1954 Universal Multivalue U1 Metermark

It is the universal multivalue type with Chinthes and Pylons, inscribed UNION OF BURMA.  First machine of its type appeared in 1954, with license number U1.  Two types of U1 has been recorded.  The first type, which will be noted as U1a, is more rare variety and used for a short period only.  The main differentiation is the symbol between the K and P, U1a with the short vertical line and U1 with the pylon-shape ornament.  The specimen print of U1a is shown below with the value of 64K 78p.  The author has seen two such examples, one with the word "SPECIMEN" handstamped in turquoise color and set the value at 24K 35p.  Both bare the same date, 21 Jan 1954.   

Specimen print of U1a

Comparison of U1a (left) and U1 (right)

The date on the above sample can be assumed as the earliest date of usage, but in contradictory, no commercial usage was recorded until 1957.  According my records and study, U1a was recorded in use between 3 May 1957 to 1 August 1957.

U1a, earliest known usage

To date, U1 type is recorded in use from 11 November 1957 to 12 December 1957.  Other examples beyond that period is yet to discover.  Same as U1, with the pylon ornament, license numberU2 to U39 were also recorded.

Unengraved meter stamp of Myanmar in 2001

The meter stamp used in 2001 at Yangon GPO has ungraved rectangle with the opening for value figure.  According to the international postage meter stamp catalogue, it was appeared to be Frama "EPS" (MV).

It has been recorded in the Meter Stamp Society's quarterly bulletin Vol 63, No 3, Autumn 2011 page 11.  The screenshot for that report is shown below.  The bulletin can be downloaded at the Meter Stamp Society website.

The whole cover with this meter stamp is shown below.  The foreign postage at the time is 30 Kyats for the letter up to 20 grams. On the envelope, there is the hand writing saying the total postage of 33. Not sure what is extra 3 Kyats for.   PSE has postage of 2 Kyats and the PSE was uprated with meterfrank of 31 Kyats, making up 33 Kyats.

Another such meter stamp was recorded in The Burma Fantail, the Journal of the Burma (Myanmar) Philatelic Study Circle, Vol 2, No 3, July 2005, page 31.  It is assumed that the die was removed or covered.  And claimed the die was repaired.  The screenshot of the report is shown below.