Stanley Gibbons Does It Again

Stanley Gibbons is but a shadow of what it used to be. I just ordered a Machin Gauge last week from Michael Kay last week. Yesterday, I was refunded my money with a note stating that Stanley Gibbons, sole maker of this gauge, no longer makes them.

If anybody has one and wishes to part with it, please let me know.

Thanks,
Jack Kelley

What is the purpose of the guage?

There is no such thing as a guage ?

Peter

Please, let's not be pedantic. It is a simple misspelling.

The spelling of the word "guard" is the villain for English speakers. It doesn't fit in, phonetically, and causes confusion beyond itself.

Angore,

The purpose of the gauge is to measure the numerals which, on most Machins, are on the lower left corner of the stamp. Number placement and size can vary depending on the stamp. I don't know why SG stopped making the gauge.

Jack

Interesting. I would be interested in something like that.

Angore,

Google "Michael Kay" to see a picture and description.

Jack

I'm probably similar to most members here and have never heard of a machin gauge. Googling found only 1 reference at Michael Kay and as stated on their website it is not now produced by Stanley Gibbons.

It's basically a 10x magnifying glass with a metric rular and whilst it was initially designed for machins it can be used for any stamp.

Stanley Gibbons are in big trouble because of the previous management. This is slowly being changed by the new management and if they do survive it will take a while. Their latest results are now out and losses are reduced and there is some hope they will survive though this has not yet been reflected in the share price.

Typical for any company in this situation they have to look at the range of stock they supply. This has been substantially streamlined included the chop for the 'machin gauge'.

I'm sure you will get over this but if it is that important an item for philately, that warrants such a thread title, why hasn't an American company produced something similar?

I'm not sure "but a shadow of what it used to be" is fair. SG recently did a comprehensive rebranding and website update, and its GB and Commonwealth stock continues to impress and is maintained at the highest levels of quality and often scarcity. Companies sunset products all the time; maybe you should contact their people and ask why they dropped this one, or whether the relevant IP can be licensed so someone else could make it. They're pretty responsive by email.

I use these:

https://www.peakoptics.com/index.ph...oducts_id=12

https://www.peakoptics.com/index.ph...oducts_id=13

Peak has several with various magnifications and measuring recitals. Amazon has a few of them. Amazon also has some cheap knock-offs.

If it is that simple, I have the tools for that,

angore,

Gee, I found the one I like but it costs $1700!

Jack