The variable value stamps for immediate use

In July 1998, Correo Argentino launched an ambitious plan to automate the company's business network, with the opening of new multi service branches. This involved the replacement of equipment, the computerization of all operations in the 200 automated Correo post offices (268 in February 2002), and the introduction of new products and services.

This process started at 5 Correo branches in Buenos Aires, - Chacarita, Flores, Plaza Las Heras, Plaza San Martin and Martinez. The branches were connected through a centralized computer system for the management of postal services, and postal counters were provided with computer equipment issuing variable value stamps for immediate use. The stamps are printed by a Zebra A100 thermal printer (left) connected to the computer equipment. The postal employee weighs the letter or package, selects the destination, the shipment type or service, and the system issues the corresponding variable value stamp (called 'marbete autoadhesivo' in Argentina), which is printed on thermal self-adhesive labels with a preprinted design.

As usual, because of the conditions of issue and use, these stamps have been systematically ignored by the philatelic publications and despised by most collectors. It does not help that the thermal printing on preprinted labels, makes the mid-term preservation difficult, especially in those areas covered with colour. As in Spain, these are authentic everyday stamps, extensively used for postage, and they make up a very interesting chapter of the recent postal history of the country.

The printers use rolls of 1,500 self-adhesive thermal paper labels with security cuts, printed by flexography. The size is 55 x 38 mm. All the information on these stamps is printed in 3 sections.
Upper section:
- In the first line, the face value in pesos ($), and the date of issue.
- In the second line, a 3-letter code indicating the shipment type or service (see table below). A special code (CM in the picture below) could also appear on some stamps, as well as an indication of any added value (eg, ESCA$ and value in $, corresponding to the additional purchase of a sello postal de alta seguridad, a highly secure stamp for sealing a standard postal box.
Central block (right-aligned text until 2002 - see images below):
- In the first line, and only found on some stamps, a special note indicating the late deposit at the branch (BLK. HORARIO 2 in the image corresponds to a postal piece franked after 17:00).
- In the second line, the weight of the postal item. On some labels it is possible to find additional information (like C.R.$ and the value in $ for the payment on delivery services and / or declared value, for example, and the amount to be charged to the addressee).
- In the third line, the code and name of the postal branch.
The bottom block is printed on the reserved white horizontal strip at the base of the labels. The impression is formed by a linear bar code, which was printed on all stamps until around January 2008, and uses a 26-digit operational code. Since 2008 only this type of code number is printed on the stamps.

	Face value	Date of issue
	Shipment type	Added value
	Note indicating the late deposit at post office
	Weight of the postal piece	Other info
	Code and name of the postal branch
	Bar code (until January 2008)
	Operation code

Table with some usual shipment and/or service codes
CCP	Carta Certificada Plus (Domestic Registered letter)	NCC	Nacional Carta Certificada (Domestic Registered letter)
CEP	Carta Expreso Plus (Domestic urgent letter)	NCD	Nacional Carta Documento (Domestic document letter)
CFN	Carta Factura Nacional (Domestic Invoice letter)	NCE	Nacional Certificado Expreso (Domestic urgent registered)
CRP	Carta Rápida Plus (Domestic urgent letter)	NCP	Nacional Carta Plus (Domestic letter)
ENI	Encomienda Internacional (International packet)	NCR	Nacional Carta Rápida (Domestic urgent letter)
ICC	Internacional Carta Certificada (International registered letter)	NCS	Nacional Carta Simple (Domestic letter)
ICS	Internacional Carta Simple (International letter)	NEC	Encomienda Nacional (Domestic packet)
IIS	mm	NIM	Nacional Impresos Mailing (Domestic printed matter)
IPC	mm	NPM	Nacional Promo Mailing (Domestic printed matter)
JPC	Jet Paq Clásico (International packet)	NVC	Nacional Valor Declarado Certificado (Domestic declared value registered)
JPS	Jet Paq Super-urgente (International urgent packet)	NVE	Nacional Valor Declarado Expreso (Domestic declared value urgent)
JPU	Jet Paq Urgente (International urgent packet)	SPC	Sobre Protector Certificado (Protective envelope registered)
Ley 23789	Working telegram, Law nr. 23789	Uso Int + code	Only for internal-postal use

Adjust or calibration printer strip

8 different label designs have been produced since July 1998 up to the date of writing this article (March 2011). Some of these designs have been used for many years, with some reprints that can be recognized with a detailed study of the labels, although this is a work that remains for more specialized study and is beyond the scope of this introductory article.

There is no official information from Correo Argentino. Different designs have been manufactured, distributed and used in branches until exhausted. In most cases it is not possible to know the exact dates of first usage, and even less, the last, as the rolls are stored in postal facilities and branches, and are used in no particular order. Therefore, the dates indicated below should be considered approximate and subject to revision, as more information is known about these issues.

	Design 1
	Yellow background, with no frame line, and a white strip in the lower part. On the left, the small Correo Argentino logo and vertical text arranged in 3 lines. Used during the first tests and over the following months.
	Design 2
	Pink background with blue perimeter frame line and white strip in the lower part. On the left, the small Correo Argentino logo and vertical text arranged in 3 lines. On the right, the vertical code, 02-060-0696. Used from late 1998 and in 1999.
	Design 3
	Yellow background in different shades, with blue perimeter frame line and white strip in the lower part. On the left, a larger Correo Argentino logo with orange dotted design. Vertical texts arranged in 4 lines. On the right, a new vertical code 0105-00696, also printed in all the following designs. Used possibly from late 1999. There are some reprints.
	Design 4
	Argentina flag design, with blue perimeter frame line and white strip in the lower part. On the left, a dark blue block with logo and text CORREO ARGENTINO, a yellow vertical line, and the text CORREO OFICIAL DE LA REPUBLICA ARGENTINA in 2 lines. Used possibly since 2003. There are some reprints.
	Design 5
	Identical to the previous design, with the flag of Argentina, blue perimeter frame line and white strip in the lower part. The difference is in the vertical text on the left, CORREO OFICIAL DE LA REPUBLICA ARGENTINA S.A. (The company was privatised in 1997, and went back to state-owned in late 2003, as Correo Oficial de la República Argentina S.A. - CORASA). Used possibly from late 2005. There are some reprints.
	Design 6
	Design with the marca país Argentina (Argentina country brand) logo, with blue perimeter frame line and white strip at in the lower part. On the left, a dark blue block with larger logo and the text CORREO ARGENTINO, a yellow vertical line, and 1-line of text CORREO OFICIAL DE LA REPUBLICA ARGENTINA S.A. Used from late 2007.
	Design 7
	Similar to the previous design with Argentina country brand logo, but WITHOUT a frame line, and lower white strip. On the left, a dark blue block with the logo and text CORREO ARGENTINO, a yellow vertical line, and text CORREO OFICIAL DE LA REPUBLICA ARGENTINA S.A. Used since mid-2008.

Some reprints with the same design have been produced. We can identify one of them by the roll's adhesive sealing label. The reprint was manufactured in October 2009. The total production was 3,570,000 labels, 2,380 rolls of 1,500 labels.

2010 marks an interesting turning point for these issues, from the point of view of their study and collecting. After 12 years of issues with basic designs, the first design that we could consider as a commemorative was launched in March 2010, and the first stamps with a special temporary printing came in September.

Design 8

The first commemorative edition of self-adhesive labels is dedicated to the Bicentenary of the May Revolution. The design by the philatelic department was based on an illustration of Hernán Berdichevsky and Gustavo Stecher, by estudio imagenHB, and shows the Bicentenary logo, with no perimeter frame line, blue block on the left with the information about the postal administration, as in the previous issue.

The rolls of self-adhesive thermal labels were manufactured by local company Achernar, S.A., which also produced -possibly- most of previous designs.

Correo Argentino announced the release through the philatelic leaflet 1166, along with the issue of a 'traditional' stamp, on March 6th 2010, dedicated to the same event (right picture and below, left, first day cover). They even established a date of circulation for the variable value stamp, from March 26th 2010, although there was no branch using the label that day, and the first stamps bearing this design were issued a few days later, on March 31st (image below, right).

With the removal of the bar code imprints, in early 2008, there is space above the numeric code on the bottom of the stamps. So it was thought that use could be made of this space to print some temporary text or special announcement, and some tests were made but which were not continued.

Years later, in mid August 2010, there was a new test in the Buenos Aires central post office and, finally, in early September 2010, the special text 'DETENER LA DISCRIMINACION es clave en la PREVENCION del VIH' (Stop discrimination is key to HIV prevention) was programmed. This text was printed on all variable value stamps issued for about three months, from early September 2010 until December 5th 2010, in all the automated postal branches throughout the country, that were connected to the Correo Argentino central computer system. Correo Argentino increased some of its postal rates on December 6th 2010. For example, the basic rate for a domestic letter up to 20 g. went from $ 1.50 to $ 2.00. With the reprogramming of postal rates in the software, they also removed this first special text. A very interesting experience that could continue in future.

Design 9

Similar design to number 7, with the marca país Argentina (Argentina country brand) logo. On the left, a dark blue block with the new CORREO ARGENTINO logo. Used since September 2013. Manufactured in rolls of 1,500 self-adhesive thermal paper labels with 6 security cuts and printed by flexography. The size is 55 x 38 mm. The vertical code 0105-00696 printed on most of the designs corresponds to the internal form number for this type of label.

Coinciding with the commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the renationalization of Correo Argentino by the Argentine government, the company undertook a major rebranding with a new logotype and visual identity.

The images shows two variable value stamps for domestic (NCS - Nacional Carta Simple) and international (ICS - Internacional Carta Simple) letters.

More information about the variable value stamps for immediate use, see article >, also published in VARIABLE 15.

These stamps were printed by thermal transfer on white self-adhesive labels. The size is 40 x 23-25 ​​mm. As shown in the pictures below, there are many design variations, imprint types and fonts, but all them include, in addition to face value, the Correo Argentino logo, and the text CORREO OFICIAL and REPUBLICA ARGENTINA.

Article realized with the collaboration of Eduardo L. Cappa, Guillermo Jalil, Juan Pablo Miri, Carlos A. Redondo, Horacio Rocha, Alejandro E. Spiaggi and the Foro de Filatelia Argentina community.