Jay Smith & Associates: Slania: Great Britain: Postal Orders

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Slania: Great Britain: Postal Orders

[Information from Ann Mette Heindorff website and other sources] In 1985 Slania engraved a private portrait label of British Queen Elizabeth II. The portrait was originally drawn in June 1982 by Rory Matthews of Great Britain from a photograph by Lord Snowdon. That Slania engraving has been used as the basis for the lithographed portrait on British Postal Orders Postal Orders brought into use (as previous supplies were exhausted) on 1 June 1987. This design was replaced, apparently in 2003. Produced in three colors (based on ranges of denomination), they are completely lithographed with additional black number imprints at the top or bottom. The main postal order area measures 136 x 86 mm; the normal types sold at post offices have a counterfoil a left that is 40 mm wide. They bear different watermarks, including Roland Hill (the inventor of adhesive postage stamps). The normal types sold in post offices were issued in 13 denominations: 50p, 1£, 2£, 3£, 4£, 5£, 6£, 7£, 8£, 9£, 10£, 15£, 20£. There are at least three variations of the text on the backside resulting from post office names changes between 1987 and 2003. When sold, the issuing post office was to handstamp on the right and extreme left (on the counterfoil -- receipt-part to be kept by the purchaser). The redeeming post office was to handstamp at left-of-center. A maximum of 49p of additional postage stamps could be added to increase the redeemable denomination. These items can be quite difficult to obtain.

Not mentioned (that I am aware of as of 12/2014) in the Slania-oriented philatelic literature are special "promotional" printed-to-order postal orders with the names of companies and organizations. These were used to pay for consumer rebates and coupon redemptions and the like. All examples that I have seen of this type (as of 12/2014) have the same central dimensions as the normal, however, they were pin-fed through a large computer printer, thus originally had side margins with holes (and no counterfoil). Also, the usual color scheme has not been followed; I do not know if there is a particular color scheme for the "promotional" types. These "promotional" postal orders are little-known to philatelists and appear to be very scarce, even to knowledgeable specialists -- I first learned of them only in November 2014, at least 26 years after their use started!

Postal Orders

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Item #

Quality & Description

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US$

238241

50p British Postal Order bearing Queen Elizabeth image from a Slania engraving (all postal orders with this image are lithographed). Purchased 31 December 1993 IN HONG KONG!!!! and never redeemed. Sold at the Tsuen Wan post office. I have been told that this was the last day of sale of British Postal Orders in Hong Kong, but have not been able to confirm that. This is a pre-mechanized version with serial numbering in the top margin instead of MICR numbering in the bottom margin (this version essentially has no bottom margin). Backside version without any text in center area. British postal orders were sold in some Colonies when there was not enough sales volume to justify printing their own versions. However, such Colony-sold examples are extremely scarce; this is one of only a few I have ever seen of the Slania-engraved design. Totally complete with counterfoil at left. Superb quality.

Reference
For reference only. NOT for sale.
If you are seeking such items, please let me know. Others are in stock, but not on the website.

236520

£2 British Postal Order bearing Queen Elizabeth image from a Slania engraving (all postal orders with this image are lithographed). Purchased in 2001 IN TRINIDAD!!!! and never redeemed. This later version has finer details in the portrait than the original version, and has MICR numbering in the bottom margin. Backside of this version has "P.O.C.L." in center area. British postal orders were sold in some Colonies when there was not enough sales volume to justify printing their own versions. However, such Colony-sold examples are extremely scarce; this is the first I have ever seen of the Slania-engraved design. Superb quality.

Reference
For reference only. NOT for sale.

235734

£4 British Postal Order bearing Queen Elizabeth image from a Slania engraving (all postal orders with this image are lithographed). Backside version with "P.O.C.L." in center area. Postal training school example with large black "CANCELLED" and small black two-line "SCHOOL / SPECIMEN" at left on counterfoil (buyer receipt part). Scarce.

Reference
For reference only. NOT for sale.
I am interested in buying any Slania-design GB Postal Orders.

236422

£8 British Postal Order bearing Queen Elizabeth image from a Slania engraving (all postal orders with this image are lithographed). Backside version with "P.O.C.L." in center area. Probably a postal training school example with large black boxed "CANCELLED". Scarce.

Reference
For reference only. NOT for sale.

236423

£9 British Postal Order bearing Queen Elizabeth image from a Slania engraving (all postal orders with this image are lithographed). Backside version with "P.O.C.L." in center area. Probably a postal training school example with large black boxed "CANCELLED". Scarce.

Reference
For reference only. NOT for sale.

238242

Promotional "THE POST MARKETING SURVEILLANCE UNIT" £5.00 pink British Postal Order bearing Queen Elizabeth image from a Slania engraving (all postal orders with this image are lithographed). I am not positive of the exact purpose of this user, however, all the references to the subject that I find are related to interviewing users of medications; I believe that these were the nominal payment for participating in such interviews. Dated 1988, this example is payable to a doctor and is without a postal address on the reverse (which would be present if postal mailed). I suspect these were given to the doctor to give to patients. This is a pre-mechanized version with serial numbering in the top margin instead of MICR numbering in the bottom margin (this version essentially has no bottom margin). Without the pin-feed margins at the side, but that is probably normal for this use. Superb quality.

Reference
For reference only. NOT for sale.
If you are seeking such items, please let me know. Others are in stock, but not on the website.

238243

Promotional "THE POST MARKETING SURVEILLANCE UNIT" £5.40 pink British Postal Order bearing Queen Elizabeth image from a Slania engraving (all postal orders with this image are lithographed). I am not positive of the exact purpose of this user, however, all the references to the subject that I find are related to interviewing users of medications; I believe that these were the nominal payment for participating in such interviews. Dated 199?, this example is payable to a doctor and is without a postal address on the reverse (which would be present if postal mailed). I suspect these were given to the doctor to give to patients. This is a pre-mechanized version with serial numbering in the top margin instead of MICR numbering in the bottom margin (this version essentially has no bottom margin). Without the pin-feed margins at the side, but that is probably normal for this use. Superb quality. A very odd denomination that is apparently unique to this issue.

Reference
For reference only. NOT for sale.
If you are seeking such items, please let me know. Others are in stock, but not on the website.

238247

Promotional "NESCAFE" £1.00 orange British Postal Order bearing Queen Elizabeth image from a Slania engraving (all postal orders with this image are lithographed). This is a pre-mechanized version with serial numbering in the top margin instead of MICR numbering in the bottom margin (this version essentially has no bottom margin). With the pin-feed margins at both sides. Dated 1991. Superb quality.

Reference
For reference only. NOT for sale.
If you are seeking such items, please let me know. Others are in stock, but not on the website.

238244

Promotional "NESCAFE" £3.00 orange British Postal Order bearing Queen Elizabeth image from a Slania engraving (all postal orders with this image are lithographed). This is a pre-mechanized version with serial numbering in the top margin instead of MICR numbering in the bottom margin (this version essentially has no bottom margin). Without the pin-feed margins at the side. Dated 1989. VF quality.

Reference
For reference only. NOT for sale.
If you are seeking such items, please let me know. Others are in stock, but not on the website.

238245

Promotional "NESCAFE" £5.00 orange British Postal Order bearing Queen Elizabeth image from a Slania engraving (all postal orders with this image are lithographed). This is a pre-mechanized version with serial numbering in the top margin instead of MICR numbering in the bottom margin (this version essentially has no bottom margin). With only the pin-feed margin at the right side. Dated 1990. VF quality. This denomination is apparently very scarce; high for this type of purpose.

Reference
For reference only. NOT for sale.
If you are seeking such items, please let me know. Others are in stock, but not on the website.

Postal Orders continued ...

Top

Item #

Quality & Description

IMAGES: Hover mouse pointer over image to determine if ACTUAL image of item OR a REPRESENTATIVE sample image of item.
Click for more information

US$

238246

Promotional "NESCAFE" £5.00 orange British Postal Order bearing Queen Elizabeth image from a Slania engraving (all postal orders with this image are lithographed). This is a pre-mechanized version with serial numbering in the top margin instead of MICR numbering in the bottom margin (this version essentially has no bottom margin). With the pin-feed margins at both sides. Dated 1991. Superb quality. This denomination is apparently very scarce; high for this type of purpose.

70.00

238248

Promotional "Persil" £1.00 pink British Postal Order bearing Queen Elizabeth image from a Slania engraving (all postal orders with this image are lithographed). This is a pre-mechanized version with serial numbering in the top margin instead of MICR numbering in the bottom margin (this version essentially has no bottom margin). With the pin-feed margins at both sides. Dated 1988. Superb quality.

Reference
For reference only. NOT for sale.
If you are seeking such items, please let me know. Others are in stock, but not on the website.

238249

Promotional "Kleenex" £3.00 pink British Postal Order bearing Queen Elizabeth image from a Slania engraving (all postal orders with this image are lithographed). This is a pre-mechanized version with serial numbering in the top margin instead of MICR numbering in the bottom margin (this version essentially has no bottom margin). With the pin-feed margins at both sides. Dated 1988. Superb quality.

Reference
For reference only. NOT for sale.
If you are seeking such items, please let me know. Others are in stock, but not on the website.

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