anglobob
Member 
Posts: 2,430
What I collect: France and French Colonies,French cinderellas British Commonwealth QE2
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Post by anglobob on Jun 7, 2023 1:22:00 GMT
These are souvenir stamps issued by a private company and are usually found at tourist locations. They can only be used when sending a postcard overseas.I have found several examples in London and also at National Trust properties.I had planned to use them on my last trip to England but this was cancelled due to the Covid crisis and I haven,t been back.They are usually sold in strips of 5 stamps,each with different views of the location. They can be posted in any Royal Mail pillar box. I have yet to find any used examples.I read somewhere that Royal Mail sends them to another country for reposting,so delivery time must be longer. Most of the examples I purchased cost £1.25 for each stamp.    |
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wakeybluenose
Member
Mostly harmless!
Posts: 282 
What I collect: GB to 2000 (but definitives to date) / Ireland to 2000 / General WW classics & definitives / ASFEC / SciFi & Fantasy Literature / Local History
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Post by wakeybluenose on Jun 7, 2023 9:25:41 GMT
I've heard from discussions in the postcrossing forum, that these are woefully unreliable, they are sent somewhere like the Philippines first and can take months to arrive (if at all!)
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vikingeck
Member
Posts: 3,269
What I collect: Samoa, Tobacco theme, Mail in Wartime, anything odd and unusual!
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Post by vikingeck on Jun 7, 2023 10:03:35 GMT
Found some Scottish ones recently which I had tucked away unused in a drawer about 2 years ago.
Now what did I do with them ……………🤔?
I’ll post picture if they ever surface again
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daniel
Member
Posts: 2,156
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Post by daniel on Jun 14, 2023 14:23:37 GMT
Universal Mail started in New Zealand where their stamps can be used more widely. The relationship with Royal Mail, that is being able to use their post boxes, is unique and so, in that respect, a major accomplishment. If the cards arrive very late or not at all then that is most unfortunate. There may be reasons for this, there is a limit to the size of the cards that can be used. Some postcards are very large or are shaped (for example, I have seen cards in the shape of the Queen's head). These don't readily fall into the scheme but this is not usually explained to customers. Here are some strips that I have: Queen's Diamond Jubilee special issue, National Portrait Gallery, Science Museum, and standard London issue:  |
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vikingeck
Member
Posts: 3,269
What I collect: Samoa, Tobacco theme, Mail in Wartime, anything odd and unusual!
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Post by vikingeck on Jun 19, 2023 15:11:49 GMT
Found some Scottish ones recently which I had tucked away unused in a drawer about 2 years ago. Now what did I do with them ……………🤔? I’ll post picture if they ever surface again Finally they emerged form the "Black hole" that occasionally manifests itself in my stamp room . Some items vanish for years some vanish then get spat out again, Only 3 stamps remaining on the booklet , cant remember what the missing designs might have been  |
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Wittybebop
**Member** 
Posts: 32
What I collect: Anything GB mint
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Post by Wittybebop on Jul 13, 2023 20:50:45 GMT
Wow never seen these before at all but digging a little deeper they have a website. www.universalmail.co.uk advertising as the UK's premier producer of tourism and bespoke stamps. I'm more interested in the stamp, who's the printer? Are they photo or litho the die cuts look very well done and at a guess I'd say one of the big companies DLR or Walsall |
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daniel
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Posts: 2,156
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Post by daniel on Jul 18, 2023 22:36:37 GMT
I used to buy these for our London shops. Here is a Christmas Postcard from them. I don't know who printed their stamps but I'm sure it wasn't De La Rue. They also had problems with fakes.   |
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daniel
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Posts: 2,156
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Post by daniel on Jul 18, 2023 22:48:38 GMT
Here is an example from New Zealand where they originated. The image on the right shows the back and you can see that their versions could be used, not just for Postcards but for Worldwide Aerogrammes and Letters to Australia.  |
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daniel
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Posts: 2,156
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Post by daniel on Jul 24, 2023 23:41:41 GMT
Another Christmas Postcard from Universal Mail   |
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anglobob
Member
Posts: 2,430
What I collect: France and French Colonies,French cinderellas British Commonwealth QE2
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Post by anglobob on Sept 1, 2023 13:59:43 GMT
Purchased on my last visit to London in 2019.These are much more attractive than most stamps issued by Royal Mail.However,I have yet to find a used stamp.  |
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daveg28
Member
Posts: 1,016
What I collect: U.S., Canada, Great Britain & Commonwealth, France (esp. 1950-80), DDR, USSR
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Post by daveg28 on Sept 1, 2023 14:08:42 GMT
anglobob...I've never heard of these. Thank you for sharing!
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Londonbus1
Moderator 
Cinderella Stamp Club Member 3059
Posts: 4,884
What I collect: Cinderellas and some Ephemera from Great Britain, France and Israel plus a few beautiful bits from elsewhere !! Topical interests include Flags & Judaica, the latter with an emphasis on the Jewish National Fund.
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Post by Londonbus1 on Sept 1, 2023 17:52:59 GMT
Purchased on my last visit to London in 2019.These are much more attractive than most stamps issued by Royal Mail.However,I have yet to find a used stamp. I have a few covers from the earlier series. Also some postcards. They do get through but it takes a bit of time. |
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