UV and Potter 2

Normally we don't write about stamps that are mentioned in the novelties, but because of the actuality we had already in the former newsletter a short article about the series "Harry Potter", issued by the English Post, and its UV secrets.
The series contains not less than 15 stamps, included in 2 strips of 5 stamps with characters from the movies, and 1 block with five self-adhesive stamps that introduce the professors. For us only 1 of these stamps is interesting: the Hagrid on a motorcycle-sidecar combination stamp.

Rubeus Hagrid is a half-giant of 12 feet (ample 3.6 meters) who, as former student of Hogwarts, has been appointed to be groundsman of the Highschool of Sorcery. Already in the first movie (The Philosopher's Stone) Hagrid uses the flying motorcycle, which he once was allowed to borrow from Sirius Black. With this he delivered HP as baby to the Dursley Muggles.

Chinese postal stationery with Hagrid on the motorcycle on his way to the Dursleys (left)
and back to home (right)

Adress side of the postal stationery

J.K., the author of the books, has appointed at the sales of the rights that only English actors and attributes may be used. Therefore the motorcycle used in the first movie is an English solo Triumph, and the car a Ford Anglia.
In the Royal Mail 2018 issue however we see the Royal Enfield with sidecar that is used in the movie "The Deadly Hollows 1". Hagrid has to bring Harry on his motorcycle safely to "The Nest", which leads to a horrifying pursuit through the (Dartford) tunnel by Voldemorts helpers, the Dementors, which are also visible on the stamp. But for now enough about the movie.

Our motorcycle stamp has been printed as part of horizontal strips of 5 different stamps, in large sheets of 50 stamps, divided over 2 parts of 5 x 5 stamps each. In the middle between the stamp parts is a blank strip, which makes that so-called gutter pairs are formed (see image below).

A complete set of 15 stamps has a postal value of £ 10.50 (just less than €12.00), but this is not all. Royal Mail has also issued a so-called Smilers sheet. In this self-adhesive sheet are the 10 stamps with next to them labels with different images, belonging to the same stamp. For us this is a label with another image of Black's motorcycle.

During the pursuit by the Dementors Hagrid is hit by magic and loses consciousness. HP must now from the sidecar drive the Royal Enfield. And this is also something that the boy can manage!

The series has been issued on October 16th 2018, but on December 4th two prestige booklets followed. One is a "normal" book with 2 frontsides, in 2 parts that have been printed in opposite direction. Thus you have to flip the booklet over on the long side to open and view the other half.
If you open the book in one manner you will see the movie stamps. But they are connected in another way than in the large sheets, namely in blocks of 4 as part of the pages.

In the other manner you will find the professors and the Marauders Map, a map of all the secret paths.

The second prestige booklet is a Limited Edition, printed in 2000 pieces. It comes in a cover with on the inside information about the different departments on Hogwarts.

The frontside has an explosive look and the backside of the book has a more extensive map of all secret paths on Hogwarts, the so-called "Marauders map".

The Limited Edition priced at £ 45.00 had already been sold out far before the date of issue.

Off course Royal Mail has taken maximum advantage of this popular issue, and issued under direct management many kinds of articles. Two coin FDC's with a gold and silvered coloured coin, respectively with an image of Diagon Alley and of Hogwarts, and both also in a Silver-Medal version, a "character sheet" of each person with 5x the same stamp (but not from Hagrid), a series of framed versions and presentation possibilities, et cetera.

Although everyone in England may request a first day cancellation stamp, I could not discover a motorcycle in the 13 approved images.
The official Royal Mail FDC cancellation carries the name "Muggleswick, Consett", and could be obtained in London, Cardiff and Northern.

Hans de Kloet

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