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DIAGEO'S RARE MALTS SELECTION series.

Published 2004.02.15 (© Ulf Buxrud), updated 2017.06.12

The complete RM series as listed is for sale. Contact me at ulf@buxrud.se

FLASH NEWS

The five bottles from each of the three distilleries Caol Ila, Lagavulin, Talisker and released at the Shanghai Whisky Live Show in August 2016 under the RM label are NOT I repeat NOT official parts of Diageo’s Rare Malt series. The original series, now completed, came to a formal rest in 2005 and never included Talisker.

Theese 15 bottles were produced as a publicity gimmick by and for the organiser of the Shanghai show.

Caol Ila 70cl 56.6ABV 33yr disilled 1983 (5)

Lagavulin 70cl 51.2ABV 40yr distilled 1976 (5)

Talisker 70cl 45.7ABV 40yr distilled 1976 (5)

A suspected fake is in circulation .

Check your Glen Mhor 1979, 22yo.

The box is usually the original one stating the correct ABV 61%, and 70cl.

The bottom of the bottle is correctly embossed as a 70cl bottle.

However, the bottle label states ABV 61.02% AND the volume is printed as 75cl !!!

Please let me know if you have such a version in your collection.

ulf@buxrud.se

A book celebrating the RMS is published in UK. .

Format is ‘coffee table size’.

Content covers 175+ pages. All illustrations are in full colour.

The story of the RMS series is told in detail.

Each of the 36 distillery portraits contains historic and technical data, some never published before.

The portraits includes flavour profiles, tasting notes and comments

A special segment deals with tasting methodology, another gives a deeper insight in whisky nomenclature.

Foreword is by Charles MacLean.

…and much more…

The book was awarded at he Book-Oscar as the ‘Best Book about spirits in the world 2006’.

Link to more information about this volume and others including my coming book about Japanese whisky at

http://www.buxrud.se/japan.htm

Release policy.

Initially the Rare MaltS series was intended for the Tax Free markets around the Globe but later on became available through up-market retail shops too.

The release policy were at the beginning (1995) two annual releases per year, Spring (marked 1) and Autumn (marked 2). However, some years there seems to have been intermediate releases as well . These are not identified in the tables and may appear as either Spring or Autumn releases.

Later, this policy became abandoned and limited to one per annum only.

For these years the season markings are entered as 1.

Releases may have occurred at different time at different markets. The ones used in the table are the UK release dates.

Since 1997 a note has been added consisting of month and year, in small print. This is the BOTTLING month which does not necessarily coincide with the official release month. For example; all versions of the 2004 release, which was officially released in October (UK), are marked April 2004.

Bottling practice.

In the early days some versions were bottled per individual cask, hence, this is one reason why different ABV% from the same release occurs.

A typical example is the Brora 1972/22yo from the 1995/1 release. This one was released in five different ABV%.

This practice is the primary cause for the occurrence of different ABV% within the same release.

Today, several casks (minimum ten) are normalised (vatted) to usually yield up to circa 5.000 numbered bottles per batch.
The upper limit per batch may however from time to time be higher than 5.000 bottles depending of number and type of casks that went into the normalising. More than one such batch may be released at the same release occasion. This is the second source for ABV% differences within the same release.

The highest number of bottles per release known to me is approx 12.000+ bottles. It has occurred in some rare cases.

Numbering systems.

Each bottle is sequence numbered, per batch. If two or more batches were released at the same occasion then each batch
carries its own sequence number series.

Earlier versions, the first year, does however lack such sequence numbers.. Instead, there is a label difference saying ‘Limited bottling’ on these versions. All others carries the text ‘Limited edition’.

Further, a sequence number series usually ends at 5-6.000, however, in some cases the series is stretched above 12.000. In these cases it seems that half of the release got ‘European labels’ and the other half ‘US labels’.

Bottle sizes.

Several bottle sizes have been/are used:
200ml, used for two separate five-packs, one issued 1995 another 1996.
700ml, this is the most frequent size and used on all non North American markets.
750ml, this is the size used on the North American markets.
Several 750ml versions have, at various occasion, been re-exported to European markets.

N.B. All bottle sizes are not unique, meaning a given release with a given ABV% may be divided as different bottle sizes.
This seems to have been the case with the first 5-pack release, and partly the second too (Caol Ila, Glendullan).

The award winning Glenury Royal 1971/23yo ABV 61.3%, comes in two sizes 700 and 750 ml.

Of the five versions in Box 1 (200ml) , Hillside, Mortlach and North Port exists in 750ml versions, with Euro and US labels.

Clynelish and Glenlochy does exist in 750ml with Euro label and may exist with US label too.
Of the five versions in Box 2 (200ml) , Caol Ila and Glendullan exists in 750ml versions, with Euro and US labels.

Brora, Dailuaine and Teaninch may exist in 750ml with Euro label as well as with US label too.

The assumed ones are not listed in Table 3 due to lack of evidence.


Packaging.

Usually a dark blue paper box.

Older boxes and bottles are marked ‘Produce of Scotland’ others ‘Produced and bottled in Scotland’.

From the 2002 release, and further on, the ABV% is printed within the yellow field on the dark blue box .

Previously this information was given on a box sticker or not given at all on the box.
Some versions comes 'naked', e.g. no traditional dark blue cardboard box at all.
The ones I believe as being released naked are marked ‘None' in the tables, however, in some cases my box my simply

have been lost. Where this is known ‘None’ is put behind brackets ‘(None)’.

A general conclusion may be drawn ; B297 and US-Label versions are always lacking a box.

The two five-packs (5x200ml) comes in a handy easy-to-carry card board box.

Then there are 're-packed' wooden box versions (marked WOOD and listed in a separate table). They are NOT special versions but simply stems from normal releases were the cardboard box have been replaced with a wooden one. The source for the wooden boxes is the large Dutch retail chain Gall & Gall. They also run an auction firm. Several wooden boxes have surfaced through their auction firm. Gall & Gall buys regular issued RM versions from UDV and then repack the bottles in nice and exclusive wooden boxes. So these bottles are 'package' versions and not content versions. They were made between 1998 and 1999 and earmarked for the Dutch market. It seems that this was an one-time action that probably will not be repeated. The known releases are listed below. There may be more versions in existence that are hold back for future releases at their auctions.

ABV%.

The ABV% is either the individual cask's strength or the average of a normalised (vatted) batch. Such batch may consist of

at least five casks.

The ABV% is usually printed as the standard European ABV% but some times with the US proof added between brackets.

Number of distilleries and versions issued.

At Oct 1, 2004 thirty-six distilleries have been released.
A total of 121 versions have been identified.

Another 12 belongs to the unofficial wooden box series.

These are the cannibalized versions were the original blue paper box have been replaced with a wooden box.

Counting Number of versions released.

Distillery, Year of distillation, Age, ABV%, Bottle size and Package (cardboard or wooden box) plus label versions are the version qualifiers.

For the time being (Feb 2005) not all versions are fully documented. Hence, the table below is divided i three groups.

The first group contains all versions that are in my possession.

The second group contains versions, reported in writing to me by collectors. I am lacking photographic evidence for some
of these. However, each entry has been reported from at least two independent sources.

Third group contains versions reported to me as 2nd hand information or from single source and, hence, is doubtful. This list is an
'observations list'. Entries will over time either be deleted or elevated to List 1 or 2.

Misprints and inconsistencies.

Royal Lochnagar 1972/24. Bottle says 1972 dark blue box says 1974.

Millburn 1975/18 ABV%58.5, Millburn 1975/18 ABV%58,9, St. Magdalene 1970/23, ABV%58,1, St. Magdalene 1970/23, ABV%58,43, were are all bottled at least a year before the Rare Malt series was launched in spring 1995.

On Diageo’ s incomplete ‘A guide to every Rare Malts bottling’ the Glendullan 1974/23yo at ABV% 63.1, bottle size 700ml, released 1998/1 is wrongly listed as 24 years old.

Bottle labels and bottle labels variations.

Older bottles are marked ‘Produce of Scotland’ others ‘Produced and bottled in Scotland’.

A major difference is found on bottles from the first release i n 1995. These versions lack sequence numbers and the front labels red bottom line says ‘Limited bottling’ instead of the usual ‘Limited edition’.

The versions in question are Dallas Dhu (2 from 1970/24), Millburn (2 from 1975/18), St Magdalene (2 from 1970/23) and Brora (5 from 1972/22).

There is an inconsistency between the way volume figures are printed on the dark blue boxes and on the bottle labels.
Box volume info is printed either as 0,75L/75cl/750ml OR 75cl/750ml OR 70cl/700ml..
Bottle labels are always printed simply as 70cl OR 75cl.

However there are some known exceptions where the usual volume data on the bottle label 75cl is replaced with 750ml and they are:

Brora 1975/20-59.1%

Caol Ila 1975/20-61,12%

Clynelish 1972/22-58.64%

Clynelish 1972/23-57%

Dailuaine 1972/22-60,92%

Glendullan 1972/23, 62,43%

Glenlochy 1969/25-62,08%

Glenlochy 1969/26-58,8%

Linkwood 1972/23-58.4%

Teaninich 1972/23-64,95%
There may be others.

As far as I know; all these bottle label and box variations are of singular type. Meaning there are no secondary versions.

***

US Label versions.

Further, there are bottle label versions of multiple type.

Meaning bottles from the same release may have one standard (primary) and one secondary label version.

At least seven such examples are known to me. There may be others. It seems that this occurred for one release only.

It is the Brora 1975/20-59.1% which comes in two label versions, one with simply the ABV% printed (59.1%) in standard fashion and another label with BOTH the ABV% (59.1%) and the US Proof value (118.2 proof) printed.

And the Caol Ila 1975/20-61,12% which comes in two label versions, one with simply the ABV% printed (61.12%) in standard fashion and another label with BOTH the ABV% (61.12%) and the US Proof value (122.2 proof) printed.

And the Dailuaine 1972/22-60,92% which comes in two label versions, one with simply the ABV% printed (60,92%) in standard fashion and another label with BOTH the ABV% (60,92%) and the US Proof value (121.8 proof) printed.

And the Glendullan 1972/23-62.43% which comes in two label versions, one with simply the ABV% printed (62,43%) in standard fashion and another label with BOTH the ABV% (62,43%) and the US Proof value (124,8 proof) printed.

And the Mortlach 1972/22-65.3% which comes in two label versions, one with simply the ABV% printed (65,3%) in standard fashion and another label with BOTH the ABV% (65,3%) and the US Proof value (130.6 proof) printed.

And the North Port Brechin 1971/23-65.3% which comes in two label versions, one with simply the ABV% printed (65.3%) in standard fashion and another label with BOTH the ABV% (65.3%) and the US Proof value (109.4 proof) printed.

And the Teaninich 1972/23-64,95% which comes in two label versions, one with simply the ABV% printed (64,95%) in standard fashion and another label with BOTH the ABV% (64,95%) and the US Proof value (129.9 proof) printed.

These, secondary, variations, are marked US-LBL in the tables. They have no boxes and volume is printed as 750ml.

NB The Glenlochy 1969/25 62.08 750ml, no box, carries an US-label, hence, there may be a standard (primary, Euro label ) version in existence for this one as well.

NB The Clynelish 1972/22 58.64 750ml, no box, carries an US-label, hence, there may be a standard (primary, Euro label) version in existence for this one as well.

These two are not listed in Table 3 due to lack of evidence..

***

B297 code versions.

Some of the labels on the very early releases (1995)carries a quadrate with the code B297 inscribed.

It is my belief that this code is a ‘code of origin’ demanded by South African authorities, and, hence they were bottled for the RSA market too.

It seems to have occurred at one release occasion only.

These versions are without boxes and have volume data printed as 750ml.

The versions marked with B297 in the tables and are so far:

Clynelish 1972/23-57%

Glenlochy 1969/26-58.8%

Linkwood 1972/23-58.4%

Mortlach 1972/23-59.4%

The odd thing with this series is that the Mortlach exist in another version without the B297 code, with box , and volume printed as 75cl, hence, there may be standard (primary) versions in existence of the other three as well. These three are not listed in Table 2 or 3 due to lack of evidence.

Other label questions.

A production code is printed on the back of the bottles. It is sometimes covered by the back label but is visible through the glass.

This code does not appear s on bottlings before 1998.

A symbol describing ‘UK Units’ inscribed in bottle symbol was recently added to the back label. The reason for this is n an attempt to raise the awareness of how much alcohol people are actually drinking. Hence, the UK drinks industry has standardised on the concept of 'units' of alcohol.

A UK unit is the legal definition of one standard drink, recently defined as any amount of liquid containing 10 grams of alcohol.

8 grams is approximately 1 cl.

To calculate the number of units/standard drinks in a bottle, multiply its ABV% by the size of the bottle in litres (typically 0.7). Example a 0,7l bottle of 60% ABV yields 60 x 0,7 or 42 units/standard drinks.

For some of the St. Magdalene, the T in St. on the front label is printed in a normal fashion . On others in a two character fashion, where a smaller T is placed

on the top of a dot.

Age calculation.

Age statement for RM is always calculated as a function of Year of distillation minus Year of bottling MINUS 1.

Hence, bottling always occurred in the year calculated as Year of distillation, plus Age statement, plus 1.

Earlier bottlings lacks information concerning bottling Month and Year.

Medals and awards.

The Glenury Royal 1971/23yo ABV 61.3%, received in the year of 1996 the Gold medal

at the International Wine and Spirit Competition and the Ian Mitchell Memory Trophy as the most outstanding/best

single malt over 12 years old.

This version is bottled as 700ml AND 750ml. Delivered without the regular dark blue box .

Both carries a ‘neck hanging’ award brochure.

The Brora 1982/20yo ABV 58,1%, received in the year of 2004

at the International Wine and Spirit Competition a medal as the most outstanding/best Cask Strength Whisky.

This version is bottled as 700ml. Delivered without the regular dark blue box .

Other awards are

IWSC/Silver for Brora 1996 and 1997, Clynelish 1998,

IWSC/Bronze for Linkwood 1996 and Hillside 1998.

MONDE SELECTION/Brussels Grand Gold 1996 for Brora, Glenury Royal, and Linkwood.

Miscellaneous.

These variations are included in the 2005 Fall release (UK/October)

This is the last and final release of the series,

Glendullan 1978 26 yo 56.6%

Glen Mhor 1977 28 yo 51.9%

Linkwood 1974 30 yo 54.9%

Millburn 1969 35 yo 51.2%

Diageo.

Further information may be provided by Diageo via:

The Secretary

The Rare Malts Selection

Edinburgh park

5 Lochside way

Edinburgh , Scotland

UK

Selling/Buying/Swapping.

Should you have items not listed in Table 1, then I am interested in acquiring them.

Please contact me via email

ulf@buxrud.se

Following is available for swapping

Box 2, complete (6x200ml)

Several empty boxes

I am looking for empty boxes for the following ones. I’ll buy or swap.

I have several empty boxes for sale or swap

Caol Ila	1975	20
Caol Ila	1977	20
Dallas Dhu	1970	24
Glenlochy	1969	25
Mortlach	1972	22
St. Magdalene	1970	23

Collectible marketing items.

Plinth for 700ml bottles

Diageo RMS series Information Portfolio

Diageo RMS series annual booklets

Links to other collectors or informative sites.

http://www.raremaltsselection.com/

Email addresses to other collectors (bying/selling/swapping)

LOUDUNSY@aol.com

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Table 1, contains 100% identified versions (they are in my possession)

Distillery	Dist year	Age	ABV %	Bottl size	Box type	Remark	Bottl year	Bottl seas
Auchroisk	1974	28	56,8	0,7			2003	1
Aultmore	1974	21	60,9	0,7			1996	2
Banff	1982	21	57,1	0,7			2004	1
Benrinnes	1974	21	60,4	0,7			1996	2
Benromach	1978	19	63,8	0,7			1998	1
Bladnoch	1977	23	53,6	0,7			2001	2
Blair Athol	1975	27	54,7	0,7			2003	1
Brora	1972	22	58,7	0,7			1995	1
Brora	1972	22	60,02	0,7			1995	1
Brora	1972	22	61,1	0,7			1995	1
Brora	1975	20	60,75	0,2	Box 2		1996
Brora	1975	20	54,9	0,7			1995	1
Brora	1975	20	59,1	0,75			1996	2
Brora	1975	20	59.1	0,75	None	US-LBL	1995	1
Brora	1977	21	56,9	0,7			1998	2
Brora	1977	24	56,1	0,7			2001	2
Brora	1982	20	58,1	0,7			2003	1
Caol Ila	1975	20	61,12	0,75	(None)		1995	1
Caol Ila	1975	20	61,12	0,75	None	US-LBL	1995	1
Caol Ila	1975	20	61,12	0,2	Box 2		1996
Caol Ila	1975	20	61,18	0,75			1996	2
Caol Ila	1975	21	61,3	0,7			1997	1
Caol Ila	1977	20	61,3	0,75	(Not mint)		1998	2
Caol Ila	1977	21	61,3	0,7			1999	1
Caol Ila	1978	23	61,7	0,7			2002	2
Cardhu	1973	25	60.5	0.75			1998	2
Cardhu	1973	27	60,02	0,7			2000	2
Clynelish	1972	22	58,95	0,2	Box 1		1995
Clynelish	1972	22	58,95	0,75			1995	2
Clynelish	1972	22	58.64	0.75	None	US-LBL	1995	1
Clynelish	1972	23	57	0,75	None	B297	1995	1
Clynelish	1972	23	57,1	0,75			1996	1
Clynelish	1972	24	61,3	0,7			1997	2
Clynelish	1974	23	59,1	0,7			1998	1
Coleburn	1979	21	59,4	0,7			2000	2
Convalmore	1978	24	59,4	0,7			2003	1
Craigellachie	1973	22	60,2	0,7			1996	2
Dailuaine	1973	22	60,92	0,75			1996	2
Dailuaine	1973	22	60,92	0,75	None	US-LBL	1996	2
Dailuaine	1973	22	61,8	0,2	Box 2		1996
Dallas Dhu	1970	24	60,54	0,7	(None)		1995	1
Dallas Dhu	1970	24	60,6	0,7			1995	1
Dallas Dhu	1970	24	59.91	0,7	(Not mint)		1995	1
Dallas Dhu	1975	21	61,9	0,7			1997	1
Dufftown, The	1975	21	54,8	0,7			1997	2
Glen Albyn	1975	26	54,8	0,7			2002	1
Glen Mhor	1979	22	61	0,7			2001	2
Glen Mhor	1976	28	51,9	0,7			2005	last
Glen Ord	1973	23	59,8	0,75			1997	2
Glen Ord	1974	23	60,8	0,7			1998	2
Glendullan	1972	23	62,43	0,75			1996	2
Glendullan	1972	23	62,43	0,75	None	US-LBL	1996
Glendullan	1972	23	62,43	0,2	Box 2		1996
Glendullan	1972	22	62,6	0,7	None		1995	1
Glendullan	1973	23	58,6	0,75			1997	2
Glendullan	1974	23	63,1	0,7			1998	1
Glendullan	1978	26	56,6	0,7			2005	last
Glenlochy	1969	25	62,2	0,2	Box 1		1995
Glenlochy	1969	25	62,2	0,75	(None)		1995	1
Glenlochy	1969	25	62,08	0,75	None	US-LBL	1995	2
Glenlochy	1969	26	58,8	0,75	None	B297	1995	1
Glenlochy	1969	26	59,0	0,75			1995	1
Glenury Royal	1970	29	57	0,7			1999	1
Glenury Royal	1970	28	58,4	0.75			1998	2
Glenury Royal	1971	23	61,3	0,7		BTLE SZ	1995	2
Glenury Royal	1971	23	61,3	0,75	None	BTLE SZ	1995	1
Hillside	1969	25	61,9	0,2	Box 1		1995	1
Hillside	1969	25	61,9	0,75	None	US-LBL	1995	2
Hillside	1969	25	61,9	0,75			1995	1
Hillside	1970	25	61,1	0,75			1996	1
Hillside	1970	25	60,1	0,7			1996	2
Hillside	1971	25	62	0,7			1997	2
Inchgower	1974	22	55,7	0,75			1997	2
Inchgower	1976	27	55,6	0,7			2004	1
Linkwood	1972	23	58,4	0,75	None	B297	1996	1
Linkwood	1972	22	59,3	0,7	None		1995	2
Linkwood	1974	23	61,2	0,75			1997	1
Linkwood	1975	26	56,1	0,7			2002	2
Linkwood	1974	30	54,9	0,7			2005	last
Mannochmore	1974	22	60,1	0,7			1997	2
Millburn	1975	18	58,9	0,7	None		1995	1
Millburn	1975	25	61,9	0,7			2001	2
Millburn	1969	35	51,2	0,7			2005	lasr
Mortlach	1972	22	65.3	0,2	Box 1		1995
Mortlach	1972	22	65,3	0,75	(Not mint)		1995	2
Mortlach	1972	22	65,3	0,75	None	US-LBL	1995	1
Mortlach	1972	23	59,4	0,75			1996	1
Mortlach	1972	23	59,4	0,75	None	B297	1995
Mortlach	1978	20	62,2	0,7			1998	1
North Port Brechin	1971	23	54,7	0,2	Box 1		1995
North Port Brechin	1971	23	54,7	0,75			1995	1
North Port Brechin	1971	23	54.7	0,75	None	US-LBL	1995	2
North Port Brechin	1979	19	61	0,75			1998	2
North Port Brechin	1979	20	61,2	0,7			1999	1
Port Ellen	1978	20	60,9	0,7			1998	2
Port Ellen	1978	22	60,5	0,7			2000	2
Rosebank	1979	19	60,2	0,75			1998	2
Rosebank	1979	20	60,3	0,7			1999	1
Rosebank	1981	20	62,3	0,7			2002	1
Rosebank	1981	22	61,1	0,7			2004	1
Royal Brackla	1978	20	59,8	0,7			1998	1
Royal Lochnagar	1973	23	59,7	0,7			1997	1
Royal Lochnagar	1972/1974	24	55,7	0,75			1997	2
Royal Lochnagar	1974	30	56,2	0,7			2004	1
St. Magdalene	1970	23	58,1	0,7	(Not mint)		1995	1
St. Magdalene	1970	23	58,43	0,7	(None)		1995	1
St. Magdalene	1979	19	63,8	0,7			1998	2
Teaninich	1972	23	64,8	0,2	Box 2		1996
Teaninich	1972	27	64,2	0,7			2000	2
Teaninich	1972	23	64,95	0,75			1996	2
Teaninich	1972	23	64,95	0,75	None	US-LBL	1996	2
Teaninich	1973	23	57,1	0,7			1997	1

Total is 112

Table 2,

Contains versions some confirmed by at least two collectors as existing

(others verified with digital photos).

Distillery	Dist year	Age	ABV %	Bottl size	Box type	Remark	Bottl year	Bottl seas
Brora	1972	22	54,9	0,7			1995	2
Brora	1972	22	59,1	0,7			1995	1
Brora	1974	20	57,5	0,7			1995	2
Caol Ila	1977	21	63,1	0,7			1999	1
Dallas Dhu	1970	24	58	0,7			1995	1
Glen Ord	1972	23	62,43	0,75			1996	2
Linkwood	1974	22	61,2	0,75			1997	2
Millburn	1975	18	58,5	0,7			1995	1
St. Magdalene	1971	23	59	0,7			1995	2

Table 2b. These twelve versions exists in regular package.

The only difference is that an independent company (not Diageo) replaced the original paper box with a wooden box.

Distillery	Dist year	Age	ABV %	Bottl size	Box type	Remark	Bottl year	Bottl seas
Benromach	1978	19	63,8	0,7	WOOD		1998	1
Caol Ila	1975	21	61,3	0,7	WOOD		1997	1
Dallas Dhu	1975	21	61,9	0,7	WOOD		1997	1
Duffton	1975	21	54,8	0,7	WOOD		1997	1
Glen Mhor	1979	22	61	0,7	WOOD		2001	2
Hillside	1971	25	62	0,7	WOOD		1997	2
Mannochmore	1974	22	60,1	0,7	WOOD		1997	2
Millburn	1975	25	61,9	0,7	WOOD		2001	2
Royal Brackla	1978	20	59,8	0,7	WOOD		1998	1
Royal Lochnagar	1973	23	59,7	0,7	WOOD		1997	1
Sr. Magdalene	1970	23	58.1	0.7	WOOD	?	1995	1
Teaninich	1973	23	57,1	0,7	WOOD		1977	1

? = Probably re-packed by a Gall & Gall shop as a part of a minor batch .

Total is 9+12

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Please assist in keeping this list accurate.
You can help to document by mailing a digital photo for versions not listed,
or simply send me a textual correction of incorrect data. Form below.

ulf@buxrud.se

Malmoe, Sweden on February 15, 2004

HTML script by Ulf Buxrud © 2004

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