“THE PARALYMPIC” GOLD STAMPS ARE THE REAL WINNERS!
The only G.B. Commemorative ever to be on sale for less than 5 MONTHS (all officially withdrawn from sale on the 31st December 2012) – they will also NOT be included in the Royal Mail Annual Year Packs or Year Books! This as another first and will create a strong demand in due course, and of course they are included in all the G.B. album annual supplements which are now imminent!.
Stanley Gibbons have assigned a separate catalogue number for all the single stamps and an “a” number for the sheetlets of 6 (Olympic) and sheetlets of 2 (Paralympics).
The Paralympics set of 34 was not received very well at the time, and now collectors are deciding that they should now also have them, or delayed purchases until funds permitted.
STOP PRESS…
We are now officially informed that 4 values from the set of 34 were sold out 2 days before they were due to be withdrawn, so many dealers and collectors were unable to purchase complete sets! Royal Mail have confirmed that there will be no reprint!
We really recommend both sets but more especially the Paralympics for all the reasons stated. We can currently offer as follows (subject unsold):
Olympic Gold Medal Winners (SG 3342-3370)
Complete set of 29 U/M singles £36.00
Do. Set of 29 Fine Used singles £38.00
Do. Complete set of Sheetlets of 6 (29) U/M (SG 3342a-3370a) £210.00
Do. Fine Used Sheetlets of 6 (29) £220.00
Do Complete Set of 29 Official FDC’s with Sheetlets of 6 £225.00
Do. Complete set of 29 Uncut Sheets of Sheetlets of 6(4) £850.00
All Purpose Essay Single stamp….. £5.50, do. Sheetlet of 6………….. £27.50
Do. A4 Sheet of 4 Sheetlets of 6, scarce……………………………………… £105.00
Paralympics Gold Medal Winners (SG 3372-3405)
Complete set of 34 U/M singles £42.00
Do. Set of 34 Fine Used singles £44.00
Do. Complete set of Sheetlets of 2 (34) U/M (SG3372a-3405a) £80.00
Do. Fine Used Sheetlets of 2 (34) £85.00
Do. Complete set of 34 Official FDC’s with Sheetlets of 2 £105.00
ONE OF EACH U/M SINGLES (63) £75.00, F/U SINGLES (63) £80.00
POSTAL USAGE – As many collectors had to purchase the Olympic stamps originally in Sheetlets of 6 and in most cases only required a single stamp, the surplus 5 stamps were used as postage which is evidenced by them being found in kiloware, on the other hand with the Paralympics being issued in Sheetlets of 2 only, collectors either kept them as such or only had one spare stamp to use – consequently used Paralympics are very scarce indeed!
STOCK LEVELS – Dealers generally only bought what they required for regular customers not allowing for the ‘extra public interest’ which has absorbed most surplus stock.