United Kingdom Of Great Britain And Northern Ireland - Airmail Stamps

In an older thread (https://goscf.com/t/72976#647827), there was discussion about the existence of British airmail stamps.

The Machin stamp posted in the thread is one of three issued to cover international airmail rates, in 2003. After a revision of international rates two stamps were issued in 2010 that superseded the original three stamps. They, however, could be used on all mail. Also, if surface mail would be quicker - the UK is connected by ferry to several European countries and by a tunnel to France - that would be used.



The original "Window" stamp books included a book of four stamps that prepaid the worldwide (outside Europe) postcard rate. This was an airmail rate. Royal Mail targeted tourists who wanted to send home postcards applying only a single stamp.




Later, Royal Mail issued stamp books of four Machin stamps covering airmail rates that included airmail labels. These had a special Royal Mail Cruciform logo on the cover to indicate the stamp books contained stamps covering an airmail rate.




Among the later stamp books were those with the "E" value indicator prepaying the priority mail rate to Europe. However, many mistook this to be a rate in Euro (read: the xenophobes were afraid the UK was introducing the Euro), so, Royal Mail again issued stamps with a face value in pence.




They, later came up with above stamps that required a text to explain their use. The stamps, only were issued in stamp books and from special printings on a plain white substrate from presentation packs with other current stamps.




Since airmail had become the default, there was no real requirement for airmail stamps. Royal Mail has reverted to issuing permanent tariff stamps of the standard Machin and Jennings design that cover priority mail (airmail) services.

Thanks- interesting! Didn't take any notice of the Machins (utilitarian, boring) until I saw four of them enlarged as framed prints in the office of a care home.