A brand new 1st Class diamond blue Definitive replaced the gold Definitive in Post Offices during Jubilee Year, and available in counter sheets, stamp books and business sheets.

The Diamond Jubilee ‘Machin’ features Arnold Machin’s iconic image on a blue background that highlights the words wavy-line ‘Diamond Jubilee’ in iridescent ink. Since it first appeared in 1967 this timeless image has been reproduced on more than 220 billion British Definitive stamps. As well as the Machin image, the sheet also features a special Diamond Jubilee edition of the first stamp of Her Majesty’s reign, featuring the iconic photograph by Dorothy Wildling, first used in 1952.

The classic Definitive portrait by Arnold Machin issued in a new colour specifically for the Diamond Jubilee Year.

Identification

Due to the blue ink shifted from the irisdescent ink, the code whether MOND (counter sheets), MBND (business sheets) or MTND (retail book of 12) cannot be read properly.

The counter sheet stamps are printed in gravure by De La Rue in sheets of 50.  Initial supplies of the Business Sheet were printed by De La Rue but Walsall have also printed both the standard and Large Letter stamps in this form.  Booklets are printed by Walsall Security Print.

Freak/Error Stamp?

The blue print shifted downward.

Postmark

OAKBROOK ROAD OUTREACH
13.NO 12
Post Office

According to a fellow collector: OUTREACH is the term used when a sub-postmaster also services nearby villages on a part-time basis.

The postmark has been identified to Oakbrook Deli services at Shelly's Deli 213, Oakbrook Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S11 7ED.

Identification was made by norvic - thank you very much!