The ‘Type 2′ Gold Machin labels went live today, in a single branch trial at Old Street Crown Office in London.
These labels are as ‘Type 1′ (with psudeo-perforations) but with imperforate edges and rounded corners. It is believed that these have been issued in response to feedback regarding the ‘peelablity’ of the perforated labels. The next stage will their introduction at Chesterfield Branch Office, next week.

One of the most common requests I get is for a “simplified listing” of the Horizon Postage Labels currently available (as well as the ones that have been withdrawn), in order that collectors can determine how ‘complete’ their collections are . Shown here is the full list of the 29  Postage Label Indicators, showing the 22 currently being used (and so available on the two different variants of Gold Labels) as well as the 7 types that have already been withdrawn.

For each label shown there is/was a Welsh ‘Bilingual’ version available and two label overprint types- Thin and Thick lettering as well as two Machin gold label types (Original and the “August 10″ type).

This makes 44 label overprints (22 English 22 Welsh)  in 2 print styles (Thick and Thin)  on 2 different gold Machin label types as well as the existing white labels whose stocks are currently being rundown ~ who said that ‘The modern collecting alternative’ of UK Postage Label collecting was boring, easy or without variation?..

Don’t forget, however, that many of these labels already have a limited lifespan of future availability- The original white labels are no longer available for Post Offices to order , the ‘Thick’ style (From the original Horizon software) overprint only has a matter of weeks left before it is completely removed – the first variant of the Machin gold label will be not replaced and rumors of plans (apparently)  to remove some of the ‘rarer’ indicators before Xmas ’10 have been circulated…So..fill those gaps now!

Further to earlier reports, I now have examples of Gold Horizon Machin Labels, issued in Kent in the BR5 postcode area, in error. Additionally, these are of the ‘Horizon Online’ type with narrorower lettering (see below)- of which there are only about 750 Post Offices currently upgraded.

This week, the Post office have commenced its roll-out of its latest  software upgrade  (Known as “Horizon Online“). This will result in the appearance of all items printed in a Post Office changing slightly in appearance, which obviously includes Clerk-printed postage labels.

The noticeable features of the new labels include thinner lettering and the removal of the final digit  showing the  batch number indicator. (transaction counter).

“Post Office Ltd told us that the Horizon technology is being upgraded in a project called ‘Horizon Online’, which it expects to produce a fully automated system…”

Obviously once this upgrade is complete, the current series of Horizon Postage labels is expected to become obsolete-So fill those gaps now!