Motorcycle Topical Stamps That Are A Bit Out Of The Ordinary And There Stories....

Part seven, very different from yesterdays old cover... here is a very ordinary looking cover showing the 2009 stamp from Italy showing the Gilera motorcycle. Nothing interesting here?? It has a little secret.....

The stamp was issued on 6/6/09.... check out the cancel.....

Yup, it has been used BEFORE it was issued. Not a "first day cover" (FDC) but a "two days before issue cover" (TDBIC) lol :)

Part 8.... this episode of motorcycle stamps and there stories starts with some photos of two men and a scooter.

The men are Mr L Roach in the black helmet with his GP150 Lambretta scooter and Tim Chadwick in the blue helmet. Tim was a teacher, author and artist.

In New Zealand we had stamps that were called "CALS" or "Custom Advertising Labels" that could be made and issued by New Zealand Post. Back in 2009 Tim Chadwick had one made.

From my collection here is his note about changes to the artist proof of the issue and FDC....

All the FDC's with blocks of four were transported on the very scooter in the art work... and here the men are at the Post office posting the FDC's.

Again from my collection here is one of his numbered covers...

More info on the issue....

The stamp...



and block o four from my collection....

These "CALS" were only printed in very limited numbers and they are now very collectible. Tim has since passed away but his stamp and his FDC art work live on in collections around the world.