IN CONFIDENCE
V. DISTRIBUTION OF NEW POSTAGE STAMPS
19. When stamps are ready for distribution the Security Printers should under the supervision of the Agents send to the administration concerned the quantities required for local use, and at the same time send to the Agents the agreed quantity for sale by them. The latter also supply the International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union with sufficient numbers of specimen stamps for distribution to the member nations to fulfil the requirements of the detailed Regulations of the Universal Postal Union Convention. In the case of all stamps incorporating the Royal Insignia corner blocks of four stamps from each printing, showing where indicated all Plate Numbers in use, should be sent to the Palace for the Royal Collection, as should one example of the stamp size bromides of the designs and one example of all printers' proofs for each issue, First Day Covers, miniature sheets, stamp booklets and reel stamps where applicable.
VI. WITHDRAWAL AND INVALIDATION OF STAMPS
20. The date of release of new definitive postage stamps should be publicised in advance and the old definitive issue may remain on sale alongside the new stamps for a limited period. There is also no objection to the concurrent sale of commemorative and definitive stamps of the same denomination. Neither is there any objection to continuing the sale of old patterns of embossed stationery, and stamps in roll or book form for a limited period after new definitive stamps have been issued. The Agents should be advised, preferably not less than one month beforehand, of the date on which a stamp will cease to be sold in the Post Offices of the country concerned so that the sale of that stamp to dealers may be discontinued from the same date. Where stocks of stamps are required to be destroyed this should be done under the supervision of a responsible officer and an affidavit of destruction retained. In normal circumstances stamps should be invalidated five years after they are withdrawn from sale. Notice of invalidation should be given in the official Gazette and should take effect not less than six months after the date of publi- cation. The notice should provide for a period of grace (normally not less than six months) during which holders of invalidated stamps may exchange them for equivalent stamps in the current series.
IN CONFIDENCE
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