Commemorative packs are reasonably straightforward, the main point being to ensure that all is ready 'well in advance of the issue date. Using local printing resources for that part of the pack which does not use standard materials from stock avoids the danger of overseas printing delays, and possible delays in delivery, apart from saving something in inward transport costs. Unsold packs may be retained for subsequent sale, but if the numbers are unduly large, surplus packs may be dismantled, the stamps being destroyed along with the written material relevant only to that particular issue, leaving the mounts and wallets for re-use.
Definitive issues now tend to be relatively highly priced, because of the inclusion of high value stamps for air parcel post. Accordingly it is now increasingly common, besides having a full pack on sale, to split the issue into 3 or more sections, having a low denominations pack, as well as one for medium denominations, and another for high value stamps.
Another type of pack which is becoming increasingly popular is the "Year Pack" which encloses all the stamps issued by a country in a particular calendar year or other period of 12 months. This device is convenient for a collector of mint stamps who wishes to ensure his collection is complete without having to follow the progress of projected issues throughout the year, apart from reducing the postage costs involved in taking up each issue.
Although normal practice must be, as indicated above, to destroy unsold stocks of commemorative stamp issues 12 months after the day of issue, it is regarded as " legitimate" to retain such stamps after 12 months if they have meantime been included in packs which it is expected to sell in due course.
Booklets: Mini-sheets, sheetlets, souvenire sheets
Some lostal Administrations, for the convenience of users, put up small selections of stamps into booklets, usually sold at the cost of the stamps if bought over post-office counters or in Post Office vending machines. The extra cost of making the booklets is met by selling advertising space in the pages of the booklet, which may also include the main postal rates. A fairly new feature is the issue of similar booklets containing usually 4 stamps of each type issued, for a commemorative issue. Both types of booklet are of some interest to collectors. The latter type has some relevance when it appears that an over-optimistic number of stamps has been printed of a commemorative issue than is likely to be sold in mint form. A rapid exercise to prepare and issue booklets may generate some extra business and profits.
The preparation of special commemorative mini-sheets, sheet- lets, or so-called souvenir sheets, (different words for the same thing) is frowned upon by the more discerning collectors, since philately is really devoted to stamps etc which are to be used in the normal course of ordinary mailing activity. Of course all stamps are sold in sheets (as well as in roll or booklet form by vending machine) but sich sheets are normally plain, no nonsense items with no extraneous matter on them. Miniature sheets contain
sheets used fewer stamps than ose in normal trade, ard also are usually decorated with extra designs or pictures relevant to the issue they may also contain some descriptive printed matter pertaining to the issue. It is perhaps a sign of the times that Britain, which has not previously. printed miniature sheets, has made such an issue during 1978. Such devices are, of course, liked by the mass or amateur collector because he seems to be getting something extra for his money, although he may be involved in buying more mint stamps (on the sheet) than he would otherwise have contem- plated.
Definitives
A country's definitive stamp issue is likely to generate philatelic revenue mainly on the day of introduction - "First Day Covers" (see below), mint sets, and presentation packs (see above). The demand for these items will continue to limited extent robably throughout the life of the issue, though at low
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.