S7 - EXPO 2005 Aichi Japan

Next we come to one of the most interesting of the United Nations personalized sheets, the EXPO 2005 Aichi Japan sheet. This is primarily because of all the known and unknown varieties. The sheet was issued on 25 March 2005, still using the base stamps of Scott 853-857. Only 1,500 sheets were printed, and we know that there was 7 different printings. These frequent reprints resulted in at least 3 distinct varieties, and there may be others that have not been identified.

The most common sheet, which was probably the last one printed, is shown above. In the lower right hand selvage it has the words "Printed by the United Nations. © Japan Association for the 2005 World Exposition" printed directly on the sheet. It also has a caution in Japanese that reads, "Caution. These stamps are permitted for use only in the United Nations Pavilion at Expo 2005 and are not valid in Japan" also printed directly on the sheet.

The sheets did not start out this way. The first 100 sheets that were sold did not contain the licensed product seal and the warning was pasted on by a separate printed piece of paper that may not have been applied to all sheets. Only one of these sheets with neither the licensed product seal or pasted on warning is known in collector's hands, but others may exist. This sheet is shown below:


According to an article published in the United Nations Philatelist's Journal Vol 31 #4 by Ken Saski and also crediting Jim Matyasovich:

"The reason for this awkward change in text is as follows: The licensee of the sheet in Japan feared when they saw the first batch of 500 sheets from the UNPA, that the product might cause some confusion among the buyers in Japan. As the first day of issue was fast approaching and the licensee had no time to immediately reorder revised sheets, they decided to past the warning to the sheets. The sheets with the pasted warning (see below) were used for the first day of issue. By the time about 100 sheets had been sold, the revised sheets (very top scan) arrived and immediately replaced the (first) sheets on sale."

About 360 of the first 500 sheets were returned to the UNPA, including about 20 defective sheets. Presumably, this means only 140 are circulating. We also know that 55 of these first sheets were bought by the Japan Philatelic Agency (a stamp dealer) and some of these were canceled with their own rubber device.

Thus, we have at least 3 know varieties of this sheet, designated from top to bottom as S7, S7.1 and S7.2. It is possible that others might exist, so check your sheets and please report any new varieties so that they may be listed.