A Horizon label is an adhesive postage label that is a type of variable value stamp. The labels were introduced in the United Kingdom in 2002[1] as part of the computerisation of the counter services of the post office network of Royal Mail using the Horizon System.[2]
The labels received a frosty reception from philatelists initially as they were seen as replacing postage stamps, but as they have become more complex and more stamp-like, collectors have warmed to them and they have now become a popular collecting specialism in the U.K. and an established part of modern British postal history.[1]
Timeline
The first labels were large plain labels composed purely of text but later labels are of a gold colour with a Machin head and a repeating pattern of the words ROYALMAIL in order to prevent forgery.
The principal events in the development of the labels were:[3]
14 February 2002 – First labels used in about 1000 post offices. Plain white with straight edges.
30 April 2002 – Security slits added to prevent reuse.
August & September 2002 – Labels rolled out nationally.
April 2009 – Labels with simulated perforations appear.
May 2015 – "Pre-cancelled" labels trialled at the Europhilex exhibition with corner "Single Use Only" wording. Colour changed back to white. Subsequently used nationally.
September 2015 – Barcode added to the design.
Post Office training
The training of postal workers includes the use of voided horizon labels,[4] noted as early as 2003.[5]
