PNG’s new move
p. 48 · Read in the full issue
Stamps
By John Hunter
PAPUA New Guinea is about to in troduce what is probably a world first. The country commands re spect among the stamp world because of its moderate stamp issuing policy and the attractive stamps presented. It is now about to increase its service to its custom ers. In the near future Papua New Guinea is to introduce a toll free tele phone service to its overseas customers.
In the first instance the service is to be restricted to customers in Australia.
However, if the service proves successful after a six-month trial it could be ex tended to other countries. The caller in Australia will be able to dial 0014 800 125 916 and be charged only a unit fee.
The caller will be able to order stamps using his or her standing order account.
Later it is hoped to have the caller use a charge account and inquiries are under way to use visa. The caller may also wish
to make an inquiry about his or her account or an order. However, the Bureau is asking that the inquiry be kept to under three minutes. Complex in quiries are to be submitted in writing.
Papua New Guinea is aware that in this time the Philatelic customer is harder to find and must be looked after. Collectors are still quitting the hobby in large num ber. Most philatelic agencies are still re cording falls in customers and sales. Now is the time to hold and build up client numbers.
While talking about innovations, Au stralia Post has introduced, for the first time, a peel-and-stick stamp. On May 16 Australia Post ventured into the pressure sensitive postage stamp. There are a number of instances where they have been used in other countries. Several Pacific countries have used these stamps quite a number of years ago. Tonga is one country well known to collectors of these stamps. The early examples had
mixed reception from philatelists, parti
cularly from collectors of used stamps who found them to be difficult to re move from their envelopes. Recent tech
nological developments have overcome
the deficiencies of the past and several other countries including Canada and the United States are now using pressure sensitive stamps in their product range as a practical service to their customers.
The advantage of using these stick on stamps is seen when a company has many hundreds of letters to stamp. The peel off stamp in a dispenser is much easier to use than tearing apart and lick ing hundreds of stamps.
The paper used is Jac-PS stamp paper.
The paper is detection coated semi-gloss white paper. The backing is siliconised glassinated paper. A pressure-sensitive adhesive has been formulated to allow stamps to be washed off paper without damage after being submerged for 10 minutes in warm water. Printing is done on a nine-colour Kopack continuous web rotary letterpress machine using 175 line screen. Six rows of four stamps are printed with each cylinder rotation to be cut into lengths of 100 and slit onto four. Rotary cutting tools shape cut the stamps with precisely simulated perfora tions.
For normal use the rolls of 100 stamps are packaged and sold in handy dispen ser packs. A set of three stamps is avail able for collector. Australia Post is re ceiving much criticism from collectors as it is to issue a $2O stamp on August 15.
For the collector there will be a huge financial outlay if he or she wishes to obtain the full range of material associ ated with the issue. There is the stamp $2O, a first day cover $20.20, a stamp pack $20.35, a Maximum cards $20.50. This totals $81.05.