What are ATM ?      How to collect ATM ?

ATM - the German abbreviation for  "Automatenmarken",  i.e. postage labels from electronical stamp

vending machines - exist since 1969. They are - according to the Postal Law of the UPU (passed at

the UPU Congress at Hamburg, 1984) - postage stamps that are printed by electronical stamp

vending machines. After inserting the necessary amount of money (coins, banknotes etc.) the

customer usually gets a stamp directly printed on (security) paper by the machine. In all respects

(denomination of value and country, symbol of the postal authorities etc.) this stamp corresponds to

the traditional postage stamp.

ATM may carry machine-/post office-/location-numbers as for example  A1,  P 3029  or  001 etc.

They were especially used during tests and introduction periods and are important to the postal authorities.

ATM cannot be compared to the well-known meters as they

a)    do not have any indication of place or date
b)    may be used anywhere in the country and not only at one special post office.
c)    can be bought and kept for later use just like "real" stamps!!

Furthermore the regulations ordain that ATM are to be cancelled! Of course, this practice may vary in

some countries, but only specializing collectors take an interest in it.