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.

Countdown to Autumn Stampex 2014

At Autumn Stampex 2014, Royal Mail will issue a special “Poppy” Post and Go stamp with a commemorative overprint “First World War Centenary” . The single image ‘Poppies on a reel’ will be also be available from NCR and Wincor units (A ‘first day’ of 21st October has been quoted in the Philatelic Bulletin, but this is unlikely to be enforced as branches will update their machines once stocks are available).

A mock up of the stamps is shown, and this is subject to change.

The stamps are available via pre-order here

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..

Today, 15th March and tomorrow  Saturday 16th March, the Salisbury Stamp show will be taking place at the Five Rivers Leisure Centre, Hulse Rd, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP1 3NR.

As part of  Royal Mail’s Post and Go Tour 2013 two Post and Go machines  vending Post and Go ‘Machin’ and ‘Union Flag’ stamps along with   ‘Post and Go Instant Smilers’ .

The Post and Go stamp offer- the same from machines A3 and A4  – is Machin and Union Flag and aligning with Royal Mails recently published policy, no special overprint is being provided for these smaller provincial stamp fairs.

As with this years Spring Stampex the smiler sheet available includes a ‘venue specific’ image in ‘position 1’  and a choice of either an image taken on an ipad in the venue (A gold postbox is supplied for this purpose)  or some pre-prepared generic images.

With thanks to John McCallum via http://pmechuk.blogspot.co.uk/and a correspondent from Australia, the first DIY Post and Go stamps have been reported.

These are likely to have originated from someone who has illegally obtained ‘Blank’ (unprinted) Post and Go stamps and attempted to overprint them to look ‘real’. (although the Post Office in Devon appears to have accepted these as valid).

These are likely to be viewed very seriously by Royal Mail and I would expect an thorough investigation to be carried out with possible legal action for such a serious attempt at fraud.

Anyone with any further sightings of these items please email me at postagelabelsuk@gmx.com .

The BPMA have announced the successful go-live of the installation  of Machine A1 (Previoulsy seen at Spring Stampex this year ) in the foyer of Freeling House , Phoenix Place, London, WC1.

http://postalheritage.wordpress.com/2012/12/03/we-have-a-post-go-machine/

The machine was initially  loaded with ‘Xmas Robins’ and Machins. It is expected that the robins will be replaced by the Union Flag in January and then 2nd Class in February.

The overprint in use in both cases is ‘The B.P.M.A.’.

View Post and Go Locations in the UK in a full screen map.

View Post and Go Locations in the UK in a text list.

The second in the series of Post & Go stamps featuring British Farmyard animals will be issued on the 24th April 2012.

There will be available in the usual Post Office outlets – but grab them quickly as the price will rise on 3oth April.

As well as the Post Office Wincor machines – Hytech in the Netherlands have again overprinted the stock that is used for the ‘Pack’ format containing 6 x 1st Class stamps- however we will have to wait until Autumn Stampex before other Hytech formats are available.

Pictorial Faststamps: Sheep – 24 February 2012

We all know that the next set of Post and Go Pictorial Stamps will be “British Farm Animals” featuring sheep from around the UK  and will be the first in a series of three issues that will explore some of the many traditional breeds of sheep, cattle and pigs to be found on farms in the UK.

But, as a dramatic departure from the previous ‘Birds’ sets , where these items sold directly from Talents House would have been press-printed in Gravure (and a have very distinct print appearance) Royal Mail have confirmed that, for this issue at least, the ‘set’ stamps and those used on Royal Mail produced FDCs will be printed by Hytech.

The ‘set’ pack containing six 1st class stamps has been redesigned (rotated through 90 degrees) to take the new, but now familiar Hytech  ‘strip of six’ as seen at the last two Stampex shows.

And the good news is that there is no premium for this pack and so it can be pre-ordered at the face value of £2.76 (6 x 1st Class) – a sure sell-out item?

As the Post and Go V2 upgrade is now almost complete, those very few branches that still were using Birds 3 reels have produced a six completely new stamps- previously unissued Worldwide 40g versions of Birds 3.

Branches that have been confirmed as producing this value from last Friday are Grimsby, Dartford, Hyde and Ludgate Circus.

This value is likely to be the RAREST of all Post and Go stamps and the KEY value of this set.

Available on Ebay here:- http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170744034218