EuroPhilEx Birmingham 2025 is an upcoming international philatelic exhibition scheduled to take place from May 7 to May 11, 2025, at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham, England. (ABPS) This event marks a significant departure from tradition, as it will be the first time the UK’s mid-decade international stamp exhibition is held outside of London. (Canton Fair)

The exhibition is organized under the patronage of the Federation of European Philatelic Associations (FEPA) and with recognition from the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP). (ABPS) It is expected to feature over 2,000 exhibition frames and accommodate a wide range of dealers within a space of up to 10,000 square meters. (ABPS) For context, the London 2022 exhibition occupied 6,000 square meters.

In addition to the extensive displays, EuroPhilEx 2025 will offer meeting rooms for societies and a comprehensive program of lectures and entertainment. (ABPS) The NEC’s location adjacent to Birmingham Airport and the railway station provides convenient access for both domestic and international visitors. (ABPS)

As of October 2024, the exhibition was approximately seven months away, with ongoing preparations to ensure a successful event. (ABPS) For the most current information, including details on participation, schedules, and accommodations, interested individuals are encouraged to visit the official EuroPhilEx Birmingham 2025 website.

There are rumours of a self-service presence and a special Royal Mail show only offer ..TBC

The Post Office has partnered with imageHOLDERS to enhance customer service across the UK by introducing self-service kiosks in branches nationwide. This initiative aims to streamline access to key services, including postal transactions, home shopping returns, electronic pre-advice, and overseas services. By automating these processes, staff can dedicate more time to addressing complex customer inquiries, thereby improving overall satisfaction.

A key focus of this collaboration is accessibility. The kiosks are designed with inclusivity in mind, featuring ergonomic screens and support for assistive technologies such as screen readers and braille interfaces, ensuring a positive experience for all visitors.

Richard Satchell, CEO of imageHOLDERS, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Post Office to help deliver more efficient and accessible services to customers across the UK.” (Image Holders)

The nationwide rollout is scheduled to commence in Spring 2025, starting with select branches before expanding across the country. This collaboration marks a significant step in modernizing service delivery and meeting the evolving needs of today’s consumers.

Neal Newbrook, Propositions Manager at Post Office, commented: “Introducing these new self-service kiosks will make it easier and more efficient for customers to access the Post Office mail products they require.” (Image Holders)

This partnership underscores the commitment of both organizations to innovation and customer-centric service enhancements.

Watch this space for new developments as they are announced

Over the past six months, significant developments have occurred in the realm of ‘Post and Go’ stamps, particularly within the United Kingdom. These self-service postage labels, introduced to streamline mailing processes, have seen notable changes and announcements affecting collectors and postal enthusiasts alike.

Royal Mail’s Decision to Cease ‘Post and Go’ Operations

In September 2023, Royal Mail announced the termination of its ‘Post and Go’ services by the end of the year. This decision followed a comprehensive review, citing factors such as the absence of new issues in recent years and the impending need to update designs due to the change in monarchy. Consequently, all remaining ‘Post and Go’ kiosks were scheduled to be decommissioned by December 31, 2023. (Norphil Blog)

Impact on The Postal Museum’s Offerings

The Postal Museum, a prominent institution housing ‘Post and Go’ machines, responded to Royal Mail’s announcement by releasing its final set of overprinted stamps. These stamps, available until December 31, 2023, featured unique designs commemorating various themes. The museum also offered limited-edition First Day Covers and Presentation Packs, marking the end of an era for their ‘Post and Go’ offerings. (Postal Museum)

Continuation of ‘Post and Go’ Services in Crown Dependencies

While Royal Mail concluded its ‘Post and Go’ services, postal administrations in the Crown Dependencies—Jersey and Guernsey—confirmed their commitment to continue offering these stamps. Both Jersey Post and Guernsey Post announced plans to maintain their ‘Post and Go’ machines and release new issues in 2024, ensuring that collectors and customers can still access these unique postage labels. (Norphil Blog)

Collecting Opportunities and Market Trends

The cessation of Royal Mail’s ‘Post and Go’ services has sparked increased interest among philatelists. Collectors are keen to acquire remaining stocks and limited editions before they become unavailable. Online marketplaces, such as eBay, have seen a surge in listings for ‘Post and Go’ stamps, reflecting their growing desirability and potential as valuable collectibles. (eBay)

Conclusion

The past six months have been transformative for ‘Post and Go’ stamps, with Royal Mail’s decision to end the service marking a significant shift. However, the continued commitment from Jersey and Guernsey Posts offers a silver lining for enthusiasts. As the landscape evolves, collectors have a unique opportunity to preserve a piece of postal history, underscoring the enduring appeal of ‘Post and Go’ stamps in the philatelic community.

One of the most common questions sent to us is from readers trying to confirm the current ‘worth’ or face value of obsolete (or even current) Post and Go ‘Non Value’ or NVI stamps where used for postage. There doesn’t appear to be any official reference for this information but there has been previous confirmation of the principles used by Royal Mail’s revenue protection, which allows us to produce the following, updated and indeed simplified by the tariff change of 1st September 2020.

The rule applied is that any NVI stamp that indicates a weight step that no longer exists should be rounded up to the next weight and take on the value of that weight step. Where a zone is not indicated then all zones are covered and the stamp takes the value of the most expensive zone in that weight step.

Where these stamps are being used for pre-payment at a Post Office counter posters should consider that NVIs stamp were originally supplied for use for a particular purpose – e.g. specific inland or international mail letter rates and although techncially they are valid for use for other services, such use is exceptional and may result in refusal or re-direction to direct Royal Mail channels.

Royal Mail will increase their prices for the third time in 2020 on 1st September, generally due to the impact of COVID-19 and the knock-on effects of increased transport costs across the world. This time the price changes affect International Letter and Large letter tariffs as well as parcels and builds on the earlier changes to pricing zones on 1st July 2020 when a new ‘Zone 3’ was introduced specifically for the USA. https://www.royalmail.com/international-zones#worldzone3

From a Post and Go collector’s perspective this change will result in the introduction of three new NVI values – the first for a few years.

Firstly, the new tariff combines two previously different tariffs- Europe 100g and Worldwide 20g to the same price point (£1.70) , which allows for a new ‘Combi’ Euro 100g World 20g NVI stamp to be introduced.

Secondly, the introduction of new Worldwide pricing zone 3 earlier in the year has allowed for the applicable Letter rates, for the first time, to differ, so we have the Letter rate for zone 1 and 3 at £2.50 and zone 3 (Australasia) a rate of £2.55 – the first time for a while – certainly since Post and Go stamps have existed- that International letter rates have differed in this way.

This is accomodated by introducing two further new NVI values- a “Worldwide 100g Zone 1-3” and a “Worldwide 100g Zone 2”.

The values ‘retired’ as of 1st September as no longer required are “Euro 100g”, “Worldwide 20g”, and “Worldwide 100g”.

In summary, a comparison between existing and revised values and prices available from before and after 1st Sept 2020:-

The new NVIs will be available on 1st September from all NCR kiosks in Post Offices and IAR locations that are currently in use. (some SSKs are currently out of use to maintain social distancing in Post Office branches and some museum locations are yet to re-open).

The prices for the OV stamps will be updated in line with the tariff, without any design changes.

Machin Stamps are available here:- https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174417193519

Robin Stamps are available here:-

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174417218960

For the NCR SSK and SFKs the ‘buy stamps’ menu will be updated, with the Worldwide 100g stamp option being removed.

At Spring Stampex Jersey Post will join the Post and Go club and will taken ownership of their own ‘Series B’ machine- number J001 – that will vend a unique Jersey Flag  stamp with six relevant NVI values  on one reel alongside a GB Union flag stamp on the other – a truly unique, modern and innovative way of producing a joint stamp issue.

The print string will be (For items purchased at Stampex)

B2GB14 J001-0000-001

For the back office/preorders a different string will be used.

B2GB14 B001-0000-001 etc.

Royal Mail ‘Next Generation’  ‘Series A Machines

The existing three Royal Mail Post and Go machines will be retired and semi-permanent sites found for them (promising overprinted versions! ). Before this, the last roadshow for these machines will be at York Stamp and Coin Fair  on 17th/18th January 2014 where machines A3 and A4 will appear for the last time in a mobile environment.

During Autumn Stampex Royal Mail announced their intention to take the ‘Post and Go Roadshow’ to another international stamp exhibition ‘ PhilaKorea ‘ in 2014.

The international show, sponsored by Korea Post takes place August 7th- August 12th 2014. (6 Days) in the ‘COEX Hall’, Seoul.

A similar set-up to that used in Australia in 2013 is expected, along with a suitable overprint (including  ‘KR’ origin code) . Mirroring the 2013 Australian Stamp Expo , It is expected that ‘GB’ versions of the Post and Go stamps will be available from the Philatelic Bureau.

Autumn Stampex 2013 has just closed its doors, taking place between the dates of 18th-21st September at the Business Design Centre, Islington, London N1.

Royal Mail provided the now familiar configuration of Post and Go ”Royal Mail Series One’ machines Nos. A2, A3,A4  along with a “Instant Smiler ” printer.

They all have been busy over the last three days providing the standard fare of an overprinted Post and Go commemorative plus from Friday  the latest in the ‘Freshwater Life’ series (Rivers) along with On-Demand ‘Post and Go Instant Smilers’ as below:-

[table caption=”Autumn Stampex 2013 Post and Go Stamp availability” width=”500″ colwidth=”20|50|50|50|50″ colalign=”left|left|left|left|left”]
Machine,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday,Saturday
A2,Union Flag/Machin,Union Flag/Machin,F/water Life-Rivers/Union Flag,F/water Life-Rivers/Union Flag
A3,Union Flag/Machin,Union Flag/Machin,F/water Life-Rivers/Union Flag,F/water Life-Rivers/Union Flag
A4,Union Flag/Machin,Union Flag/Machin,Union Flag/Machin,Union Flag/Machin
B1,Union Flag,Union Flag,F/Water Life-Rivers,F/Water Life-Rivers
B2,Machin,Machin,Union Flag,Union Flag

Notes:,B1 and B2 Pre-Order and over-the-counter sales only,Both the ‘Union Flag’ and the Machin Post and Go Stamps had a ‘MA13′ underprint.,Union Flag over printed “The Coronation 60th Anniversary’.

[/table]

Various improvements have been made since previous events and it was noticed that the  machines benefited from a new-improved faster internet connection allowing for faster throughput of customers resulting in reduced queues compared to previous Stampex events..