Horizon Label Royal Mail.h (International / Within EU)

Since the introduction of automated tills at Post Office branches, white rectangular postage labels have replaced stamps on many letters, packets and parcels. Such labels are generally referred to as Horizon labels, after the name of the PO computer system concerned. Initially, all first-class items bore labels showing 1st, and second class showing 2nd, with bilingual versions in Wales.

From 9th November 2007, the service indicators for inland letter mail on the Postage Labels dispensed at Post Office branch counters were changed, to facilitate the separation of mail into the categories introduced in 2006 by “Pricing in Proportion” – Letters, Large Letters and Packets. The indicators 1 for all first class letter mail and 2 for all second class were replaced by:

1L, 1LL and 1PK for the three categories of first class
2L, 2LL and 2PK for the three categories of second class.

However, from 27th July 2009, the indicators for Large Letters were changed to 1LG and 2LG, with BLG for BFPO mail. At the same time, the indicator for International Airsure letters was changed to AAX.

The service indicator in the top segment shows 1st for first class, A for international airmail, S for international surface mail, SD for special delivery, and P for parcels. Earlier PF had been used for parcels indicating 'ParcelForce' the division of Royal Mail responsible for parcels at that time.

From 26th September 2011, a change in software to distinguish the VAT status of transactions resulted in additional characters being added to each label. These consist of lower-case letter after "Royal Mail", and a number after "POSTAGE PAID UK".

Useful information,

Royal Mail.b : 1st Class Recorded Letter 1L
Royal Mail.c : 1st Class Large Letter (£1.46)
Royal Mail.d : 1st Class Recorded Packet in 251-500g price band (£3.25)
Royal Mail.d : 1st Class Packet (£1.96 or £2.48)
Royal Mail.g : 2nd Class Packet (501-750g) Recorded - £3.38
Royal Mail.g : 2nd Class Packet (101-250g) - £1.72
Royal Mail.y : Special Delivery between 2kg & 10kg

Notes

This label was glued onto 162 x 230 mm brown envelope.

As the addresses were sellotape instead of glued, therefore I have to remove both of the addresses labels for proper conservation.

The hard paper on the back was also removed as to avoid future complication during storage as it leaves vertical impression on the horizon label.

It was posted on Monday, 15 October 2012 and received on Thursday, 18 October 2012. Four days.

From the Label

A : International Airmail

Royal Mail.h : Airmail within EU countries and Signed for.

Original Characters

        A
Royal   Mail.h
POSTAGE PAID UK.4
15/10/12 £1.66    BH16
266508        2-3462418

Addresses

Sender: Poole, Dorset BH16 5BG, United Kingdom
Recipient: San Lorenzo, 07812 Ibiza, Baleares, Spain.