Further to our previous announcements in November 2021 and February 2022, regarding the withdrawal of our Covid-19 handstamp / cachet. The CILP has finally decided to withdraw the handstamp from 30 May, 2022.
Although the virus war continues, CILP considers the use of the handstamp / cachet to have run its course in raising awareness.
Thank you to all collectors and supporters who have supported our campaign through stamp and cover sales.
Keep safe, keep well!
Postmaster
(See Update 30 November 2021)
Alongside the issue of CILP Emergency Mail Service stamp issued on 23 April 2020, a new hand applied cachet came into use on all mail using CILP services.
The design featured a stylised Covid-19 ‘Virus’ which has become so familiar in various designs on all media formats.
The CILP has decided to withdraw the handstamp with effect from 30 November, 2021. It has been in constant use on all mail despatched from the CILP and on all orders purchased from our philatelic agent.
Collectors who have not obtained an example of this design are encouraged to do so before the end of November, by purchasing any CILP stamps form Alpha Thematics on Ebid UK.
Alongside the issue of CILP Emergency Mail Service stamp on 23 April 2020, a new hand applied cachet came into use on all mail using CILP services. It will be used until trusted sources declare the emergency over and we all have had a vaccine shot!
The design is a stylised Covid-19 ‘Virus’ which has become
so familiar in many forms to us on television, news programmes, health notices
and social media. It measures
The production of the handstamp was a rough and ready
process to get it prepared in time for simultaneous release with our Emergency
Mail Service stamp. It was hand carved from a champagne cork and, I believe,
conveys the right impression (pun intended) in these dire circumstances.
Although I have produced clean sharp cachets using digital
means in the past, I prefer the manual application and involvement of producing
handstamps that have a nostalgic ‘authentic’ look to them. It’s all part of the
fun of running a local post!
