Sterling Machins

Anything to do with the Machin definitives issued from 1967 to 2022.
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robinT
Posts: 88
Joined: Fri May 08, 2009 6:00 pm

Sterling Machins

Post by robinT »

Seeing the display of Machins on the Display archive reminds me of why I stopped collecting them - apart from the prices!

The beginning is the place to start a discussion of anything.

At the beginning Harrison were in a mess, regarding the production of a coating sufficiently white to suit Arnold Machin's requirements.

To ignore that and developments of paper/coatings is not a specialist work.

The whole problem of collecting stamps in any era is to cover the whole - Everyone splits collecting up into little fields suitable for their own tastes - not a problem when someone does the whole thing or someone collects the bits together.

My specialisation led no where because I
ploughed a lonely furrow. So I stopped. I was happier but the problem I pursued still exists

Machins started in 1967 - remember

Harrisons problem with paper/spread wider than is realised.

Machin heads got to a remarkable number of places - some get a little attention, some still get none.

As a sideline Harrison printed a large number of stamps in sheets and in booklets. Who can list them all?

For those who just like booklets - which is the worst booklet ever produced by Harrison and why?
smcgill
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Aug 11, 2010 6:00 pm

Transfer from previous board: original post 1195

Post by smcgill »

Hi, Robin,

I am Steve McGill, the exhibitor of the decimal machins in the display section of the site. After seeing your posting and talking with a couple of other GBPS members about your investigation of paper issues during the sterling Machin period, I would like to ask if you can share it?

I and the rest of the Denver Colorado Machin Club here in the US would be very interested in seeing your work on paper fluorescence/brightness. Do you have a scan of exhibit material or a write-up on the subject?

We meet every month and would like to highlite your research on the pre-decimal paper issues.

My email is steve.mcgill@comcast.net if you would like to communicate and share your work with us.

Regards,

Steve
robinT
Posts: 88
Joined: Fri May 08, 2009 6:00 pm

Transfer from previous board: original post 1296

Post by robinT »

Hi Steve

I regret the delay in answering you post
Actually I did not expect any reply

When I wrote my book no one wanted to know about my findings. Principally because if any of it were true there would have to be a huge re-write of Machin history and catalogues

I did enter it in a stampex competition, and one copy was stored in the Royal and one in the GB PS libraries

i was so p***** off with the attitude of collectors here that my collection was sold and all my copies of that book destroyed

That leaves only two copies as mentioned. They are the only copies of the listing I came up with - you may be able to persuade one of the Librarians to make a copy alternatively as there is so very little interest, you may be able to borrow a copy.

I do have a copy of an article I wrote for the GBPS Newsletter and a later article by Deegam on the subject.

I also have a listing I prepared when I studied the Regional stamps

The first paper Harrison prepared was not acceptable and was utilised in a number of places, the Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey being one.

Will also contact by email.
RobinT
jake
Posts: 15
Joined: Sun Aug 03, 2008 6:00 pm

Transfer from previous board: original post 1302

Post by jake »

I have seen Steve McGill's Machin display in the flesh so to speak, 10 frames I recall at Chicago last year.
The information and analysis they demonstrated, of a highly complex issue were quite extraordinary. Far too concentrated for a competitive exhibit where there is little time to inwardly digest etc.
Undoubtedly Steve's approach can seem overwhelming, the result of compacting into a certain number of sheets for competition and exhibition. I am sure there is a technical handbook in there in the future, where the detail can be spread out more, and be digested at leisure.

Mind you I'm not sure how a decimal machin study of such thoroughness can be built on such shallow foundations. Machins first appeared in June 1967, not 1971 - a point I mentioned to Steve recently....
smcgill
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Aug 11, 2010 6:00 pm

Transfer from previous board: original post 1303

Post by smcgill »

The best part of exhibiting the 10 decimal frames in Chicago is that it has served as a forum for me to begin to grasp many things that, 'I didn't know, that I dinn't know'. I have had a fantastic level of input from judges and interested parties over the past year on my first effort at exhibiting.

Certainly, one of the most important inputs has been the suggestion to, 'back up and study the pre-decimals'. This I began early this year in earnest and am beginning the building a much revised exhibit as a consequence. - not suggesting here that the past nine months of focus on pre-decimals makes me an expert. Rather, the point is that considered input from Tony Walker, judges, GBPS members and others has been most helpful in expanding my knowledge and my vision of what a better Machin exhibit should include. I hope to show the first changes(more robust foundations, I hope)to the exhibit in the spring of 2011.

It is easy to listen to friendly voices - a huge number of which I have met via this exhibit. My experience with exhibiting has been nothing but postitve as a result.

Thanks to all

Steve
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