As we all know, country definitive stamp usage was not high before the invalidation of the gummed ones and introduction of the barcoded self-adhesive ones. There was anecdotal evidence last year that the new ones were proving more popular.
I thought it would be useful to record non-philatelic use of these stamps in an attempt to get all of the 2nd & 1st class ones, at least, and find out how long it took to get the set of 8. If I can get international use of any, including the airmail rate, then I'll add that.
These were issued on 11 August 2022, so this first use is over 12 months after issue. If you have earlier ones that are not philatelically inspired, please send images and an explanation.
Update 13 January 2025. When compiling this post I overlooked an email from 2022 in which MM sent me this image of a Scotland 1st class barcoded usage on 5 October 2022. Apologies - still not many though!
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| 1st class Scotland barcoded country definitive used in October 2022. |
MM also wrote:
We have just returned from a week-long trip to Mull and Iona, and I am
happy to report that barcoded regionals are seeing a healthy usage
there.
Tobermory post office had 1st and 2nd class.
Craignure had 1st and 2nd class AND the £1.85 “thistle”. The two staff
there were just the most OBLIGING people EVER. They came round to my
side of the counter to check where I wanted handstamps applying!
Fionnphort had 2nd class
Iona had 2nd class.
The very pleasant lady in Craignure told me that it
had been hard work getting hold of the barcoded stamps as it was
difficult to find them on the online order form.
This post was prompted by the receipt by my mother from my cousin of the first one I have seen, the 1st class Wales used from Ceredigion and postmarked Chester & N Wales 08/09/2023.
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| 1st class Wales barcoded country definitive used in September 2023. |
Update 5 October:
My thanks to JF for sending this clipping of a 2nd class Northern Ireland barcoded stamp used locally on 2 October 2023.
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| 2nd class Northern Ireland barcoded country definitive used October 2023. |
These 2nd class England & Wales examples were sent in for the postmark and was first shown on the main news blog.
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| England 2nd class barcoded definitive used 16/02/204 in Birmingham - may be philatelic |
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| Wales 2nd class barcoded definitive used 29/02/2024 in Lancashire - probably philatelic |
Any more non-philatelic uses?
