Arnold Machin a specialised study, the history of the definitive 1967 to 2012.
Written By David Salmon © of New Brighton a true friend for all-originals
The history of the stunning definitive series begins with the designer Arnold Machin.
Arnold Machin was born in Stoke On Trent on the 30th September 1911. He worked as a china painter at the Minton Factory from 1925 until 1934. During the second world war, he was imprisoned as a conscientious objector and after the war returned to his ceramics and was elected an associate member of the Royal Academy.
In 1964 he was chosen to design a new Queens head for decimal coinage to be introduced in 1968. In 1966 the Queen approved his new design for the new machin stamp definitives for 1967 release.
His work to date had become the most reproduced work of art in history, with over 320 billion copies produced by stamps and coins.
He died sadly in Staffordshire on the 9th March 1999 aged 88.
The first release of machin stamps in pre-decimal currency consisted of a basic set of 18 stamps and a total of 31 including different phosphors and type from values of ½d, 1d, 2d, 3d, 4d, 5d, 6d, 7d, 8d, 9d, 10d, 1/-, 1/-6d, and 1/-9d. The rarest is the 6d magenta- sg 736a and the 1/-6d prussian blue- sg 743vb.
The first coin strip of 5 was issued on 27th August 1969.
The values was issued firstly on the 5th June 1967 completed by the 4d + 8d on the 6th January 1969. The 2d brown had 2 types due to the position of the value and the 4d introduced right and left hand phosphor bands as well as one centre band and two bands right and left. The whole set can be readily purchased for under £20 from reputable dealers.
With the introduction of decimal coinage in 1968 made these stamps short existance, and by 1971, a new decimal set was required for general release.
In 1969 the high values of 2/-6d, 5/-. 10/-, and £1 values would need replacing also with the 10p, 20p, 50p and redrawn £1 values. These values was released for the first time on the 17th June 1970 completed with the withdrawn £1 on the 6th December 1972.
The first full decimal basic set of 12 values from ½ - 9p was released on the 15th February 1971 coinciding with the postal strike. The 10p smaller issue was released on the 11th August 1971. All sg numbers prefixed with an x.
The first machin decimal definitives started with sg numbers of 841 - 884.
The rare ½d side band - left was from the special booklet and numbered x842.
The values ranged from ½p, 1p, 1½p, 2p, 2½p, 3p, 3½p. 4, 4½p, 5p, 5½p, 6p, 6½p, 7p, 7½p, 8p, 8½p, 9, 9½p.
This list of Machin definitives is based on Stanley Gibbons catalogue numbers and only lists all the basic values, there are massive abundance os flaws and variations in gums, etc. I have listed the values in a basic value plus detail of phosphors, printings and is no way a full detailed list of all varieties.
The first sg number is sg 841 turquoise blue printed by Harrison & Sons ltd with a perforation of 15 X 14 with 2 phosphor bands, all issues from the ½p - 75p was non elliptical, the elliptical issues will be listed later. all issues here are photogravure sg 842 ½p turquoise blue had a left phosphor band only and is one of the scarce issues as it was from a Wedgewood booklet only. XL1 sg 843 ½p turquoise blue has one centre phosphor band sg 924 has all over phosphor coated paper.
Sg 844 1p crimson has 2 phosphor bands, all the issues are printed by Harrisons unless I state a change. Sg 845 1p crimson has one centre phosphor band and as all Machins there are many shades and printing flaws. Sg 846 is all over phosphor, one penny crimson and the sg 847ea has a left and right phosphor bands respectively. Sg 925 1p crimson on phosphor coated paper, sg 848 is the 1½p black with 2 phosphor bands this short lived machin release can be found with booklet variations, but no further phosphor printings were made.
The 2p myrtle-green is a many varied issue, firstly issued in many shades the sg 849 has a wider value tablet with 2 phosphor bands.
Sg 850 has all over phosphor and sg 926 has phosphor coated paper both with wide value tablet.
Sg 1000 perf 14 and sg 1000a perf 15 14 was released later with phosphor coated paper but is the first of the questa printings using a lithography process giving a deep colour.
The sg 927 and sg 928 had a norrow p tablet and a brighter colour finish on phosphor coated paper, printed by Harrison & sons.
The sg 1001 was printed by questa again using the lithography process and as with the 1000 they are found only with a perforation 14.
Sg 1050 was also a narrow 2p on phosphor coated paper but printed by Walsall Security printers and the 14 perforation Sg 851 2½p magenta or bright pink has one centre band printed by Harrison & sons.
Sg 852 and Sg 852ea has a left and right band respectively.
Sg 853 2½p magenta has 2 phosphor bands, Sg 854 2½p has 2 phosphor bands also but a change of colour to a bright rose-red.
Sg 929 2½p in the same colour change has phosphor coated paper and both issues are printed by Harrison & sons.
Sg 855 3p was first printed in ultramarine by Harrisons and had 2 phosphor bands.
Sg 856 3p pale ultramarine had one centre band and was commonly used in the early 1970's for first class postage.
Sg 857 3p rosine, another colour change also had 2 phosphor bands however sg 930 was printed on phosphor coaated paper and sg 930c with a narrow value tablet was also printed by Harrisons also with phosphor coated paper.
Sg 858 the 3½p olive-grey had 2 phosphor bands and sg 859 had one centre phosphor band and varied in colour shades.
The 3½p olive-grey was issued later with a much paler colour with a narrow value tablet, it was the sg 860 centre band and sg 931 phosphor coated paper variety the sg 859 was also described as bronze-green. The sg 931 was given the purple brown colour in 1983.
Sg 861 4p ochre-brown had 2 phosphor bands and was available untill 1974 printed by Harrison.
The sg 862 the 4p colour change to the greenish-blue with 2 phosphor bamds.
The sh 863 4p had 1 centre band, the sg 864 and 864a had a right band and a left band respectively. The sg 862-64a had the narrow value tablet as did the sg 932, 932ea with phosphor coated paper, the 1996 sg 997 with 2 phosphor bands and phosphor coated paper.
These 2 issues had 14 perforations and printed by John Waddingtons.
Sg 1002 4p green-blue was deeper in colour and on phosphor coated paper in the Questa printing.
The sg 933 was another 4p colour change in the new blue colour change on phosphor coated paper and back to Harrisons for printing.
The sg 865 was the 4½p grey-blue or steel-blue. It had 2 phosphor bands on phosphor flurescent paper in 2 hard to identify shades.
The sg 866 5p pale violet had 2 phosphor bands, the sg 934 had phosphor coated paper and the sg 1003 Questa printing had perforation 14 also on a deeper coloured phosphor coated paper.
Sg 867 5p was a colour change to claret for booklets in 1986-7, it had 1 centre phosphor band by Harrisons sg 1004 plus 1004a 5p claret again printed by Questa on phosphor coated paper and perforation 14 and 15 X 14 respectively.
Sg 935 5p dull red-brown was printed by Harrisons on advanced phosphor coated paper for 1988.
Sg 868 5½p deep vioet had 2 phosphor bands and 869 violet had one centre band, both printed by Harrisons with 15 X 14 perforations.
Sg 870 6p emerald had 2 phosphor bands and had thick and thin value tablets and different shades of pale emerald, it was changed after 1981 to sg 936 6p yellow-green on phosphor coated paper by Harrisons.
Sg 871 6½p greenish-blue had 2 phosphor bands sg 872 6½ greenish-blue had one centre band. Sg 873 and sg 873ea 6½p greenish-blue booklet stamps had a right and left phosphor band respectively.
All printed by Harrison & sons with 15 X 14 perforations.
Sg 874 7p purple-brown sg 875 and sg 876 and sg 876ea was released in the same way as the 6½p as they were both used for 2nd class postage in great quantities.
Sg 937 was the colour change 7p red-brown on phosphor coated paper printed by Harrisons and is fairly scarce, issued in 1985.
Sg 877 7½p chestnut-brown was only issued in 2 phosphor bands variety as one of the original 1971 issues.
Sg 878 8p rosine was issued from 1973-79 with 2 phosphor bands, sg 897 had one centre band sg 879 had a sloping "P" variety and was printed for Christmas booklets by enschede of Holland.
Sg 880 and sg 880ea had right and left band variations respectively in booklets printed by Harrison & sons.
Sg 881 8½p had 2 phosphor bands and sg 938 had phosphor coated paper.
The stunning 9p gold or orange-yellow, and black sg 882 was the original colour variety and similar to the pre-decimal 1/-9d colour. It has 2 phosphor bands and printed by Harrison & sons.
It was soon replaced by sg 883 9p violed and deep violet in 1976. It had 2 phosphor bands also.
Sg 833 had many varieties and booklet and coin perforations as it was the 1st class postage for many years. It is known with all over phosphor, right and left bands, and pale and very deep shades.
Sg 844 9½p purple was released also in 1976, it was again 2 phosphor bands and found again with right and left bands omitted.
Sg 855 was 2nd 10p release after the original larger cerise issue in 1970.
It was a combination of orange-brown and chestnut.
Sg 886 the 10p orange-brown release came in 7 different formats as it was very commonly used in the 1970's 1980's.
Sg 886 had only 2 types- a broad o and type 2 having a narrow o. This type 2 was from the Christian heritage booklet and was given the sg 886b number, both printed bu Harrison & sons.
Sg 887 10p orange-brown had all over phosphor, sg 888 10p orange-brown had 1 centre band, sg 889 10p orange-brown had 1 right phosphoe band and sg 889ea had 1 left band.
Finaly sg 939 10p orange-brown had phosphor coated paper.
Sg 940 was a colour change on phosphor coated paper to 10p brown-orange from dull orange.
Sg 890 was a stunning 2 banded 10½p bright yellow released in 1976 and changed to 10½p dull deep-blue in 1978 with the sg 891 number in 1978. These 2 values was rarely used and fairly scarce.
The 11p value, sg 892 brown-red was more pink in appearance and had 2 phosphor bands. The later issue sg 941 brown-red had phosphor coated paper.
The 11½p ochre-brown sg 942 also had phosphor coated paper and as previous all issues unless stated are printed by Harrison & sons.
The sg 893 drab was a centre band variety, and followed for booklets use, the sg 894 and 894ea with right hand and left band phosphor strips respectively.
The sg 895 12p yellow-green and bright green both had 2 phosphor bands. The later sg 943 bright green was a phosphor coated paper issue.
Sg 896 and sg 896ea 12p bright emerald was both issued with 1 centre band sg 897 and sg 897ea 12p bright emerald had both right hand and left hand phosphor bands for booklet usage.
Sg 898 was a 12½p pale emerald and had 1 centre band.
Now the sg 896eu, sg 898eu and sg 898eua had the first underprints for Christmas booklets with 3 different blue star underprints, all issued with 1 centre band these 12½p light emerald issues was issued with 1st class 15½p in the same year, 1987 and the latter 1983. These underprints are sought after and difficult fine used as the blue will wash away with excessive soaking.
The sg 899 and sg 899ea pale emerald had right and left hand phosphor bands.
The sg 944 phosphor coated paper issue 13p olive grey ws a rearly used value and replaced by the later released sg 900 13p pale chestnut and sg 900eu with star underprint was released only in the 1986 Christmas booklet. Sg 901 and sg 901ea was the left and right hand phosphor bands issues.
These had much usage in the late 1980's the sg 1005, 1006 and 1006ea was Questa printings using lithographic with centre, right and left phosphor bands.
The Questa printings made a 13p pale chestnut look much deeper in colour.
As with 13p sg 944 olive-grey the sg 945 13½p, purple-brown was released on phosphor coated paper in 1980 and soon withdrawn as it was rarely used.
Sg 902 14p grey-blue had 2 phosphor bands and sg 946 14p grey-blue was released on phosphor coated paper.
Sg 903 14p deep blue colour change had 1 centre band, sg 904 only had a right hand band in booklets and then later sg 1007 Questa released a centre band in lithography again deeper in colour.
Sg 1051 14p deep blue only had a right hand phosphor band, perforation 14, and was printed by Walsall security printers.
Sg 905 15p bright blue had 1 centre band, sg 906 and 906ea 15p bright blue had left and right phosphor bands all printed by Harrisons & sons the latter in booklets.
Sg 947 15p ultramarine was a phosphor coated paper only issued by Harrison & sons also sg 907 and 907eu 15½p pale violet the latter with aforementioned star blue underprints released in booklets.
Sg 948 15½p pale violet (same as the one shilling pre decimal issue) had phosphor coated paper.
Sg 908 16p drab was released in 1983 with 2 phosphor bands, Sg 949 and Sg 949eu with a new type underprint-"ad" in blue with booklets release on phosphor coated paper by Harrison & sons in photogravure.
The Sg 950 16½p pale chestnut and Sg 951 17p light emerald both on phosphor coated paper was again rarely used.
Sg 909 17p grey blue and Sg 909eu with "d" underprint again was a 2 phosphor band release, with a later Sg 952 and Sg 952eu on phosphor coated paper by Harrisons & sons.
Sg 910, and Sg 911 and Sg 911ea was a colour change to 17p deep blue with centre band, right and left hand phosphor bands respectively.
Sg 1008 17p deep blue was a Questa printing with 1 centre band.
Sg 953 17½p pale chestnut was again rarely used and withdrawn after 2 years in 1982.
It was again a phosphor coated issue, sg 912 16p deep-olive grey and Sg 954 had 2 phosphor bands and phosphor coated paper with the later release.
Sg 1009 and Sg 1010 both Questa printings had phosphor coated paper and 2 bands respectively.
Sg 955 18p deep violet was a Harrison colour change on phosphor coated paper.
Sg 913 18p light green, Sg 1011, Sg 1012 and Sg 1012ea, by Harrisons. The 1st and 2nd issues both with centre bands and the latter with right and left phosphor bands.
Sg 914 19p bright orange red had 2 bands, Sg 956 had phosphor coated paper both by Harrisons. Then Sg 1013 and Sg 1052 the first by Questa with phosphor coated paper, the second by Walsall with 2 phosphor bands.
Sg 957 19½p olive grey on phosphor coated paper printed by Harrisons and Sons was again soon withdrawn for low usage.
The 20p value has many variations and colours therefor basically the first release was Sg 915 20p dull purple with 21 phosphor bands and Sg 916 20p black also with 2 bands, red cancels were used on the black issues to avoid reusage.
Sg 916 20p brownish-black also had 2 phosphor bands and was released in 1989.
Sg 998 20p dull purple had 2 phosphor bands and Sg 999 20 dull purple had all phosphorised paper aand both printed by John Waddingtons with perf 14, released in 1980 and 1981.
Sg 1014 20p dull purple was released by Questa in lithography and perforated 15 X 14.
Harrison & sons also printed perf 15 X 14 on phosphorised paper, they are as follows - Sg 958 20p dull purple, Sg 959 20p turquoise-green and the booklet pane variety found with one side imperforated, Sg 960 brownish black.
The next value was the rarely used and short lived Sg 961 20½p ultramarine released in 1983 thus the reason for never releasing a 21p issue.
Harrisons & Sons continued with Sg 917 22p bright orange-red with 2 phosphor bands in 1990.
Sg 917a was 25p rose-red also with 2 phosphor bands.
Sg 962 blue was on phosphorised paper. Sg 963 22p changed colour to yellow-green in 1984 and in 1990 back to Sg 964 bright orange-red.
Sg 1015 22p yellow-green with 2 phosphor bands and Sg 1016 22p bright orange-red printed on phosphorised paper and both of these issues are printed by the House of Questa.
Sg 965 was the 23p brown-red released in 1983 and in 1988 changed to 23p bright green, both on phosphorised paper.
Sg 967 24p violet released in 1984 was replaced by Sg 968 24p indian-red in 1989, and Sg 969 24p chestnut in 1991, again all 3 issues on phosphorised paper.
The Questa issues Sg 1017 24p chestnut was printed on phosphorised paper in 1982, and Sg 1018 24p chestnut had 2 phosphor bands.
Sg 970 25p purple was printed in 1981 by Harrison & Sons on phosphorised paper.
The first 26p definitive was Sg 971 26p rosine with the type 1 larger numerals, released on 27th January 1982 on phosphor paper, Sg 918 26p rosine also type I had 2 phosphor bands. Harrisons then released a colour change Sg 972 26p drab in 1990.
Sg 973 27p chestnut was released in 1988 and was used mainly in booklets. Sg 974 27p violet colour change was then released in 1990, both on phosphor paper. Sg 975 28p deep violet started a trio of 28p values, Sg 976 28p ochre and Sg 977 28p deep blueish-grey completed the 3 colours in 1981.
Sg 978 29p ochre brown was released on 27th January 1982 but this issue, Walsalls printers released Sg 1054 28p deep mauve with 2 phosphor bands and Sg 1055 29p deep mauve on phosphorised paper in 1990.
Sg 980 30p deep olive-grey was released on the same date as Sg 974 29p deep mauve the 26th Sept. 1989.
Sg 919 31p purple 2 phosphor bands was released on 18th march 1986, but in 1983 Sg 981 also 31p purple was released by Harrison & Sons, also on phosphorised paper.
Sg 982 was a colour change, the 31p ultramarine released in 1990. Walsall continued the perforation 14 set with Sg 1056 31p ultramarine, Sg 1057 the 33p light emerald and Sg 1058 39p bright mauve, all on phosphorised paper in 1991.
Sg 983 32p greenish blue on phosphorised paper was released by Harrison & Sons in 1988.
Sg 984 33p light emerald was the Harrisons phosphor paper issue and Sg 1020 33p light emerald with 2 phosphor bands was issued by the House of Questa and Sg 1019 preceeded with a 33p light emerald phosphorised paper issue in 1991.
Sg 1021 34p bistre brown was also a Questa release.
Sg 920 34p ochre brown released by Harrison & Sons with 2 phosphor bands in 1985.
The 34p had a trio of Harrisons phosphorised paper releases with 15 X 14 perforations, Sg 985 34p ochre brown in 1984, Sg 986 34p deep blueish-grey in 1989 and finaly Sg 987 34p deep mauve.
Sg 988 35p sepia was released bu Harrisons & Sons, and Sg 989 35p yellow both on phosphorised paper.
Sg 990 37p rosine was released in 1989 by Harrisons.
Sg 991 39p bright mauve was the last Harrisons phosphorised paper release. Sg 1022 39p bright mauve was released by House of Questa.
Finally we reach the last 2 high values the 50p and 75p. Harrisons released Sg 921 50p ochre brown on the 2nd Feb 1977, then Sg 922 50p ochre both with 2 phosphor bands in 1990, Harrisons then completed on ordinary paper, perf 15 X 14, Sg 992 50p ochre brown and Sg 993 75p grey black large type numerals in 1988
The final 75p was released by the House of Questa, Sg 1023 75p black in 1980, and Sg 1024 75p brownish grey and black in 1988, both with small and large numerals on ordinary paper.
This completes the none eliptical issues.
Part two
The N. V. I., stamps, PVA gum, standard perforations 15 X 14 was first printed by Harrison & Sons in 1989 to 1990.
Booklet issues Sg 1445 second class bright blue with one centre band, Sg 1446 second bright blue one band at right, Sg 1447 1st class brownish-black on phosphorised paper, and Sg 1448 1st brownish-black with two phosphor bands.
Lithography Wallsall printings was issued first in 1991 with perf 14.
Sg 1449 2nd bright blue with one centre band, Sg 1450 1st blackish-brown with two phosphor bands.
Lithography Questa printings was issued first in 1989 until 1993 with perf 15 X 14.
Sg 1451 2nd bright blue with one band at right, and finally Sg 1452 1st class brownish-black on phosphorised paper.
Between 1990 and 1992 the colours changed again.
Sg 1511 2nd class deep blue with one centre band and Sg 1512 1st class bright orange-red on phosphorised paper on perf 15 x 14.
Questa printed Sg 1513 2nd deep blue with one centre band, Sg 1514 1st bright orange-red and Sg 1514a 1st bright orange-red on phosphorised paper and two bands with perfs 15 X14.
Finally Walsall printed Sg 1515 2nd deep blue with one centre band, and Sg 1516 1st bright orange-red on phosphorised paper with perf 14.
The large high value machin was released between 1977 to 1987. Perf 14 X 15.
Sg 1026 the £1 bright yellow-green and blackish olive.
Sg 1026b £1.30 pale drab and deep greenish-blue.
Sg 1026c £1.33 pale mauve and grey black.
Sg 1026d £1.41 pale drab and deep greenish-blue.
Sg 1026e £1.50 pale mauve and grey-black.
Sg 1026f £1.60 pale drab and deep greenish-blue.
Sg 1027 £2 light emerald and purple-brown.
And finally Sg 1028 £5 salmon and chalky-blue.
No phosphors on any of the above stamps.
All printed on florescent paper (FCP).
The N. V. I. stamps, P V A gum was now issued for the first time with elipitical perforations with perf 15 X 14 from 1993 onwards.
Sg 1664 2nd bright blue with one centre band, Sg 1665 2nd bright blue with one band at right. Sg 1666 1st bright orange-red on phosphorised paper, Sg 1667 bright orange-red with two phosphor bands and the 1st class gold with two phosphor bands in 1987 which was Sg 1668. It was the brightest gold issue of all.
Sg 1669 was the european E stamp deep blue two phosphor bands issue. It was the only machin of this type issued by Harrison & sons on the 19th January 1999.
The eliptical perforations continued with the House of Questa or Walsall releasing Sg 1670 2nd bright blue with one centre band.
Enchede Questa and Walsall also released 1st bright orange-red with two phosphor bands including the famous Boots logo pane.
Finally De La Rue released the new 1st class gold with two phosphor bands on 8th January 2008.
Part Three
In 1993 saw the release on the first machin values with eliptical perforations 15 X 14 - the Y issues.
Sg 1667 or Y1667 was the 1p crimson with two phosphor bands released by Harrison & sons De La Rue and Questa on 8th June 1993.
Sg 1668 2p deep green with two bands also issued by the same printers.
Sg 1669 4p replaced Questa with enschede.
Sg 1670 5p dull red-brown with two phosphor bands and 3 printers.
Sg 1671 6p yellow olive with two phosphor bands as previous.
Sg 1672 7p grey and Sg 1673 7p bright magenta was issued both by De La Rue in 1999 and 2004 respectively both with two phosphor bands.
Sg 1674 8p yellow with 2 phosphor bands was also released by De La Rue in 2000.
Sg 1675 9p Yellow orange was released in 2005 with two phosphor bands by De La Rue.
Sg 1676 10p dull orange with two phosphor bands was released by enxchede, Harrison & Sons and De La Rue.
Sg 1676a 10p dull orange perf 14 was released by Walsall.
Sg 1676b 12p greenish blue had two phosphor bands released in 2006.
Sg 1676c 14p rose red also had two phosphor bands.
Sg 1676d 15p bright magenta, Sg 1676e 16p pale cerise and Sg 1676f 19p brown olive completed this set with two phosphor bands.
Sg 1677 19p bistre was released by Harrisons, De La Rue,and Questa with one centre band.
Sg 1678 19p bistre perf 14 with one right phosphor band was released by Walsall printers.
Sg1679 20p turquoisr green was released in 1993 with two bands by Enschede.
Sg 1680 20p bright green released by Harrisons, De La Rue or Questa with one centre band.
Sg 1681 20p bright green had one right band of phosphor and issued in booklets by Harrison $ Sons.
Sg 1682 20p bright green had two phosphor bands was released by Enschede in 1999.
Sg 1682b 22p drab with two bands was also an enschede issue.
Sg 1683 25p rose red was released on phosphorised paper by Harrisons.
Sg 1684 25p rose red had two phosphor bands printed by De La Rue, Enschede and Harrisons.
Sg 1685 26p red brown had two phosphor bands by Harrisons De La Rue and Questa.
Than in 1997 alongside the 1st class gold.
The 26p gold was issued also with two phosphor bands by Harrison & sons only.
Sg 1687 29p grey with two phosphor bands was re-released by Enschede.
Sg 1688 30p deep olive-grey also had two phosphor bands.
Sg 1689 31p dep mauve also had two phosphor bands.
Sg 1690 33p grey green with two phosphor bands was issued by De La Rue.
Sg 1691 34p yellow-olive and Sg 1692 35p yellow continued the two phosphor band releases by De La Rue.
Sg 1693 35p yellow was a scarce release on phosphorised paper by Enschede.
Sg 1694 35p sepia with two phosphor bands and Sg 1695 35p yellow-olive had one centre band was issued by De La Rue and Enschede.
Sg 1696 bright ultramarine was issued by Enschede with two phosphor bands.
The 37p issue had 3 colour changes from 1996, 2002 and 2006. The phosphor bands on Sg 1697 37p bright mauve, Sg 1698 37p grey-black and Sg 1699 37p brown-olive with one centre band all issued by De La Rue, Enschede and Walsall.
Sg 1700 38p rosine, two phosphor bands was released by Enschede with perf 15 X 14 and sg 1701 plus Sg 1701a 38p ultramarine with two phosphor bands by Walsall printers.
Sg 1702 39p bright magenta and Sg 1703 39p grey both with two phosphor bands was issued by Endchede, Harrisons and De La Rue.
Sg 1704 40p deep azure with two phosphor bands was released by De La Rue and Walsall.
Sg 1705 40p turquoiaw-blue also two phosphor bands was released by Enschede and De La Rue in 2004, 4 years after the 1st 40p release.
Sg 1706 41p grey-brown had two phosphor bands by Enschede superceded by Sg 1707 41p drab on phosphorised paper a scarce release again as the 33p issue by Harrison & sons.
Sg 1708 41p rosine was issued in 2000 by De La Rue with two pkosphor bands.
Sg 1709 42p deep olive-grey was released in 2002 with two phosphor bands.
Sg 1710 42p deep olive-brown was the 1st of three 43p issues all with two phosphor bands.
Sg 1711 43p sepia and Sg 1712 43p emerald released by Endchede, Harrisons and De La Rue.
Sg 1713 44p grey-brown and Sg 1714 44p deep bright-blue both with two phosphor bands was released by De La Rue.
Sg 1715 45p bright mauve was a two phosphor band release by DeLa Rue in 2000.
Sg 1716 46p yellow also a two phosphor bands was released by De La rue and Endchede.
Sg 1717 47p turquoise-green with two phosphor bands was released in 2002 by Enschede and De La rue.
Sg 1717a 48p bright mauve was released in 2007 with 2 phosphor bands by De La Rue.
Sg 1718 49p red-brown had two phosphor bands issued by De La Rue in 2006.
Sg 1719 and Sg 1719b was a two phosphor bands issues of the 50p issue in ochre and grey.
The series continued with Sg 1719c 54p red-brown, Sg 1719d 56p yellow-olive and Sg 1719e 62p rosine all with two phosphor bands by De La Rue.
Sg 1720 63p light emerald, Sg 1721 64p turquoise-green, Sg 1722 65p greenish-blue, Sg 1723 68p grey-green, Sg 1724 72p rosine, Sg 1724a 78p emerald, Sg 1724b 81p turquoise-green, Sg 1724c 90p ultramarine completed the De La Rue issues used for postage for USA, Australia and Canada mainly.
All had two phosphor bands and some had Enschede and Walsall printings, the next values are the high values of eliptical machins. They are all reduced in size to perf 15 X 14.
Sg 1725 £1 blueish-violet with two phosphor bands released by De La Rue on the 22nd of August 1995 and was replaced by a £1 magenta.
Sg 1725b also with two phosphor bands issued on the 5th of June 2007.
Sg 1800 £1.50 red recess engraves printed by Endchede and De La Rue, issued on the 9th March 1997 as are the following engraved high values Sg 1801 £2 dull blue, Sg 1802 £3 dull violet, Sg 1803 £5 brown.
The above engraved issues was replaced by Sg 1726 £1.50 red-brown, Sg 1727 £2 deep blue-green, Sg 1728 £3 deep mauve and Sg 1729 £5 azure. all released with tow phosphor bands on the 1st of July 2007.
Lithography cartor was the new printer of eliptical issues and began on 8th July 1996, with sg 1743 1d lake with two phosphor bands, Sg 1743n 1p reddish purple released on September 17th 2009.
Sg 1743s 5p dull red brown and Sg 1743t 5p red brown both released with two phosphor bands in 2009-10.
Sg 1748 6p yellow-olive was a phosphor band scarce release on 26th July 1994, Ag 1749 10p dull orange also had two phosphor bands, both printed by Questa and De La Rue.
Sg 1749m and 1749n 16p pale cerise and 17p bistre both with two phosphor bands completed these releases and most of the following are booklet pane issues.
Sg 1750 19p bistre with one left hand band was a booklet pane issue.
Sg 1751 and Sg 1751m 20p bright yellow-green had one centre band plus 20 light green with two bands plus Sg 1751n 22p olive-brown with two bands, are booklet panes from 2009-10.
Sg 1752 25p red with two bands was issued on 1st november 1993.
Sg 1753 26p chestnut also had two phosphor bands released on 8th July 1996.
Sg 1754 30p olive-grey released on the 25th April 1995, Sg 1755 35p yellow was released on the 1st November 1993, Sg 1756 37p bright mauve was released on 8th July 1996, Sg 1757 41p drab, Sg 1757ea grey-brown released in 1993-95.
Sg 1757f 48p bright mauve, Sg 1757g 50p grey, Sg 1757j 54p chestnut, Sg 1758 60p dull blue-grey, Sg 1758e 62p rosine, Sg 1759 63p light emerald, Sg 1760 90p bright blue all had two phosphor bands and are mainly in booklets and prestige booklet panes, thus a rarity when withdrawn.
The latest Machin releases due to Royal Mail cost increases since 2010 are as follows. or not listed.
De La Rue printings- Sg 1719e 60p emerald-green- two phosphor bands- the 30th March 2010, Sg 1758a 60p emerald green, London festival of stamps miniature sheet phosphor bands as above.
Sg 1722 67p amathist- two phosphor bands- 30th March 2010- De La Rue Sg u2918 68p sea-green self adhesive, De La Rue 29th March 2011- security tag.
Sg u2919 76p bright pink- two phosphor bands self adhesive- security tag- also Cartor and De La Rue.
Security tag 87p orange self adhesive- released 25th April 2012- two phosphor bands.
Sg 1724c 88p shocking pink- two phosphor bands- released 30th March 2010 by De La Rue.
Cartor litho as well as self adhesive iossued.
Sg 1724e 97p mauve- two phosphor bands as before De La Rue. 25th April 2012.
U2920 £1.10 lime green- two phosphor bands- security tag- self adhesive. 25th April 2012.
SI 128 £1.25 emerald green- security tag and two phosphor bands released 25th April 2012 self adhesive.
Y1725c £1.46 dark turquoise De La Rue two phosphor bands- 30th March 2010 also in Cartor litho.
U2921 £1.65 sage green- self adhesive 29th March 2011- two phosphor bands, and finally £1.90 amathist S1190 self adhesive two phosphor bands printed by De La Rue.
The early self adhesive issues began in 1993, with NVI stamps (non value indicators) self adhesive gums and eliptical perforations 14 X 15.
Designed by Jeremy Mathews, printed in lithography by Walsall printers on 19th October 1993, they had two phosphor bands, Sg 1978 1st class orange-red then in 1997 18th March, both Sg 1976 2nd bright blue and Sg 1977 1st bright orange-red was released and printed by Enschede with larger numerals.
In 1998 the size changed to 15 X 14 and Sg 2039 and Sg 2040 was printed by Enschede, Questa and Walsall all with 2 phosphor bands.
In 2000 to celebrate the millennium celebrated with Sg 2124 white with olive brown Queen Machin head perf 15 X 14, printed by Questa De La Rue and Walsall.
Also on the 22nd May the international stamp exhibition released a miniature sheet M/S 2146 featuring 4p new blue, 5p dull red-brown, 6p yellow olive, 10p dull orange, 31p deep mauve, 39p bright magenta, 64p turquoise green and a £1 blueish violet.
On the 23 May 2000 Her Majesties stamp sheet was released on phosphorised paper with MS 2147 4 x 1st class white and olive-brown and the coronation 1s3d issue with £1 value, both these sheets are highlt sought after.
In 2002 5th June and 4th July the Sg 2295 gold, Sg 2296e deep blue, Sg 4297 42p deep olive-grey, and Sg 298 68p grey-brown was released by Questa, Walsall, Enschede and De La Rue in booklets self adhesive 6 X 12 stamps in each.
Between 2003 27th March and 2004 the first overseas self adhesive booklets was issued in Sg 2357a grey black-rosine. Worldwide postage rates, the Sg 2358 Europe new blue and rosine rates and finally Sg 2359 worldwide rosine and new blue letter rates in 2006 pricing in proportion began to gain more revenue for Royal Mail.
On the 1st August Sg 2650 2d class bright blue, one centre band and Sg 2651 1st class gold with two phosphor bands was printed by De La Rue and Enschede, with ordinary gum olso the Sg 2652 2nd class large bright blue and Sg 2653 1st class gold was both issued with two phosphor bands perf 15 X 14.
The Sg 2654 2nd class bright blue with one centre band was released on 12th September alongside Sg 2655 1st class gold, two phosphor bands, plus Sg 2656 2nd large bright blue and Sg 2657 1st class large gold was released on 15th August.
In 2009 - present day the security self adhesive was released by De La rue, and booklets by Walsall.
U2911 2nd bright blue, U2912 1st gold, U2913 2nd large bright blue, U2915 1st large gold, U2914 50p grey, U2916 £1 magenta, U2916a recorded signed 1st class bright orange-red, U2916b recorded signed large letters bright orange-red.
Later the signed special delivery blue and silver issues was released in the same formats.
Finally the self adhesive high values U2917 £1.50 brown-red, U2918 £2 deep green, (found with missing £ sign), U2919 £3 deep mauve, U2920 £5 azure.
Walsall booklet self adhesive, U2931 2nd bright blue, U2932 1st gold, U2933 2nd large bright blue, U2934 1st class large gold, all issued on the 31st March 2009. The Machins series are still ongoing and have prooved to be the most iconic and successful of all the Queen Elizabeth II issues.
Arnold Machin was born in Stoke On Trent on the 30th September 1911. He worked as a china painter at the Minton Factory from 1925 until 1934. During the second world war, he was imprisoned as a conscientious objector and after the war returned to his ceramics and was elected an associate member of the Royal Academy.
In 1964 he was chosen to design a new Queens head for decimal coinage to be introduced in 1968. In 1966 the Queen approved his new design for the new machin stamp definitives for 1967 release.
His work to date had become the most reproduced work of art in history, with over 320 billion copies produced by stamps and coins.
He died sadly in Staffordshire on the 9th March 1999 aged 88.
The first release of machin stamps in pre-decimal currency consisted of a basic set of 18 stamps and a total of 31 including different phosphors and type from values of ½d, 1d, 2d, 3d, 4d, 5d, 6d, 7d, 8d, 9d, 10d, 1/-, 1/-6d, and 1/-9d. The rarest is the 6d magenta- sg 736a and the 1/-6d prussian blue- sg 743vb.
The first coin strip of 5 was issued on 27th August 1969.
The values was issued firstly on the 5th June 1967 completed by the 4d + 8d on the 6th January 1969. The 2d brown had 2 types due to the position of the value and the 4d introduced right and left hand phosphor bands as well as one centre band and two bands right and left. The whole set can be readily purchased for under £20 from reputable dealers.
With the introduction of decimal coinage in 1968 made these stamps short existance, and by 1971, a new decimal set was required for general release.
In 1969 the high values of 2/-6d, 5/-. 10/-, and £1 values would need replacing also with the 10p, 20p, 50p and redrawn £1 values. These values was released for the first time on the 17th June 1970 completed with the withdrawn £1 on the 6th December 1972.
The first full decimal basic set of 12 values from ½ - 9p was released on the 15th February 1971 coinciding with the postal strike. The 10p smaller issue was released on the 11th August 1971. All sg numbers prefixed with an x.
The first machin decimal definitives started with sg numbers of 841 - 884.
The rare ½d side band - left was from the special booklet and numbered x842.
The values ranged from ½p, 1p, 1½p, 2p, 2½p, 3p, 3½p. 4, 4½p, 5p, 5½p, 6p, 6½p, 7p, 7½p, 8p, 8½p, 9, 9½p.
This list of Machin definitives is based on Stanley Gibbons catalogue numbers and only lists all the basic values, there are massive abundance os flaws and variations in gums, etc. I have listed the values in a basic value plus detail of phosphors, printings and is no way a full detailed list of all varieties.
The first sg number is sg 841 turquoise blue printed by Harrison & Sons ltd with a perforation of 15 X 14 with 2 phosphor bands, all issues from the ½p - 75p was non elliptical, the elliptical issues will be listed later. all issues here are photogravure sg 842 ½p turquoise blue had a left phosphor band only and is one of the scarce issues as it was from a Wedgewood booklet only. XL1 sg 843 ½p turquoise blue has one centre phosphor band sg 924 has all over phosphor coated paper.
Sg 844 1p crimson has 2 phosphor bands, all the issues are printed by Harrisons unless I state a change. Sg 845 1p crimson has one centre phosphor band and as all Machins there are many shades and printing flaws. Sg 846 is all over phosphor, one penny crimson and the sg 847ea has a left and right phosphor bands respectively. Sg 925 1p crimson on phosphor coated paper, sg 848 is the 1½p black with 2 phosphor bands this short lived machin release can be found with booklet variations, but no further phosphor printings were made.
The 2p myrtle-green is a many varied issue, firstly issued in many shades the sg 849 has a wider value tablet with 2 phosphor bands.
Sg 850 has all over phosphor and sg 926 has phosphor coated paper both with wide value tablet.
Sg 1000 perf 14 and sg 1000a perf 15 14 was released later with phosphor coated paper but is the first of the questa printings using a lithography process giving a deep colour.
The sg 927 and sg 928 had a norrow p tablet and a brighter colour finish on phosphor coated paper, printed by Harrison & sons.
The sg 1001 was printed by questa again using the lithography process and as with the 1000 they are found only with a perforation 14.
Sg 1050 was also a narrow 2p on phosphor coated paper but printed by Walsall Security printers and the 14 perforation Sg 851 2½p magenta or bright pink has one centre band printed by Harrison & sons.
Sg 852 and Sg 852ea has a left and right band respectively.
Sg 853 2½p magenta has 2 phosphor bands, Sg 854 2½p has 2 phosphor bands also but a change of colour to a bright rose-red.
Sg 929 2½p in the same colour change has phosphor coated paper and both issues are printed by Harrison & sons.
Sg 855 3p was first printed in ultramarine by Harrisons and had 2 phosphor bands.
Sg 856 3p pale ultramarine had one centre band and was commonly used in the early 1970's for first class postage.
Sg 857 3p rosine, another colour change also had 2 phosphor bands however sg 930 was printed on phosphor coaated paper and sg 930c with a narrow value tablet was also printed by Harrisons also with phosphor coated paper.
Sg 858 the 3½p olive-grey had 2 phosphor bands and sg 859 had one centre phosphor band and varied in colour shades.
The 3½p olive-grey was issued later with a much paler colour with a narrow value tablet, it was the sg 860 centre band and sg 931 phosphor coated paper variety the sg 859 was also described as bronze-green. The sg 931 was given the purple brown colour in 1983.
Sg 861 4p ochre-brown had 2 phosphor bands and was available untill 1974 printed by Harrison.
The sg 862 the 4p colour change to the greenish-blue with 2 phosphor bamds.
The sh 863 4p had 1 centre band, the sg 864 and 864a had a right band and a left band respectively. The sg 862-64a had the narrow value tablet as did the sg 932, 932ea with phosphor coated paper, the 1996 sg 997 with 2 phosphor bands and phosphor coated paper.
These 2 issues had 14 perforations and printed by John Waddingtons.
Sg 1002 4p green-blue was deeper in colour and on phosphor coated paper in the Questa printing.
The sg 933 was another 4p colour change in the new blue colour change on phosphor coated paper and back to Harrisons for printing.
The sg 865 was the 4½p grey-blue or steel-blue. It had 2 phosphor bands on phosphor flurescent paper in 2 hard to identify shades.
The sg 866 5p pale violet had 2 phosphor bands, the sg 934 had phosphor coated paper and the sg 1003 Questa printing had perforation 14 also on a deeper coloured phosphor coated paper.
Sg 867 5p was a colour change to claret for booklets in 1986-7, it had 1 centre phosphor band by Harrisons sg 1004 plus 1004a 5p claret again printed by Questa on phosphor coated paper and perforation 14 and 15 X 14 respectively.
Sg 935 5p dull red-brown was printed by Harrisons on advanced phosphor coated paper for 1988.
Sg 868 5½p deep vioet had 2 phosphor bands and 869 violet had one centre band, both printed by Harrisons with 15 X 14 perforations.
Sg 870 6p emerald had 2 phosphor bands and had thick and thin value tablets and different shades of pale emerald, it was changed after 1981 to sg 936 6p yellow-green on phosphor coated paper by Harrisons.
Sg 871 6½p greenish-blue had 2 phosphor bands sg 872 6½ greenish-blue had one centre band. Sg 873 and sg 873ea 6½p greenish-blue booklet stamps had a right and left phosphor band respectively.
All printed by Harrison & sons with 15 X 14 perforations.
Sg 874 7p purple-brown sg 875 and sg 876 and sg 876ea was released in the same way as the 6½p as they were both used for 2nd class postage in great quantities.
Sg 937 was the colour change 7p red-brown on phosphor coated paper printed by Harrisons and is fairly scarce, issued in 1985.
Sg 877 7½p chestnut-brown was only issued in 2 phosphor bands variety as one of the original 1971 issues.
Sg 878 8p rosine was issued from 1973-79 with 2 phosphor bands, sg 897 had one centre band sg 879 had a sloping "P" variety and was printed for Christmas booklets by enschede of Holland.
Sg 880 and sg 880ea had right and left band variations respectively in booklets printed by Harrison & sons.
Sg 881 8½p had 2 phosphor bands and sg 938 had phosphor coated paper.
The stunning 9p gold or orange-yellow, and black sg 882 was the original colour variety and similar to the pre-decimal 1/-9d colour. It has 2 phosphor bands and printed by Harrison & sons.
It was soon replaced by sg 883 9p violed and deep violet in 1976. It had 2 phosphor bands also.
Sg 833 had many varieties and booklet and coin perforations as it was the 1st class postage for many years. It is known with all over phosphor, right and left bands, and pale and very deep shades.
Sg 844 9½p purple was released also in 1976, it was again 2 phosphor bands and found again with right and left bands omitted.
Sg 855 was 2nd 10p release after the original larger cerise issue in 1970.
It was a combination of orange-brown and chestnut.
Sg 886 the 10p orange-brown release came in 7 different formats as it was very commonly used in the 1970's 1980's.
Sg 886 had only 2 types- a broad o and type 2 having a narrow o. This type 2 was from the Christian heritage booklet and was given the sg 886b number, both printed bu Harrison & sons.
Sg 887 10p orange-brown had all over phosphor, sg 888 10p orange-brown had 1 centre band, sg 889 10p orange-brown had 1 right phosphoe band and sg 889ea had 1 left band.
Finaly sg 939 10p orange-brown had phosphor coated paper.
Sg 940 was a colour change on phosphor coated paper to 10p brown-orange from dull orange.
Sg 890 was a stunning 2 banded 10½p bright yellow released in 1976 and changed to 10½p dull deep-blue in 1978 with the sg 891 number in 1978. These 2 values was rarely used and fairly scarce.
The 11p value, sg 892 brown-red was more pink in appearance and had 2 phosphor bands. The later issue sg 941 brown-red had phosphor coated paper.
The 11½p ochre-brown sg 942 also had phosphor coated paper and as previous all issues unless stated are printed by Harrison & sons.
The sg 893 drab was a centre band variety, and followed for booklets use, the sg 894 and 894ea with right hand and left band phosphor strips respectively.
The sg 895 12p yellow-green and bright green both had 2 phosphor bands. The later sg 943 bright green was a phosphor coated paper issue.
Sg 896 and sg 896ea 12p bright emerald was both issued with 1 centre band sg 897 and sg 897ea 12p bright emerald had both right hand and left hand phosphor bands for booklet usage.
Sg 898 was a 12½p pale emerald and had 1 centre band.
Now the sg 896eu, sg 898eu and sg 898eua had the first underprints for Christmas booklets with 3 different blue star underprints, all issued with 1 centre band these 12½p light emerald issues was issued with 1st class 15½p in the same year, 1987 and the latter 1983. These underprints are sought after and difficult fine used as the blue will wash away with excessive soaking.
The sg 899 and sg 899ea pale emerald had right and left hand phosphor bands.
The sg 944 phosphor coated paper issue 13p olive grey ws a rearly used value and replaced by the later released sg 900 13p pale chestnut and sg 900eu with star underprint was released only in the 1986 Christmas booklet. Sg 901 and sg 901ea was the left and right hand phosphor bands issues.
These had much usage in the late 1980's the sg 1005, 1006 and 1006ea was Questa printings using lithographic with centre, right and left phosphor bands.
The Questa printings made a 13p pale chestnut look much deeper in colour.
As with 13p sg 944 olive-grey the sg 945 13½p, purple-brown was released on phosphor coated paper in 1980 and soon withdrawn as it was rarely used.
Sg 902 14p grey-blue had 2 phosphor bands and sg 946 14p grey-blue was released on phosphor coated paper.
Sg 903 14p deep blue colour change had 1 centre band, sg 904 only had a right hand band in booklets and then later sg 1007 Questa released a centre band in lithography again deeper in colour.
Sg 1051 14p deep blue only had a right hand phosphor band, perforation 14, and was printed by Walsall security printers.
Sg 905 15p bright blue had 1 centre band, sg 906 and 906ea 15p bright blue had left and right phosphor bands all printed by Harrisons & sons the latter in booklets.
Sg 947 15p ultramarine was a phosphor coated paper only issued by Harrison & sons also sg 907 and 907eu 15½p pale violet the latter with aforementioned star blue underprints released in booklets.
Sg 948 15½p pale violet (same as the one shilling pre decimal issue) had phosphor coated paper.
Sg 908 16p drab was released in 1983 with 2 phosphor bands, Sg 949 and Sg 949eu with a new type underprint-"ad" in blue with booklets release on phosphor coated paper by Harrison & sons in photogravure.
The Sg 950 16½p pale chestnut and Sg 951 17p light emerald both on phosphor coated paper was again rarely used.
Sg 909 17p grey blue and Sg 909eu with "d" underprint again was a 2 phosphor band release, with a later Sg 952 and Sg 952eu on phosphor coated paper by Harrisons & sons.
Sg 910, and Sg 911 and Sg 911ea was a colour change to 17p deep blue with centre band, right and left hand phosphor bands respectively.
Sg 1008 17p deep blue was a Questa printing with 1 centre band.
Sg 953 17½p pale chestnut was again rarely used and withdrawn after 2 years in 1982.
It was again a phosphor coated issue, sg 912 16p deep-olive grey and Sg 954 had 2 phosphor bands and phosphor coated paper with the later release.
Sg 1009 and Sg 1010 both Questa printings had phosphor coated paper and 2 bands respectively.
Sg 955 18p deep violet was a Harrison colour change on phosphor coated paper.
Sg 913 18p light green, Sg 1011, Sg 1012 and Sg 1012ea, by Harrisons. The 1st and 2nd issues both with centre bands and the latter with right and left phosphor bands.
Sg 914 19p bright orange red had 2 bands, Sg 956 had phosphor coated paper both by Harrisons. Then Sg 1013 and Sg 1052 the first by Questa with phosphor coated paper, the second by Walsall with 2 phosphor bands.
Sg 957 19½p olive grey on phosphor coated paper printed by Harrisons and Sons was again soon withdrawn for low usage.
The 20p value has many variations and colours therefor basically the first release was Sg 915 20p dull purple with 21 phosphor bands and Sg 916 20p black also with 2 bands, red cancels were used on the black issues to avoid reusage.
Sg 916 20p brownish-black also had 2 phosphor bands and was released in 1989.
Sg 998 20p dull purple had 2 phosphor bands and Sg 999 20 dull purple had all phosphorised paper aand both printed by John Waddingtons with perf 14, released in 1980 and 1981.
Sg 1014 20p dull purple was released by Questa in lithography and perforated 15 X 14.
Harrison & sons also printed perf 15 X 14 on phosphorised paper, they are as follows - Sg 958 20p dull purple, Sg 959 20p turquoise-green and the booklet pane variety found with one side imperforated, Sg 960 brownish black.
The next value was the rarely used and short lived Sg 961 20½p ultramarine released in 1983 thus the reason for never releasing a 21p issue.
Harrisons & Sons continued with Sg 917 22p bright orange-red with 2 phosphor bands in 1990.
Sg 917a was 25p rose-red also with 2 phosphor bands.
Sg 962 blue was on phosphorised paper. Sg 963 22p changed colour to yellow-green in 1984 and in 1990 back to Sg 964 bright orange-red.
Sg 1015 22p yellow-green with 2 phosphor bands and Sg 1016 22p bright orange-red printed on phosphorised paper and both of these issues are printed by the House of Questa.
Sg 965 was the 23p brown-red released in 1983 and in 1988 changed to 23p bright green, both on phosphorised paper.
Sg 967 24p violet released in 1984 was replaced by Sg 968 24p indian-red in 1989, and Sg 969 24p chestnut in 1991, again all 3 issues on phosphorised paper.
The Questa issues Sg 1017 24p chestnut was printed on phosphorised paper in 1982, and Sg 1018 24p chestnut had 2 phosphor bands.
Sg 970 25p purple was printed in 1981 by Harrison & Sons on phosphorised paper.
The first 26p definitive was Sg 971 26p rosine with the type 1 larger numerals, released on 27th January 1982 on phosphor paper, Sg 918 26p rosine also type I had 2 phosphor bands. Harrisons then released a colour change Sg 972 26p drab in 1990.
Sg 973 27p chestnut was released in 1988 and was used mainly in booklets. Sg 974 27p violet colour change was then released in 1990, both on phosphor paper. Sg 975 28p deep violet started a trio of 28p values, Sg 976 28p ochre and Sg 977 28p deep blueish-grey completed the 3 colours in 1981.
Sg 978 29p ochre brown was released on 27th January 1982 but this issue, Walsalls printers released Sg 1054 28p deep mauve with 2 phosphor bands and Sg 1055 29p deep mauve on phosphorised paper in 1990.
Sg 980 30p deep olive-grey was released on the same date as Sg 974 29p deep mauve the 26th Sept. 1989.
Sg 919 31p purple 2 phosphor bands was released on 18th march 1986, but in 1983 Sg 981 also 31p purple was released by Harrison & Sons, also on phosphorised paper.
Sg 982 was a colour change, the 31p ultramarine released in 1990. Walsall continued the perforation 14 set with Sg 1056 31p ultramarine, Sg 1057 the 33p light emerald and Sg 1058 39p bright mauve, all on phosphorised paper in 1991.
Sg 983 32p greenish blue on phosphorised paper was released by Harrison & Sons in 1988.
Sg 984 33p light emerald was the Harrisons phosphor paper issue and Sg 1020 33p light emerald with 2 phosphor bands was issued by the House of Questa and Sg 1019 preceeded with a 33p light emerald phosphorised paper issue in 1991.
Sg 1021 34p bistre brown was also a Questa release.
Sg 920 34p ochre brown released by Harrison & Sons with 2 phosphor bands in 1985.
The 34p had a trio of Harrisons phosphorised paper releases with 15 X 14 perforations, Sg 985 34p ochre brown in 1984, Sg 986 34p deep blueish-grey in 1989 and finaly Sg 987 34p deep mauve.
Sg 988 35p sepia was released bu Harrisons & Sons, and Sg 989 35p yellow both on phosphorised paper.
Sg 990 37p rosine was released in 1989 by Harrisons.
Sg 991 39p bright mauve was the last Harrisons phosphorised paper release. Sg 1022 39p bright mauve was released by House of Questa.
Finally we reach the last 2 high values the 50p and 75p. Harrisons released Sg 921 50p ochre brown on the 2nd Feb 1977, then Sg 922 50p ochre both with 2 phosphor bands in 1990, Harrisons then completed on ordinary paper, perf 15 X 14, Sg 992 50p ochre brown and Sg 993 75p grey black large type numerals in 1988
The final 75p was released by the House of Questa, Sg 1023 75p black in 1980, and Sg 1024 75p brownish grey and black in 1988, both with small and large numerals on ordinary paper.
This completes the none eliptical issues.
Part two
The N. V. I., stamps, PVA gum, standard perforations 15 X 14 was first printed by Harrison & Sons in 1989 to 1990.
Booklet issues Sg 1445 second class bright blue with one centre band, Sg 1446 second bright blue one band at right, Sg 1447 1st class brownish-black on phosphorised paper, and Sg 1448 1st brownish-black with two phosphor bands.
Lithography Wallsall printings was issued first in 1991 with perf 14.
Sg 1449 2nd bright blue with one centre band, Sg 1450 1st blackish-brown with two phosphor bands.
Lithography Questa printings was issued first in 1989 until 1993 with perf 15 X 14.
Sg 1451 2nd bright blue with one band at right, and finally Sg 1452 1st class brownish-black on phosphorised paper.
Between 1990 and 1992 the colours changed again.
Sg 1511 2nd class deep blue with one centre band and Sg 1512 1st class bright orange-red on phosphorised paper on perf 15 x 14.
Questa printed Sg 1513 2nd deep blue with one centre band, Sg 1514 1st bright orange-red and Sg 1514a 1st bright orange-red on phosphorised paper and two bands with perfs 15 X14.
Finally Walsall printed Sg 1515 2nd deep blue with one centre band, and Sg 1516 1st bright orange-red on phosphorised paper with perf 14.
The large high value machin was released between 1977 to 1987. Perf 14 X 15.
Sg 1026 the £1 bright yellow-green and blackish olive.
Sg 1026b £1.30 pale drab and deep greenish-blue.
Sg 1026c £1.33 pale mauve and grey black.
Sg 1026d £1.41 pale drab and deep greenish-blue.
Sg 1026e £1.50 pale mauve and grey-black.
Sg 1026f £1.60 pale drab and deep greenish-blue.
Sg 1027 £2 light emerald and purple-brown.
And finally Sg 1028 £5 salmon and chalky-blue.
No phosphors on any of the above stamps.
All printed on florescent paper (FCP).
The N. V. I. stamps, P V A gum was now issued for the first time with elipitical perforations with perf 15 X 14 from 1993 onwards.
Sg 1664 2nd bright blue with one centre band, Sg 1665 2nd bright blue with one band at right. Sg 1666 1st bright orange-red on phosphorised paper, Sg 1667 bright orange-red with two phosphor bands and the 1st class gold with two phosphor bands in 1987 which was Sg 1668. It was the brightest gold issue of all.
Sg 1669 was the european E stamp deep blue two phosphor bands issue. It was the only machin of this type issued by Harrison & sons on the 19th January 1999.
The eliptical perforations continued with the House of Questa or Walsall releasing Sg 1670 2nd bright blue with one centre band.
Enchede Questa and Walsall also released 1st bright orange-red with two phosphor bands including the famous Boots logo pane.
Finally De La Rue released the new 1st class gold with two phosphor bands on 8th January 2008.
Part Three
In 1993 saw the release on the first machin values with eliptical perforations 15 X 14 - the Y issues.
Sg 1667 or Y1667 was the 1p crimson with two phosphor bands released by Harrison & sons De La Rue and Questa on 8th June 1993.
Sg 1668 2p deep green with two bands also issued by the same printers.
Sg 1669 4p replaced Questa with enschede.
Sg 1670 5p dull red-brown with two phosphor bands and 3 printers.
Sg 1671 6p yellow olive with two phosphor bands as previous.
Sg 1672 7p grey and Sg 1673 7p bright magenta was issued both by De La Rue in 1999 and 2004 respectively both with two phosphor bands.
Sg 1674 8p yellow with 2 phosphor bands was also released by De La Rue in 2000.
Sg 1675 9p Yellow orange was released in 2005 with two phosphor bands by De La Rue.
Sg 1676 10p dull orange with two phosphor bands was released by enxchede, Harrison & Sons and De La Rue.
Sg 1676a 10p dull orange perf 14 was released by Walsall.
Sg 1676b 12p greenish blue had two phosphor bands released in 2006.
Sg 1676c 14p rose red also had two phosphor bands.
Sg 1676d 15p bright magenta, Sg 1676e 16p pale cerise and Sg 1676f 19p brown olive completed this set with two phosphor bands.
Sg 1677 19p bistre was released by Harrisons, De La Rue,and Questa with one centre band.
Sg 1678 19p bistre perf 14 with one right phosphor band was released by Walsall printers.
Sg1679 20p turquoisr green was released in 1993 with two bands by Enschede.
Sg 1680 20p bright green released by Harrisons, De La Rue or Questa with one centre band.
Sg 1681 20p bright green had one right band of phosphor and issued in booklets by Harrison $ Sons.
Sg 1682 20p bright green had two phosphor bands was released by Enschede in 1999.
Sg 1682b 22p drab with two bands was also an enschede issue.
Sg 1683 25p rose red was released on phosphorised paper by Harrisons.
Sg 1684 25p rose red had two phosphor bands printed by De La Rue, Enschede and Harrisons.
Sg 1685 26p red brown had two phosphor bands by Harrisons De La Rue and Questa.
Than in 1997 alongside the 1st class gold.
The 26p gold was issued also with two phosphor bands by Harrison & sons only.
Sg 1687 29p grey with two phosphor bands was re-released by Enschede.
Sg 1688 30p deep olive-grey also had two phosphor bands.
Sg 1689 31p dep mauve also had two phosphor bands.
Sg 1690 33p grey green with two phosphor bands was issued by De La Rue.
Sg 1691 34p yellow-olive and Sg 1692 35p yellow continued the two phosphor band releases by De La Rue.
Sg 1693 35p yellow was a scarce release on phosphorised paper by Enschede.
Sg 1694 35p sepia with two phosphor bands and Sg 1695 35p yellow-olive had one centre band was issued by De La Rue and Enschede.
Sg 1696 bright ultramarine was issued by Enschede with two phosphor bands.
The 37p issue had 3 colour changes from 1996, 2002 and 2006. The phosphor bands on Sg 1697 37p bright mauve, Sg 1698 37p grey-black and Sg 1699 37p brown-olive with one centre band all issued by De La Rue, Enschede and Walsall.
Sg 1700 38p rosine, two phosphor bands was released by Enschede with perf 15 X 14 and sg 1701 plus Sg 1701a 38p ultramarine with two phosphor bands by Walsall printers.
Sg 1702 39p bright magenta and Sg 1703 39p grey both with two phosphor bands was issued by Endchede, Harrisons and De La Rue.
Sg 1704 40p deep azure with two phosphor bands was released by De La Rue and Walsall.
Sg 1705 40p turquoiaw-blue also two phosphor bands was released by Enschede and De La Rue in 2004, 4 years after the 1st 40p release.
Sg 1706 41p grey-brown had two phosphor bands by Enschede superceded by Sg 1707 41p drab on phosphorised paper a scarce release again as the 33p issue by Harrison & sons.
Sg 1708 41p rosine was issued in 2000 by De La Rue with two pkosphor bands.
Sg 1709 42p deep olive-grey was released in 2002 with two phosphor bands.
Sg 1710 42p deep olive-brown was the 1st of three 43p issues all with two phosphor bands.
Sg 1711 43p sepia and Sg 1712 43p emerald released by Endchede, Harrisons and De La Rue.
Sg 1713 44p grey-brown and Sg 1714 44p deep bright-blue both with two phosphor bands was released by De La Rue.
Sg 1715 45p bright mauve was a two phosphor band release by DeLa Rue in 2000.
Sg 1716 46p yellow also a two phosphor bands was released by De La rue and Endchede.
Sg 1717 47p turquoise-green with two phosphor bands was released in 2002 by Enschede and De La rue.
Sg 1717a 48p bright mauve was released in 2007 with 2 phosphor bands by De La Rue.
Sg 1718 49p red-brown had two phosphor bands issued by De La Rue in 2006.
Sg 1719 and Sg 1719b was a two phosphor bands issues of the 50p issue in ochre and grey.
The series continued with Sg 1719c 54p red-brown, Sg 1719d 56p yellow-olive and Sg 1719e 62p rosine all with two phosphor bands by De La Rue.
Sg 1720 63p light emerald, Sg 1721 64p turquoise-green, Sg 1722 65p greenish-blue, Sg 1723 68p grey-green, Sg 1724 72p rosine, Sg 1724a 78p emerald, Sg 1724b 81p turquoise-green, Sg 1724c 90p ultramarine completed the De La Rue issues used for postage for USA, Australia and Canada mainly.
All had two phosphor bands and some had Enschede and Walsall printings, the next values are the high values of eliptical machins. They are all reduced in size to perf 15 X 14.
Sg 1725 £1 blueish-violet with two phosphor bands released by De La Rue on the 22nd of August 1995 and was replaced by a £1 magenta.
Sg 1725b also with two phosphor bands issued on the 5th of June 2007.
Sg 1800 £1.50 red recess engraves printed by Endchede and De La Rue, issued on the 9th March 1997 as are the following engraved high values Sg 1801 £2 dull blue, Sg 1802 £3 dull violet, Sg 1803 £5 brown.
The above engraved issues was replaced by Sg 1726 £1.50 red-brown, Sg 1727 £2 deep blue-green, Sg 1728 £3 deep mauve and Sg 1729 £5 azure. all released with tow phosphor bands on the 1st of July 2007.
Lithography cartor was the new printer of eliptical issues and began on 8th July 1996, with sg 1743 1d lake with two phosphor bands, Sg 1743n 1p reddish purple released on September 17th 2009.
Sg 1743s 5p dull red brown and Sg 1743t 5p red brown both released with two phosphor bands in 2009-10.
Sg 1748 6p yellow-olive was a phosphor band scarce release on 26th July 1994, Ag 1749 10p dull orange also had two phosphor bands, both printed by Questa and De La Rue.
Sg 1749m and 1749n 16p pale cerise and 17p bistre both with two phosphor bands completed these releases and most of the following are booklet pane issues.
Sg 1750 19p bistre with one left hand band was a booklet pane issue.
Sg 1751 and Sg 1751m 20p bright yellow-green had one centre band plus 20 light green with two bands plus Sg 1751n 22p olive-brown with two bands, are booklet panes from 2009-10.
Sg 1752 25p red with two bands was issued on 1st november 1993.
Sg 1753 26p chestnut also had two phosphor bands released on 8th July 1996.
Sg 1754 30p olive-grey released on the 25th April 1995, Sg 1755 35p yellow was released on the 1st November 1993, Sg 1756 37p bright mauve was released on 8th July 1996, Sg 1757 41p drab, Sg 1757ea grey-brown released in 1993-95.
Sg 1757f 48p bright mauve, Sg 1757g 50p grey, Sg 1757j 54p chestnut, Sg 1758 60p dull blue-grey, Sg 1758e 62p rosine, Sg 1759 63p light emerald, Sg 1760 90p bright blue all had two phosphor bands and are mainly in booklets and prestige booklet panes, thus a rarity when withdrawn.
The latest Machin releases due to Royal Mail cost increases since 2010 are as follows. or not listed.
De La Rue printings- Sg 1719e 60p emerald-green- two phosphor bands- the 30th March 2010, Sg 1758a 60p emerald green, London festival of stamps miniature sheet phosphor bands as above.
Sg 1722 67p amathist- two phosphor bands- 30th March 2010- De La Rue Sg u2918 68p sea-green self adhesive, De La Rue 29th March 2011- security tag.
Sg u2919 76p bright pink- two phosphor bands self adhesive- security tag- also Cartor and De La Rue.
Security tag 87p orange self adhesive- released 25th April 2012- two phosphor bands.
Sg 1724c 88p shocking pink- two phosphor bands- released 30th March 2010 by De La Rue.
Cartor litho as well as self adhesive iossued.
Sg 1724e 97p mauve- two phosphor bands as before De La Rue. 25th April 2012.
U2920 £1.10 lime green- two phosphor bands- security tag- self adhesive. 25th April 2012.
SI 128 £1.25 emerald green- security tag and two phosphor bands released 25th April 2012 self adhesive.
Y1725c £1.46 dark turquoise De La Rue two phosphor bands- 30th March 2010 also in Cartor litho.
U2921 £1.65 sage green- self adhesive 29th March 2011- two phosphor bands, and finally £1.90 amathist S1190 self adhesive two phosphor bands printed by De La Rue.
The early self adhesive issues began in 1993, with NVI stamps (non value indicators) self adhesive gums and eliptical perforations 14 X 15.
Designed by Jeremy Mathews, printed in lithography by Walsall printers on 19th October 1993, they had two phosphor bands, Sg 1978 1st class orange-red then in 1997 18th March, both Sg 1976 2nd bright blue and Sg 1977 1st bright orange-red was released and printed by Enschede with larger numerals.
In 1998 the size changed to 15 X 14 and Sg 2039 and Sg 2040 was printed by Enschede, Questa and Walsall all with 2 phosphor bands.
In 2000 to celebrate the millennium celebrated with Sg 2124 white with olive brown Queen Machin head perf 15 X 14, printed by Questa De La Rue and Walsall.
Also on the 22nd May the international stamp exhibition released a miniature sheet M/S 2146 featuring 4p new blue, 5p dull red-brown, 6p yellow olive, 10p dull orange, 31p deep mauve, 39p bright magenta, 64p turquoise green and a £1 blueish violet.
On the 23 May 2000 Her Majesties stamp sheet was released on phosphorised paper with MS 2147 4 x 1st class white and olive-brown and the coronation 1s3d issue with £1 value, both these sheets are highlt sought after.
In 2002 5th June and 4th July the Sg 2295 gold, Sg 2296e deep blue, Sg 4297 42p deep olive-grey, and Sg 298 68p grey-brown was released by Questa, Walsall, Enschede and De La Rue in booklets self adhesive 6 X 12 stamps in each.
Between 2003 27th March and 2004 the first overseas self adhesive booklets was issued in Sg 2357a grey black-rosine. Worldwide postage rates, the Sg 2358 Europe new blue and rosine rates and finally Sg 2359 worldwide rosine and new blue letter rates in 2006 pricing in proportion began to gain more revenue for Royal Mail.
On the 1st August Sg 2650 2d class bright blue, one centre band and Sg 2651 1st class gold with two phosphor bands was printed by De La Rue and Enschede, with ordinary gum olso the Sg 2652 2nd class large bright blue and Sg 2653 1st class gold was both issued with two phosphor bands perf 15 X 14.
The Sg 2654 2nd class bright blue with one centre band was released on 12th September alongside Sg 2655 1st class gold, two phosphor bands, plus Sg 2656 2nd large bright blue and Sg 2657 1st class large gold was released on 15th August.
In 2009 - present day the security self adhesive was released by De La rue, and booklets by Walsall.
U2911 2nd bright blue, U2912 1st gold, U2913 2nd large bright blue, U2915 1st large gold, U2914 50p grey, U2916 £1 magenta, U2916a recorded signed 1st class bright orange-red, U2916b recorded signed large letters bright orange-red.
Later the signed special delivery blue and silver issues was released in the same formats.
Finally the self adhesive high values U2917 £1.50 brown-red, U2918 £2 deep green, (found with missing £ sign), U2919 £3 deep mauve, U2920 £5 azure.
Walsall booklet self adhesive, U2931 2nd bright blue, U2932 1st gold, U2933 2nd large bright blue, U2934 1st class large gold, all issued on the 31st March 2009. The Machins series are still ongoing and have prooved to be the most iconic and successful of all the Queen Elizabeth II issues.