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Royal Philatelic Collection rarities on show in Canada Part of the Royal Philatelic Collection has travelled to Canada as part of a major exhibition in Ottawa. The material covers the development of the Penny Post in Britain, showing items such as Treasury essays and the Kirkcudbright cover, which bears 10 Penny Blacks used on the first day of issue. It also showcases British royal issues, such as the Queen's 80th birthday set of 2006. Canadian rarities include a mint example of the 1851 Colony of Canada 3d (depicting a beaver) and 12d black (depicting Queen Victoria). Also on show will be the extremely rare 5c issued in 1860 by the Postmaster General of New Brunswick, Charles Connell, featuring his own portrait, and essays attributed to Métis leader Louis Riel, who may have ordered them to give his provisional government official status during the Red River Rebellion of 1869-70. The Keeper of the Royal Philatelic Collection, Michael Sefi, said: 'I am delighted that the collection can be shared with Canadians and visitors from around the world, including some unique pieces that reveal key moments in Canadian history. Stamp enthusiasts will marvel at the treasures they will discover in this exhibition.' The exhibition runs until January 3, at the Canadian Museum of Civilisation in Ottawa.
Horizon label goes on trial with Machin head A new self-adhesive Horizon label, bearing the Machin head of the Queen and featuring die-cut perforations, went on trial in London in June. The unannounced scheme commenced at the Camden High Street post office on Monday, June 8, and was not conducted anywhere else. A limited number of labels with a Machin head in gold were printed by De La Rue. These were used for the Special Delivery service only, having the value of £4.95 overprinted in black at the counter. From perforation tip to perforation tip, the labels are 59mm wide and 60mm high. Like the latest self-adhesive definitive stamps, they have both security text and security cuts. The security text does not appear to have any hidden misspellings acting as identifying codes (June issue, page 22). The base printing by De La Rue is in pairs which are tête-bêche on the bottom edge. However, by the very nature of Horizon labels, which are overprinted by machine at the counter on demand, mint copies should never reach the philatelic market. Although there was no announcement by Royal Mail, some dealers found out about the trial quickly enough to produce first day covers. However, it is thought that less than 100 of these exist. Some are known to have been cancelled by favour with a circular datestamp, although in the normal use of the labels this would not happen. As we went to press, the trial was ongoing, with all ordinary Special Delivery mail processed at the Branch getting the new labels until they ran out. Even with die-cut perforations and a Machin head, these labels are not thought likely to be listed by mainstream catalogues. However, Douglas Myall is believed to be planning to include them in his Deegam Machin Handbook.
Eminent Britons stamps to mark anniversaries Stamp Magazine can reveal the 10 people who will be honoured on the Eminent Britons stamps to be released in October. All the choices are based on an anniversary, although some are more recognisable than others. The Europa stamp, noting this year's Astronomy theme, will commemorate the radio survey of the universe in 1959 and depict its instigator, Sir Martin Ryle, who received a Nobel prize in 1974. The other event anniversary marked is also from 1959, with a stamp to show Donald Campbell breaking the world water speed record. Also to be depicted are composer Henry Purcell, born in 1659, dictionary compiler Samuel Johnson, born in 1709, pioneering feminist Mary Wollstonecraft, born in 1759, Prime Minister William Gladstone, born in 1809, and writer Arthur Conan Doyle, born in 1859. Three people born in 1909 will be remembered: tennis star Fred Perry, football manager Matt Busby and the founder of Mencap, Judy Fryd.
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