Variable value stamp
A variable value stamp is a gummed or self-adhesive postage stamp of a common design, issued by a machine similar to an automatic teller machine (ATM), with a value of the user's choice printed at the time the stamp is dispensed. The value may be variable or from a fixed selection of postal rates. The stamps and machines are typically for use in retail or post office environments.
Variable value stamp
Royal Mail · Scan of original · Public domain
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History
History
They are also closely related to meter stamps from postage meters. • Illustration — The inside of a variable value stamp vending machine showing the stamps before the value is printed As the concept has developed, a variety of different names have been used, including Automatenmarken (Germany), Computer vended postage stamp, ATM stamps (US), Autopost stamps (US), Frama labels (Europe) or machine labels (Stanley Gibbons catalogues).
There have been many experiments with similar systems over the years but none has been truly successful until the evolution of modern sophisticated computer printing technology. The development of the postage meter, which performs a similar function in businesses and organisations has also been instrumental in developing the technology. The first patent for a machine to produce variable postage was taken out by Carl Bushe in 1884. In 1900 Christian Kahrs' machine was tested in Oslo. Similar machines were soon tried in Australia, New Zealand and the United States.
Frama labels
Frama labels
The Frama company of Switzerland produced a special type of patterned paper suitable for dispensing by machine and electronic printing that could be used to create an unlimited number of different stamp designs. The British Post Office used the paper experimentally in vending machines in 1984–85 but the experiment was not regarded as a success. Frama labels were also introduced in Switzerland in 1976. Frama labels were distinctive for the whole design being printed in one operation onto the special paper, including the value, rather than just the value being printed onto a pre-printed stamp.
ATM stamps and Autopost
ATM stamps and Autopost
The U.S. Postal Service experimented with similar stamps in 1989–90. Those experiments also were not considered a success. The U.S. Postal Service owns a patent for an ATM dispensable self-adhesive postage stamp construction.
Collecting
Collecting
• ATEEME, the Variable Value Stamps Study and Collecting Group, specializes in collecting these items. • InfoBrief: ATM. Ein Kulleraugen-Informationsdienst (Schellerten), (since October 1984)
Il 1° Francobollo Automatico del mondo (Francia 1969)
The original uploader was Flavio Rota at Italian Wikipedia. · Flavio Rota
One of 16 An Post 70¢ 1916 Easter Rising centenary SOAR (Stamps On A Roll) stamps - illustrating the destroyed General Post Office in O'Connell Street (Sackville Street)
Keogh Brothers Ltd / An Post · http: linked from
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Part of the biographical narrative on this page reuses licensed material. Its origin, revision and licence are recorded here.
The biographical narrative on this page is based on the Wikipedia article Variable value stamp, revision 1301474233 (EN edition), by its contributors. VALÉORINE has edited that text and built its own documentary record around it. The reused material is available under CC BY-SA 4.0, and this page's reuse of it is offered under the same licence. Everything else on this page — the chronology, the holdings, the evidence, the plates and the connections — is VALÉORINE's own record. Sources and licences.
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Mackay, James. Stamp Collecting: Philatelic Terms Illustrated. 4th edition. London: Stanley Gibbons, 2003, p.9.
- 2.Scott 2014. Specialized Catalogue of United States. Stamps & Covers. Computer vended postage stamp, p. 1.
- 3.Youngblood, Wayne L. All about Stamps. Iola WI: Krause Publications, 2000, pp. 12-13.
- 4.Mackay, p.60.
- 5.Freepatentsonline: United States Patent 5503436 . Retrieved 10 June 2007.
Bibliography printed in the source article · 2
- Tast, Hans-Jürgen; Abenteuer schreiben - Briefe, Reisen, Automaten (Schellerten 2008)
- InfoBrief: ATM. Ein Kulleraugen-Informationsdienst (Schellerten), (since October 1984)
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