The Machin series was two years in the planning and the first stamps were issued on the 5 June 1967. Initially three values were released - 4d sepia, 1/- pale violet and 1/9 dull orange and black on chalk coated paper with gum Arabic. The remaining low values were issued over a period of thirteen months.

The low values were printed by Harrison & Sons with Lettalite B3 violet phosphor bands applied. The bands were applied photogravure with either a 150 or 250 phosphor screen.

In 1969 the 1/6 was issued on phosphor coated paper (PCP). All low values were perforated 14¾ X 14.

Shown below are some of the essays produced during the planning of the series

Harrison essays (1965) using the Farrar-Bell frame with a Wilding profile portrait of 1952

Farrar-Bell frame with a portrait by Anthony Armstrong-Jones

Andrew Restall silhouette essays in vertical format

Andrew Restall silhouette essays in horizontal format

Andrew Restall cameo silhouette essays in horizontal format

Final design stage using Hedgecoe photograph on which the Machin head was based

Hedgecoe photograph

Machin cast based on the Hedgecoe photograph

Final cast with corsage

Stamps as issued in date order

Arabic
5.6.67

Arabic
5.6.67

Arabic
5.6.67

Arabic
8.8.67

Arabic
8.8.67

Arabic
8.8.67

PVA
22.1.68

PVA
5.2.68

PVA
5.2.68

Type 1
PVA
5.2.68

PVA
5.2.68

PVA
12.3.68

PVA
26.4.68

PVA
1.7.68

PVA
1.7.68

PVA
1.7.68

PVA
1.7.68

PVA
28.8.68

PVA
16.9.68

PVA
16.9.68

PVA
29.11.68

PVA
6.1.69

PVA
6.1.69

PVA
6.1.69

Type 2
PVA
2.2.69

PVA
20.8.69

Arabic
27.8.69

Type 2
Arabic
27.8.69

Arabic
27.8.69

PVA
1.12.69

PCP
10.12.69

PVA
16.11.70

Copyright (c) 2008 Denis Stevens. All rights reserved

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