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Nairn Publicity Envelopes

   

The Pages related to the Nairn Publicity Envelopes have been complete modified to reflect the latest research. Based on that research the most comprehensive article written by me had been published in "London Philatelist", the Publication of the Royal Philatelic Society of London, September 2013, Pages 262-273.

 

In that article a complete new numbering and classification for these envelopes has been introduced which is shown below. Furthermore, the menu structure reflects this numbering scheme.

Listing of the different types of the Nairn Publicity Envelopes

 

For many years, the listing of the advertising envelopes as found in the Collins monograph was the status quo for them. Norman had listed all adverting envelopes known to him at the time of publishing the monograph. In addition, he mentioned the quantity of known copies of the respective envelopes and the earliest and latest dates of use. The numbers mentioned in the monograph are outdated today and therefore not repeated here.

Due to the additionally known types, it is necessary to completely revise the classification introduced by Collins and extend it to add the additional known types and subtypes. All the types cited below are identified with new numbering (Fuchs).

A timeline is provided for the different company names and are matched to the types of advertising envelopes.

 

Type
(Fuchs)

Type
(Collins)

Shape of Back flap

Size in mm (if known)

1

NL

Most likely 154 x 122 mm

2a

NPE-1

159 x 96 mm

2b

---

 

240 x 107 mm

2c

---

 

Approx. 158 x 129 mm, graphically calculated based on the image available

2c

---

 

Approx. 163 x 131 mm, graphically calculated based on the image available. It cud well be that the size of that copy is identical to to one above.  (Collection Zvi Alexander).

3

NPE-5

 

154 x 122 / 125 mm. (Envelope is not in exact rectangular shape)

4

NPE-6

 

Most likely 154 x 122 mm

5a

NPE-2

 

159 x 96 mm

5b

---

 

240 x 107 mm

6

NL

 

154 x 122 mm

7a

NPE-3

Angular, usage date 29 July 1937

151 x 93 mm

Angular, usage date 23 December 1937

159 x 95 mm

Angular, usage date 26 February 1938

158,5 x 95,5 mm

Round, usage date 28 February 1940

158,5 x 96,5 mm

Round, usage date 28 April 1940

158 x 95 mm

7b

---

240 x 107 mm

7c

---

Approx. 254 x 178 mm

7d

---

Approx. 280 x 222 mm

8

NPE-4

Most likely 154 x 122 mm

Legend

NL

=

This main type is not known by Collins

---

=

This format / size is not known by Collins

 

 

 

As now demonstrated for the first time, there are different variants of each envelope type. This has prompted a complete revision of the numbering system used by Collins. While this may lead to some discussion, the number of collectors for these items is quite small and changes in numbering due to new research is nothing extraordinary in other areas. There may be other distinguishing features of the paper, e.g., colour, shape of the flap, etc., but the small number of known items and available material does not make deeper research practical.

 

In Types (Fuchs) 3, 4 and 6, the distance between "Rutba REST HOUSE / directed by" to the round logo differs. This is attributed to two-step printing at different times. The use of these types after the company changed its name is simply the consumption of remaining stock.

 

Norman J. Collins reported in his monograph the number of items known by him as they had been reported by follow collectors. The numbers of known pieces noted there are now obsolete, so they are not repeated here. However, the old figures are still used by dealers and auction houses to suggest greater rarity than exists. Still, it must be said very clearly that these publicity envelopes are quite rare; however, the often demanded prices of € 500 - 1000 (£ 400 – 800, US-$ 600 - 1200) for the more common types are exaggerated. From some of the types, only one or two items are known.  For some of the more common types, eight to ten examples are reported. Even today, new and previously unknown types and items are being discovered. Other types and subtypes have yet to be recognized. To discover and publicise them is the author’s goal. 

 

Please continue reading with Type 1 of the Nairn advertising envelopes