printed in light blue
The stamps were FCP/DEX CB/150, T2ad/B2 U
DG150.2.2
"
! These rolls were prepared for use only in the Hillday machines installed in the larger
Post Offices. They were not sold direct to the public. The rolls were secured with
deep red, instead of pink, tape. In store they were differentiated from the smaller
RL2 rolls by the packaging labels; see Appendix 5.
Leader
RL3
Issued
16.10.89
Layout
8
Description
Price
1 Phos Line — PVA Dex,
7.50
printed in light blue
The stamps were FCP/DEX CB/150, T2ad/B2 U,
as on RL2. DG150.2.2
2
96
. ( &
$ ($ '1/4
…
'1/4
Stock letter
TL
'⁄ $% !&! These rolls were issued following the increase in the 1st-class minimum inland letter
tariff to 8⁄ p on 29 September 1975.
The last previous 1st-class rolls issued for lengthwise delivery in business affixing
machines had been the 3 ⁄ p OL rolls issued in April 1974. None was issued for the
4⁄ p rate effective from 24 June 1974, or the 7p rate which lasted from 17 March
1975 to 28 September 1975.
Leader
TL1
Issued
28.
1.76
Layout
7
Description
Printed in black.
Price
17.50
The stamps were FCP/DEX 2B/150 T1/C1 U,
from cylinder 3. DG85.1.2 [1]
5 & & :4 :6
% 5 ( . & &
#7%$ 8 & +( & .* ( 9 & -.&
#7%
2
. ( &
$ ($ 514
51 …
514
& + (
97
Stock letter
TL
(continued)
( ! An increase in the minimum inland letter rate from 19p to 20p on 2 October 1989
necessitated the issue of these rolls for the private POKO-type and the Post Office
Hillday machines. Although intended to be issued on that day, they were postponed
because of ‘production requirements’.
The roll code letters were the next in the second decimal series (see Appendix 3);
it was coincidence that they were the same as the 8 ⁄ p rolls, which were coded in
the first series.
Leader
TL2
Issued
Layout
16.10.89
Description
Price
ACP – PVA Dex,
6.50
printed in black
The stamps were ACP/DEX T2b/B2 U. DG200.8.4
( "
! These rolls were prepared for use only in the Hillday machines installed in the larger
Post Offices. They were not sold direct to the public. The rolls were secured with
deep red, instead of pink, tape. In store they were differentiated from the smaller
TL2 rolls by the packaging labels; see Appendix 5.
Leader
TL3
Issued
16.10.89
Layout
8
Description
Price
ACP – PVA Dex,
7.50
printed in black
The stamps were ACP/DEX T2b/B2 U,
as on TL2. DG200.8.4
2
98
. ( &
$ ($ 51/4
…
51/4
Stock letter
UL
) * "
! These rolls were issued for the private POKO-type and Post Office Hillday machines
as a consequence of an increase in the inland 2nd-class letter tariff effective from
17 September 1990. They replaced the 15p RL rolls.
Rolls of 500 and 1000 were produced and issued under the same stock letter,
continuing a practice which had begun with the OL rolls of 1989. They were labelled
Type 1 and Type 2 respectively when packed. (For Type 3 and Type 4, see UL3 and
UL4 on the next page.)
The end papers were rouletted in the usual places (see figure 2 on page 3) but were
a little unusual. They were 2 !⁄"" long and made of the same yellow paper as the
leaders but were not attached directly to the cardboard core. Instead, a strip of
stamp paper, about 3" long, was stuck to the !⁄"" core and the end paper was then
wound round this, but not attached to it.
Leader
UL1
Issued
17.
9.90
Layout
8
Description
1 Phos Line – PVA Dex,
Price
6.50
printed in dark blue
The stamps were CB FCP/DEX,
‘A’ phosphor. DG170.9.2
) "
! These rolls were prepared for use only in the Hillday machines installed in the larger
Post Offices and were not sold direct to the public. They had the same code letter
as UL1 but were packaged as Type 2. (See also UL3 and UL4 on the next page,
and Appendix 5.)
Leader
UL2
Issued
17.
9.90
Layout
8
Description
1 Phos Line – PVA Dex,
Price
7.50
printed in dark blue
The stamps were as UL1. DG170.9.2
99
Stock letter
UL
(continued)
) W
+! %,
$ -./
These huge rolls had a diameter of 170mm and were made for special private stamp
affixing machines. They were of two types, requiring the stamps to be reeled either
‘gum side in’ or ‘gum side out’. These were labelled Type 3 and Type 4 respectively
when packed.
Both were given the same code letter as the normal rolls — see UL1 and UL2 on
the previous page. See Appendix 5 for information about the packaging of these
rolls.
Leader
UL3
Issued
.
9.90
Layout
—
Description
Unprinted.
Price
75.00
Reeled gum side in and sealed with Sellotape.
The stamps were as UL1. DG170.9.2
UL4
.
9.90
—
Unprinted.
175.00
As UL3 but reeled gum side out.
The stamps were as UL1. DG170.9.2
;
( $ &
100
Stock letter
WL
(( * "
! These rolls were issued as a result of an increase in the inland 1st-class letter rate
on 17 September 1990. Following recent practice, two sizes were issued under the
same stock letter. They were, respectively, for the private POKO-type machines and
the Hillday machines in use at the larger Post Offices and were labelled Type 1 and
Type 2 when packed. (For Type 3 and Type 4, see WL3 and WL4 on the next page.)
The end papers were rouletted in the usual places (see figure 2 on page 3) but were
a little unusual. They were 2 !⁄"" long and made of the same yellow paper as the
leaders but were not attached directly to the cardboard core. Instead, a strip of
stamp paper, about 3" long, was stuck to the !⁄"" core and the end paper was then
wound round this, but not attached to it.
Leader
WL1
Issued
17.
9.90
Layout
8
Description
ACP – PVA Dex,
Price
6.25
printed in vermilion
The stamps were ACP/DEX. DG220.4.2
(( "
! These rolls were prepared for use only in the Hillday machines installed in the larger
Post Offices. They were not sold direct to the public. They had the same code letter
as the smaller rolls of 500 issued on the same day but were packaged as Type 2.
Leader
WL2
Issued
17.
9.90
Layout
8
Description
ACP – PVA Dex,
Price
7.00
printed in vermilion
The stamps were as WL1. DG220.4.2
2
. ( &
$ ($ )1 4
…
)1 4
101
Stock letter
WL
(continued)
(( W
+! %,
$ -./
These huge rolls had a diameter of 170mm and were made for special private stamp
affixing machines. They were of two types, requiring the stamps to be reeled either
‘gum side in’ or ‘gum side out’. These were labelled Type 3 and Type 4 respectively
when packed. Both were given the same code letter as the normal rolls — WL1 and
WL2 on the previous page. (For information about the packaging of these rolls, see
Appendix 5.)
Leader
WL3
Issued
.
9.90
Layout
—
Description
Unprinted.
Price
75.00
Reeled gum side in and sealed with Sellotape.
The stamps were as WL1. DG220.4.2
WL4
.
9.90
—
Unprinted.
175.00
As WL3 but reeled gum side out.
The stamps were as WL1. DG220.4.2
;
( $ &
102
Stock letter
XL
) $% ! These rolls were issued following the increase in the 2nd-class inland letter tariff
from 6⁄ p on 13 June 1977 and replaced the RL rolls.
Leader
XL1
Issued
13.
6.77
Layout
7
Description
Printed in red-brown.
Price
15.00
The stamps were FCP/DEX CB/150 T1a/B2 U,
from cylinder 11. DG70.2.2 [1]
' ! ! The second use of stock letter XL was for 18p rolls which were issued as a result of
an increase in the inland 2nd-class letter rate on 16 September 1991.
Three sizes were issued under the same stock letter. The smallest size had 500
stamps in the roll. It was for the private POKO-type machines and for sale through
philatelic outlets. (See the next page for the other two sizes.)
The comments under UL on page 99 concerning the end papers apply also to these
rolls.
Leader
XL2
Issued
16.
9.91
Layout
8
Description
1 Phos Line – PVA Dex
Price
6.25
Printed in light green; Value £90
The stamps were FCP/DEX CB/150 T4/B2 U,
from cylinder R2. DG180.8.2
#4 #6 7 103
Stock letter
XL
(continued)
' "
! ! These rolls were prepared for use only in the Hillday machines installed in the larger
Post Offices. They were not sold direct to the public. They had the same code letter
as the smaller rolls of 500 issued on the same day (see XL2 on the previous page).
These rolls were packaged as Type 2, see Appendix 5.
Leader
XL3
Issued
16.
9.91
Layout
8
Description
Price
1 Phos Line – PVA Dex
6.50
Printed in light green; Value £180,
The stamps were as XL2. DG180.8.2
' W
+! %,
$ -./
These huge rolls had a diameter of 170mm and were made for special private stamp
affixing machines, as operated by Readers Digest for use by, among others, Cornhill
Insurance. With this issue, the jumbo rolls of 10,000 stamps were standardised and
supplied ‘gum side in’ only, (Type 3, see Appendix 5).
Leader
XL4
Issued
.
9.91
Layout
—
Description
Unprinted.
Price
75.00
Reeled gum side in and sealed with Sellotape.
The stamps were as XL2. DG180.8.2
…
2
. ( &
$ ($ <1/4
;
( $ &
104
<1/4
Stock letter
YL
$% ! These rolls were issued following the increase in the 1st-class minimum inland letter
tariff to 9p on 13 June 1977. They replaced the 8 ⁄ p TL rolls.
Leader
YL1
Issued
13.
6.77
Layout
7
Description
Printed in dark blue.
Price
10.00
The stamps were FCP/DEX 2B/150 T1/C1 U,
from cylinder 24. DG90.4.4
(0 ! ! The second use of stock letter YL was for 24p rolls which were issued as a result of
an increase in the inland 1st-class letter rate on 16 September 1991.
Three sizes were issued under the same stock letter. The smallest size had 500
stamps in the roll. It was mainly intended for the private POKO-type machines and
for sale through philatelic outlets. They were packaged as Type 1. (See the next
page for Types 2 and 3.)
The comments under UL on page 99 concerning the end papers apply also to these
rolls.
Leader
YL2
Issued
16.
9.91
Layout
8
Description
ACP – PVA Dex Value £1200,
Price
6.25
printed in vermilion
The stamps were ACP/DEX T1/B2 U,
from cylinder R1. DG240.3.5
;
/4/6 # ( $ &
105
Stock letter
YL
(continued)
(0 "
! ! These rolls were prepared for use only in the Hillday machines installed in the larger
Post Offices. They were not sold direct to the public. They had the same code letter
as the smaller rolls of 500 issued on the same day but were packaged as Type 2.
See Appendix 5 for further information about the packaging of these rolls.
Leader
YL3
Issued
16.
9.91
Layout
8
Description
Price
Value £240, ACP – PVA Dex
7.25
Printed in vermilion;
The stamps were as YL2. DG240.3.5
(0 W
+! %,
$ -./
These huge rolls had a diameter of 170mm and were made for special private stamp
affixing machines for use by, among others, Cornhill Insurance. With this issue,
the jumbo rolls were standardised and supplied ‘gum side in’ only, (Type 3).
Leader
YL4
Issued
.
9.91
Layout
—
Description
Unprinted.
Price
75.00
Reeled gum side in and sealed with Sellotape.
The stamps were as YL2. DG240.3.5
2
. ( &
$ ($ =1/4
106
…
=1/4
Stock letter
ZL
11 "
! ! This value prepaid the minimum worldwide airmail postcard rate and the rolls were
issued as part of a trial by Post Office Counters Ltd. to assess demand. The date of
issue is when the rolls were available from philatelic outlets; they were not sold
from machines in the main post offices selected for the trials until late March 1992.
The trials proved successful and Hillday machines replaced many of the old F, G
and H booklet vending machines at sub-postoffices and sites owned by Post Office
Counters Ltd. When the tariff was increased on 1st November 1993, these rolls
were replaced by the 35p DL rolls.
Leader
ZL1
Issued
11.
2.92
Layout
8
Description
ACP — PVA Dex; value £195,
Price
12.50
printed in black;
The stamps are T1/B2. DG330.1.2
2
. ( &
$ ($ >14
…
>14
107
Reserved page
108
SECTION 4
Decimal rolls
Single value
Horizontal delivery
109
Stock letter
AS
⁄ ! These rolls replaced their pre-decimal equivalent value sold under stock letter H.
At the time, the basic 2nd-class rate for the inland tariff was 2 ⁄ p, but the
pre-decimal 4d stamps could also be used. It was, however, necessary to add 1p
to 4d to make the equivalent of 2 ⁄ p — Your Guide to Decimal Currency, Post
Office, ref: PL(DC) 1/1/71. The 1p stamp was also issued in rolls at the time — see
stock code EL in Section 2. On 10 September 1973, the minimum 2nd-class letter
rate was raised to 3p. This value was already being sold for multipost type affixing
machines, albeit with two phosphor bars, and it continued on sale — see BS rolls
on the next page. There was no specific sideways delivered roll stamp for the
2nd-class post until the rates were raised again on 24 June 1974, after which the
3⁄ p PS rolls were issued.
Leader
AS1
Layout
AS2
Issued
1 20
Description
!" #$
% & '%( % ) *+" ,& )
-. +
% & '%( !% ) *+" ,& )/
-.
. +3&! 3, ! !4& ! . !3+5 !" # 6%. '%( !% )
*+" ,& )/ -.7
Price
0(
(((
((
! "
# !$ $ % !
&' ! ( ) ) )! &' ! )* ! ! ) * + ) ! ! ) ! ! )! ! ) ! ! ! !
110
Stock letter
BS
" ! These rolls replaced their pre-decimal equivalent sold under stock letter AF. At the
time, the basic 1st-class rate for the inland letter tariff was 3p but the pre-decimal
5d stamps could also be used. It was, however, necessary to add 1p to 5d to make
the equivalent of 3p — the Post Office’s “Your Guide to Decimal Currency”, ref:
PL(DC) 1/1/71. The 1p stamp was issued in EL rolls for the public’s convenience
during the changeover.
Leader
Issued
Layout
BS1
!
3&8
!" # % & '%( %' )
*+" ,& )/ -.0(0
BS2
1 !
' 38 !" !5 +! (
+ + -.0(
9! ! !
(((
BS3
0
!
. 3&8
+ +8 ! . # "!8:
3&!; ;
!" # 6%. '%( %' 9
*+" ,& )/ -.0(
((
BS4
0
!
7((
BS5
. 3&8
+3&! 3, ! 3&8 !4& ! .
!3+5 !" # 6%. '%( %' 9
*+" ,& )/ -.0(
0
!
((
BS6
'/ 38 !" # . '%(
%' 9 *+" ,& )/ -.0(
1 /
!
3&8
!" # 6%. '%( %' 9
*+" ,& )/ -.0(
((
Description
)) Price
0(
! !$ ) ! , ) )! ! )* )) -
! ) ! !)
$ $ ,.
…
,./
111
Stock letter
CS
# $% ! These rolls replaced the 6 ⁄ p VS rolls following an increase in the minimum inland
2nd-class letter rate from 6 ⁄ p to 7p on 13 June 1977. When the rate was further
increased to 8p on 20 August 1979 no rolls were issued to replace them. In fact, no
more sideways delivered single value rolls for 2nd-class post were issued until the
12p SA rolls on 23 September 1986 — after seven rate increases! CS rolls were
withdrawn in December 1981.
Leader
CS1
Issued
<
Layout
Description
Price
-= :3+#
#! * " ! &! ! "! !,
* + -> 48"
!" # 6%-= '%( %' 9
*+" ,& ) -.(
Stock letter
(
DS
& ! These rolls replaced the 8 ⁄ p WS rolls following the increase in the minimum
1st-class inland letter rate to 9p on 13 August 1977.
Leader
DS1
-
Issued
<
Layout
Description
-= !; 3&8
!" # 6%-= '%( !% 9
*+" ,& ) -.7(/
! ) ! !)
$ $ 0.
112
Price
(
…
0./
Stock letter
KS
" ! Following the increase in rates on 10 September 1973, 3p prepaid the minimum
2nd-class letter rate instead of 1st-class as formerly. Consequently, the BS rolls with
two bars were replaced by KS rolls with one central phosphor band. A little over
nine months later, rates were raised again and 3p rolls were not needed.
Leader
KS1
Issued
Layout
1 0
<!
Description
Price
3&8
+* *# &! +* , "!;4 +
* + 48"
!" # 6%-= '%( %' )
*+" ,& )/ -.0(
((
1 Stock letter
LS
"⁄ ! These rolls were issued, unannounced, some months after an increase in the
minimum 1st-class inland letter rate to 3⁄ p on 10 September 1973. They replaced
the BS rolls. There were no sideways delivered rolls for the 1st-class rate for the
tariff increase to 4⁄ p on 24 June 1974, or for the increase to 7p on 17 March 1975.
The next rolls for this service were the 8 ⁄ p WS rolls issued 13 October 1976, over
a year after the rate was raised to this amount (on 29 September 1975).
Leader
LS1
Issued
1 /
Layout
<
Description
4
!" # 6%-= '%( !% )
*+" ,& )0 -.0
Price
(
113
Stock letter
PS
"⁄ ! These rolls were issued to replace the KS rolls, following an increase in the basic
2nd-class inland letter rate to 3 ⁄ p on 24 June 1974. The stamps were printed from
the same colour cylinder as the LS rolls, but with a different phosphor layout. There
were no sideways delivered rolls for the basic 2nd-class post when the tariff was
increased to 5⁄ p on 17 March 1975. The next commercial rolls for this service were
the 6⁄ p VS rolls issued 13 October 1976, over a year after the rate was raised to
this amount (on 29 September 1975).
Leader
PS1
Issued
1 /
Layout
Description
Price
-= 4
!" # 6%-= '%( !% 9
,& )0 -.0
Stock letter
(
QS
'⁄ ! These rolls were issued following an increase in the minimum 1st-class inland letter
tariff to 4⁄ p on 24 June 1974. They replaced the LS rolls. No sideways delivered
rolls for the 1st-class service were issued when the rate was raised to 7p on 17
March 1975, but 8⁄ p WS rolls were issued 13 October 1976, more than a year after
the rate was further increased to 8 ⁄ p (on 29 September 1975).
Leader
QS1
114
Issued
Layout
0/
!
Description
? ? ? ? -=
4,:3&8@ +" ! ! !&
! ! + !" # 6%-= '%( %- 9
*+" ,& )/ ) + )< -./7
Price
(
Stock letter
SA
(! ) Apart from the multivalue RD rolls, these were the first sideways printed rolls for
the 2nd-class service since the 7p CS rolls issued 16 November 1977.
Less than a month after the SA rolls were issued, the basic 2nd-class rate was raised
to 13p and the SA rolls were replaced with the 13p SB rolls which were issued on
20 October 1986, the first day of the new rates.
Leader
SA1
Issued
0 72<
Layout
2
Description
Price
+ 9 ->
4
!" # 6%-= '%( 0!%' )
*+" ,& ) -.(/<
Stock letter
(
SB
" (! ) These SB rolls replaced the short-lived SA rolls when the minimum inland 2nd-class
rate was raised from 12p to 13p on 20 October 1986.
Leader
SB1
-
Issued
((2<
Layout
2
Description
+ 9 -=
+!4:3+#
!" # 6%-= '%( %- 9
*+" ,& ) -.0(<
! ) ! !)
$ $ ,.
Price
(
…
,./
115
Stock letter
SC
W
) These rolls were ‘specially printed for a large user of the post’, according to an
official Post Office announcement. The client was Readers Digest. The leaders bore
no printed information but were listed by the Edinburgh Philatelic Bureau under
the code SC, which was in line with the sequence predicated in Appendix 3 of the
first edition of this catalogue. (They were also referred to as SC rolls on page 264
of the Volume 25 Number 11, July 1988.)
Leader
Issued
Layout
Description
SC1
0 <2
+ 4 + &!
!" # %-= /!%' 9
*+" ,& )0 + )07 -.(00
"! +* &! 8"+
((
SC2
0 <2
! 38 "++ +* &! 8"+
((
Stock letter
Price
SD
' (! ) These rolls were issued following approval of an increase in the basic inland letter
rate to 14p on 5 September 1988, and replaced the 13p SB rolls. See Appendix 5
concerning the packaging of these rolls.
Leader
Issued
SD1
722
Layout
2
Description
Price
+ 9 ->
!; 3&8
!" # 6%-= /!%' 9
*+" ,& ) -./(//
7(
…
-
! ) ! !)
$ $ 0.
2
)! $ !)
) 116
0./
Stock letter
SF
(! ) These rolls replaced the 14p SD rolls following the tariff increase on 2 October 1989.
Although intended to be issued on that day, they were postponed because of
‘production requirements’.
Leader
Issued
Layout
Description
Price
SF1
<(27
2
+ 9 ->
&4 3&8
!" #@ 6%-= !%' ' )
, # & 48" +8 ! !! +
&* +* &! -.(0
(
SF2
7(
2
6 38 !" A!&+ & 48" +8B # !! + 4 +* &!@
+3!3&, !8 3, ! 5 4 +* &! > ! ! -.(0
(
Stock letter
SG
(! ) These rolls were issued as a consequence of the tariff increase effective from 2.10.89
and prepaid the first-class inland letter rate. Although intended to be issued on that
day, they were postponed because of ‘production requirements’. See Appendix 5
for a note of the packaging of these rolls.
Leader
SG1
-
Issued
<(27
Layout
2
Description
Price
->
3&!;
!" #$ %-= 3%' )
-.((2/
! ) ! !)
$ $ 3.
(
…
3./
117
Stock letter
VS
*⁄ ! These rolls were issued over a year after the basic 2nd-class inland letter rate was
increased from 5⁄ p to 6⁄ p on 29 September 1975. No 2nd-class rolls for sideways
delivery had been issued for the 5 ⁄ p rate, and these VS rolls were the first since
the 3⁄ p PS rolls. Following a further increase in the 2nd-class rate to 7p on 13 June
1977, they were replaced with the 7p CS rolls (issued on 16 November 1977)
Leader
VS1
Issued
0(<
Layout
Description
Price
-= !& 3&8
!" # 6%-= '%( %' 9
*+" ,& )0 -.<<
Stock letter
(
WS
+⁄ ! These rolls were issued more than a year after an increase in the minimum inland
letter rate to 8 ⁄ p (on 29 September 1975) had created the need for them. There
had been no rolls for sideways delivery for the 1st-class postal rate of 7p which was
introduced on 17 March 1975, and they were the first such rolls since the 4 ⁄ p QS
rolls. They were themselves replaced by the 9p DS rolls following a further increase
in the 1st-class rate on 13 June 1977.
Leader
WS1
-
Issued
0(<
Layout
Description
-= !& 4
!" # 6%-= '%( !% 9
*+" ,& ) -.2/
! ) )
!)
$ $ 4.
118
Price
((
…
4./
SECTION 5
Multivalue rolls
The prices of leaders in this Section are with one
complete strip attached, consisting of four or five
stamps as appropriate to the issue.
119
Stock letter
GL
Content:
600 x 1/-, sets of 12*
(2d + 2d + 3d + 1d + 4d)
Delivery:
Left side first
Machine type: G
Paper:
Orange, self-coloured,
rough reverse
In preparation for decimalisation, experimental G machines delivering five stamps
se-tenant for a single coin (1/- or 5p), were installed for trials at 16 sites throughout
the country and later brought into general use. These machines were capable of
coping with changes in postal rates or stamp denominations by adjusting the
number and value of stamps in the rolls, or the number of stamps delivered, instead
of having, as hitherto, to be modified to take different coins.
There were two roll sizes. The GS rolls contained 300 sets (1500 stamps); the GL
rolls had 600 sets (3000 stamps). The stock letters were mnemonic, being a
combination of the machine type (G) and the large size (L). [1]
The GL rolls were not sold to the general public; only GS rolls were available from
philatelic counters and the Philatelic Bureau.
GL1
27. 8.69
— — I
3 1 Printed in black.
There is only one alphabet; it has the narrow
E in DELIVERY.
The 4d value was red. Other details are:
1d CB/250 GA head B, cylinder B5, PD2.4.1
2d CB/250 GA head B, cylinder D3, PD3.3.1
3d CB/250 GA head B, cylinder M3, PD4.2.1
4d CB/250 GA head B, cylinder P6, PD5.11.5
9.50
… !
"#
$ % !⁄ & ' ( ) *+
120
Stock letter
GS
Content:
300 x 1/-, sets of 12*
(2d + 2d + 3d + 1d + 4d)
Delivery:
Left side first
Machine type: G
Paper:
Orange, self-coloured,
rough reverse
In preparation for decimalisation, experimental G machines delivering five stamps
se-tenant for a single coin (1/- or 5p), were installed for trials at 16 sites throughout
the country and later brought into general use. These machines were capable of
coping with changes in postal rates or stamp denominations by adjusting the
number and value of stamps in the rolls, or the number of stamps delivered, instead
of having, as hitherto, to be modified to take different coins.
There were two roll sizes. The GS rolls contained 300 sets (1500 stamps); the GL
rolls had 600 sets (3000 stamps). The stock letters were mnemonic, being a
combination of the machine type (G) and small size (S).
Only GS rolls were available from philatelic counters and the Philatelic Bureau;
GL rolls were not sold to the general public.
GS1
27. 8.69
— — I
3 1 Printed in black.
There is only one alphabet; it has the narrow
E in DELIVERY.
The 4d value was red. Other details are:
1d CB/250 GA head B, cylinder B5, PD2.4.1
2d CB/250 GA head B, cylinder D3, PD3.3.1
3d CB/250 GA head B, cylinder M3, PD4.2.1
4d CB/250 GA head B, cylinder P6, PD5.11.5
7.50
' … ' !
121
Stock letter
G1
⁄ ⁄ [1]
!
"
# $%
G1 and G2 rolls were the decimal equivalent of the predecimal GS and GL, for use
in the G machines. They delivered a mix of stamps for a 5p (1/-) coin, suitable for
the 1st- and 2nd-class letter rates of 3p and 2 ⁄ p respectively. They were withdrawn
at close of business on 2 December 1975.
Leader
Issued
G1.1
15. 2.71
4
QEII MACHIN – 2 PHOS – GA
printed in black.
The T of ‘FIRST’ is over the P of ‘PHOS’ on evennumbered rolls and over the H of ‘PHOS’ on oddnumbered rolls.
The stamps were printed on the Thrissell press.
They are:
⁄ p OCP/GA 2B/150 T1/C1 SL, DG5.1.1
1p OCP/GA 2B/150 T1a/B1 SL, DG10.1.1
2p OCP/GA 2B/150 T1/B1 SL, DG20.1.1
3.75
G1.2
? . 9.71
4
As G1.1 but the direction of printing of the stamps
is SR, viz:
⁄ p OCP/GA 2B/150 T1/C1 SR, DG5.1.2
1p OCP/GA 2B/150 T1a/B1 SR, DG10.1.2
2p OCP/GA 2B/150 T1/B1 SR, DG20.1.2
3.75
G1.3
.12.71
4
As G1.1 but the stamps were attached in
reverse [1]
5.50
G1.4
22. 9.72
4
As G1.1 but the stamps are on FCP/GA and are silicone coated [2]. They are:
⁄ p FCP/GA 2B/150 T1/C1 SR, DG5.7.2
1p FCP/GA 2B/150 T1a/B1 SR, DG10.6.1
2p FCP/GA 2B/150 T1/B1 SR, DG20.5.1
(See also G1.6 and G1.7.)
4.50
Layout
Description
Price
!" # $ % & '( ) ) * )
+ 122
Stock letter
"
Layout
G1
(continued)
# $%
(continued)
Leader
Issued
G1.5
? .10.72
4
As G1.1 but the stamps are attached in reverse [1].
They are silicone coated [2] as G1.4, but are
printed SL.
⁄ p FCP/GA 2B/150 T1/C1 SL, DG5.7.3
1p FCP/GA 2B/150 T1a/B1 SL, DG10.6.2
2p FCP/GA 2B/150 T1/B1 SL, DG20.5.2
9.50
G1.6
.12.72
4
QEII MACHIN – 2 PHOS – GA
SILICONE COATED; printed in black
The stamps are as G1.4. (See also G1.7.)
4.50
G1.7
? .12.72
4
As G1.6 but the stamps are attached in reverse,[1]
(See also G1.4.)
5.50
G1.8[3]
? .12.72
4
As G1.6 but the stamps are OCP/GA and coated
with silicone.[2] They are:
⁄ p OCP/GA 2B/150 T1/C1 SR, DG5.1.3
1p OCP/GA 2B/150 T1a/B1 SR, DG10.1.3
2p OCP/GA 2B/150 T1/B1 SR, DG20.1.3
375.00
G1.9
? . 3.73
4
As G1.6 but the silicone coating [2] was omitted
from the stamps in error. They are:
⁄ p FCP/GA 2B/150 T1/C1 SR, DG5.7.2
1p FCP/GA 2B/150 T1a/B1 SR, DG10.6.1
2p FCP/GA 2B/150 T1/B1 SR, DG20.5.1
175.00
"
Description
&% %' [4]
G1.10
. .74
4
QEII MACHIN – 2 PHOS – PVA
printed in black.
Although described as PVA, the gum is in fact
PVAl-Dextrin (DEX).
The stamps were printed on the Jumelle press.
⁄ p FCP/DEX 2B/150 T1/C1 SR, DG5.8.4
1p FCP/DEX 2B/150 T1a/B1 SR, DG10.8.3
2p FCP/DEX 2B/150 T1/B1 SR, DG20.6.4
G1.11
. 5.74
4
As G1.10 but the direction of printing of the
stamps is SL. They are:
⁄ p FCP/DEX 2B/150 T1/C1 SL, DG5.8.5
1p FCP/DEX 2B/150 T1a/B1 SL, DG10.8.4
2p FCP/DEX 2B/150 T1/B1 SL, DG20.6.5
,
Price
12.50
2.50
+ + ) - ) .
,(( /
0
1 2
3
123
Stock letter
G2
( ⁄ ⁄ [1]
!
"
)
' $%
G1 and G2 rolls were the decimal equivalent of the predecimal GS and GL, for use
in the G machines. They delivered a mix of stamps for a 5p (1/-) coin, suitable for
the 1st- and 2nd-class letter rates of 3p and 2 ⁄ p respectively. G1 and G2 rolls were
withdrawn at close of business on 2 December 1975 and replaced with G3 rolls.
Leader
Issued
G2.1
15. 2.71
4
QEII MACHIN – 2 PHOS – GA
printed in black.
The T of ‘FIRST’ is over the H of ‘PHOS’ on all rolls.
The stamps were printed on the Thrissell press.
Details are:
⁄ p OCP/GA 2B/150 T1/C1 SL, DG5.1.1
1p OCP/GA 2B/150 T1a/B1 SL, DG10.1.1
2p OCP/GA 2B/150 T1/B1 SL, DG20.1.1
7.50
G2.2
? . 9.71
4
As G2.1 but the direction of printing of the stamps
is SR, viz:
⁄ p OCP/GA 2B/150 T1/C1 SR, DG5.1.2
1p OCP/GA 2B/150 T1a/B1 SR, DG10.1.2
2p OCP/GA 2B/150 T1/B1 SR, DG20.1.2
7.50
G2.2A
.10.71
4
As G2.2 but on thin paper; Thrissell press;
the stamps were DG5.1.2, DG10.1.2, DG20.1.2
47.50
G2.3
G2.4
.12.71
4
As G2.1 but the stamps are attached in reverse. [1]
9.50
22. 9.72
4
As G2.2 but the stamps are on FCP. They are
silicone coated: [2]
⁄ p FCP/GA 2B/150 T1/C1 SR, DG5.7.2
1p FCP/GA 2B/150 T1a/B1 SR, DG10.6.1
2p FCP/GA 2B/150 T1/B1 SR, DG20.5.1
(See also G2.5, G2.6 and G2.7.)
7.50
Layout
Description
Price
!" # $ % & '( ) ) 124
Stock letter
"
(continued)
)
' $%
(continued)
Leader
Issued
G2.5
G2.6
? .10.72
4
As G2.4 but the stamps are attached in reverse. [1]
5.50
.12.72
4
QEII MACHIN – 2 PHOS – GA,
printed in black. SILICONE COATED is printed
right of the roll number.
The stamps are as G2.4. (See also G2.5.)
Leaders with the stamps attached reversed do not
exist.
4.50
G2.7
? . 3.73
4
As G2.6 but the silicone coating was omitted in
error. The stamps were:
⁄ p FCP/GA 2B/150 T1/C1 SR, DG5.7.2
1p FCP/GA 2B/150 T1a/B1 SR, DG10.6.1
2p FCP/GA 2B/150 T1/B1 SR, DG20.5.1
G2.8
10. 4.74
4
225.00
QEII MACHIN – 2 PHOS – GA,
printed in black. GA is obliterated and overwritten
PVA by hand. SILICONE COATED is printed right of
the roll number, but the stamps were not silicone
coated. [3]
The three stamps are:
⁄ p FCP/DEX 2B/150 T1/C1 SR, DG5.8.4
1p FCP/DEX 2B/150 T1a/B1 SR, DG10.8.3
2p FCP/DEX 2B/150 T1/B1 SR, DG20.6.4
Layout
G2
Description
Price
175.00
,
+ ) 1 $ 3 4. - $ & ) 2
& ) ) $ 5
) "6 $ 125
Stock letter
"
Leader
Issued
Layout
G2
(continued)
&% %' [4]
Description
G2.9
. 5.74
4
QEII MACHIN – 2 PHOS – PVA,
printed in red.
Although described as PVA, the gum is in fact
PVAl-Dextrin (DEX).
The stamps were printed on the Jumelle press.
They are:
⁄ p FCP/DEX 2B/150 T1/C1 SR, DG5.8.4
1p FCP/DEX 2B/150 T1a/B1 SR, DG10.8.3
2p FCP/DEX 2B/150 T1/B1 SR, DG20.6.4
G2.10
. .74
4
As G2.10 but the direction of printing of the
stamps is SL. [5] They are:
⁄ p FCP/DEX 2B/150 T1/C1 SL, DG5.8.5
1p FCP/DEX 2B/150 T1a/B1 SL, DG10.8.4
2p FCP/DEX 2B/150 T1/B1 SL, DG20.6.5
0
Price
3.50
17.50
1 2
3
'
5
78 - ) !6 126
Stock letter
G3
( ⁄ ⁄ !
"
&%
These rolls were issued three months after the minimum inland letter rates were
increased to 6 ⁄ p 2nd-class and 8 ⁄ p 1st-class (on 29 September 1975) and gave a
mix of stamps suitable for the new tariff. On 13 June 1977, the rates were increased
to 7p 2nd-class and 9p 1st-class, but G3 rolls still enabled the new minimum rates
to be obtained with a single coin, and many machines continued to dispense G3
rolls for months after the G4 rolls became available.
Leader
G3.1
G3.2[1]
Issued
3.12.75
13. 3.77
Layout
4a
4a
Description
QEII - MACHIN – 1 PHOS – PVA
printed in black.
The reference to 1 phosphor bar was wrong as the
stamps had 2 bars. Further, the gum was not PVAl
and some leaders had the word Dextrin added in
manuscript. Early leaders were unamended. Later,
various manuscript amendments were made. The
combinations are:
(a) no amendments to the printing;
(b) blue crayon line across the phosphor/gum;
(c) PVA unamended, 1 PHOS deleted in ink;
(d) PVA unamended, figure 1 altered to 2;
(e) PVA amended to DEX in manuscript.
The stamps were:
⁄ p FCP/DEX 2B/150 T1/C1 SL, DG5.8.5
1p FCP/DEX 2B/150 T3c/B1 SL, DG10.8.9
2p FCP/DEX 2B/150 T1/B1 SL, DG20.6.5
QEII - MACHIN – 1 PHOS – PVA,
printed in black.
The stamps were:
⁄ p OCP/PVAl 2B/150 T1/C1 SL, DG5.3.7
1p OCP/PVAl 2B/150 T3c/B1 SL, DG10.3.5
2p OCP/PVAl 2B/150 T1/B1 SL, DG20.3.6
Price
2.50
2.50
3.50
3.50
3.50
27.50
5
) ,6 127
Stock letter
G4
* ⁄ ⁄ !
"
&% [1]
The makeup of G4 rolls was suitable for the revised tariffs which had come into
effect on 13 June 1977, but they were installed in place of G3 rolls only gradually
and over a long period. There had been no particular urgency about the changeover
because the makeup of the G3 rolls still suited the new tariff. The G4 rolls were
replaced by G5 rolls some months after a further tariff increase effective from 20
August 1979.
Roll number 2 on all G4 leaders has a full stop instead of a comma after the first ⁄ p.
Leader
Issued
Layout
G4.1
14.12.77
5a
Light coloured paper; smooth polished
surface and reverse.
QEII – MACHIN – 1 PHOS – PVA – DEX,
printed in blue.
The stamps were:
⁄ p FCP/DEX CB/150 T1/C1 SL, DG5.10.1
1p FCP/DEX CB/150 T3a/B1 SL, DG10.10.1
7p FCP/DEX CB/150 T1/B1 SL, DG70.2.5
On some rolls the stamps were on thicker paper.
5.00
G4.2
? . 78
5a
Light coloured paper; smooth matt surface and
reverse; lighter and thinner than that used for
G4.1.
Other details as G4.1.
5.00
G4.3
? . .78
5a
Dark brown paper; rough surface but smooth
polished reverse.
Other details as G4.1.
7.50
G4.4
? . .78
5a
Dark brown laid paper; rough surface and reverse.
Other details as G4.1
7.50
Description
Price
) ) 5
) 06 128
Stock letter
G5
+ , [1]
!
"
" -$
'
These rolls for the G machines were designed to enable the public to obtain a mix
of stamps for a 10p coin that were suitable for the revised rates of 8p 2nd-class and
10p 1st-class that had come into effect the previous year (on 20 August 1979). Less
than three weeks after they were issued, the rates were increased again.
By the end of 1979 all G machines were being phased out and replaced by new
machines H and J which dispensed a 50p booklet of stamps. Consequently, no new
G rolls were made available when the next tariff increase occurred on 4 February
1980. On that date, the minimum inland letter rates became 10p 2nd-class and 12p
first-class. Clearly, inflation and other costs had beaten the Post Office’s objective
of enabling the public to obtain stamps for a single letter with a single coin. With
the demise of the G machines, the era of Post Office roll vending machines on
official premises, that had begun over 70 years before, came to a quiet end. (Hillday
change-giving machines dispensing single decimal stamps are in Section 3.)
Leader
Issued
Layout
G5.1
16. 1.80
5a
Description
QEII - MACHIN – 1 PHOS – PVA – DEX,
printed in red.
The stamps were:
1p FCP/DEX CB/150 T3a/B1 SL, DG10.10.1
from cylinder R31
8p FCP/DEX CB/150 T1d/B1 SL, DG80.2.10
from cylinder R7
Price
6.50
9
%: ) 1 3
+ )
5
) '6 129
Stock letter
HE first of these rolls were proT
duced for Reader’s Digest, and as
they were not intended to be held in
stock, no stock code letter was allocated. They were supplied in two sizes;
the larger contained 3,500 strips of five
stamps, the smaller had 1,750 strips.
After representations from collector interests that the stamps on the roll were
not available from any other source, the
Post Office made smaller rolls, containing 700 strips, available to collectors
from philatelic counters and the Philatelic Bureau, but they were still not allocated stock code letters.
For subsequent postal rates only two
sizes were produced: small rolls of 700
strips continued to be made specially
for collectors and the commercial rolls
were limited to the 1,750 strip size.
While these were mainly for Reader’s
Digest, they were also made available
to other large users, such as Marshall
Ward and Drive Magazine (RD2), Duncan Flockhart & Co. (RD3), and Cornhill Insurance Co. The second makeup
to be used was listed in the Philatelic
Bureau’s Stock Lists as MV700 (12 ⁄ p)
DC 013, and the third was listed there
as MV700 (13p) DC 019.
; 9<
130
: RD
Despite these variations, all these
multi-value rolls are usually referred to
in philatelic circles as ‘Reader’s Digest’
rolls, the first three different stamp
makeups employed being known, in
chronological order of issue, as RD1,
RD2 and RD3. Accordingly, they were
listed in the first edition of this Catalogue under RD, a code which was considered unlikely ever to be used for any
other type of roll.
This choice was justified when the
fourth in the series was issued on 5
September 1988; these were officially
labelled with stock letter code RDA,
although it is not known what the letter
A signified — see the notes to RD4
(RDA) post. Also, the packaging labels
referred to the contents as ‘Readers Digest’ stamps — see Appendix 5.
Subsequent issues continued to be
coded RDA for the small rolls while the
large ones had no official stock letter.
The two sizes were distinguished in
store by the total contents printed on
the packaging label and by the number
of rolls contained in the carton, inserted
in manuscript in the ‘Quantity box’; see
the illustrations in Appendix 5.
QL
7 , SC
7 0
Stock letter
"
RD1
⁄ ‡
⁄ #' .
,/
The first of a succession of rolls produced for Readers Digest and other large
commercial users. They were produced in three sizes (see the note on the previous
page). The large rolls were not sold to the public.
Leader
Issued
Layout
Description
RD1.1
12. 6.81
—
The wrapper consists of a number, from 17 to 26,
of stamp-sized blanks, gummed and perforated.
End papers were light buff paper, perforated 12
where joined to the roll.
The stamps were:
2⁄ p PCP/DEX T2/C1 SL, cylinder R5, DG25.12.2
3p PCP/DEX T1d/B1 SL, cylinder R19, DG30.12.2
45.00
RD1.2
2. 9.81
—
As RD 1.1 but a new cylinder was used for the
2⁄ p and the 3p is a distinct shade.
The stamps were:
2⁄ p PCP DEX T2/C1 SL, cylinder R6, DG25.12.2
3p PCP DEX T1d/B1 SL, cylinder R19, DG30.12.2
37.50
"
Price
* ⁄ ‡
⁄ #' .
,/
These middle-size rolls were not sold to the public.
Leader
Issued
Layout
RD1.3
12. 6.81
—
The wrapper consists of a number, usually 17,
stamp-sized blanks.
The stamps were as RD 1.1.
37.50
RD1.4
? . 6.81
—
As RD1.1 but the fluorescent brightener was
omitted from the paper. [1]
The stamps were:
2⁄ p PCP/DEX FBO T2/C1 SL, cyl. R5, DG25.12.2
3p PCP/DEX FBO T1d/B1 SL, cyl. R19, DG30.12.2
—
Description
Price
) $- 131
Stock letter RD1
"
(continued)
* ⁄ ‡
⁄ #' &
- The two larger rolls, (RD1.1 to RD1.4 on the previous page) were for use only by
Readers Digest. In response to philatelic demand, the Post Office later produced
smaller rolls of 700 sets; these were sold through philatelic outlets.
In subsequent issues, only two sizes were issued: 3,500 strips for use by the
commercial firms and 700 strips for sale to the public.
Leader
RD1.5
=
Issued
2. 9.81
Layout
—
Description
The wrapper is unprinted; the usual length is
70mm.
End papers were made of blanks.
The stamps were as RD 1.3
132
Price
27.50
Stock letter
"
RD2
⁄ ‡
0 0 0 ⁄ #' &
- 1 The minimum 2nd-class rate was not raised to 12⁄ p until 1 February 1982, more
than a month after these RD2 rolls were issued. There had been delay in obtaining
the approval of The Post Office National User’s Council to the new rates, but the
early release of these rolls was nonetheless deliberate, and they were used by the
promoters before the tariff increase took effect. These large rolls were not sold to
the public.
Leader
Issued
Layout
Description
RD2.1
30.12.81
—
The wrapper is unprinted; it is approximately 30
inches long.
The stamps were: [1]
⁄ p PCP/DEX T1/C1 SL, cyl. R11 or R12, DG5.11.2
4p PCP/DEX T1/B1 SL, cylinder R1 or R2, DG40.8.1
32.50
RD2.2
? .12.81
—
As RD2.1, but the fluorescent brightener was
omitted [2]
The stamps were:
⁄ p PCP/DEX FBO T1/C1 SL, cyl. R11, DG5.11.2
4p PCP/DEX FBO T1/B1 SL, cylinder R1, DG40. 8.1
—
"
Price
* ⁄ ‡
0 0 0 ⁄ #' .
,/
The small rolls were for sale to the public from philatelic outlets.
Leader
Issued
Layout
RD2.3
30.12.81
—
Description
The wrapper consists of 18 or more stamp-sized
blanks, gummed and perforated
The stamps are as RD2.1;
from cylinders R11 and R1 only.
Price
17.50
< < !+0 < <
;> - ?) ;> %
) : =
133
Stock letter
"
RD3
‡
0 0 0 #' &
- 1 The revised makeup was caused by an increase in the tariff on 3 September 1984
and the rolls were again pre-released. Large rolls were not sold to the public.
Leader
Issued
Layout
RD3.1
14. 8.84
—
Description
The wrapper is approximately 30 inches long and
is unprinted.
The paper is laid, with the lines across the short
side.
The stamps were:
1p PCP/DEX T4/B2 SL, cylinder R35, DG10.12.3
4p PCP/DEX T1ad/B2 SL, cylinder R4, DG40.9.1
"
Price
17.50
* ‡
0 0 0 #' &
- 1 The small rolls were for sale to the public from philatelic outlets.
Leader
Issued
Layout
RD3.2
14. 8.84
—
The wrapper is 14 to 15 inches long.
Otherwise, it, and the stamps, are the same as
for RD 3.1
12.50
RD3.3
. 2.88
—
The wrapper is the same as for RD 3.2.
The stamps were:
1p ACP/DEX T4/B2 SL, cylinder R34, DG10.13.4
4p ACP/DEX T1ad/B2 SL, cylinder R4, DG40.15.1
10.50
=
Description
134
Price
Stock letter
RD4
0 ‡
0 0 0 &
- 1 '
%
%' "
The revised makeup was caused by the tariff increase effective on 5 September
1988. The 4p stamps were printed by the same cylinder as that used for the RD 3.2
rolls. Large rolls were not sold to the public.
Leader
RD4.1
Issued
Layout
5. 9.88
—
Description
Price
No printing on leader; 30 inches long; the stamps
are attached to the front of the leader, and were:
2p ACP/DEX T4ac/B2 SL, cylinder R1, DG20.14.1
4p ACP/DEX T4a/B2 SL, cylinder R4, DG40.15.1
Stock letter
RDA (RD4)
"
17.50
[1]
* 0 0 0 0 " - 1 For the first time in the Readers Digest series, leaders bore printed information. This
was confined to the small rolls for sale to the public from philatelic outlets, but was
incorrect in referring to PCP; the stamps were on ACP.
Leader
RD4.2
Issued
5. 9.88
<
Layout
8
Description
Price
Phos Coated Paper — PVA Dex;
printed in black.
The stamps were as RD4.1
. @
<
<
8.50
1
) ) 3 . ) - A <
1<
. B
', C3 . ) & *
<
135
Stock letter
"
RD5
‡
0 0 0 &
- 1 ' %
%' Prepared for the Readers Digest (and other large users) to prepay the increased
2nd-class inland letter rate which came into effect on 2 October 1989. These large
size rolls were intended for delivery only to Readers Digest and were never meant
to go on sale to the general public. However, because of an error on the small size
rolls (see RD5.3 to RD5.6 on the next page) they were provided at the normal
philatelic outlets during October 1989.
Leader
Issued
Layout
RD5.1
10.10.89
—
No printing on leader; 30 inches long.
The stamps were attached to the front of the
leader.
They were:
3p ACP/DEX T4a/B2 SL, DG30.15.3
4p ACP/DEX T3a/B2 SL, DG40.16.2
37.50
RD5.2
10.10.89
—
The leader was identical to that for RD5.1 but the
stamps were attached to the back of it.
37.50
=
Description
136
Price
Stock letter
"
RDA (RD5)
* 0 0 0 " - 1 These smaller versions of the Readers Digest rolls were intended solely for philatelic
sales; the firms being supplied with the jumbo-sized rolls (see RD5.1 and RD5.2).
However, an extraordinary error in the printing on the leader, which, even more
extraordinarily, was not discovered until after some rolls had been distributed to
philatelic counters, led to their withdrawal and replacement with the large rolls.
The cost of 700 sets at 15p a time is £105. The leader stated that the value was
£200.
Incorrectly printed rolls were recalled by Post Office Supplies Department. However, the Edinburgh Philatelic Bureau was able to adjust its accounts and used the
incorrect rolls after making a manuscript alteration of the wrong figure to the correct
one. One or two incorrectly printed leaders exist without any amendment and must
be considered scarce.
Leader
Issued
RD5.3
10.10.89
8
RDA 700 sets @ 15p / VALUE £200 / ACP — PVA
Dex; printed in vermilion.
Value unamended; stamps attached to front of
leader.
The stamps were:
3p ACP/DEX T4a/B2 SL, DG30.15.3
4p ACP/DEX T3a/B2 SL, DG40.16.2
37.50
RD5.4
10.10.89
8
As RD5.3 but the stamps were attached to the
back of the leader.
37.50
RD5.5
10.10.89
8
As RD5.3 but £200 altered in manuscript to £105; 12.50
(the alteration is usually in red, but black is known)
The stamps are as RD 5.1 etc.
RD5.6
10.10.89
8
As RD5.5 but the stamps were attached to the
back of the leader.
12.50
RD5.7
26. 4.90
8
RDA 700 sets @ 15p / VALUE £105 / ACP – PVA
Dex; printed in vermilion.
Corrected value printed.
The stamps were attached to the front of the
leader; they were as RD 5.1 etc.
8.50
5
Layout
Description
) <
Price
',6 137
Stock letter
"
RD6
* ‡
0 0 0 &
- 1 '
%
%' Prepared for the Readers Digest (and other large users) to prepay the increased
2nd-class inland letter rate which came into effect on 17 September 1990. These
large size rolls were intended for delivery only to Readers Digest and were never
meant to go on sale to the general public. However, leaders come onto the market
in various (legitimate) ways.
Leader
Issued
Layout
RD6.1
27.11.90
—
Description
No printing on leader; 30 inches long.
The stamps were attached (inverted) to the left of
the leader by a separate piece of gummed and
perforated stamp paper. They were:
4p ACP/DEX T3a/B2 SL, DG40.16.2
5p ACP/DEX T2a+/B2 SL, DG50.12.2
Stock letter
"
Price
12.50
RDA (RD6)
* * 0 0 0 " - 1 These smaller versions of the Readers Digest rolls were intended solely for philatelic
sales; the firms being supplied with the jumbo-sized rolls (see RD6.1).
Leader
Issued
RD6.2
27.11.90
8
RDA 700 sets @ 17p / VALUE £119 / ACP – PVA
Dex; printed in black; The stamps were as RD 6.1,
The paper ‘bridge’ attached the stamps to the
unprinted side of the leader.
8.50
RD6.3
27.11.90
8
as RD6.1 but the stamps are attached to the
printed side of the leader.
8.50
=
Layout
Description
138
Price
Stock letter
"
RD7
+ ‡
0 0 &
- 1 '
%
%' Prepared for the Readers Digest (and other large users) to prepay the increased
2nd-class inland letter rate which came into effect on 16 September 1991. These
large rolls were not sold to the public.
Leader
RD7.1
Issued
2.10.91
Layout
—
Description
Price
No printing on leader; 30 inches long.
The stamps were attached (inverted) to the left of
the leader by a separate piece of gummed and
perforated stamp paper.They were:
4p ACP/DEX T3ad/B2 SL, DG40.16.3
5p ACP/DEX T2a+d/B2 SL, DG50.12.3
Stock letter
"
12.50
RDA (RD7)
* + 0 0 " - 1 These smaller versions of the Readers Digest rolls were intended solely for philatelic
sales, the firms being supplied with RD 7.1.
Leader
Issued
Layout
Description
Price
RD7.2
2.10.91
8
RDA 700 sets @ 18p / VALUE £126 / ACP – PVA
Dex; printed in black. The stamps were as RD7.1.
The paper ‘bridge’ attached the stamps to the
unprinted side of the leader.
7.50
RD7.3
2.10.91
8
as RD7.2 but the stamps are attached to the
printed side of the leader
7.50
=
5
) <
"6 139
Reserved page
140
SECTION 6
Commemoratives
and
Test labels
141
Boy Scout Jamboree
#
⁄ !"
$! ! These rolls were produced for the first day cover affixing machine used at Sutton
Coldfield, Warwickshire, where the jamboree was held.
Leader
Issued
Description
BSJ.1
1. 8.57
Price
BOY SCOUT JAMBOREE, printed in black.
250.00
The leaders are 20 inches long. The junction between the
leader and the stamps is perforated 11. End papers are 10
inches long; they were used to form the core.
487 rolls were printed, of which 23 were sold or used for
first day cover servicing.
The stamps are duller than those printed in sheets and are
TCTC instead of TTTT.
#
⁄ $! ! These smaller rolls were produced to encourage sales to collectors.
Leader
Issued
BSJ.4
2. 9.57
Description
BOY SCOUT JAMBOREE,
printed in black. The paper is lighter in colour than that
used for BSJ.1. The leaders are 9⁄" inches long. The junction
between the leader and stamps is rouletted 12⁄ . The end
papers are 10 inches long, as before.
100 rolls were made up, of which 49 were sold.
The stamps are duller than those printed in sheets and are
TCTC instead of TTTT.
Price
75.00
… !
142
Boy Scout Jamboree
#
(continued)
!"
$! ! These rolls were produced for the first day cover affixing machine used at Sutton
Coldfield, Warwickshire, where the jamboree was held.
Leader
Issued
Description
BSJ.2
1. 8.57
Price
BOY SCOUT JAMBOREE, printed in black.
500.00
The leaders are 20 inches long. The junction between the
leader and the stamps is perforated 11. End papers are 10
inches long; they were used to form the core.
480 rolls were printed, of which 21 were sold or used for
first day cover servicing.
The stamps are duller than those printed in sheets and are
TCTC instead of TTTT
#
$! ! These smaller rolls were produced to encourage sales to collectors.
Leader
Issued
BSJ.5
2. 9.57
Description
Price
BOY SCOUT JAMBOREE, printed in black.
150.00
The paper is lighter in colour than that used for BSJ.2. The
leaders are 9 ⁄" inches long. The junction between the
leader and stamps is rouletted 12⁄ . The end papers are 10
inches long, as before.
100 rolls were made up, of which 37 were sold.
The stamps are duller than those printed in sheets and are
TCTC instead of TTTT.
" … "
!
143
Boy Scout Jamboree
#
(continued)
% %&' !"
$! ! These rolls were produced for the first day cover affixing machine used at Sutton
Coldfield, Warwickshire, where the jamboree was held.
Leader
Issued
Description
BSJ.3
1. 8.57
Price
BOY SCOUT JAMBOREE, printed in black.
1,000.00
The leaders are 20 inches long. The junction between
the leader and the stamps is perforated 11. End papers
are 10 inches long; they were used to form the core.
482 rolls were printed, of which 20 were sold or used for
first day cover servicing.
The stamps are duller than those printed in sheets and are
TCTC instead of TTTT.
#
%&' $! ! These smaller rolls were produced to encourage sales to collectors.
Leader
Issued
BSJ.6
2. 9.57
Description
BOY SCOUT JAMBOREE, printed in black.
300.00
The paper length etc. is as for the other values .
100 rolls were made up, of which 33 were sold.
The stamps are duller than those printed in sheets and are
TCTC instead of TTTT.
144
Price
Test Labels
#
– TLL
( %
#)*)
$! ! Rolls of labels used for testing the operation of machines maintained by Post Office
engineers were not officially allocated stock letters. However, in order to provide
Deegam Catalogue numbers consistent with the system employed for rolls of
postage stamps, they are listed under code TLL for lengthwise delivery rolls and
code TLS for sideways delivery rolls. It is thought that these will not be confused
with any official stock code letters that have been, or may be, employed.
Labels of the ‘poached egg’ pattern were printed on the same paper as used for the
contemporary stamps. Other known labels are included although it is not known
whether any leaders for them survive. It is believed that labels with the Harrison
house watermark were in use in the pre-Elizabethan period only. (These are known
with the watermark parallel to the short sides.)
Leader
TLL1
Issued
?
Description
ROLL, TEST, No.1,
Price
37.50
printed in black,
letters 3mm high,
text 45mm long.
The rolls were secured with a strip of yellow paper.
The labels are the ‘poached egg’ variety, printed in black
on E watermark paper, upright watermark,
gum arabic.
TLL2
?
ROLL, TEST, No.1,
printed in black,
letters 3mm high,
text 41mm long.
The labels are the ‘poached egg’ variety, printed in black
on C watermark paper, upright watermark,
gum arabic.
27.50
#$$%
145
Test Labels
#
– TLS
( %
!
+
Rolls of labels used for testing the operation of machines maintained by Post Office
engineers were not officially allocated stock letters. However, in order to provide
Deegam Catalogue numbers consistent with the system employed for rolls of
postage stamps, they are listed under code TLL for lengthwise delivery rolls and
code TLS for sideways delivery rolls. It is thought that these will not be confused
with any official stock code letters that have been, or may be, employed.
Leader
Issued
Description
Price
TLS1
?
No known leader.
The labels are unprinted, on cream paper with the Harrison
house watermark parallel to the long sides, and with gum
arabic.
—
TLS2
?
No known leader.
The labels are the ‘poached egg’ pattern, printed in black
on fluorescent coated paper (FCP), with PVAl-Dextrin gum.
—
146
Test Labels
#
$ ,! -".
– BSJ
+
!"
+
For a note concerning the grey-black test labels used for these machines, see page
11. It is not known whether there were any leaders.
The red labels, also mentioned on page 11, were imperforate between. These were
distributed with the Vol.2 No.1 September/October 1964. It was
stated there that these red labels ‘were produced specially to test some stamp
affixing machines used in connexion with the World Scout Jubilee Jamboree first
day cover service. These labels are printed in red, to identify them, and are
perforated as for special issues.’
However, these red labels remain a mystery. First, they are on C watermarked
paper, whereas the Jamboree stamps, and the grey-black test labels, are on E
watermarked paper. Second, the red labels are TTTT and were obviously torn from
sheets. It is considered, therefore, that they were never used in roll form and that,
accordingly, there are no leaders for them.
147
Reserved page
148
Appendix 1
The
Wilding alphabets
149
Wilding alphabets
All the illustrations are taken from photographs. The inclusion of part of the word
DELIVERY shows whether that word has wide or narrow letter E’s, a factor which helps
to distinguish the alphabets. It also shows the relative sizes of the stock letters. Only
those stock letters printed in more than one alphabet are illustrated. Where only one
alphabet was used for a stock letter, the relevant Catalogue entries state whether it had
the wide or narrow letter E.
DELIV
DELIV
DELIV
DELIV
DELIV
150
DELIV
DELIV
DELIV
DELIV
DELIV
DELIV
DELIV
DELIV
DELIV
DELIV
DELIV
DELIV
DELIV
DELIV
DELIV
DELIV
DELIV
DELIV
DELIV
! ! DELIV
DELIV
DELIV
" " " 151
DELIV
DELIV
DELIV
DELIV
DELIV
152
# $ % & $ # $ % $
DELIV
DELIV
DELIV
DELIV
DELIV
) ) ) ' ' ' DELIV
DELIV
(
(
Appendix 2
Tables of Stock Letters
by Value
Predecimal currency had 12 pence (d) to
one shilling (1/-) and 20 shillings to one
pound (£1).
Decimal currency has 100 pence (p) to
one pound (£1)
Both, for a time, had half pence ( ⁄d and
⁄p).
153
AA
AB
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
⁄ ⁄ ⁄
G
E
L
R
—
AC
—
—
J
D
B
K
Q
F
C
A
AE
—
W
X
—
V
—
AD
—
—
—
Y
Z
—
—
U
U
—
—
—
P
O
N
T
M
S
H
AF
—
!
% ⁄
⁄
"
# !$
⁄ G1
G2
⁄ ⁄ G3
—
⁄ ⁄ G4
—
! !
G5
—
RD1& —
⁄
RD2& —
RD3& —
RDA RD4&
RDA RD5&
RDA RD6&
RDA RD7&
! ' (
† These ‘Readers Digest’ rolls had no
stock letter codes. In this book they are
numbered in chronological order of the
date of first issue.
See Appendix 5 for illustrations of the
packaging labels for some of these rolls.
#"
*+
—
CL
ML
—
—
RL
XL
AL
—
—
CL
EL
ML
GL
KL
OL.
RL.
—
—
UL.
—
XL.
BL.
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
⁄ ⁄ ⁄ ⁄ %
⁄ ⁄ ⁄ ⁄ %
+ *
)
*+ + *
— — SC,
EL
—
DL
OL
—
—
—
—
TL
YL
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
QL
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
BL—
DL
—
—
FL
—
HL
JL
LL
NL
—
PL.
TL.
WL.
YL.
CL.
AS
KS
PS
—
VS
CS
—
—
—
—
—
SA
—
SB
—
SF
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
BS
LS
QS
—
—
—
WS
DS
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
SD
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
SG
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
ZL
DL
AL
EL
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
§ This stock letter code was not printed
on the leader.
‡ This BL roll was on phosphor printed
paper
¤ differently sized rolls exist under the
same value and code; see the relevant
entries in Section 3 and the notes on
packaging in Appendix 5.
Appendix 3
Method of Allocation
of
Stock Letters
for
Single Value Decimal Rolls
155
A
!
"
#
$!
% $% "
& '
("
"
"
"
"""
()
*
) (
(
+ #," - + ' " ! . "
/0,& 1 2 3 4 (
+ "
(
(
)
" 5 (
(
1 2 5 (
$
%
(!
(
6 "
(
( 5
/00 /" "
(
(
( 3 5
/00 5
/0/ "(
*
"( (
vertical ! " (
# !
& () !
156
Table 1 — first series
⁄ ⁄ ⁄ ⁄ ⁄ ⁄ ⁄ ⁄ ⁄ ⁄ ( 7 ( ) !
(
(
(
"(
"
7 (
""
8(
3
( //' (
(
( '
1 /9: !" ; < ! 8(
!
!
= ! (
prefixed Table 2 — second series, (vertical rolls)
!
"
#
$
%
⁄ ⁄ ⁄ Table 3 — third series, (horizontal rolls)
‡ Prepared for a Bristol firm but never
issued. A registration sheet, taken from
cylinder R1 on 15 June 1989, is in the
National Postal Museum.
"
( "(
( ,
1 !
(2
(
157
158
Appendix 4
Coil join pairs
159
HIS Appendix provides a complete
priced list of Elizabethan coil join
6
pairs for those who wish to collect them
apart from their leaders. Their origin is
explained on page 9. All the stamps
involved had the Wilding portrait; there
are no Machin pairs.
Pairs may be either vertical or horizontal, depending on the rolls for which
they were intended. Separate tables are
given for pairs derived from these two
kinds of roll.
For each value the stock letter code is
given to provide a cross-reference to the
main lists in section 2. For each stock
code stamps are listed in chronological
order, the various issues being abbreviated in the ‘stamp’ column as below:
T
E2R and Tudor crown wmk.
E
E2R and Edward crown wmk.
CC mutiple Edward crown wmk.
and cream paper
CW mutiple Edward crown wmk.
and whiter paper
GE graphite lined, with E2R and
E watermark
GC graphite lined, with E2R and
multiple crown watermark
B1 B1 (green) phosphor.
There were no joined pairs of stamps
overprinted with B2 or B3 phosphor.
Early horizontal issues made up from
sheets, used the left selvedge or margins for the joins but, because these
tended to snag in the machines which
used them, the right margins were used
for later issues, although the left margin
continued to be used to attach the roll
to the leader. These are indicated in the
table by the abbreviation L or R as
appropriate. Where an issue exists with
both forms of join both are listed.
Similarly, vertical joins used either the
top or bottom margin of the sheets,
although the pattern of use is not so
consistent as with the horizontal rolls,
possibly because most of them were
160
used in machines which did not incur
the snagging problem. The method of
joining is indicated in the table by the
abbreviation T or B as appropriate.
Only one issue exists in both forms.
⁄
!
" $%
⁄
"
""
)
⁄ *
⁄ +
,
-
#
"" (
'
'
'
'
'
'
'
'
'
'
'
'
'
'
'
'
#
Appendix 5
Packaging of
decimal rolls
161
Packaging labels for decimal stamp rolls
ntil 1988 no stock code letter or
letter combination was used for
more than one value of roll at the same
time. Thus, the pre-decimal ⁄ d vertical
delivery rolls were supplied in various
lengths but each had its own stock
code, (see table 1 on page 154.) Also,
although there were two rolls of 960
⁄ d stamps they were intended for different machines and, again, each had
its own code letter, viz: D and W. This
practice had been in force ever since
the first rolls were issued in 1916. It
ended, however, with the 14p OL and
19p PL rolls of 5 September 1988, although the fact was not appreciated at
the time.
Just over a year later, in mid-September
1989, the author noticed that there
were two leaders for the 14p value, one
containing the usual 500 stamps and
the other 1,000 stamps and this information was printed on the leader. However, both rolls had the same stock code
letter, OL. The only other difference was
U
162
that the rolls of 1,000 stamps were secured with deep red, instead of the normal pink, tape. Similarly, the 19p PL
rolls were issued in lengths of 500 and
1,000. Only rolls of 500 stamps had
been officially announced for these two
values, which prepaid the then 2ndclass and 1st-class inland letter rates.
In reply to an enquiry the Post Office
revealed that the longer rolls had been
first issued the previous April and had
been prepared for use solely in Post
Offices with a large user. They were
never on sale at the Edinburgh Bureau
or other philatelic outlets. Both values
were withdrawn a few days later, at the
close of business on 30 September
1989 and, since they were never available to the public, leaders are scarce.
Rolls of 500 stamps were packed in
quantities of 200 rolls; rolls of 1,000
stamps were packed in 100s. A label
from the former is illustrated in figure 1;
it was printed in dark blue on white
paper.
On 2 October 1989, new rolls were issued to meet the increased letter rates
of 15p and 20p. The stock letter codes
were RL and TL respectively. Once
again both rolls were issued in lengths
of 500 and 1,000 stamps under the
same stock reference. This time, how-
ever, the number of stamps in a roll was
added to the information on the labels.
Those for the two 15p rolls are illustrated in figures 2 and 3. Both were
printed in bright blue on white paper.
The corresponding TL labels were
printed in black.
163
The inland tariff was increased again
with effect from 17 September 1990, the
minimum letter rates being 17p 2ndclass and 22p 1st-class. Once again,
both were issued in lengths of 500 and
1,000 under the same stock code letters, viz: UL and WL respectively. The
164
two UL labels are illustrated in figures
4 and 5; they were printed in the usual
blue on white denoting 2nd-class
stamps. The two WL labels, figures 6
and 7, were printed in orange, denoting
1st-class, on white. (The same colour
coding is used in booklet packaging.)
However, the author acquired a third
UL label. This referred to a roll of
10,000 stamps and was printed in
brown on white. It is illustrated in figure
8. Note that there was only room in the
box for five of these jumbo rolls. Apart
from the astonishing size of these rolls
(of which no mention had been made
hitherto), the label referred to ‘Type
No.3’. It seemed reasonable to assume
that this meant that the rolls of 500 and
1,000 were Types 1 and 2, although no
such reference was made on their labels. This assumption was confirmed
by Royal Mail who also revealed the
interesting information that there was a
165
fourth type, also containing 10,000
stamps. These huge rolls were made for
special private stamp affixing machines, requiring the stamps to be
reeled either ‘gum side in’ or ‘gum side
out’. These were labelled Type 3 and
Type 4 respectively when packed. All
four rolls were coded UL. The WL rolls
were likewise supplied in four types.
!
166
On 16 September 1991, the minimum
inland letter rates were increased to 18p
and 24p and rolls were issued under
stock codes XL and YL respectively.
This time there were only three types,
the ‘reeled gum side out’ no longer being required. Once again, the three
types for each value were issued under
the same stock letter but this time, the
" " " labels for Types 1 and 2 mentioned the
fact and the colour coding of the printing on them was changed. The three XL
labels are shown in figures 9, 10 and 11.
Type No.1 was printed in green; type 2
in blue and type 3 in red.
The installation of Hillday mark 2 and
3 machines at main Post Offices during
1992 – 3 led to new rolls being produced. These machines had four delivery apertures and were intended to
allow for rolls of stamps to meet the
overseas postcard and letter rates as
well as the usual inland letter rates. To
167
! "# $
$ %
" $&
% & % '
( ) *
$ + All decimal single value rolls for commercial horizontal delivery machines
have been made up into lengths of
1,000 stamps. The labels for the 14p SD
rolls, issued in 1988, and the 20p SG
rolls, issued in 1989, are shown in fig-
ures 15 and 16. These were printed in
blue and black respectively. Note the
transition from manuscript to printed
quantities in the box.
No sideways delivery stamps have
been produced in rolls since the SG
sets.
$'
&, As explained in the detailed lists in
section 5, special stamp rolls have been
produced for large users of the post,
with smaller lengths being produced for
philatelic sale to collectors. All are
listed in the table of multivalue rolls on
page 154. Illustrated in figures 17 to 20
are the labels for the last four of the
smaller version of these rolls.
All four labels are on white paper. The
text is printed in red on the labels for
rolls of 14p and 15p; in green on the one
for 17p and in blue on that for 18p.
Note that the ‘Quantity box’ evolved
from a plain square to an oblong with
the letters QTY printed in it. This box is
always filled in by hand, leading one to
think that similar labels exist for the
large rolls supplied direct to the users
and that a smaller number is entered on
them. The author has not seen any of
the labels for these large rolls.
The author would be pleased to hear
from any reader who can add to the
information in this Appendix.
() * *
* ) + + 170
%
%
Bibliography
! ""# $$
% &' %() * + #
, - * . "/
0 1 ! % # 1 /2$$ ! , " 3, 4 ! ""56 65/6. ./5
7, 2+ $ - # + 8
"! # 6
3%+ 1 3 #$ $
% ! 3, 8
9- 3 ,4 % , 3, %: */ 9$( " ! 8 ! # #
&'" .5 :, $ ; 0:)
'3 7, - 0 ' 6 9 0 2 2 & ' $ #
% ! 3 2 ($ "" 8 6 8 $ "0, 0 , , 9 " <
# ; -# - % : 2 9 0 ; $ $ + .8
6 ; ' 9+ 3( : 2 ( 0 .#
; ,4 % ! & 0() 9+ 3 .5
# "# "8
vii
If you like this book ...
Why not get the other two in the Deegam trilogy?
No.1. The Complete Deegam
MACHIN HANDBOOK
( 3, $( , ( $ 0+ " , ( " $ :, : + "/ ,+, ( , 04 "
+, , :/$ 9+ " +
,0 1 ,: $ 3,
+ 3 , .8 + 3, 04 "
:, " $ "$ ",", 0
= (0 $ , , "0, * >
" >5# "+ "4+ :: &( ? "
@)
"" " , 104 , $ 6 @ $
No.3. The Deegam Catalogue
of
Machin Se-tenant pairs
" $ ( ,A (
/ " :, , 3, , " @ "
, $ + , ( $ / 0+ $ :, , $ , 7, ,:
, "$ ++ +, + ",", 0 7, 0 "0, 6 @ $ 9 - 3 # A0, ( '9*B'7 9 97 +
viii
Coil location guide
This guide was produced for the CD version of the 4th edition of The Deegam Priced
Catalogue of Elizabethan Coil Leaders 1954 – 1994. It enables any leader in the
catalogue to be accessed with a single click. Every cell in the table below is a hidden
link to the relevant entry. For information of the size of a roll and the method of
delivery etc., see Appendix 2 of this catalogue.
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Coil location guide
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31
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1 -1 0 1 0 1 0 ⁄ 1 0 ⁄ 1
1 31 0 1 0 1 0 ⁄ 1 0 ⁄ 1
1 41 0 1 0 1 0 0 ⁄ 1 ⁄ 1 0 '1 0 '1 0 '1
⁄ 1 *1 0 *1 0 *1 0 ⁄ 1
'1 *1 0 *1 0 *1 0 1
*1 *1 0 *1 0 *1 0 1
,1 *1 0 *1 0 *1 0 '1
31 *1 0 *1 0 *1 0 ,1
41 *1 0 *1 0 ,1 0 ,1
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