[hodgetts]

    I found these Royal Wedding omnibus stamps that has "specimen" overprinted. Anyone know why this was done? Seems to be just on a few countries.
Geoff Hodgetts

[bruceM]

I found these Royal Wedding omnibus stamps that has "specimen" overprinted. Anyone know why this was done? Seems to be just on a few countries.
Geoff Hodgetts

Hi Geoff, I don't have ready access to Gibbons' catalogues, nor any from the Australia/New Zealand area, and I've found almost nothing about these anywhere on the 'net which describes them. It appears, though, that they are legitimate items (perhaps remainders?) that are sold to collectors, but with no postal value. Perhaps a cash generating 'scheme' with no obligation to provide a service? Bruce

[hodgetts]

I found these Royal Wedding omnibus stamps that has "specimen" overprinted. Anyone know why this was done? Seems to be just on a few countries.
Geoff Hodgetts

Hi Geoff, I don't have ready access to Gibbons' catalogues, nor any from the Australia/New Zealand area, and I've found almost nothing about these anywhere on the 'net which describes them. It appears, though, that they are legitimate items (perhaps remainders?) that are sold to collectors, but with no postal value. Perhaps a cash generating 'scheme' with no obligation to provide a service? Bruce

Thanks Bruce. They were in with the other "legit" stamps from the various Commonwealth countries that issued stamps for the wedding. I think they came as part of a new issues subscription service back in the '80's that I signed up for. So, probably as you say, meant for collectors but not for postage.

[Webmaster]

Many of these are catalogued by Gibbons (notably Australia).

The UPU requires SPECIMEN overprinted copies for distribution to its member nations so they (supposedly) can recognize legitimate postage. That was the original source of specimen issues.

However, these modern topical omnibus sets are created and distributed by philatelic companies such as Inter-Governmental Philatelic Corporation which represent many "third world" countries and do all their new issues for them. They wouldn't pass up the chance to create additional "collectibles" to sell to their subscription customer base, given half an excuse.

Roy

[hodgetts]

Thanks Roy. Very helpful! That explains why they appear only on some countries, ie those whose stamps are created for them by outside interests.

[RICHARD]

Specimen stamp - Wikipedia When in doubt search Wikipedia! Hope this helps.  What is a SPECIMEN stamp and should I collect them? - The Stamp Echo  .                  The Fascination of Specimen Stamps | Mystic Stamp Discovery Center

[Webmaster]

Specimen stamp - Wikipedia When in doubt search Wikipedia! Hope this helps.  What is a SPECIMEN stamp and should I collect them? - The Stamp Echo  .                  The Fascination of Specimen Stamps | Mystic Stamp Discovery Center

Be aware that none of these articles address the type of modern Specimen stamps shown in the original post. They all deal with vintage specimen stamps, particularly the articles about Canadian and USA specimens.

See this modern Australia Specimen set in the original Philatelic Agency folder. It clearly shows that these are philatelic in nature and sold below face value to provide less expensive copies to philatelists, and that this has been a long standing practice.

   

(Click on the image to see it full size in a new window).

Roy

[RICHARD]

I dont buy modern only for mail