Query re distribution of Wilding mint stamps 1958-1960?

Anything to do with the small format Wilding definitives of 1952-67.
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earsathome
Posts: 217
Joined: Sat Sep 19, 2009 6:00 pm

Query re distribution of Wilding mint stamps 1958-1960?

Post by earsathome »

When the definitive stamps were issued with graphite lines, and then phosphor graphite, and subsequently phosphor only – is there any information which would explain whether these ‘treated’ stamps were on general issue, or only issued to the Southampton (and later Norwich) post offices? Presumably they must have been available from the Philatelic Bureau as well?

Our SG Elizabethan specialist catalogue does not give this information as far as we can see.

We have a collector contact in Germany who asked us this question, and we could not find the answer. Google and Bling searches did not help.

Regards
Ron and Eunice
jimusedcontrols
Posts: 123
Joined: Mon Aug 11, 2008 6:00 pm

Re: Query re distribution of Wilding mint stamps 1958-1960?

Post by jimusedcontrols »

There was an article in Stamp Collecting 14/9/1967 by A.J.Barnes in whicj he listed the order of facing machines brought into use and also expansion of sales of phosphor stamps with Southampton Nov 59 including a 25-30 mile radius around the HPO area until June 60 when it was restricted to Southampton HPO. Late 1960 S.E. London was added although the machines were not set up until 1962. Mid 62 Liverpool with machines from November, then Glasgow early 1963 with machines starting in April (reason for the phosphor regionals), more parts of London added 1965, then Norwich from August 1965 with machinery from November. At this time there was further extension to existing areas and the whole of London integrated late 1966 and the rest of the country followed in the next years. He does not mention the philatelic bureau selling them but at least they were available in London in 1960.Most of my covers seem to be from "proper" areas, but Gibbons was selling them from the outset as far as I can remember and presumably dealers throughout the country were sourcing them (at least if they understood what was going on!).
earsathome
Posts: 217
Joined: Sat Sep 19, 2009 6:00 pm

Re: Query re distribution of Wilding mint stamps 1958-1960?

Post by earsathome »

Many thanks for that swift and helpful response.
We will pass this on to our German contact and I am sure he will be grateful.

We really ought to sort out our own material in this area,
but I am sure you know how it is.

So many stamps, only 24 hours in the day.

Appreciate your help.

Regards and stay safe

Ron and Eunice.
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