item details
NameHawkins Rotex Machine decimal automatic stamp franking machine
ProductionC.R. Hawkins Ltd.; engineer; 1962; New Zealand
Classificationstamp boxes, machines
Materialsmetal, glass, wood, chromium
DimensionsOverall: 230mm (width), 185mm (height), 185mm (depth)
Registration NumberGH025088
Credit lineThe New Zealand Post Museum Collection, Gift of New Zealand Post Ltd, 2016
Overview
This Hawkins Rotex automatic stamp franking machine shows the shift to decimal franking in the 1960s. It could give impressions of 1/2 cent, 1 cent, 2 cent, 4 cent and 12 cent stamps.
It descends from Moss franking machines which were at the leading edge of postal technology in the early 20th century, enabling the quick and efficient stamping of large volumes of mail for businesses.
New Zealand engineer Ernest Moss invented 'Moss Machine No. 1' in about 1904, followed quickly by a series of innovative machines until the mid-1920s when C.R. Hawkins took over.