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2006 Definitives (British Postage Stamps)
Encyclopedia
Four new Machin
definitive
stamps were released on 28 March 2006. The values are 37p and 44p (which have previously been issued in different colours); and 49p and 72p, which are new values.
Although first and second class first weight postage increased from 30p to 32p and 21p to 23p respectively, these definitives will continue to be represented by the blue
and gold
NVI
stamps.
The basic worldwide rate also increased to 50p but this would be represented by the existing 50p stamp, and the worldwide 40g rate would be represented the existing universal worldwide NVI stamp.
postage rates increased on 3 April. These new stamps were issued to cover the new postage rates.
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The 37p stamp represents second class, second weight postage, and the colour changed from lime green
to olive green.
The Europe
an postage for airmail
items up to 20g increased from 42p to 44p and the colour changed from dark turquoise
to ultramarine
.
The 49p (rust
) stamp represents the first class, second weight postage.
The 72p (red
) stamp represents 2nd weight airmail postage to the rest of the world.
The face value of the set was £2.02.
In addition to "standard" definitives, Country Definitives
were also issued for England
, Northern Ireland
, Scotland
and Wales
, in the values of 44p and 72p.
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Machin Definitives
Country Stamps
As above, however Northern Ireland stamps are printed in lithography
s were issued, one for the four new definitive stamps and one for the eight new country stamps. First Day Covers
were also available, five in total, one for the new Machin stamps and one for the two stamps from each country.
Machin series
The Machin series of postage stamps is the main definitive stamp series in the United Kingdom, used since 5 June 1967. It is the second series to figure the image of Elizabeth II, replacing the Wilding series....
definitive
Definitive
Definitive may refer to:* Definitive , an American music television series* Definitive stamp, a postage stamp that is part of a regular issue of a country's stamps available for sale by the postal service...
stamps were released on 28 March 2006. The values are 37p and 44p (which have previously been issued in different colours); and 49p and 72p, which are new values.
Although first and second class first weight postage increased from 30p to 32p and 21p to 23p respectively, these definitives will continue to be represented by the blue
Blue
Blue is a colour, the perception of which is evoked by light having a spectrum dominated by energy with a wavelength of roughly 440–490 nm. It is considered one of the additive primary colours. On the HSV Colour Wheel, the complement of blue is yellow; that is, a colour corresponding to an equal...
and gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
NVI
Non-denominated postage
Non-denominated postage is postage intended to meet a certain postage rate that retains full validity for that intended postage rate even after the rate is increased. It does not show a monetary value, or denomination, on the face. In many English speaking countries, it is called non-value...
stamps.
The basic worldwide rate also increased to 50p but this would be represented by the existing 50p stamp, and the worldwide 40g rate would be represented the existing universal worldwide NVI stamp.
Reason for issue
The Royal Mail'sRoyal Mail
Royal Mail is the government-owned postal service in the United Kingdom. Royal Mail Holdings plc owns Royal Mail Group Limited, which in turn operates the brands Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide...
postage rates increased on 3 April. These new stamps were issued to cover the new postage rates.
Stamp Details
Lime (color)
Lime, also traditionally known as lime green or lime-green, is a color three-quarters of the way between yellow and green , so named because it is a representation of the color of the citrus fruit called limes...
to olive green.
The Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an postage for airmail
Airmail
Airmail is mail that is transported by aircraft. It typically arrives more quickly than surface mail, and usually costs more to send...
items up to 20g increased from 42p to 44p and the colour changed from dark turquoise
Turquoise
Turquoise is an opaque, blue-to-green mineral that is a hydrous phosphate of copper and aluminium, with the chemical formula CuAl648·4. It is rare and valuable in finer grades and has been prized as a gem and ornamental stone for thousands of years owing to its unique hue...
to ultramarine
Ultramarine
Ultramarine is a blue pigment consisting primarily of a double silicate of aluminium and sodium with some sulfides or sulfates, and occurring in nature as a proximate component of lapis lazuli...
.
The 49p (rust
Rust (color)
Rust is a red-brown-orange color resembling iron oxide. It is a commonly used color in stage lighting, and appears roughly the same color as photographic safelights when used over a standard tungsten light source. The color is number 777 in the swatch book....
) stamp represents the first class, second weight postage.
The 72p (red
Red
Red is any of a number of similar colors evoked by light consisting predominantly of the longest wavelengths of light discernible by the human eye, in the wavelength range of roughly 630–740 nm. Longer wavelengths than this are called infrared , and cannot be seen by the naked eye...
) stamp represents 2nd weight airmail postage to the rest of the world.
The face value of the set was £2.02.
In addition to "standard" definitives, Country Definitives
Country definitives
Country definitives, formerly known as regional postage stamps of Great Britain are the postage stamps issued for regions of the United Kingdom, reflecting the regional identity of the various countries and islands of the British isles....
were also issued for England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
and Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, in the values of 44p and 72p.
- Stamp Size 20mm x 24mm (Definitive PortraitPage orientationPage orientation is the way in which a rectangular page is oriented for normal viewing. The two most common types of orientation are portrait and landscape...
) - Printed by De La RueDe La RueDe La Rue plc is a British security printing, papermaking and cash handling systems company headquartered in Basingstoke, Hampshire. It also has a factory on the Team Valley Trading Estate, Gateshead, and other facilities at Loughton, Essex and Bathford, Somerset...
- Print Process PhotogravurePhotogravurePhotogravure is an intaglio printmaking or photo-mechanical process whereby a copper plate is coated with a light-sensitive gelatin tissue which had been exposed to a film positive, and then etched, resulting in a high quality intaglio print that can reproduce the detail and continuous tones of a...
- Number per sheet 200
- Perforations 15 x 14
- GumPostage stamp gumIn philately, gum is the substance applied to the back of a stamp to enable it to adhere to a letter or other mailed item. The term is generic, and applies both to traditional types such as gum arabic and to synthetic modern formulations...
PVAPolyvinyl acetatePolyvinyl acetate, PVA, PVAc, poly, is a rubbery synthetic polymer with the formula n. It belongs to the polyvinyl esters family with the general formula -[RCOOCHCH2]-...
Country Stamps
As above, however Northern Ireland stamps are printed in lithography
Lithography
Lithography is a method for printing using a stone or a metal plate with a completely smooth surface...
Other items
Two Presentation PackPresentation Pack
A Presentation Pack is a folder, produced for philatelists and stamp collectors, that contains a full set of a new stamp issue.- Format :A Presentation Pack normally consists of a cardboard folder with notes about the stamps, a holder for the stamps and a clear sleeve on the outside...
s were issued, one for the four new definitive stamps and one for the eight new country stamps. First Day Covers
First day of issue
A First Day of Issue Cover or First Day Cover is a postage stamp on a cover, postal card or stamped envelope franked on the first day the issue is authorized for use within the country or territory of the stamp-issuing authority. Sometimes the issue is made from a temporary or permanent foreign or...
were also available, five in total, one for the new Machin stamps and one for the two stamps from each country.