Star Wars - The Rise of Skywalker - Smilers
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www.smilers-info.com Oct - Dec 2019
Star Wars - The Rise of Skywalker .....
….. and apparently Royal Mail's profits for the year! A smorgasbord of delights are on offer as we
approach the festive season with Royal Mail's latest offering featuring the impending ninth installment
of the Star Wars films- like Brexit this saga will run and run.
The force has been strong in this one with the news blackout finally lifted at midnight last night. I can
now reveal the (exciting!) news that Royal Mail are planning their third and final stamp issue
celebrating the Star Wars films, due out on 26th November 2019. The new set of stamps features
characters and iconic vehicles from the film series, in time for the release of the final installment of
the Skywalker saga; Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker, due for UK cinema release on 19th
December 2019. The original trilogy of films (released between 1977 and 1983) was made at
Elstree and Shepperton Studios in the UK. The producers of the series, Lucasfilm and Disney,
decided to return to a British studio and crew whose expertise contributed to the success of the
original movies. The final trilogy of movies has been filmed at Pinewood Studios, Buckinghamshire
and the Royal Mail stamps celebrate the British contribution to Star Wars, and mark the world event
of the release of the concluding episode and culmination of the Skywalker saga.
The new set of 10 characters complete the 30 stamp Star Wars collection from across all three epic
trilogies. All 10 characters are original, exclusive illustrations by digital artist and Star Wars fan
© Ridgewood Publishing www.smilers-info.com | January 2020
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Malcolm Tween who has blended the main images with background scenes to create striking and
hyper-realistic montages. The set includes much-loved characters from the original trilogy such as
Wicket Ewok and Lando Calrissian but also introduces three brand-new characters from the latest
blockbuster: The Rise of Skywalker. As you may imagine, all manner of goodies are on offer from
Royal Mail for this bumper stocking filler issue including a set of 10 x 1st class stamps, retail booklets
(6 x 1st), prestige stamp booklets, limited edition prestige stamp booklets, presentation packs, Mini
Sheets (with and without barcodes), First Day Covers, composite collector sheets of all 30 x 1st star
wars stamps, generic collectors sheets (10 x 1st self adhesive), First Day Covers for sets, mini
sheets, collector sheets, framed sets, packs, sheets, etc., etc.,
That said, there are at least a couple of items that may be of interest to Smilers sheet collectors! The
first is a composite sheet comprising all thirty (30) different character stamps which have appeared
across Royal Mail’s Star Wars trilogy of issues. Set against the striking backdrop of Darth Vader, we
will be stocking this sheet priced at £27.95 including p+p. The main event for us Smilers collectors is
a new generic sheet featuring, similar in concept and design to the previous two Star Wars generic
sheets.
© Ridgewood Publishing www.smilers-info.com | January 2020
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This A4-sized collector sheet contains each of the 10 new Star Wars character stamps. The
background depicts a key scene from The Force Awakens in which the Resistance launch an attack
on Starkiller Base. As may be less obvious, this A4 sheet is Self-Adhesive and as a result these
stamps vary from the standard set which are conventionally Gummed. Our Price: £12.95 + p+p.
(15/11)
Manchester United
Recently I received this image from a long time contributor which looks to be one half of a business
customised stamp sheet, issued in 2013 to commemorate Manchester United's success as
Premiership champions in the 2012-2013 season.
© Ridgewood Publishing www.smilers-info.com | January 2020
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The striking thing for me about this image is not the fact that Manchester United won the Premiership
(remember those days?) but that I have only ever seen this format used once before in the guise of
the Oddfellows sheet issued in 2010 (BC276a).
© Ridgewood Publishing www.smilers-info.com | January 2020
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Returning to the Manchester United find, what I find slightly puzzling about this sheet is that if it were
a genuine Business Customised sheet produced privately to commemorate this event then at least
200 half sheets would exist as the minimum print run was 100 sheets of 20 stamps/labels. If
produced for the club's mail shots then I would have thought some of these smilers stamps/labels
would have turned up in kiloware.
More likely, in my opinion, is that this was an in-house job produced my a keen Man United
supporter, perhaps as a marketing tool, but one that never made it off the drawing board. However, I
will keep an open mind and I encourage readers to write in with any comments or suggestions if they
have information which can shed any light on its provenance. (10/11)
Direct Marketing Awards 2019
Royal Mail has been spotted offering a personalised stamp service at the recent DMA (Direct
Marketing Awards) Shortlist Awards! It is a great shame in my view that the British public are
excluded from accessing this service and I think we should start a campaign to Bring Back Smilers
(but perhaps after the election)! (01/11)
Apollo 11 Generic Sheet - Bar Humbug!
Today I received a pro-forma invoice from Royal Mail for some items I buy on standing order. This is
called an Order Advice Note and it lists forthcoming purchases and provides a summary costing This
additional new issue is due out on 26th November 2019 and one particular item caught my eye.
• Apollo Stamp Set
• Apollo Generic Sheet
• Apollo Mini Sheet BC
• Apollo 6 x 1st Bk
© Ridgewood Publishing www.smilers-info.com | January 2020
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• Apollo PSB
From the above it would appear that an as yet unnamed Generic Smilers sheet is due for issue on
the 26th November 2019, the third in as many weeks! My first thought was that the name linked to
another well known anniversary this year but I was reminded of a certain astral episodic event due
out soon (I believe it is Episode 9!) and that may well explain the connection. (25/10)
Christmas 2019 Generic Sheet
Royal Mail have announced details of their 2019 Generic Christmas sheet due to be released on 5th
November 2019. In addition to a set of eight new stamps, a mini sheet and other collectible products
Royal Mail will release a generic Smilers sheet.
GS-120
The sheet will comprise 8 x 2nd, 8 x 1st, 1 x £1.35 1 x £1.55, 1 x £1.60 and 1 x £2.30 stamps and
labels, complete with illustrated, starry background. The original artwork circulated in the Philatelic
Key News publication featured a different image incorporating a quote from The King James Bible,
however this seems to have been dropped in the final release artwork - we shall have to wait and see
which one is correct!
© Ridgewood Publishing www.smilers-info.com | January 2020
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The price direct from Royal Mail for this sheet is £18.40 and we will be stocking this sheet as usual
for our overseas clients and others priced at £25.00 plus £2 p+p. It will be available for dispatch by
5th November 2019. Please e-mail me with your requirements in the first instance. (07/10)
The Gruffalo Generic Sheet
On 10th October 2019 Royal Mail plan to issue, in addition to a set of six new stamps, a mini sheet
and other collectible products, a brand new generic Smilers sheet comprising 10 x 1st class stamps
and labels featuring four new stamp designs as featured in the mini sheet issued as part of Royal
Mail's latest mega media Gruffalo issue. The issue is timed to coincide with the the 20th anniversary
of The Gruffalo, a 1999 children’s picture book.
GS-119
Whilst the stamp designs may have an appeal with younger children, I do not expect this media-
based issue will be very popular with the British stamp collecting community. Despite an apparent
appeal with the younger generation, unfortunately for Royal Mail they don't buy many stamps! Taking
into account Royal Mail's falling share price and tumbling profits there appears to be no evidence that
these so-called pop-culture issues add any value to Royal Mail as far as its shareholders are
concerned. Is it not time that Royal Mail re-thought their special stamps issue strategy and selected
more traditional themes that the stamp buying public can get excited by? Have your say over on our
Smilers-Blog page. (05/10)
© Ridgewood Publishing www.smilers-info.com | January 2020
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