THAT WAS THE YEAR THAT WAS – 2010 PART 2 by Brian Warren
Note that illustrations of single stamps, pairs and postmarks (except IMPs) are full size; illustrations of IMPs, blocks and strips, covers and stationery items are reproduced at between 40% and 75% of full size. DEFINITIVES
Date of Issue Description Cost Notes Perforation Printer
First day cover with single SOAR definitive used at Blackrock
20 May Flower Definitives - Mountain avens 1c + } (Counter self-adhesive) - Spring gentian 1c + } Se-tenant vertical strip of four 11 x 11¼ Label Art (General Issue) - Bloody crane's-bill 1c + } - Common knapweed 1c +
22 July Flower Definitives - Mountain avens (1) 55c } (Counter self-adhesive) - Spring gentian (2) 55c } Se-tenant vertical strip of four 11 x 11¼ Label Art (Bureau Issue) - Bloody crane's-bill (3) 55c } - Common knapweed (4) 55c
8 Sept Irish Animals and Marine Life Definitives (Counter self-adhesive) - Green Tiger Beetle (1) 55c } (1st Issue) - Golden Eagle (2) 55c } Se-tenant vertical strip of four 11 x 11¼ Label Art - Tompot Blenny (3) 55c } - Red Squirrel (4) 55c } - Common Octopus (5) 55c } - Hermit Crab (6) 55c } Se-tenant vertical strip of four 11 x 11¼ Label Art - Sea Slug (7) 55c } - Bottlenose Dolphin (8) 55c Flowers Issue: An Post commenced the rollout of Street, Dublin 7 (Ref: 1036). They all have a three printing self-adhesive postage stamps at the point of or four-digit code as indicated above which is purchase in post offices during 2010. Thanks to specific to that office. Fellow collector John Dublin dealer Declan O'Kelly I can confirm that the Lennon has recorded a total of 67 offices which first post office to introduce the new service was have used the Flowers design. Some offices were Blackrock PO, Co. Dublin on 20 May 2010. The still using the Flowers issue in February 2011. stamps are similar in style to the stamps printed by the self-service PSC machines but the designs, numbering and layout differ. The four designs reproduce various flower definitive designs as used on the following sheet stamps – Spring gentian (€10), Bloody crane's-bill (1c), Crown knapweed (25c) and Mountain avens (10c). The design at left, together with "Éire" and the small number at bottom right, plus three yellow vertical phosphor No dot on I of Eıre (post office coils) bars are all preprinted. The counter unit adds the value, date and location code. Subsequently, the philatelic bureau provided a first day service on 22 July 2010. The stamps sold by the bureau are all 55c denominations and are numbered 1 to 4. The date code 10203 corresponds with 22 July and the reference code is 02501000001. 02501 is the reference code for the Dot on I of Eire (bureau issue) bureau as used on the PSC bureau issue. An Post use the term "Stamps on a Roll" or "SOAR" for All four stamps of the SOAR Flowers set that these stamps and I will therefore use the term were sold in post offices have no dot on the I of "SOAR" for future issues. Éire. All strips sold by the philatelic bureau have Éire spelt correctly (see illustrations above). This recurrent error has not been repeated on subsequent SOAR issues.
Irish Animals and Marine Life: This is a new definitive issue; it will presumably only be issued in this format and perhaps in self-adhesive booklets and €55 rolls. There are 8 designs, as listed on the previous page, and the bureau set, which is numbered 1 to 8, is split into two strips of four. Two different first day covers were used, four stamps on The rolls issued to post offices have 600 stamps in each cover. The bureau date code 10203 a roll, numbered 1 to 600. The roll was sealed with corresponds with 8 September and the reference a plain white piece of paper with a barcode (see code is 02501000001. Each stamp has three small illustration above). preprinted yellow phosphor bars similar to those on the Flowers issue. Complete strips of eight could Initially, the only other offices I'm aware of that be purchased in post offices as illustrated on the initially sold the Flowers SOAR issue were all in next page. Dublin – Ballsbridge (Ref: 401 with 2 machines), Stillorgan (Ref: 3338 with 3 machines) and Similar to the Flowers issue, the rolls issued to post Ranelagh (Ref: 305 with 3 machines). These offices have 600 stamps in a roll, numbered 1 to machines were all in operation by at least mid 600. The roll was sealed with a printed white piece August. The next location noted was North King of paper with a barcode. The SOAR machine can print an additional line of text that reads "StandardPost" on each stamp - note no gap between words – see illustration at right with mix of "StandardPost" and no additional text in the same strip. The inclusion of "StandardPost" normally occurs when a customer asks for an envelope to be weighed when buying the appropriate stamp. The other lines of additional text available are "RegisteredPost" (see above), "ExpressPost" or "CourierPost". It is also possible to print stamps with the word "StandardPost" without using the weighing facility. As far as I can determine, a Registered, Express or Courier barcode label needs to be scanned (i.e. an item needs to be posted) before a stamp incorporating any of these terms can be produced. The same four additional inscriptions could be found on the Flowers and Christmas issues. The pilot SOAR programme obviously proved to be a success, and following this issue the number of offices selling the counter self-adhesives increased dramatically during the September/October 2010 period. In the November/December edition of their internal publication, "PostNews", An Post stated that Tory Island PO had gone online thus completing their computerisation programme. However, the GPO in Dublin did not change over until Monday 4 April 2011. Offices receiving the new self-adhesive rolls were normally instructed to return all regular gummed stocks.
Note There were no new added values or new definitive printings of conventional sheet and regular self-adhesive issues during 2010.
Complete set of eight stamps with the first four stamps incorporating "StandardPost" in the printed text. POSTAL STATIONERY
Date of Issue Description Cost Note Printer
May Prepaid Envelope 60c New printing
24 Sept Culture Night at the GPO - Postcard no charge See notes below An Post Print & Design
Culture Night at the GPO: Dublin’s fifth Culture Night took place on 24 September. A special card was given out free to all who visited the GPO on the night. This was the third year that An Post opened the GPO for Culture Night and produced a postcard for the event. It is a large format card measuring 210mm x 148mm and the obverse shows an illustration of the GPO which differs from the designs used in prior years. The cards were handed out without any stamp. Completed and addressed cards could be handed in without charge for posting. A small 55c booklet definitive stamp was affixed to such cards which were Prepaid Envelope: A new style of prepaid cancelled with a poorly applied Dublin Mails envelope was first seen in May 2010. The An Centre roller or with a Denim Day 2010 IMP Post logo and the words "Postas Íoctha" and cancellation from DMC1 dated 27.09.10. Most "Postage Paid" are now printed on a green collectors affixed their own stamp and obtained background. The inner lining has a blue diamond the bureau CDS coupled with the Museum cachet design similar to that used on the previous type of (as illustrated above). envelope. EXHIBITION AND SOCIETY SOUVENIRS AND POSTMARKS
Date of Issue Description Cost Numbers/Notes Paper Perforation Printer
11 Apr Spring Stamp & Coin Show (Stampania) - Year of the Tiger sheetlet with overprint in black €15.00 * 600 printed CCP3 13¼ x 13¼ Mahons - illustrated cover €4.00 # with special postmark DSS
11 Oct. Stampa 2010 (Members’ Souvenirs) - Fauna & Flora Dragonfly Miniature Sheet (2009) * 1,000 overprinted CCP3 13¼ x 13¼ Mahons } - Classical Composers Miniature Sheet (2009) * 1,000 overprinted CCP3 13 x 13¼ Mahons } €20.00 - Greetings Stamps Booklet (2009) * 1,000 overprinted CCP3 13 x 13½ Mahons } - Statue of Cuchulain Postcard 1,000 special printing – see note on next page An Post
11 Oct. Stampa 2010 (Public Souvenir) - Birds of Prey Miniature Sheet (2010) €5.00 * 1,600 overprinted CCP3 14¾ x 14 Mahons
20 Nov Cork Stamp & Coin Exhibition/Fair - Booklet €3.00 # 200 printed (contains a pair of Miami Showband stamps) - Unserviced illustrated cover €1.00 # 138 printed - Miami Showband sheetlet with overprint in black €5.00 * 1,000 overprinted CCP3 13¼ x 13¼ Mahons - Showbands miniature sheet with overprint in red €50.00 * 50 overprinted CCP3 13¼ x 13¼ Mahons
* : The production and overprinting (if applicable) of all miniature sheets, sheetlets and booklets marked with an asterisk above were arranged by the organisers of each show. Overprinting was with the permission of An Post.
# : The Stampania cover was prepared by the Dublin Stamp Society. The Cork booklet and cover printing was arranged by the Cork Philatelic Society.
None of the items listed above were sold by An Post. special cancels available and the related stamp Spring Stamp & Coin issues were as follows:- Show (Stampania): 15 October: Birds of Prey (Birds of Prey issue This re-named annual of 2010). show was held at the RDS in Dublin on 16 October: Mermaid (An Post 25 Years issue of Sunday 11 April. 2009 or current PSC Stamp from GPO machine). The cancellation incorporates a mermaid on harp and The Year of the Tiger sheetlet was overprinted by marked the opening of the Postal the organisers for the show and all the sheetlets Museum earlier this year. were numbered. An Post was in attendance and 17 October: Music Note and Chopin signature provided a special postmark which incorporated (82c Frédéric François Chopin an illustration of the Four Courts in Dublin. stamp issued in 2009). 2010 marked the 200th Birth Anniversary of the A special illustrated cover provided by the Dublin composer. Stamp Society also shows the building and was available serviced with the special postmark. There was no official cover. The Awards Dinner Although the postmark does not incorporate the was held in the Lansdowne Hotel, Pembroke word "Stampania", this was the overprint included Road, Dublin 4 on 16 October. The Cúchulain in the margin of the sheetlet, together with the postcard was additionally overprinted with the date "Sunday 11th April 2010". menu and cancelled with the 16 October cancellation. 100 produced. A ticket was also FAI – Annual General produced for this year's dinner at which EPA Meeting: A special postmark member Michael Giffney signed the Roll of was made available by An Distinguished Philatelists. Post so that covers could be flown to Düssseldorf for the The Stampania, FAI and Stampa postmarks were AGM held in Ascheberg- all designed by John Mullen. Davensberg from 7 to 9 May 2010. Due to the disruption Cork Stamp and Coin of flights in Northern Europe Exhibition: The Cork in early May arising from the Philatelic Society, in Icelandic volcanic ash association with Raven clouds, Irish members were unable to attend the Stamps, held its annual show AGM but flight covers to/from Düssseldorf were in the Imperial Hotel, Cork. subsequently flown and bear the official FAI The Society issued its normal cachet. numbered souvenir booklet containing a marginal pair of the 55c Miami Stampa 2010: The various souvenirs as listed Showband stamps and a numbered illustrated were posted to members in advance with certain cover. A special postmark was available from An members receiving them on 11 October. The Post. three line overprint in black reads “STAMPA / R.D.S. Dublin 4. / 15 -17 OCT. 2010”. Raven Stamps arranged for the overprinting of the Miami Showband sheetlet in black. The one- The Cúchulain postcard, first issued in 2009, was line overprint reads "Cork Stamp & Coin Fair a special printing for Stampa by An Post on a November 20th 2010". In addition, a small thinner and whiter card compared to the original number of the Showbands miniature sheets were issue of 2009. As well as the three-line Stampa produced, primarily for standholders, with the overprint, an additional line in dark blue was same overprint in two lines in red. All three show added promoting the Museum which reads "Visit souvenirs were individually numbered. the An Post Museum at the GPO". The three OTHER SPECIAL POSTMARKS & CACHETS The RAF Red Arrows aerobatic team were to be the highlight of the show. Due to a non-fatal accident in March 2010, the Red Arrows cancelled their first 10 planned displays of the year and were unable to come to Punchestown. As a result, the organisers decided to cancel the event. A special postmark was provided by An Post for the event and was available despite the cancellation of the show.
Cork – Swansea Paquebôt: From 1987 to 2006, the Swansea - Cork ferry was An operated by Swansea Cork Post Museum: A new museum was opened by Ferries Limited, an Irish-based An Post in the GPO on 29 July 2010. The company. The service ceased Museum houses the exhibit "Letters, Lives & operating after the 2006 season. Liberty" and is primarily aimed at the general public. It tells the story of the vital role played by Following a year of campaigning by local the Post Office in the development of Irish society businessmen and tourist organisations, who were over the generations. Two of the sections are of frustrated by a lack of a ferry service, the particular interest to collectors – "Art of the passenger and freight service was reinstated in Stamp" and "The Post in Ireland". Entrance is via March 2010, operated by a new company, the bureau shop and costs €2. Fastnet Line. There was no special cover and cancellation to mark the opening but a three-line cachet was The initial commercial service was due to depart available from opening day. This was soon from Cork on 1 March, and a special paquebôt replaced by a small circular cachet depicting an cancellation was provided by An Post. However, outline of the Ashworth postbox situated in the because of a delay in certification by the UK foyer, and this in turn by a cachet showing an maritime authorities, the first (non-commercial – outline of the GPO. crew only) voyage to Swansea was on 6 March. The first commercial crossing from Swansea to Irish Hot Air Balloon Cork (Ringaskiddy) left Swansea at 21:50 on Championships: The 40th Wednesday 10 March 2010, with the return Irish Hot Air Balloon service to Swansea on 11 March. Covers exist Championships were held cancelled with the paquebôt cancel, together with in Ballymahon, Co. various cachets explaining the service delay. Longford from 19 to 24 September 2010. A special Punchestown AirShow: An cancellation was provided Airshow to mark 100 years of by An Post. Irish aviation was due to be Note that the special cancels for the Cork- held at Punchestown Swansea Paquebôt service, the Punchestown racecourse over the bank AirShow and the Balloon Championships were all holiday weekend of 6/7 June designed by John Mullen. 2010. Stepping Out offer dance and dance exercise classes and are based at Park West, Dublin 12. Courses are run countrywide.
Christmas Card Printed Postmark: A special preprinted postmark was used on the An Post IMP 106 used at AMC on 11 February 2010
Christmas card as illustrated above. Further ® details of the card are set out below under IMP 106 - Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief™ "Miscellaneous Items". First used at DMC1 on 22 January 2010 replacing IMP 105. Also used at DMC2, 3 & 4, AMC, PMC1 SLOGANS USED ON INTEGRATED MAIL & 2 and CMC. Last noted at CMC on 26 February PROCESSORS (AEG German machines in use 2010. Replaced by IMP 107. at DMC and PMC) AND INTEGRATED LETTER ® PROCESSING SYSTEM MACHINES (NEC Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief™ with Pro-Argin™ Japanese machines in use at AMC and CMC) technology is a treatment for patients with dentin hypersensitivity. It can be used before or after (Illustrations of IMP postmarks are reduced) dental procedures, such as prophylaxis and Fourteen new slogans were used for the first time scaling. in 2010 compared to eleven slogans in 2009. A competition for business customers was run on These and other repeated slogans were in use at the An Post website in January/February 2010 to the Athlone Mails Centre (AMC), the Cork Mails promote the use of postmark advertising using Centre (CMC), the Dublin Mails Centre (DMC) IMP slogans. The prize was a two-week cycle of and the Portlaoise Mails Centre (PMC). The postmark advertising worth €10,000. The website earliest known dates for a new or repeated slogan referred to Colgate Palmolive Ireland as being the are recorded, although slogans were not winner of the Q4/2009 competition. It is probable necessarily introduced at all Mail Centres and in that IMP 105 was a previous winner given that it all machines on the same date. Apart from IMP was also a commercial firm and that the IMP was 114, all slogans were used at all Mail Centres. in use for a two-week period. DMC continues to exclude the time within the postmark whereas PMC always indicates the time. AMC and CMC have never normally included the time. AMC machines in 2010 gave the best impressions.
IMP 107 used at AMC on 26 February 2010
IMP 107 - VISIT YOUR POST / OFFICE & WIN /€10,000 ONE4ALL / GIFT VOUCHERS! IMP 105 used at CMC on 4 January 2010 First used on 22 February 2010 at DMC 1 and IMP 105 - New Year New You / SALSA SLIMS / DMC 2 and last used on 22 March 2010 at DMC 1 www.steppingout.com and DMC 2. Used also at DMC3, PMC1 & 2, AMC and CMC. First used at DMC 2 and CMC on 4 January 2010. The Gift Voucher Shop, the company behind Also noted in use at DMC1 & 3, PMC1, AMC and One4All, is Ireland’s leading supplier of gift cards CMC. Last noted at CMC on 25 January. and gift vouchers in the public and corporate Replaced by IMP 106. market. IMP 107 was replaced by a re-use of IMP 103 ENJOY A 4 STAR HOTEL / BREAK FOR €99. VISIT / YOUR POST OFFICE before in turn being replaced by IMP 108.
IMP 110 used at DMC3 on 1 June 2010
IMP 108 used at AMC on 28 May 2010 IMP 110 in reverse used at CMC on 1 June 2010 IMP 108 - upc IMP 110 - Rev up your / Business. / First used on 4 May 2010 at DMC 3 and PMC 1. anpost.ie/drivingsuccess Used at CMC until at least 24 May 2010. Also used at DMC 1 & 2, PMC1, AMC and CMC. First used at DMC1, 2 & 3, PMC1 and AMC on 1 Replaced by IMP 109. June replacing IMP 109. Last noted on 9 June. Also used at DMC 1, 2 & 3, PMC2 and CMC. Also used in reverse at CMC. Replaced by IMP 111.
The slogan was linked to the An Post Driving In 1999 NTL was the successful purchaser of Success Roadshow run in association with the Cablelink, Ireland's largest cable television Small Firms Association which toured the country operator. In 2005 it was purchased by Liberty in summer 2010 Global who merged the business with the second largest Irish cable operator, Chorus. In 2010, NTL was sold and rebranded to upc. upc is an abbreviation of United Philips Cable and is the largest private cable television operator in Europe. IMP 111 used at DMC3 on 12 June 2010
IMP 109 used at DMC2 on 24 May 2010 IMP 111 in reverse used at CMC on 10 June 2010 IMP 109 - guaranteed irishTM IMP 111 - National Bike Week / June 13th-20th First used on 21 May 2010 at DMC, PMC and 2010 / www.bikeweek.ie AMC. Last used on 31 May. First noted at CMC on 31 May and AMC on 1 June. In use at DMC1, Used from 10 June 2010 to 22 June 2010 2 & 3, PMC1 & 2, AMC and CMC. Also seen in replacing IMP 110. Used at DMC 1, 2 & 3, PMC1, reverse on one of the CMC machines. Replaced AMC and CMC. Also used in reverse at CMC. by IMP 110. Replaced by IMP 112. The Guaranteed Irish program was established by Bike Week is a cross-community effort to the Irish Goods Council in 1975. In 1982 the highlight cycling as a fun, cost effective and European Court ruled against the operation of the healthy way to travel. scheme by a State funded agency, and in 1984 Guaranteed Irish Limited was formed as an independent non-profit company to maintain and develop the programme. IMP 114 used at CMC on 19 August 2010 IMP 112 used at PMC2 on 25 June 2010 IMP 114 – MUNSTER RUGBY / 2010 Season Tickets / MunsterRugby.ie
Used only at CMC. Introduced on 16 August and last noted on 2 September. The slogan promoted the sale of season tickets for the Munster rugby IMP 112 (no frame at right) used at CMC on 30 June 2010 team. This was the first IMP slogan to be only used at one mail centre location. Replaced by IMP 115.
IMP 112 (no frame at right and bottom) used at CMC on 5 August 2010
IMP 115 used at AMC on 9 September 2010 IMP 112 - Cheap Fares / Online / irishrail.ie First used 23 June at all locations and last used IMP 115 - National Adult Literacy / Awareness on 5 August 2010. Used at DMC1, 2 & 3, PMC1 & Week / Sept. 6th-10th 2010 / Free ph. 1800 2, AMC and CMC. Used in negative format at 2020 65 AMC on 23 June. First used at AMC on 2 September and DMC1 & 3 on 6 September 2010 and last used at DMC on The slogan is boxed except on two of the CMC 17 September 2010. Used also at DMC2, PMC1 machines with centred date and number. These and CMC. Replaced by IMP 116. two machines do not have a right-hand frame line (illustrated). I have also noted this slogan used at National Adult Literacy Awareness Week, a major CMC with both right-hand and bottom frame lines new campaign sponsored by An Post, missing (illustrated) and on DMC1 & 2 machines encourages adults to ‘take the first step’ to with bottom line missing. These two variations are improve their reading, writing and maths skills. due to ink jet blockage. Replaced by IMP 113.
IMP 116 used at PMC1 on 1 October 2010 IMP 113 used at AMC on 6 August 2010 with bottom half of slogan shifted to the right IMP 116 - DENIM DAY 2010 / Friday 24th September / www.iyf.ie IMP 113 - GREAT OFFER AT / YOUR POST / OFFICE WHEN YOU / BUY ONE4ALL First used at DMC, PMC and CMC on 20 September and AMC on 21 September and last First used 3 August 2010. Used at DMC1, 2 & 3, used at various locations on 1 October. Used at AMC, CMC and PMC2. Last noted in use on 3 DMC1 & 2, AMC, CMC and PMC. Note that it was September. Replaced by IMP 115 except at CMC used well beyond the 24th September. Replaced which introduced IMP 114. by IMP 117. Used again at CMC during November. FLATS SORTING MACHINE (FSM)
IJP cancellations used on large envelopes
Thanks to John Greer and Héloïse Mitchell, I illustrate below three variations of IJP Denim Day, Friday, 24 September 2010, was a cancellations used on large envelopes since fundraising event organised by the Irish Youth February 2010. Foundation.
FSM (IJP) cancellation used at DMC on 22 February 2010
IMP 117 used at PMC2 on 9 October 2010
IMP 117 - One million people. / Two weeks. One euro. / unicef.ie
First used at CMC on I October. Used also at FSM (IJP) cancellation used at DMC 21 April 2010 DMC1 & 2, PMC2 and AMC. Replaced by IMP 118.
Between 24 October and 6 November, UNICEF asked the public to donate €1 to this campaign.
FSM (IJP) íoctha cancellation used at DMC on 26 November 2010
Re-use of Other Slogans
IMP 118 - €60 FREE CREDIT / WHEN YOU SWITCH / to postfone /See postfone.ie
First used at DMC on 2 November. Noted in use IMP 103 - ENJOY A 4 STAR HOTEL / BREAK on DMC1, 2 and 3, PMC1&2, AMC and CMC. The FOR €99. VISIT / YOUR POST OFFICE slogan continued in use into the new year and is As referred to above IMP 103 was used at all still in use in early April 2011. locations from late March to early May and at DMC in late October. IMP with black box
IMP 102 - NEVER, EVER / DRINK / AND / DRIVE A black box instead of a slogan was in use at Used on PMC1 on 4 January 2010. The slogan AMC from 10 to 18 November inclusive as was also used on two of the machines at the illustrated above. CMC since mid December 2010 and was still in use until at least mid-February 2011. BAUMANN MACHINES
Baumann paid postmark used at PMC on 1 December 2010 The only use of the Baumann unboxed postmark at DMC was during December 2010. Similar Baumann machines were introduced during the year at CMC and PMC. First noted in use at CMC on 11 October and at PMC during December 2010. The Baumann machines are rarely used.
POSTAL SERVICE CENTRE MACHINES
New Locations
Since my 2009 report, a further seven machines have been installed, as listed on the following pages. They are numbered 9828001 to 9834001 This brings the total number of machines to 34. Kilkenny (12 September 2010) An up-to-date listing can be ascertained by using 3 yellow phosphor bars.(normal) the "Find a Post Office" function on the An Post website. To distinguish these stamps from SOAR Phosphor issues, I will use the term PSC stamps in future articles. Most locations, which previously dispensed stamps with white phosphor, changed to yellow The machine previously located at Cornelscourt, phosphor (see illustration above) during 2010. Dublin 18 was transferred during the week However, four locations - Mahon Shopping commencing 5 July 2010 to the Applegreen Petrol Centre, Cork (9824001), Eyre Square Shopping Station, Naas Road, Dublin 22. The machine at Centre, Galway (9825001), City Quay Shopping the Patrick Street, Cork branch of Dunnes Stores Centre, Waterford (9826001) and Arthurs Quay was also removed at some time between August Shopping Centre, Limerick (9828001) are only and December 2010 and is now in nearby known with the white phosphor. The use of rolls Ballincollig. The machine at the Ennis Shopping with either yellow or white phosphor seems to be Centre (Tesco) was removed between 1 and 12 quite random and at this stage the majority of October 2010. It reappeared in November at the machines have dispensed stamps with both types new Applegreen Petrol Station on the M1 North of phosphor. (near Lusk) but did not become operation until a later date. In all cases, the machine number However, by the end of 2010, paper with yellow references on the stamps remain unchanged. The phosphor appears to be used in most machines, Jervis Shopping Centre machine was also particularly in the Dublin area. The intensity of the removed by November 2010. It is not known if this yellow phosphor can vary. machine has been resited to a new location. Manor West Retail Park, Tralee (9833001) and Eastpoint Business Park (9831001).
All were purchased during the period July to November 2010. Strips with double phosphor from other locations are highly probable given that it is impossible to regularly obtain stamps from all machines.
I also illustrate on this page (at left) the white phosphor as grey but under UV light it is more off- white in colour. I have not seen any doubling of the bars with this type of phosphor.
A further variation noted by me on strips from the Merrion Shopping Centre machine (9805001) has the design shifted to the right resulting in the middle phosphor bar overlapping the design. I also illustrate this further yellow phosphor variety on the following page. Finally strips with no machine printing are known (see front cover).
Desktop machines
Kilkenny (12 March 2010) 3 white phosphor bars. (normal)
54c stamp cancelled with IMP 117 at DMC2 on 7 September 2010 A phosphor variation was noted during 2010 which I illustrate on the following page. On some During 2010, An Post started to offer commercial rolls the yellow phosphor is doubled, but the firms a desktop version of the PSC machine, thus doubling on the left and middle phosphor bars on offering an alternative to the franking machines every third stamp is out of alignment. The double provided by private operators. printing of phosphor may have been an attempt to overcome the apparent poor phosphor signal on Customers using these machines are entitled to PSC stamps, given that most used examples the same lower 54c inland rate. Although the seen during 2008 and 2009 were uncancelled. typeface on the stamp is different, the same date code format is used, but the second line appears To date, I have seen examples with the double to be a completely random mix of numbers and yellow phosphor from the machines located at letters. Dublin Airport (9802001), The Square, Tallaght (9804001) Pavilion Shopping Centre, Swords Printed with yellow phosphor bars they were first (9820001), St Stephen's Green Shopping Centre noted in August 2010. I have to date only seen (9821001), Liffey Valley Shopping Centre two commercial examples of this stamp, so there (9823001) Midleton Shopping Centre (9830001), does not appear to be, as yet, a great take up of these machines. POSTAL SERVICE CENTRE MACHINES – LISTING AS OF MARCH 2011
Swords Pavilion Shopping Centre – Merrion Shopping Centre – Strip with Strip with doubling out of alignment design shifted to the right resulting in on left and middle phosphor bars on middle phosphor bar overlapping stamps 1 & 4 (13 November 2010). design.
Phosphor Type Earliest Date Known F.D. Date Yellow 3 Bars 3 Bars Ref. on (Y = 3 bars yellow) ref. on Location Frame Yellow White stamp (W = 3 bars white) stamp Bureau x x - 21 July 2008 (note 1) A203 Dublin Airport - x - 4567123 6 October 2008 A280 GPO Dublin x - - 9801001 21 July 2008 A203 GPO Dublin 1 – Reinstated - x x 9801001 27 August 2009 (Y) B239 by 25 Sept. 2009 (W) Dublin Airport - x x 9802001 By 30 Oct. 2008 (Y) (note 2) July 2009 (W) Blanchardstown Shopping Centre - x x 9803001 4 November 2008 (Y) A309 July 2009 (W) The Square Shopping Centre, - x x 9804001 17 October 2008 (Y) A291 Tallaght, Dublin 24 July 2009 Merrion Shopping Centre, - x x 9805001 22 October 2008 (Y) A296 Dublin 4 By 28 Oct. 2009 (W) Greystones Shopping Centre - x x 9806001 By December 2008 (Y) (note 3) July 2009 (W) Phosphor Type Earliest Date Known F.D. Date Yellow 3 Bars 3 Bars Ref. on (Y = 3 bars yellow) ref. on Location Frame Yellow White stamp (W = 3 bars white) stamp
Dunnes Stores, - x x 9807001 3 September 2009 (Y) B246 Patrick Street, Cork By August 2010 (Y) Transferred from Ballincollig, Co. Cork - x - Patrick St., Cork during - (Supervalu) November/December 2010 (note 4) University College Cork - x x 9808001 2 June 2009 (W) B153 (Students Union Building, College By April 2010 (Y) Road entrance) (note 5) Cornelscourt Shopping Centre, - x x 9809001 29 July 2009 (W) B210 Dublin 18 (Dunnes, at checkouts) December 2009 (Y) Transferred from Applegreen Petrol Station, - x - Cornelscourt to Naas - Naas Road, Dublin 22 Road w/c 5 July 2010 Dun Laoghaire Shopping Centre - x x 9810001 29 July 2009 (W) B210 (Marine Road), Co. Dublin By January 2010 (Y) B219 (Basement floor, beside lifts) Waterford Institute of Technology, - x x 9811001 30 July 2009 (W) B211 Waterford By September 2010 (Y) Scotch Hall Shopping Centre, - x x 9812001 4 August 2009 (W) B216 Drogheda, Co. Louth (1st Floor, May/June 2010 (Y) Customer Service Desk) The Marshes Shopping Centre, - x x 9813001 4 August 2009 (W) B216 Dundalk, Co Louth (beside May/June 2010 (Y) Pennys) Temple Bar, Dublin 2 - x x 9814001 14 September 2009 (W) B257 (Centra store) By December 2009 (Y) Charlestown Shopping Centre, - x x 9815001 11 August 2009 (W) B223 St Margarets Road, Dublin 11 By December 2009 (Y) (Dunnes entrance) St James Hospital, Dublin 8 - x x 9816001 13 August 2009 (W) B225 (Inside main entrance) By December 2009 (Y) Ebay European HQ, - x x 9817001 6 August 2009 (W) B218 Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 By March 2010 (Y) (note 6) Sligo (Tesco – O'Connell St.) - x x 9818001 19 August 2009 (W) B231 By February 2010 (Y) Ennis Shopping Centre (Tesco) - x - 9819001 19 August 2009 (Y) B231 (Removed – October 2010) (note 7)
Applegreen Petrol Station, - x - Transferred from Ennis - M1 North, Lusk, Co. Dublin (note 7) Pavilion Shopping Centre, Swords, - x - 9820001 9 September 2009 (Y) B252 Co. Dublin (near Service Desk) St Stephen's Green Shopping - x x 9821001 26 October 2009 (W) B299 Centre, Dublin 2 By February 2010 (Y) Jervis Shopping Centre, Dublin 1 - x - 9822001 10 December 2009 (Y) B344 (Removed by November 2010) Liffey Valley Shopping Centre, - x - 9823001 17 December 2009 (Y) B351 Dublin 22 Phosphor Type Earliest Date Known F.D. Date Yellow 3 Bars 3 Bars Ref. on (Y = 3 bars yellow) ref. on Location Frame Yellow White stamp (W = 3 bars white) stamp
Mahon Point Shopping Centre, - - x 9824001 By April 2010 (W) - Cork Eyre Square Shopping Centre, - - x 9825001 c. February/March - Galway 2010 (W) City Quay Shopping Centre, - - x 9826001 By 31 March 2010 (W) - Waterford McDonagh Junction Shopping - x x 9827001 21 January 2010 (W) C021 Centre, Kilkenny By September 2010 (Y) Arthurs Quay Shopping Centre, - - x 9828001 c. February/March - Limerick 2010 (W) Fairgreen Shopping Centre, - x - 9829001 Between April - Carlow and June 2010 (Y) (no postbox) Midleton Shopping Centre, - x - 9830001 By 1 April 2010 (Y) - Co. Cork (Supervalu) Eastpoint Business Park, Dublin 3 - x x 9831001 17 May 2010 (W) C137 (Munchies Café) By October 2010 (Y) Bridgewater Shopping Centre, - x x 9832001 June 2010 (W) - Arklow, Co. Wicklow. By 6 March 2011 (Y) Manor West Retail Park, Tralee, - x x 9833001 May-June 2010 (W) - Co. Kerry By August 2010 (Y) Swords PO , Pavilion Shopping - x - 9834001 8 November 2010 (Y) C312 Centre, Co. Dublin (note 8) note 1: The 3 bars yellow phosphor type was first seen on covers sold at Stampa 2008 (10 October 2008). Mint copies were subsequently available during November 2008 from the bureau counter in the GPO and continue to be current counter stock. note 2: The change in number at Dublin Airport happened post 20.10.2008 and by 30.10.2008. note 3: The date designated by An Post for the installation of the machine was 17 November 2008. However, as reported in my 2008 article, I visited the Greystones Shopping Centre at 1 pm on the day and the machine was not on site. I was informed by the local Tesco supermarket manager that a further electrical circuit had yet to be installed before the machine could be put in place. note 4: The machine was located within Dunnes Stores and was put in place on 3 September 2009 (B246), approximately a week before the revamped Dunnes Stores was open to the general public on 10 September 2009 (B253). The machine was no longer listed on the An Post website as of November 2010 and it was transferred to Ballincollig (Supervalu) during the period November/December 2010. note 5: The machine at UCC was printing stamps with yellow phosphor in April 2010 but only as single labels, not in strips. This was still the case as of 26 August 2010. note 6: The machine located at the Ebay HQ is for staff use only and is not accessible to the general public. note 7: The machine in Ennis was withdrawn sometime between 1 and 12 October 2010. It reappeared at the new M1 N petrol station in November 2010 but was not operational. I first used the machine on 6 March 2011. note 8: The main post office in Swords moved to this location on Monday 8 November 2010. The machine is located inside the post office and is in addition to the PSC machine located near the customer service desk beyond Easons (9820001). MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS December – Santa Christmas Envelope December – An Post 2011 Calendar
A simple small format calendar was produced this year. The top part of the March/April page as illustrated above refers to the Postal Museum.
December – An Post Christmas Card
A new envelope design, insert and postmark were introduced this year. The previous envelope, insert and postmark had been in use since 2008.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I wish to thank my many philatelic friends for their help. Particular thanks to Maurice The 2010 card incorporated a Christmas tree Barrett, John Lennon and Anthony Hughes design. The card also includes an imprint of the (who supplied the information relating to the Christmas booklet stamp with simulated IMP slogan postmarks), to John Mullen for perforations and is "cancelled" by a specially his work in relation to special cancellations, printed postmark which reads “An Post Christmas to Héloïse Mitchell, Michael McNamara and 2010” repeated three times. Paddy Smithers for additional information relating to IMPs. Finally, thanks to Tony The card measures 210mm x 150mm and the Cassidy, Tony Finn, John Greer, Philip prepaid envelope 228mm x 162mm. The Kane, Michael Kelly, Declan O'Kelly and envelope is inscribed with the An Post issuing Pádraig O’Shea for providing much valuable department in the top left corner - “An Post assistance and information, and to Héloïse Communications, GPO, Dublin 1”. Mitchell for proof reading the article. ¨