Machin Study Group Notes – January 3, 2012

Members Present: Len S., Reay C., Jorge M., Ted S., David G., Dan B., Frank A., Don H., Chris E., Vijay V., Peter B., Don B., Rhonda K., Garfield P., John L., Jim C., Frank L., Peter W.

Garfield welcomed the gathering and expressed Best Wishes for 2012.

Thank you to Rhonda for taking notes for the record.

Around the Table
Canvassing members present we learned of the following activities over the past month:

Jorge discussed the removal of back printed (discount) stamps from the cover without damaging the backprint. The stamp is trimmed close then dropped face up in a dish containing “Superlift”. Within a minute, the stamp can be removed from the cover without damage. Superlift is available from Unitrade.

The backprint was used to mark certain booklet stamps that were sold at a discount at Christmas to prevent the stamps from being resold later at a profit.

Reay revealed that he has been sorting the pre-decimal Machin issues

Don H. has now begun to sort his holdings of Machins by denomination.

Peter W. reports that he has been looking at the Machin catalogues, but has concentrated his collecting efforts on his Canadian material for the time being.

Peter B. has been fascinated with multi value coils and is attempting to find all of the available varieties. He is also assembling literature and magazine clippings related to Machins.

Don B. is now getting his bearings with the Machins and is now sorting his holdings be denomination. He has done the pre-decimal issues and is now starting the decimal issues.

David G. has directed his efforts towards a PowerPoint presentation entitled Using and Understanding the Deegam Catalogue. (click here for the presentation) David’s presentation is a strong endorsement for the purchase of this valuable collecting tool. Those who don’t have a copy were impressed and some will likely purchase shortly. From some of those already using the Deegam Catalogue there was often an expression of awe in learning yet another feature of the digital catalogue. Thank you David for a job well done.

Vijay showed some of the complete Machin booklets he has collected. His holding now runs to something in the region of 500 pages of booklets which demonstrates the fact that the booklet covers present a major challenge as well.

Rhonda has not had time to work on Machins as her culinary skills were called upon for additional cakes and chocolate. It seems that there were no leftovers from our December meeting.

Frank L. has begun to study and analyze the types of paper used for the Machins.

Jim C. finally found a 22P stone Machin on cover. Hi is still trying to find a single. Jim also showed a postcard franked with a large number of Machins. Very attractive!

Garfield reported that he has been (finally) making progress in identifying and mounting the mint decimal Machins. Although now up to the 37P the list of missing items is huge. He is beginning to realize the enormity of a Machin collection in that 8 2-inch capacity binders have been used so far!

Discussion on Colour

A question was raised with respect to colour guides and Machins. It was agreed that both the Scott and Gibbons guides are useless for Machins as the colours are unique to the Jeffery Matthews palatte.

It was pointed out that certain Machin values have slightly differing colours for the National issues in comparison with the Regional issues. The answer lies in the fact that the Regionals are different stamps, printed from different cylinders and perhaps, at different times.

We got off topic a bit by discussing process colour in commercial printing. Garfield explained that only four colours (yellow, cyan, magenta and black) are used for full colour work. Green is produced by placing a yellow dot next to a cyan dot and fooling the eye. Perhaps this a topic that needs further discussion.

Discussion on Useful Tools

Peter B. (assisted by Garfield) presented a range of self-healing mats and cutting tools. The best cutters are made and sold by OLFA and are widely available in numerous locations such as stationery stores, hobby shops, hardware stores and fabric outlets. It was also explained that a cork backed steel rule is essential to prevent sliding. We also discussed plastic drafting erasers as being the best for philatelic use is they are not sufficiently abrasive to damage the surface of stamps.

We adjourned to finish off the supply of coffee and cookies. It seemed to be generally agreed that this was one of our best meetings to date because of the range of topics and the depth of the discussions. All in all it was a most satisfactory end to the first full year of operation of the Machin Study Group.