Machin Elisabeth

Definitives of Elisabeth II

Since 1967 the English Post uses the design of Machin for her definitives of Elisabeth II. Royal Mail will issue a new version of the classic Machin Queen's Head stamp for the Millennium. The Millennium Definitive, which goes on sale on January 6 2000, will replace the existing First Class Machin definitive for the entirety of the year 2000.

Stamp bears some significant differences

The stamp bears some significant differences. The head itself is a new design and is an enlarged image. The queen has less of her shoulders displayed, enabling a larger portrait to be featured on the stamp.

Machin authority Douglas Myall

Leading Machin authority Douglas Myall said: "This new rendition of The Queen's head completely fills the available space on an uncoloured background, the choice of colour is reminiscent of modelling clay, resulting in an image which is the closest I have seen to the Arnold Machin original conception."

Stamps will be available in sheets

The head is printed in brownish-olive and the background is white. The stamps will be available in sheets (De La Rue) and booklets (House of Questa).Machin collectors recognise over 350 basic stamps and approximately 6000 when all variations such as different gums, phosphors, perforation and printers are taken into account.

More information

Stamps United Kingdom
Postage Stamps 2000