# Ireland

* Early meter stamps of Ireland are inscribed “SAORSTAT EIREANN”, and later ones show a variation of “EIRE” in the frank. Some post office meters do not show the country name and can be recognized only by the town name, an image of a harp, “POSTAS IOCTHA” (Postage Paid) or “POST NA MBEART” (Parcel Post).
* Many Irish meter types do not show leading zeros in the value figures (V/F). Several meter types show no or only one leading zero for low denominations (e.g. 3 or 03) although they are capable of printing values up to 999½.
* The stamps are grouped according to political conditions and inscription:
    A – Irish Free State: SAORSTAT EIREANN
    B – Republic: éIRe
    PO – Special stamps generated only by Post Office meters
    PP – Special stamps generated only for Parcel Post

## GROUP A: Irish Free State, inscribed “SAORSTAT EIREANN”

A1. Universal "Midget" (FV-2, -3 or -5), 1926.
    Single line simulated perforation outer border.
    Country inscription at top, “EIREANN” 19 mm wide.
    Value figure as number and printed out in curved Gaelic within circle in center.
    M# normally with “M” prefix at bottom.
    TM: DC
    Values: ½, 1, 2
                                                 Values: 3, 6 [Scarce]
                                                    a. Meter number without "M" prefix: 6 and 7 known [Scarce]
A2. Neopost (FV-2, -3, -6), 1926.
    As Type A1 but “EIREANN” 15 mm wide.
    M# with “N” prefix.
                                                 A. Meter number very small, 1 mm tall
                                                 B. Meter number 2 mm tall
    TM: BIC variable in size
    Values: ½, 1, 1½, 2
    Values: 2½, 3, 6 [Scarce]
A3. Universal “H” (FV-5), 1929. [$100]
    As Type A1 but frank is smaller.
    M# “H1” only.
    TM: DC
    Values: ½, 2, 2½, 6, 9
A4. Universal “Multi-Value” (MV), 1934. [Scarce]
    Similar to previous types but no circle around value figures.
    M# with “U” prefix, U1 through U13 only.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 0/0(½ ) (to 29/11½) =/0(½) (to 9/11½) =(½) D (to 11½ D)

## GROUP B: Republic of Ireland, frank inscribed “éIRe”, “eIReIRe” or “ÉIRE”
#### Sub-group BA: Rectangular frank with simulated perforation outer frame line

BA1. Neopost (LV-?), 1938. [Scarce]
    “éIRe” curved at top, “POSTAS” curved at bottom.
    M# with “N” prefix in lower left.
    Value figure in circle in center with value spelled out.
    Meters N18, N26, N28, N33, N41 and N51 known.
    Values: ½, 1, 1½, 2, 2½, 3, 6, 9, 1/–
BA2. Universal “Midget” (FV-2, -3, -5), 1938.
    No circle around V/F.
    M# with “M” prefix.
    With Gaelic “Ꝺ“ value indicator.
    TM: DC
    Values: ½, 1, 1½, 2, 2½, 3
    Values: 4, 5, 6, 6½, 9, 1/– [Scarce]
BA3. Neopost (LV-6), 1940. [Scarce]
    As Type BA1 but without circle around value figure.
    M# with large “N” prefix.
    “T” of “POSTAS” has curl in foot.
    Values under one shilling have Gaelic “Ꝺ“ indicator.
    TM: BIC
    Values: ½, 1, 1½, 2, 2½, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 1/–, 1ˢ/-, 1/1
BA4. Neopost (LV-6).
    As Type BA3 but “N” and M# prefix “N” are smaller, and the “T” of “POSTAS” does not have a strong curl.
                                                    A. 1941. Values under one shilling with Gaelic “Ꝺ“ indicator
                                                       Values: ½, 1, 1½, 2½, 3, 6, 8, 9, 11, 1/–, 1/1
                                                    B. 1950. Values under one shilling with English “D” indicator
                                                       Values: ½, 1, 1½, 2, 2½, 3, 3½, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 1/–
                                                       Values: 4½, 6½, 10, 11, 1/3, 1/5, 1/9, 2/– [Scarce]
    TM: BIC
BA5. Universal-Pitney Bowes “H” (FV-5), 1939. [$100]
    As Type BA2 but M# with “H” prefix.
    M# “H1” only.
    TM: DC
    Values known: ½, 2, 2½
BA6. Universal “Multi-Value” (MV), 1938.
    Frank is larger than earlier BA types, and value figures are different.
    M# with “U” prefix.
    TM: DC
    V/F: =/0(½) 0/0(½) without currency symbol
    V/F: =½ to 11½ with Gaelic “Ꝺ“ (U8-18)
    V/F: =½ to 11½ with English "D"
BA7. Neopost "Frankmaster" / "305" (MV), 1957.
    Similar to Type BA6 but “éIRe” larger.
    Variable spacing between TM and frank.
    M# with “NV” prefix.
                                                       A. “POSTAS” with deep curve, “NV” thick
                                                       B. “POSTAS” with shallow curve, “NV” thin
                                                 TM: DC
                                                 V/F: =0/0= (to 99/11½)
BA8. Pitney Bowes “Automax” (MV), 1958.
    Similar to Types BA6 and BA7 but M# with “A” prefix.
    Value figure lines uniform in thickness.
    TM: DC
    V/F: =0/0= (to 99/11½) 0/0 (to 9/11½)
BA9. Universal “Simplex” (LV-26), 1956.
    “éIRe” in panel at top.
    V/F in large circle in center.
    Vertical lines at sides.
    M# with “S” prefix.
                                                       A. Values with Gaelic “Ꝺ“ currency indicator (not shown)
                                                       B. Values with English “D” currency indicator
                                                    TM: DC
                                                    Values: =½ D to 11D, 1/–
BA10. Neopost “205” (MV), 1964.
    Square frank with slightly wavy single line frame.
    “éIRe” at top.
    “POSTAS” and M# in boxes at bottom.
    Narrow spacing between TM and frank.
    M# with “NP” prefix.
    Date figures tall.
                                           TM: BIC
                                           V/F: ★‘0- (to 9’11½)
BA11. Pitney Bowes-GB “5000” series (MV), 1967.
    Frank with single vertical ornament line at each side.
    M# breaks bottom frame line.
    M# with “P.B.” prefix.
    TM: DC
    V/F: ≋0/0= (to 99/11½)
BA12. Hasler “F88” (MV), 1971.
    Upright frank with inner frame around the V/F in the center.
    M# without prefix.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 00 (to 999½)

#### Sub-group BB: Open frank with shields in corners, columns at sides

BB1. Neopost “105” (LV). [Scarce]
    “éIRe” at top, “POSTAS” at bottom with M# beneath.
    M# with “N” prefix.
    TM: BIC
    Values: 2, 2½, 3, 3½, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 1/1, 1/3, 1/5, 1/9, 2/–
BB2. Neopost “205” (MV).
    Frank larger than Type BB1 but with much narrower spacing.
    M# with “NP” prefix.
    TM: BIC
    V/F: 00 (to 99) 00– (to 99½) ★‘0– (to 9’11½)
BB3. Neopost "Frankmaster" / "305" (MV).
    M# with “NV” prefix.
    Spacing between TM and frank variable but usually wider than on Type BB2.
    TM: BIC
    V/F: 00– (to 99½) =0/== (to 99/11½)
BB4. Neopost “405/505” (MV).
    Wide design.
    Date figures relatively short and wide, without stops.
    M# with “RV” prefix.
    TM: BIC
    V/F: 00 (to 99½) =0/== (to 99/11½)
BB5. Neopost “605” (Postalia “D3”) (MV).
    M# with “J” prefix.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 0D,= ≋00D

#### Sub-group BC: No outer frame line, bowed inner frame with petals in corners

BC1. Neopost “105” (LV-10), 1965. [Scarce]
    “éIRe” at top, M# at bottom.
    “POSTAS” vertical reading up at left and “IOCTHA” vertical reading down at right.
    M# with “N” prefix
    Values: 2, 2½, 3, 3½, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 1/1, 1/3, 1/5, 1/9, 2/–
BC2. Neopost “205/2205” (MV), 1964.
    “éIRe” at top, M# at bottom.
    “POSTAS” vertical reading up at left and “IOCTHA” vertical reading down at right.
    Date figures tall or short, narrow spacing between TM and frank.
    M# with “NP” prefix.
    TM: BIC
                                        V/F: 0 (½ to 99½) 00– (to 99½) ★‘0– (to 9’11½)
BC3. Neopost “305” (MV), 1965.
    M# with “NV” prefix.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 0 or 00 or 0 00 (to 9 99½) =0/== (to 99/11½)
BC4. Neopost “405/505” (MV), 1970.
    Wide frank M# with “RV” prefix.
    TM: DC
    V/F: ½ to 999½
BC5. 1967, Neopost “605” (Postalia “D3”) (MV).
    M# with “J” prefix.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 0 (½ to 99½) ≋≋0D (to 999 D)
BC6. Neopost “Electronic” (MV).
    Wide frank.
    Wide space between month and year figures in date.
    M# with “EF” prefix.
    TM: DC
    V/F: ≋00– ≋000
BC7. Neopost “IS” series (digital).
    Wide frank.
    Date figures small.
    M# with “IS” prefix.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 0000
BC8. Neopost “IJ65/75/85” (digital).
    As Type BC6 but date figures are larger and have centered stops.
    M# with "IJC" prefix
    TM: DC
    V/F: 0000
BC9. Neopost “IJ” series (digital).
    Similar to BC7 but the value figures are raised, higher than the level of the date figures.
    Value figures squarer (less oval) than with BC7 and BC8.
    M# with “IJ2” prefix.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 0000
BC10. Neopost “IS” series (digital).
    As Type BC9 but value figures lower than the level of the date figures.
    M# with “IJ3” prefix.
    TM: DC
    V/F: €0000
BC11. Neopost “SM24” or "SM26" (digital). [Appears to be scarce]
    Frank nearly square similar in size to Type BC6 but closely spaced to the town mark.
    M# with “EFC” prefix.
    TM: DC
    V/F: ≋000

#### Sub-group BD: Open design with curved frame line at top

BD1. Pitney Bowes-GB “Simplex” (LV-26).
    Small frank with “POSTAS” vertical at left and “IOCTHA” vertical at right.
    Wide spacing between TM and frank.
                                                       A. Wide spacing, M# with "PBS" prefix
                                                       B. Narrow spacing, M# with "PBR" prefix (not shown)
                                                    TM: DC
                                                    Value range: ½ to 12½, 30
BD2. Pitney Bowes-GB “Automax” (MV).
    M# with “P.B.A.” prefix.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 00 000
BD3. Pitney Bowes-GB “5000” series (MV).
    Date figures raised in relation to value figures.
    M# with “P.B.H”, “P.B.M”, “P.B.T” or “P.B.V” prefix.
                                              A. Narrow frank, 25-26 mm wide
                                              B. Wide frank 29 mm wide
    TM: DC
    V/F: 1 (to 999½) ≋000 ≋00≋
BD3.1. Pitney Bowes “R” (MV).
    As Type BD3 but date figures are smaller, and spacing between the town mark and frank is narrower.
    M# with "PBR" prefix.
    TM: DC
                      V/F: 00
BD4. Pitney Bowes-GB “6300” (MV).
    Similar to Type BD3 but date and value figures are on the same level.
    M# with “P.B.D.”, “P.B.I.” or “P.B.L.” prefix.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 00 (to 99½) ≋00 (to 999½) ≋000 (to 9999) ≋00≋ (to 9999)
BD5. Pitney Bowes-GB “6900” (MV).
    Large, tall frank.
    M# with “PBF” or PBG” prefix.
    TM: DC
    V/F: ≋000
BD6. Pitney Bowes-GB “A900” (MV).
    Wide frank.
    M# with “PB9” or “PBC” prefix.
    Value figures large.
    TM: DC
    V/F: ≋000
BD7. Pitney Bowes “PostPerfect” (digital).
    Frank wider than tall but not as wide as Type BD6.
    Value and date figures distinctive.
    M# with “PB7” prefix.
    TM: DC
    V/F: ≋000
BD8. Pitney Bowes “Paragon” (MV).
    Similar to Type BD5 but date and value figures are different.
    M# with “PBP” prefix.
    TM: DC
    V/F: ≋000
BD9. Pitney Bowes “PersonalPost” (digital).
    Wide frank similar to Type BD7.
    Can be most easily identified by the date and value figures which are less solid.
    M# with “PB55” prefix.
    TM: DC
    V/F: ≋000
BD10. Pitney Bowes “DM” series (digital).
    As Type BD8 but with column of numbers stacked at left of TM.
    Value figures quite narrow and slightly squarish.
    Known printed in blue as well as red.
    M# with “PB6” prefix.
    TM: DC
                                           V/F: 0000
BD11. Pitney Bowes “DM” series (digital).
    As Type BD10, but value figures are not narrow, and the date figures are short.
    Date figures are slightly higher than the value figures.
    M# with “PB15” prefix.
    Value figures large with oval zeros.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 0000
BD12. Pitney Bowes “DM” series (digital).
    As Type BD11 but the date and value figures are level.
    Value figures short with squarish zeros.
    M# with “PB4” prefix.
    TM: DC
                                           V/F: 0000
BD13. Pitney Bowes “DM” series (digital).
    Similar to Type BD10 but the value figures are more oval.
    Two columns of numbers/letters at left.
    M# with “PB8” prefix.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 0000
BD14. Pitney Bowes “Connect+” series (digital).
    Nearly identical to Type BD10 but with two columns of numbers/letters at left.
    M# with “PB6” prefix.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 0000
NOTE: The Connect+ model can print a multi-color slogan across the complete length of an envelope.

#### Sub-group BE: Frank with straight outer frame line

BE1. Hasler “Mailmaster” (MV).
    With inner frame line around everything except “EIRE” at top.
    M# with “HF” prefix.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 000 ≋000 ≋00≋
BE2. Frama "Sensonic” (digital).
    As Type BE1 but frank wider than tall.
    M# with “Fr” prefix.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 000 ≋000 ≋00≋

#### Sub-group BF: Frank is rectangle with "éIRe" and harps outside and above

BF1. Frama "Sensonic” (MV).
    Hoizontal rectangle with "éIRe" between two harps above.
    "POSTAS" stacked at left, "IOCTHA" stacked at right.
    M# at bottom with “FP” prefix.
    Transaction number reads up vertically at left of TM
    TM: DC
    V/F: 0000

## GROUP PO: Special stamps generated by machines at Post Office counters

PO1. Universal “Multi-Value” (MV), 1958.
    Long narrow horizontal rectangular frank with simulated perforation border.
    Without separate TM.
    Date at left, town line at bottom.
    Inscribed “ÉIRE/POSTAS” in large block letters.
    M#s U204, 205, 206 and 214 only
                                              V/F: 0/0(½) (U204, 205, 206) =/0(½) (U214)
PO2. Unidentified (digital dot-matrix), 2000.
    Printed in black on plain white adhesive label.
    Frameless design with “POSTA” and IOCTHA” stacked at the sides.
    Text from top down as follows:
                                                 ≋POST ÉIRE
                                                 SwiftPost IR£0.00
                                                 Postage Paid IR£0.00
                                                 Grof:#### date and time
                                                 ID number
PO3. Unidentified (digital-laser or inkjet), 2001.
    As Type PO2 but the printing is smoother, and the frank is much narrower.
    V/F: IR£0.00
PO4. Unidentified (digital).
    As Type PO3 but denominated in Euros.
                                              A. Data at bottom in two lines
                                              B. Data at bottom in three lines, with Post Office identification added, "Grof:" removed, and with "Reference No:" in front of the ID number
    V/F: EUR 00.00 or 00.00 EUR
PO5. Unidentified (digital).
    As Type PO2 but with postal logo "SDS" ÉIRE.
    Value figures preceded by "£".
    V/F: £00.00

## GROUP PP: Special stamps generated for Parcel Post

All stamps have “POST NA MBEART” or “P & T” in the frank and are printed on tape.
PP1. Ticket Issuing Machines Co. (LV-12), 1948. [Scarce]
    Wide rectangular design without outer frame. Boxed harp at left and postage value at right. Post office, date and “POST NA MBEART” in center.
    Without identification number.
                                           Value range: 8d to 3/–
                                                 a. Printed on pink instead of white paper. This identifies the stamp as a Specimen. [Rare]
PP2. Universal "Simplex" (LV-26), 1952. [Rare]
    Printed on tape with frank sometimes appearing left of the town mark (as shown).
    Frank with double line outer border, harp at top center.
    “POST NA/MBEART” at bottom center.
    Two stars at right of TM.
                                                 A. Identification number is small Roman numeral at lower left
                                                 B. Without identification number
                                           TM: DC
                                           Value range: 1d to 2/1
PP3. Plessey (MV), 1966.
    Large horizontal design consisting of connected boxes printed in purple.
    Town or station name at top center, the date in small boxes at bottom center.
    “P & T” or "pt" (Posts & Telegraphs) in box at left.
    Value figures in box at far right with “POSTAS” above and “IOCTHA” below.
    At left outside the frank is a box containing vertical bars.
                                                                   A. “P & T” stacked at left, without identification number [Scarce]
                                                                   B. Large “pt” at left with small identification number below [Very scarce]
    V/F: 0/ $^D$ £0.00
                                                                   a. Without the bar field at left