Let's Talk About Machins

Right Ringo. I didn't know that. I just won an auction for a 2003 two volume set of the Deegam encyclopedia. I hope it will help me.

Jack Kelley

Hello All, Could anyone tell me where is the best place in South Africa I can obtain Machin Kilo-ware,

Thank you

Ray

I have tried contacting several well known dealers in the UK to purchase a reference Machin paper selection.

I want them in mint condition since used stamps may be compromised. No responses so far.

Anyone have recommendations?

What is a reference Machin paper selection?

ha, a Machin Kiloware dealer, all people here want that information, the most valuable kind of information its a kiloware dealer source. My dealer passed, so my last kiloware was almost 10 years ago!!

Ringo,

I think what Angore means is buying known examples of various Machins for comparative purposes, ie 743 which is on OCP paper with two bands compared to 743c which is OCP paper with phosphous added (PCP). Having known samples help identify unknown stamps.

Jack Kelley

Yes I want a reference set of Machin stamps of various paper types to help me identify them.

all predecimal are on OCP paper?to indentify paper, better use used stamps?

angore,

Which ones you you using (SG #'s)? I'd like to compare notes. So far, I have purchased the low value predecimals (723-744) which, I believe, are OCP. Also 733, 733ey, and 733b(which comes off the Stamps for Cooks booklet). These 733's reveal both head types and one missing phospher. I also purchased 743c to go with my 743. This is the one that is all phospher. Now, which ones do you have, angore? And which ones do we still have to get?

Jack Kelley

And you, Navato!

I am really happy you chimed in. I am collecting used Machins like you. But I am rather new at this and have the adminware Novice pages. Lots of Machin kiloware on hand. I have a SW/LW lamp, 10-40 magnifier, tweezers, and a darkroom. All of the "known examples" are MNH or UMM depending how you say it. Oh, and I have the 3rd edition Deegam.

All I have to do is to figure out what I am doing! Any advice would be most welcome. I wish we had a Machin section on this forum. I am aware of the UK Machin Forum site but the info appears to be somewhat dated. Robin Harris' site is really good. Stay with us, Novato. We need you.

EDIT PS The adminware site covering Predecimals shows almost 100% OCP.

Jack Kelley

I'm frustrated that I have yet to jump into Machins. I'm interested in building a "complete" MNH set of all majors/major varieties (papers, tagging, perfs, shades, dies). Definitely not a kiloware collector. It's possible to buy major units of materials, hopefully complete. There is a British seller on ebay who can supply complete units based on years of issue, types, etc, so it's not necessary to buy a complete unit at once.

Jet Stamps offers 2 versions of a "complete" unit, based on the degree to which one wishes to specialize and which reference catalog is used. It's not a small purchase- a few thousand dollars. When I think about all the KGVI I still want to find, it's hard for me to wrap my mind around spending this kind of coin on a very large, modern definitive collection. Heck, for that kind of money I could build at least one of the 1932 Somalia definitives if not 2.

I could buy random auction lots and do the sorting (which would be fun), but of course I'd end up with tons of dupes and with key stamps perpetually missing from the collection. So I've been in stasis for some time about Machins. By venting here in the forum, I am shamelessly hoping someone will post an idea or solution that will be the epiphany I need to get started.

Shermae,

We are traveling in the same lanes. I collect GB (Davo), KGVI (Palo), USA (Mystic), and WW used (Harris). Now I am into Machins.

My approach on this one is to collect kiloware and hinge whatever I save onto Robin Harris' Novice pages which I printed off on 32 lb ivory resume paper. Filed in a Lighthouse binder.

I chose this approach because it was the cheapest way to go. I am spread way to thin as it is now. The biggest expense is the startup - about $400- for reseach materials (most of that was the Deegam), UV light, paper and binder, etc. The Machin kiloware is rather inexpensive.

I know you prefer the quality stuff. But I look at it as a hobby and not an investment. I could ebay my Machins MNH and stick them into the book, but that's not what I want to do this time. Its OK to have blank spots in the set and its OK to use hinges. Its just a cheap way to have a hobby. Hope this helps.

Jack Kelley

I am referring to mostly decimal issues but not security cuts or self-adhesive.

Adminware lists the following:
ACP, Contractor's paper. FCP, OCP, OFNP/OFPP, POP, PCP (more than 1), PPP

Angore,

But which SG numbers are you buying for test stamps? I know the predecimals are OCP as are most of the very early decimals. But that's about all that I know. I've been reading Deegam and am still confused!

Jack

Jack,
I wanted a knowledgeable to pick the right stamps to demonstrate. There may be better selections than others that demonstrate something to use as a guide.