SUCCESS should be on the cards for a Redditch collectors' group hoping to get the public's stamp of approval as it prepares to celebrate its 35th anniversary.

Redditch Philatelic Society has published a postcard featuring some of the nineteenth century postmarks of villages surrounding the town.

This is the second postcard published by the society. The first, also showing postmarks, was released for its 25th anniversary.

The new card (pictured below) features the postmarks of Alvechurch, Astwood Bank, Coughton, Crabbs Cross, Feckenham, Headless Cross, Studley and Tardebigg - spelt without the "e" - issued in the 1840s and 50s.

These postmarks are significant as they were the first to be issued to village post offices to identify where letters were posted but only showed the village name, not the date.

Only when an office did more than £1,000 of business a year was it issued a handstamp incorporating the date.

Some of the undated circular marks were only used for a short period of time so are extremely scarce.

Copies of the postcard cost 80p (including postage).

A limited number are also available with the new 68p stamp featuring a 1914 Royal Enfield T140 motorcycle and cancelled on July 19 with a new Redditch handstamp.

For more information, contact Alan Godfrey, 8 Gerard Road, Alcester, Warwickshire, B49 6QG.

The cards will also be on sale at the society's 35th anniversary stamp fair at Trinity High School, Easemore Road, on November 12.

Society meetings are held on the first Monday and Thursday of the month from September to June at St George's Community Hall from 8pm. New members are welcome.

For more details, visit the website: www.redditch-philatelic.org.uk