Norvic Philatelics

New range of Greetings and Smilers stamps 2015 - 20 January 2015

Royal Mail Smilers stamps were introduced in 2000 at the StampWorld London Exhibition.  Since then there have been a number of new stamps made available for personalisation, and they are now all definitive-size and self-adhesive.  The Smilers App is available on iOS and Android mobile devices.

This year there are 8 new designs, though with some echoes of earlier stamp designs or proposed designs.  Unlike the last refreshment in 2010, these stamps are all 1st class inland rate.

New Smilers miniature sheet.
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New Smilers retail booklet.
Designs:

a. Well Done – the ‘1st’ is representative of success and a
broad range of achievements.
b. Mum – celebrates multiple occasions such as Mum’s birthday,
Mother’s Day and ‘thank you Mum’
  c. New Baby
d. Wedding
  e. Happy Birthday
  f. Dad – celebrates multiple occasions such as Dad’s birthday,
Father’s Day and ‘thank you Dad’
g. Grandparent – celebrates multiple occasions such as
a grandparent’s birthday or a ‘thank you’.
h. Love – celebrates occasions such as Valentine’s Day,
anniversaries and weddings.
New Smilers Generic Sheet.
Once again Royal Mail have issued a number of new stamps which doesn't divide equally into 12 for the retail booklet or 20 for the Generic Sheet. 

The booklet of 12 contains 2 each of the Love, New Baby, Wedding and Birthday and one each of the other 4 stamps.







The sheet contains:

a. Well done x 2
b. Mum x 2
c. New Baby x 3
d. Wedding x 3
e. Happy Birthday x 3
f. Dad x 2
g. Grandparent x 2
h. Love x 3









The gummed sheet consists of 8 x 1st class stamps.   The booklet, Generic Sheet, and personalised sheets will be self-adhesive only.   

Publicity information from Royal Mail indicates that the design is by Jenny Bowers, with acknowledgements to the 'Peepshow Collective'.  However, the 'Baby' stamp is clearly based on the 2004 stamp designed by renowned Japanese artist Satoshi Kambayashi.

2004 Occasions stamp.

The 'DAD' stamp is similar to the definitive-sized LOVE stamp, although that was first issued in standard size in 2002.

And if you think you have seen the Lovebirds stamps before, the USPS has issued a number of stamps with a pair of birds, and another (red) one with a paper-cut out heart.  As with music sounding similar, there are only so many ways to depict a concept, so it should not be surprising that similar designs are produced.


Technical details:
The miniature sheet and generic sheet will be printed by International Security Printers in lithography. Dimensions: 124mm x 71mm, stamps are 20 x 24mm.  

All stamp and postmark images are copyright 2015, Royal Mail.


Products available from Royal Mail
Miniature sheet  -  First Day Cover with MS

Retail booklet of 12 x 1st    -   Generic Sheet mint

Set of 11 Stamp Cards 

Presentation Pack 


Special Postmarks available on the day of this issue will be shown here others will be added as they are announced.
These images may not be to scale.
Official first day postmark.
Official first day postmark. Official non-pictorial first day postmark, Greetwell.
Postmark showing baby in pram.
Postmark showing teddy bear.
Ref FD1502TH - Official Bureau postmark, 'Celebrate' Ref FD1502PL
Greetwell, Lincoln, official first day of issue postmark
Ref FD1502NP
Greetwell, Lincoln,  non-pictorial official first day of issue postmark
Ref L13313
Child Okeford, Blandford Forum
Ref L13314
Lover, Sailsibury
Postmark showing 3 candles.
Loving couple on postmark.
Postmarks showing bridal couple.
Postmark illustrated with hearts.
Postmark showing bunch of flowers.
Ref M13321
Candlesby, Spilsby
Ref M13320
Love Lane, Birmingham
Ref N13323
Bridekirk, Cockermouth
Ref S13324
Motherwell, Strathclyde
Ref W13326
Motherby, Penrith


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If you have any questions about these stamps or wish to purchase any, please email us.

This page created 27 January 2015

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UK Phone: 08450 090939 -- Skype:ian.billings-norvic