Self-inking postage stamps conquer the Netherlands
The replacement of the steel date stamps we are so familiar with in the Netherlands is proceeding at lightning speed. Many postal branches have already received the new, self-inking stamps. The intention is to have the exchange of the stamps completed at virtually all branches within the first half of this year—a gigantic task! Both TNT Post and Postkantoren BV are working hard on this.
The trial, which was conducted with the stamps from October 2006, can therefore be considered a success. However, stamps with a slightly smaller diameter are now being supplied than those from the first trial period. The stamp manufacturer is the firm Colop from Austria (Skopek Gesellschaft mbH & Co, KG), which has extensive experience in manufacturing automatic self-inking stamps, as they call the stamps. The firm Colop was founded in the city of Wels in 1980.
Because no central registration has taken place regarding the issuance of the stamps, it is not possible to compile a list of the dates when stamps were put into use. For stamp impression collectors, this presents a huge challenge to attempt to create a complete overview nonetheless. Do you want to know which TNT Post branches are located near you? Then go to www.tntpost.nl and click on 'search branches'. TNT Post currently has around 2.400 branches, so there is always one nearby. All nearby post offices and TNT Service Points, including addresses, can also be retrieved via the Postkantoren BV website. Then go to www.postkantoor.nl. Printing self-inking postmarks: a new collecting area! 
'@Cees
That 'self-inking' sounds nice, but what am I supposed to imagine? No more stamp pads, then? An ink reservoir in the stamping mechanism with a beeping chip when the ink runs out? 🙂
It works just like a stamp with your own name and address. The ink pad is located inside the stamp, and the 'plate' presses against it in the resting position. When the stamp impression is placed, the plate flips over (containing the adjustable date), and the impression is printed on the stamps (or something else). So, indeed, no more loose ink pads, but also no beeping chips. If the ink runs out, the pad inside the stamp is replaced by the counter employee.
'@ Cees,
I collect all stamps from Leiden. If I understand correctly, I now have to visit all post offices and service points and ask them to put a stamp on a letter sent to me personally? Will they cooperate with that?
Are there any alternatives to get Leiden complete?
Yes, Willem, you will have to cycle to all—I think 15—branches in Leiden to obtain impressions of the new stamps. But I don't know if all branches have received new stamps yet. And then, of course, the stamps at the counter are used for specific counter duties, so not primarily for stamping ordinary mail items. Think of registered mail with stamps affixed, parcels and packages, etc. A regular envelope with a stamp that needs to be sent goes in the mailbox. The counter employee is also not obliged to stamp a piece of mail presented that fits in the mailbox. It seems best to me to present the envelope with the stamp, ask for an impression, and arrange for home delivery yourself. That way, you can also be sure that the letter doesn't go through the stamping machine again.