Portugal (2010).
ATM issues 'Ano Europeu do Combate à Pobreza e à Exclusão Social' |
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| Because recent Correios de Portugal ATM issues are not particularly attractive, from a collecting viewpoint, it is likely that very few collectors will have been attracted by their themes or designs. However they are fulfilling a great social function, and a good proof of this is the first ATM series of 2010, commemorating the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. |
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The European Union is one of the richest areas in the world, but because 17% of EU citizens have such limited resources they cannot afford the basic needs. In the case of Portugal, 18% of the population is at risk of poverty !. Faced with this serious social problem, Correios de Portugal - CTT carried out a charity project, using its establishment and transportation resources throughout the country, for which any citizen could help the different national institutions of social solidarity. This interesting initiative, registered in the company social responsibility policy, was carried out between December 1st 2008 and August 31st 2009.
In 2010, the Correios de Portugal ATM issues, dedicated to promoting the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion, include the logo of the European campaign, in a composition by the designer Ana Bela Silva.
This time, the rolls of self-adhesive labels were manufactured by the homeland company Litho Formas Portuguesa, which also manufactured the rolls of some of the ATM issues in the '90s. |
| Leaflet of the CTT campaign, with an ATM and the first day of issue commemorative postmark. |
According to the distributors in service at the time of issue, the rolls of self-adhesive labels were manufactured in 2 different sizes, - 55 x 30 mm., on waxed paper of 60 mm. width, to be used in Amiel, SMD and NewVision Epost vending machines, and 80 x 30 mm., on waxed paper of 85 mm. width, for the Crouzet distributors.
Each label has a preprinted number on the back of the waxed paper indicating the quantity of labels issued. |
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| After some changes of date, the new issue was finally available in vending machines from April 11th 2010. The first day of issue was timed to coincide with the arrival of Pope Benedict XVI to Lisbon, in a 4-day visit, during which he also visited Fatima and Porto. A wise decision indeed, if we consider the theme of the issue, and the thousands of pilgrims from around the world who visited the country at that time, but which complicated matters for collectors who wanted to obtain the first day material. |
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As in previous designs, it was possible to obtain this issue normally with up to 8 different printing varieties, corresponding to the 4 types of ATM distributors in service, and the use of black (the most common) and purple (the very rare) ink cartridges.
With no change in postal rates from January 1st 2009, the 7 values programmed into the majority of Amiel, SMD and NewVision machines, on the date of issue, were: 0.32, 0.54, 0.57, 0.68 and 0.80 EUR, and CORREIO AZUL 0.47 and 1.85 EUR.
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Sets Correio Normal |
Correio Azul |
| Issue (11.5.2010) |
0.32 - 0.54 - 0.57 - 0.68 - 0.80 |
0.47 - 1.85 |
| 0.32 - 0.60 - 0.57 - 0.68 - 0.80 * |
* Some machines have the second button which issues the value 0.60 EUR instead of 0.54 (see tariffs), programmed for domestic shipments up to 100 g.
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ATMs with the first values of Correio Normal (Normal - priority mail) and Correio Azul (Express post) issued by the AMIEL vending machines, using black printing. |
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ATMs issued by the AMIEL vending machine, special purple printing. |
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ATMs with the basic values of Correio Normal and Correio Azul issued by the NEWVISION vending machine, black printing. |
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ATMs issued by the NEWVISION vending machine, special purple printing. |
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ATMs with the basic values of Correio Normal and Correio Azul issued by the SMD vending machine, black printing. |
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ATMs issued by the SMD vending machine, special purple printing. |
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| The Crouzet distributors in Portugal are installed in the entrance halls to or within the post offices, and are therefore usually in good working condition. However, after nearly 20 years in service, there are fewer machines in operation, being replaced by new NewVision postal kiosks. |
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The Crouzet distributors allow the direct purchase of only the lowest basic values for domestic normal and express mail (0.32 EUR and CORREIO AZUL 0.47 EUR for this issue). The remaining values, from a programmed minimum value, can be obtained by keying in the amount or by using the scales and indicating the destination and type of shipment. It is possible to obtain ATMs with a face value starting from EUR 0.01, (see pictures below), when the distributor does not have the right value of coins for change, which is typical in this machine type, because of a common coins recycling malfunction. In this case, the machine offers the user the choice of receiving change, by issuing a stamp, or to cancel the operation.
If required, the machine can issue a receipt, printed on another self-adhesive label of the same design.
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| Correio Normal and Correio Azul ATMs sold
by a CROUZET distributor, impression in black |
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| ATM receipt, first day of issue, and small value 0.01 EUR, issued
by a CROUZET distributor, impression in black |
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| Correio Normal and Correio Azul ATMs sold by a CROUZET distributor, special impression in purple |
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| Test printing and small value 0.01 EUR, issued by a CROUZET distributor, special impression in purple |
For this issue the philatelic service prepared illustrated first day envelopes and commemorative postmarks for Lisbon and Porto.
Right picture, Official first day cover (1º dia de Circulação), with the set of Correio Normal issued by an SMD vending machine - black imprint, and Porto commemorative postmark.
Below, detail of the Lisboa first day postmark, and first day cover mailed to Spain, franked with an Amiel ATM - special purple imprint, and Lisboa commemorative postmark. |
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| Postal rates programmed in the ATM vending machines Amiel, NewVision and SMD (EUR) |
| , |
Correio normal |
Correio Azul |
| Change of postal rates |
Domestic,
up to 20 g.
normalized |
Domestic,
up to
100 g. |
Spain,
up to 20 g. |
Europe,
except Spain,
up to 20 g. |
Rest of the world,
up to 20 g. |
Domestic,
up to 20 g.
normalized |
International
up to 20 g. |
| 1.1.2002 |
0.27 |
0.45 |
0.46 |
0.54 |
0.70 |
0.43 |
1.75 |
| 1.1.2003 |
0.30 |
0.46 |
0.47 |
0.55 |
0.70 |
0.43 |
1.75 |
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Domestic,
up to 20 g.
normalized |
Domestic,
from 20 to 50 g.
normalized |
Domestic,
up to
100 g. * |
Spain,
up to 20 g. |
Europe,
except Spain,
up to 20 g. |
Rest of the world,
up to 20 g. |
Domestic,
up to 20 g.
normalized |
International
up to 20 g. |
| 1.1.2004 |
0.30 |
0.45 |
0.48 |
0.48 |
0.56 |
0.72 |
0.45 |
1.75 |
| 1.1.2005 |
0.30 |
0.46 |
0.49 |
0.48 |
0.57 |
0.74 |
0.45 |
1.75 |
| 1.5.2006 |
0.30 |
0.48 |
0.50 |
0.52 |
0.60 |
0.75 |
0.45 |
1.80 |
| 1.1.2007 |
0.30 |
0.50 |
0.55 |
0.52 |
0.61 |
0.75 |
0.45 |
1.85 |
| 1.8.2008 |
0.31 |
0.55 |
0.60 |
0.57 |
0.67 |
0.80 |
0.47 |
1.85 |
| 1.1.2009 |
0.32 |
0.54 |
0.60 |
0.57 |
0.68 |
0.80 |
0.47 |
1.85 |
| * This value appears from 2005 programmed in some of the Amiel, NewVision and SMD ATM vending machines, instead of the value of Domestic Correio normal (inland normal mail) between 20 and 50 g. |
ATM Web - Spain and Latin American Postal Services: http://www.ateeme.net
© J. Jove - M. Sans. ATEEME. Variable value stamps study group. All rights reserved
This page was created in May 2010 and last updated:
07.06.10
. English edition rewritten by S. Goodman (05.06.2010)
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