Smilers generic sheets : part 2

Abstract

The first part of this article under the heading 'Smilers' was published in MPS Journal Volume 34/3 which was issued in January 2006. It covered the first 29 Generic Sheets issued from May 2000 to Christmas 2005. This part covers the next 34 Generic Sheets issued from January 2006 to December 2009. A Generic Sheet is defined as one where the design on the label adjoining the stamps has been chosen by Royal Mail, and not customized by a member of the public; the latter are known as Smilers. There are a number of philatelists who are not in favour of these Generic Sheets, whereas others argue that they are simply there as an extra source of revenue for the Postal Authorities where, at the end of a financial year, the 'bottom line' is all that counts. Whatever :he pros and cons Generic Sheets have, no doubt, gained in popularity throughout the world and the forecast is that they are here to stay for a number of years ahead.