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May 4, 1916 THE AUSTRALIAN PHILATELIST.
QUEENSLAND.
THE 1897 SERIES OF ELECTROTYPES. -I.
(By Samuel Dalby.)
Up to 1878 all Queensland stamps had been produced from
engraved steel plates or lithographic stones, but in that year the new small
one penny duty stamp was printed from electrotypes prepared from a steel die
engraved by Wm. Bell, of Sydney, and in 1879 it was followed by the issue of
the coarse series of postage stamps from a die by the same engraver. The work
was done at the Queensland Lithographic Office, under the supervision of Mr.
William Knight, Government Engraver. With the original "one penny"
die a quadruple mould was struck in lead, the value being deleted. From that
mould electrotypes were made, the requisite denomination of value engraved on
the four stamps of each electro, and the stamps otherwise touched up. Those
electros were then used as intermediate dies for striking a fresh mould for
each separate value, 2d., 4d., 6d., 1/, and from those moulds thirty
electrotypes were made to compose a forme or plate of 120 stamps. This was the
general system followed by Mr. Knight from 1878 to 1896. The touching-up
process usually resulted in creating infinitesimal differences between each of
the four stamps of an electrotype consequently it is practicable in almost
every issue to find four distinguishable types on each block of four stamps,
those types being reproduced thirty times throughout the sheet. For instance,
the well-known variety LA joined, designated type II., on the 1d., 3d., and 2/
stamps of 1890, occurred on every fourth copy, or thirty on a sheet. I have
purposely excluded the twopence because, although sheets of that value from
1887 to 1893 contained examples of type II. they were not consistent throughout
the plate, which seems to have been made up of quadruple electrotypes from two,
if not three, different moulds, a fact well known to advanced collectors. A
year or two ago I myself reconstructed an almost complete sheet, largely from
blocks of pen-dated examples; having sent it to England. I am unable now to
give statistics of the type II. with LA joined, or of the other type III. with
"extended P." but they were far short of thirty each. In 1894 another
forme of the twopence (usually catalogued as "corrected plate") was
made up of electrotypes without either LA joined or long P types; this was the
plate from which were printed in 1895 the provisional issues on thick beer-
duty paper and thin imitation watermark paper.
In 1897, when a change of series commenced, it was realised
that the system. of making small electrotypes was too slow and out of date. The
officials therefore procured a large galvanic bath for the stereotyper, and
with the "intermediate dies" struck moulds of sixty stamps, requiring
only two electrotypes for each sheet. From the method of preparing the electros,
the lower half of a sheet should be a replica of the upper half: any varieties
in the one should be seen in the other. Such was the case where variations had
taken place on the mould; a special type having been produced in the upper
half, say on line 4, would also recur in the lower half on line 10; but defects
which had accidentally developed subsequent to the removal of the electro from
the galvanic bath would only be seen on the one half, upper or lower, as the
case might be, of a sheet of stamps. Whether these half-sheet electrotypes were
found to be unwieldy, or the spacing out of line with the teeth of the comb
perforating machine, or whatever the cause, after a couple of years' trial of
them the printers appear to have experimented with a slightly smaller one, for
I have a sheet of penny stamps, pencil dated 1900, the plate of which was composed
of three electros of forty stamps, and after that all new moulds for fresh
issues were reduced to forty stamps, though almost immediately the printing of
the penny stamp was resumed with electros of sixty stamps. So firstly the
moulds for the cliches for some sixteen years consisted of four stamps, then
for a couple of years sixty stamps, and lastly of forty stamps. Although
perhaps not of very much interest to the ordinary collector, the three classes
of variations each have their own use to the advanced collector and specialist.
The first shows that an intermediate die for striking the moulds, or a cliche
for printing the stamps, consisted of a block of four. The second clearly
indicates that the large moulds and electrotypes were availed of for the
printings. The third, arising probably from accidental causes after the forme
was put together, helps to determine the life of the plate, for as long as the
faults continued to appear we knew that no change had been made in the plate.
And by this means we shall see that in the series of stamps now under notice
the plates of some of the denominations were changed or rearranged, whilst
others remained intact throughout the issue.
The 1897 series of Queensland postage stamps consisted
principally of two distinct designs or types: that originally emanating from
the Bradbury, Wilkinson. & Co.'s die of 1882, comprising 1d., 2d., 3d, 4d.
and 6d. and the other from the circular medallion of Mr. Wm. Knight, namely, ½d.,
2½d.,
5d., 1/, and 2/. With this explanatory introduction om the method of producing,
we will consider the series in detail, and endeavor to furnish some proof of
the accuracy of our observations.
One Penny, 1897-1906.
The one penny with numerals in four corners was issued to
the public about 23rd August, 1897, and was the second of the series to make
its appearance, the twopence having preceded it. A close inspection of a full
sheet shows that the “die" from which the mould was struck. was quadruple
and quadrangular, each of the four stamps being of a slightly differing type
from the others, and repeated thirty times throughout the sheet. In addition,
there is a most inconspicuous. and little known variety which to the
philatelist will prove the method of composing the plate. At the foot of the
two scrolls separating the words "Queensland" and One Penny" in
the oval band enclosing the head of the Queen, the engraver has added a very small
pendent hook. On line 3, column 4 (No. 24), a speck of white transformed the
little hook at the bottom of the right-hand scroll into a tiny loop.
(Illustration A.) The same variety also recurs on line 9, same column (No. 84),
clearly demonstrating that the loop was in the mould, and that the full plate
was made up of two large electrotypes of sixty stamps each. This variety being
found on the first brownish- red printing of 1897, and also on sheets sold in
1906, it is a fair deduction the one mould was used for all the plates from
which the emissions on Crown over Q paper were printed. Examining some sheets
about three years ago the writer. discovered that one of them (marked as
obtained in 1900) had the loop variety thrice (on lines 3, 7, and 11) instead
of twice (at lines 3 and 9). That particular plate therefore must have been
composed of three electrotypes of forty stamps, each in four lines of ten
stamps. Apparently full-sized electrotypes were made and then the two bottom
lines of stamps cut off from each of the three cliches. Against that theory it
may be urged that a fresh mould for only forty stamps was prepared, and from
that mould three cliches produced. But it seems impossible that an identical
minute flaw, exactly in the same. position, would have been reproduced onto a
new forty-stamp mould; and if the printers had gone to the trouble of getting
out new smaller moulds it is hardly. likely they would almost immediately. have
reverted to the larger ones for this denomination whilst adopting the forty-
stamp moulds for all emanations after that time. It is not very easy to form an
opinion respecting the number of plates used during the life of the stamp. The
first plate was in use from 1897 to 1899, and was the one from which the
serrated roulette issue was printed. It had several imperfect stamps in the
lower half, and it is probable in replacing that defective electrotype
advantage was taken of the opportunity to try those with forty stamps. The
forme with three electros was followed by a plate of two electrotypes with a
plain red line across the centre of the sheet, said to have been caused by the
spacing lead having worked up level with the face of the cliches. This was
succeeded by sheets with the red line and also with the variety known as the
"eardrop," but those may not have been from a fresh plate, but from one
red line plate having received damage in handling. Next came sheets with red
line and. eardrop eliminated, and printed from a plate which had been repaired
in a somewhat remarkable way. The top line of the lower electrotype (line 7)
evidently had received some damage and five stamps in columns 3 to 7 had been
cut out, and replaced by others. Now line 7 should comprise only types I. and
II. alternately in the columns across the sheet, but on that sheet it consisted
of types I., II., I., III, IV. III, IV. II., I., II., so with perseverance and
luck some fortunate specialist collector may find a used strip with the rare
combi nation of the four different types horizontally instead of in the usual
square block. After that plate, in about six months, came another issue of the
"eardrop." but without the red line: that may have been the previous
plate but one, with the spacing lead knocked down into its normal position,
whilst the following year the “eardrop" variety also disappeared. I think
we may tabulate those issues as follows:
- 1897 August.- One Penny with four numerals, several defects in lower half of sheet sixty stamp electros
- 1899. – Sheets from three electros of forty stamps:
- 1900, August or September, -Sheets from two electros of sixty stamps: red line across centre of sheet:
- 1901-2 - Sheets with red line and eardrop variety:
- 1902, July. Sheets without red line and eardrop, but with wrong types on line 7:
- 1903, Early. - Sheets with eardrop, but without red line:
- 1904, September. – Sheets without eardrop
The latter plate may have lasted till 1906, when new plates
were made for printing on Commonwealth paper. The red line mentioned was about
half a millimetre in width, extending almost across the sheet, in the white
space between the two middle rows of stamps, and its extremities stopped short
of the margin on each side of the sheet. In single specimens, badly centred
stamps may be mistaken at first sight for those with red line, but the latter
extends (except on side stamps) from perforation to perforation, whereas a
piece of red cut off the stamp above or below by a misplaced perforation
extends only the width of the design. The best way to collect the variety is by
vertical pair or vertical strip of three. The latter will show spaces both with
and without the coloured line. The red line made its appearance in 1900, and
vanished in 1902. Judging from dated used specimens, the earlier printings of
the penny stamp were of a brownish red, but at the end of 1897 the colour had
much improved. and by the close of 1898 it was of the full rich vermilion in
which the rouletted issue came out. At that time some noticeable. defects were
to be seen in the lower electrotype; on line 11, in columns 2, 3, 4 (Nos.
102-104) the adjoining scrolls of Nos. 102 and 103 were "feathery,"
and upon Nos. 103 and 104 there were elongated white spots to left of and level
with top of 0 of “one" on line 12, at column 2 (No. 112), the bottom
border had two white indentations, and at column 10 (No. 120) the last stamp of
the sheet was minus its bottom border of dots. All those defects were remedied
in 1899. In 1901 the most prominent variety of these issues developed; it was a
pronounced white blemish three millimetres long upon and below the ear. It
remained on the plate until 1904: its position was at column 4 on line 10 (No.
94), and immediately below the "loop" variety on line 9 (No. 84).
Anyone possessing a vertical pair with "eardrop" on lower stamp
should have the "loop" also. With regard to the colour, the official
one was vermilion (cinnabar or sulphide of mercury), and at times gave the
printers perplexity and worry. From steel plates or litho, stones there was a
brilliant red impression, but with electrotypes the copper, acting upon the
mercury in the ink, caused the stamps to assume a yellow tinge after printing,
the more apparent on those sheets run off when the electro was fairly clean and
had not been coated with ink. In 1896 and subsequently the electros were thinly
silver plated, resulting in a very marked. improvement in brilliancy and an absence
of yellow shades; the silver prevented contact between the copper and the
mercury in the vermilion ink. Collectors will have observed that the earlier
issues of electrotyped one penny all show a tendency to yellow tints which is
quite absent from the 1896 issue with numerals in lower corners and the 1897
issue with four figures.
The perforation of the penny stamp was usually 13 by the No.
1 comb machine made by J. Buncle & Co., Melbourne, in 1890, but it also
exists perf. 13 by the duty stamp line machine. In the middle. of November.
1898, the penny stamp made its appearance with a serrated roulette, but, owing
to the difficulty of separating the stamps, the public raised such an outcry
that about 11th January, 1899, some 2300 sheets were returned from the G.P.O. to
the litho, office to be re-perforated by the comb machine, thus creating the
variety, roulette and perf. 13."
THE 1897 SERIES OF ELECTROTYPES. - II
Twopence, 1897-1906.
The new series of stamps with numerals in four corners was
initiated about the end of April. 1897, by the issue of the twopence value from
the modified die (head on white ground) of Bradbury, Wilkinson, & Co. It
was also the first of the stamps to be printed from plates or formes made up of
two electros of sixty stamps. Close examination will reveal very slightly
differing types in groups of four, therefore we may reasonably infer there was
first made a quadruple "intermediate die”, which was impressed fifteen
times upon the mould or matrix of lead. From that was produced two electrotypes
of sixty stamps each, of which we get proof in column 8. on line 5 (No. 48) in
the uppermost electro a small white dot occurred under the letter U of
"Queensland" (illustration B). and a similar extraneous dot also
appeared on line 11 (No. 108) in the bottom half of the plate and sheet: on
line 6 (No. 58) and line 12 (No. 118) the scroll dividing
"QUEENSLAND" from "PENCE" in the right-hand side of the
oval band, had a slight break in the lower part of it, the right floret being
separated from the main stem (illustration C) of the scroll. Another variety
which occurred only on one half of the sheet was to be found in column 1, on
line 10 (No. 91). It was a thin white bar or dash two millimetres in length, at
the left centre of the stamp, extending from the rectangular outer frame to
just across the spur of the third floret of the scroll in the oval band, and
existed in all plates and printings. More easily noticed varieties which
developed on the plate and lasted through the term of the issue were in column
2. on line 9 (No. 82), a small white spot at the back of, and touching, the
upper left numeral connecting the "2" to the white line above it; and
on line 11 (No. 102) a white "splash" at the upper half of the
right-hand scroll about 2 mm. below the D of “Queensland." About the end
of 1901 there appeared on the plate the prominent defect in the guise of a
serpentine white line extending from the hair in front of the ear, down the
cheek and neck to the shoulder. That flaw was in the upper half, on line 5, in
column 5. (No. 45 and disfigured the plate for about four years before the printers
corrected it. They did this by taking the "forme" apart, cutting out
the defective. stamp from the electrotype, and inserting a perfect stamp in its
place. The faulty stamp taken out was of type I. of the quadrangular "die”,
but its substitute was of type III, which brought three stamps of type III.
together vertically. When the "forme" was made up again after
repairs, the two electrotypes were transposed, and the old lower half became
the new upper half, the old upper half being placed as the new lower one. This
is readily seen by an inspection of sheets printed from the RE-ARRANGED PLATE
issued about June, 1906. The stamp in column 1 with the small bar or dash will
be found on line 4 instead of line 10 (No. 31, instead of No. 91); the numeral
"2" with the white spot touching its outline in column 2 is now on
line 3 instead of line 9 (No. 22, instead of No. 82); and the stamp with the
white splash on the scroll in column 2 appears on line 5 instead of line 11
(No. 42 instead of No. 102). The substituted stamp in column 5 will be found on
line 11 (No. 105) instead of line 5 (No. 45), where the serpentine flaw was
formerly to be seen; it can easily be picked out, for, besides being of a different
type to its damaged predecessor, its lines are not so much worn as those of the
surrounding stamps. With regard to the two first mentioned mould varieties in
column 8 of the sheet, they were still to be seen on the re-arranged plate in
apparently the same positions, but, of course, Nos. 48 and 58 had become Nos.
108 and 118, and vice versa, with the former Nos. 108 and 118. In fixing the
substituted stamp, the workman would appear to have damaged the stamp in the
line above it as a small white elongated ellipse extends from the dotted border
(just under the sixth dot) to about half way down but barely touching the upper
left numeral "2" there are two smaller oval spots above the first E
of "Queensland," which serve to distinguish this variety, column 5,
line. 10 (No. 95) from the earlier and previously described variety (Nos. 82
and 22). In column 3, line 10 (No. 93) is another new and prominent defect a
white oval spot below the ear in the shading lines. which mark the division
between cheek. and neck. Also a few sheets presented a curious phenomenon: the
head on stamps. in column 1, on lines 2 to 6 (Nos. 11, 21, 31, 41, 51) had an
unsightly mottled appearance, blotches of blue marring the shading lines from
the diadem down to the neck. An official explanation was that through
carelessness, part of the ink was insufficiently mixed or thinned before being
served to the inking rollers; some of the thicker portion having got down to
the end of the roller the colour was applied too solidly near the edge of the plate,
and clogged the shading lines during several feedings of the press.
The re-arranged plate did not have at lengthy life, being
placed on sale about June, 1906, and supplanted by the "first redrawn head”
in the following September The twopence emissions, both from the rearranged
plate and the original, were printed in various shades of blue on crown over Q
paper, and perforated 13 by the No. 1 (Buncle) comb machine.
Threepence, 1897.
The threepence with numerals in four corners was issued
about October, 1898. The mould was struck from a quadrangular
"intermediate die." consisting of four distinguishable types: for
instance. in type II, the straight top of the lower left numeral "3”
extended back and touched the white line of the oval, near the letter H of
"three." The mould was prepared for a half-sheet electrotype of sixty
stamps, of which there is ample proof. In column 1, line 5 (No. 41), the curved
part of filling ornament in front of upper right numeral is much thicker than
in the normal type. At column 3, line 6 (No. 53) the pear-shaped terminal is
missing from the filling under the upper right numeral. In column 7, line 6
(No. 57), the horizontal foot line and the vertical side line do not meet at
the point of the triangle enclosing the lower left numeral (illustration D);
and at column 9, line 3 (No. 29, the white ball-shaped terminal of the left
upper "3" is connected to the central point of the numeral (illustration
E), instead of being clear. These four slight flaws in the upper half are also
to be found in the same relative positions in the lower half. They recur: No.
41, on line 11 (No. 101), No. 53. on line 12 (No. 113), No. 57, on line 12 (No.
117), and No. 29, on line 9 (No. 89). More noticeable. than any of the
foregoing, but which occurred only on one electrotype could be seen at column
10, line 2 (No. 20); at the right-hand side of the stamp the fifth dot of the
border was much enlarged, and it extended across the two white vertical lines
to the upper numeral "3." At a later period, which I have been unable
to fix closer than between 1900 and 1905, the forme must for some reason have
been taken apart, and in the resetting the electrotypes were transposed,
because the last-named variety then appeared on line 8 (No. 80, instead of No.
20), where it remained until the issue was superseded in 1912. That must be
accepted, not only as an indication that there were only two settings or plates
through-out the currency of the stamps, but also as corroborative evidence of
the adoption of the large sixty-stamp electrotypes. The threepence, printed on
paper watermarked crown over Q until 1908, and from thence crown over A in
brown colour, embraces a larger number of shades than any other stamp of the
series, ranging from light drab to dark chocolate. The original perforation was
by the No. 1 comb machine (Buncle), but some of the later sheets were put
through the No. 2 comb machine constructed by the printing office engineering
staff, and of irre-gular gauge: perforations therefore vary from 13 x 13 to 13
x 10.
Fourpence, 1897.
It is probable that a quadruple "die" was used for
striking the moulds from which the electrotypes were produced for printing the
fourpence with numerals in angles, but careful scrutiny has so far failed to
reveal any certain evidence of it, close observation being rendered difficult
by the colours and roughness of some of the printings: the only conclusions one
can be certain of are that two half-sheet electros were used in the setting,
and that the plate lasted through all the emissions. The search for variations
in the stamps was of a more encouraging character than looking for difference
of type in the "die." At column 6, on line 4 (No. 36), there was a
small white dot under the final E of "pence." At column 7, line 6
(No. 57), from the inner white oval line of the inscription band, a thin
tapering and curving offshoot descended midway between the O and U of
"four". (illustration F) resembling an apostrophe. In column 10. on
line 5 (No. 50) was a white triangular spot under the right foot of N of
"pence" (illustration G), connecting it to the outer white border
line of the oval band. Those three flaws in the upper half of the sheet could
also be seen in the lower half in column 6, on line 10 (No. 96), in column 7 on
line 12 (No. 117), and in column 10 on line 11 (No. 110) Besides the already
mentioned defects which must have originated in the mould, there were three
others all to be noticed in column 1; on line 1 the first stamp on the sheet
had a white ellipse on the solid colour on the lower part of the back of the
neck: on line 4 (No. 31), the first E of "Queensland" had been
deleted by a white oblique stroke through the letter, and on line 12 (No. 111)
there was a white dot or full stop after F, a colon after R, a stop after P,
and a stop after both letters E of "fourpence." These faults, Nos. 1.,
31, and 111, were developments on the electros, and not on the mould. All the
variations mentioned can be found in the earliest printings in pale yellow, and
also in the latest sheets in black or grey: therefore one forme or plate will
have served for the whole issue. The four pence made its first appearance in
September, 1898, on crown over Q paper, in pale lemon yellow and orange yellow:
and with crown over A watermark at end of 1907 in lemon yellow, the colour in
May, 1909, being changed to black. The usual perforation was 13 by the No. 1
comb machine, but some variations exist; the writer has a strip perforated by
one of the single line machines.
Sixpence, 1897.
The sixpence value was third of the stamps to be issued with
numerals in all corners, and was sold to the public about end of March or 1st
April, 1898. For striking the mould of sixty stamps there can be no doubt about
a quadruple "die" being availed of, as on careful comparison four
types are discernible, though difficult to clearly describe, but type IV. may
be instanced. In the upper left corner of that type the top of the numeral
"6" touches the horizontal line of enclosing triangle and at the
right lower. corner the shoulder of the "6" touches. the curved line
of the triangle enclosing the numeral. Examining a sheet for varieties we
notice in column 8, on line 5 (No. 48), that the outer white line of the oval
inscription band is so thin as to be almost invisible about midway on the right-hand
side of the stamp, and nine or ten dots of the outer border are also wanting
(illustration H). At column 9, on the first line of the sheet (No. 9), a white
stroke extends from the bottom of the upper left numeral to the top of U of
"Queensland "(illustration I), and bisects the two white curved lines
between the numeral and the letter: also a small white oblique stroke is in
front of and touches the U. Those variations in the upper half also recur in
the lower half on line 11 (No. 108), and on line 7 (No. 69). A further proof is
to be found on some of the numerals in the upper right spandrel of the stamps,
twelve of the stamps of type II. have a speck of green near the point of the
white "6"; it could be seen on Nos. 6, 8, 22, 44, 46, 48, in the
upper half, and on Nos. 66, 68, 82, 104, 106 and 108, in the lower half of the
sheet: again, in the corresponding spandrel on ten stamps of type IV., the
small curved filling in front of the numeral of value developed into a loop,
namely, Nos. 14, 20, 34, 38, 40 in the upper cliche, and Nos. 74, 80, 94, 98,
and 100 in the lower one. So with the sixpenny denomination, there is ample
evidence of the use of a sixty-stamp electrotype, which should go far to settle
the question which has arisen regarding the accidental inclusion of a two
numeral cliche of one or four stamps in the plate. (See April issue, No. 8,
page 122). The sixpence stamp was printed (seemingly from the one plate) in
shades of yellow-green and blue-green on crown over Q paper till early in 1908,
when a change was made to the Commonwealth paper watermarked crown over A. The
perforation was 13 by the No. 1 (J. Buncle) comb machine.
Circular Medallion Series.
So far the stamps dealt with have been those of the type of
altered Bradbury Wilkinson steel die, the last to be issued being the
threepence in October, 1898. After that followed the circular medallion type
based on Mr. Wm. Knight's 2½d. stamp of 1890, the outline of which
was engraved by him on copper, and the head struck on the copper from the steel
die of Bradbury, Wilkinson, & Co. It is perhaps not out of place to here
record that about twenty years ago the late Mr. Knight, in giving me some information
about the production of certain locally-made stamps, said, "We do not
engrave on steel in Queensland."
Halfpenny, 1898.
The halfpenny with fractions of value in all four corners
was one of the circular medallion type, but examination shows it was quite
independently produced, even the head of the Queen having been slightly reduced
to bring it well within the medallion. The mould was struck from a quadruple
"die," the four types being distinguishable; taking type IV. as an example,
the AN of "land" were joined at foot, and the thin white line
interrupted under the D. That a sixty-stamp electrotype was made we have
evidence at column 1, line 5 (No. 41), the second stem of the letter N of
"land" being ex-tended to the white line above it (illustration J) and
at column 8, lines 4 and 6 (Nos. 38 and 58), the upper angle of the N was
broken off (illustration K). Those faults in the top half of the plate were
also repeated in the lower one on lines 11, 10, 12 (Nos. 101, 98, and 118)
Besides those variations, there was another occurring only in the lower half of
the sheet, but perhaps more noticeable: at column 9, on line 12 (No. 119), was
a white spot over the head from the omission of one of the green dots of the
circle. (As the stamps were printed sideways the columns are numbered as
traversing the same direction as the wmk., the name "Queensland"
being uppermost on the stamp, thus keeping the system uniform with the pence
and shillings sheets.) This emission was printed in deep green on crown over Q paper,
perforated 13 by the No. 1 comb machine: it is not very common for a low value.
Stamp, as it was only current about a year, being issued in October 1898, and
displaced early in October 1899 by the stamp with the single large fraction.
The 1897 Series of Electrotypes. III.
In our July, 1916, number we, regretfully, had to publish an
obituary notice of our late esteemed contributor, Mr. Samuel Dalby, who died in
South Brisbane in May last. Only a week before his death he wrote us notifying
that the third instalment of the Queensland 1897 series of electrotypes would
be sent in time for publication in the July number. But death willed otherwise.
His notes on the subject had, however, not been finally revised, but his widow
did the best she could to put the article into ship-shape, and we have finally
revised her notes to the best of our ability.
"Twopence-Halfpenny," 1898-1899.
To enable him to get this stamp out, Mr. Wm. Knight had made
for him a single electrotype from the preceding (1895) issue, but with the side
and upper ornaments and the name filled in. It bore only the head, the numerals
in the lower angles, the value in words, and the outer border. The engraver
re-inserted the name "Queensland." but in much smaller letters than
previously, the same numerals of value in the upper corners, and the scroll
filling at the sides. There was then to be prepared from this single die
another quadrangular quadruple die to form the sixty-stamp mould. Examining
blocks of four stamps it seemed to me impossible to find variations of type;
however, on a further close scrutiny of an entire sheet, it was noticed that on
the upper half sheet, at columns 3 and 4, lines 5 and 6, a block of stamps is
very slightly out of square with the adjacent blocks. In the same columns.
lines 11 and 12, the lower half of the sheet, the corresponding block is also
out of plumb through the quadrangular die not having been put down quite true
on the mould. Although a trivial and almost imperceptible irregularity, its presence
twice in the sheet assures me that both the sixty stamp cliche and the quadruple
die were availed of. One can also get other proof of the former in column 1. on
line 2 (No. 11), where the bottom. dotted border is interrupted by excess of
colour, and there is also to be seen a small white spot under the eye. In
column 3, line 1 (No. 3), the foot of the first limb of letter "N" of
"penny" is broken. In same column, in line 5 (No. 43), a fine white
line separates 13th and 14th dots of top border; a white spot is pendent from
braid of hair in front of ear; there is an elongated spot of white at point of
bust; and the vertical frame line on left side extends beyond its angle to the
first and second dots of the top border. At same column, line 6 (No. 53), a
small white pearl depends from the Maltese cross of diadem, above the ear. On
line 5, column 4 (No. 44), a thin vertical white line extends from the top of
the right-hand numeral "2" upwards through the 7th dot of the outer
border. Those are five distinguishable varieties which are found in the upper
half of the plate or sheet, and they also exist in the lower half in the
corresponding lines and columns, at Nos. 71, 63, 103, 113, and 104, providing
abundant evidence as to the size of the mould. Printed in carmine on white
paper, watermarked Crown over "Q." perforated 12½,
13, it was first sold to the public in October, 1898. About that time there
arrived the watermarked blue paper which had been ordered to comply with Postal
Union Convention arrangements, and it was utilised for the next printing,
carmine or reddish purple on blue, and first sold at the G.P.O. stamp counter
20th January, 1899. This explains the comparative scarcity of the carmine on
white which had the brief existence of some three months. In various shades,
between dark purple and slate purple, the blue paper remained current until
1913, when it was displaced by the Commonwealth issue (The Kangaroo). It was
unique among the later Queensland stamps in that it never appeared on
Commonwealth paper. All the previously described varieties are to be met with
in the different shades of colour. so it is palpable that one plate lasted the
fifteen years of the stamp's lifetime.
"Fivepence," 1899.
It was realised in 1895 that a fivepence stamp was
desirable, to prepay double postage and to cover the single rate for inland
postage and registration fees. It was produced by using a 2
d. electrotype. with lower
portion blank on which the engraver put the word "Fivepence" surrounded
by a thin curved line; put the figure "5" in the two lower corners,
and gave a slight touch to the foot of the two side scrolls. Subsequently, when
it was necessary to bring the stamp into the four numerals series, the same
steps were followed as with the 2½d., viz., taking an electrotype of the
1895 “Fivepence" with the name and side scrolls bank. The engraver then
added the nu eral "5" to the upper angles, and the word
"Queensland" was reduced in size (though not so much as was needed
for the 2½d.),
also the side scrolls and a couple of white ornaments on top and bottom Then
the usual sixty-stamp mould was produced. I find in column 7, lines 1 and 2
(Nos. 7 and 17), there are small interruptions of the thin coloured line
encircling the head, above the final "E" of Pence." On line 1,
column 6 (No. 6), the outline of the nostril is slightly more arched than
normally, and there are to be found on the cheek three small white dots in line
with the tip of the nose, and at column 10 (No. 10) the thin shading line of
the bust (above the letter "E" of "Five") is interrupted,
showing as a white dot. The foregoing varieties on the upper half of the sheet
are repeated at Nos. 67, 77, 66, and 70 in the lower half of the sheet. After
the electros were made other faults developed. In column 1, line 7 (No. 61),
the upper left corner of the dotted border is bevelled out, and on line 12 (No.
111) the lower left scroll and the dotted border were damaged and blurred. On
line 5 in column 6 (No. 46) the top straight white line is both split and
interrupted immediately before it reaches the left angle. In column 9, line 3
(No. 29), the straight white line of the frame turns abruptly down in front of
the upper left numeral "5," instead of continuing until it formed an
angle with vertical line. At column 10, line 5 (No. 50), one can see above the
"L" of "land" a perceptible fracture of the outer dotted
border. All faults enumerated are to be seen both on early printings and on the
latest impression on Crown over A paper, so that one setting of the forme must
have sufficed throughout the issue.
It was first sold towards the end of 1899 on Crown over Q
paper, the colour being purple brown; in 1904 it was brown: in 1905 light
brown, almost drab, but afterwards an exceedingly dark brown, approaching
black, especially on the Commonwealth paper. on which it came out in 1908.
Perforation is 13.
"One Shilling," 1899.
Excepting the Queen's head in the central medallion, none of
the detail work on the "One shilling" is the same as found on the 2½d.
and 5d. stamps, though it resembles them generally. The ornamental scrolls and
filling the name "Queensland, and the monetary value were all freshly
engraved on the die from which the quadruple intermediate die was made, and
that was utilised in the striking of the mould for the large sixty-stamp
cliches. There can be little doubt about a quadrangular die having been used,
be cause there is on every fourth stamp (No. 2 of a corner block) a slight
indentation in the coloured groundwork over the ninth dot of the outer border,
above the letter "U" of "Queensland." There is sufficient
proof of two sixty-stamp electrotypes having been used. In column 4. line 2
(No. 14), a small white spur is seen attached to left of the scroll above the
right-hand lower numeral "1." On line 3, column 4 (No. 24) the tail
of "Q" touches the "U" of "Queensland," and on
the same line, in column 5 (No. 25), the "S" of Queensland" is
thicker than normal. In the neck of the upper curve, on the adjoining stamp.
No. 26, in column 6, the upper point is blotted off the symbol "S"
belonging to the top right-hand numeral "1." In column 10, line 3
(No. 30), the three dots at the extreme right of the top border are somewhat enlarged
and joined together. Those five variations in the upper half of the sheet can
also be found in the same relative places in the lower half, in Nos 74, 84, 85,
86, and 90 the two strips of three, Nos. 24, 25, 26, and 81, 85, 86, being specially
noteworthy. In addition to the preceding variations in the mould, there was
also a very slight fault made in each. of the electros. At column 6, line 6
(No. 56), a coloured spot is seen on the white line encircling the medallion.
below the "D" of land," and on line 12, column 9 (No. 119), the
third curve of the scroll- work above the numeral "1" at left side
terminates in a ball instead of the curve, being of uniform thickness
throughout. One plate served the whole issue, as the above recorded varieties
can be found in all shades and watermarks. Appearing first in July, 1899, on
Crown over Q paper, changed in 1908 to Crown over A, the colour varied from
pale lavender and lilac to pale and deep magenta and purple. Perforation 13, by
the (Buncle) No. 1 comb machine.
"Two Shillings," 1900.
The ornamental work and value of the Two shillings"
stamp with four numerals being quite different to previous denominations of the
same series, the engraved die was separately made, but by a similar routine to
the one shilling. Owing to absence of even trifling indications it would be
hazardous to venture any assertions respecting the use of a quadruple
intermediate die for striking the moulds of this denomination also. At present
the only thing we may be certain of is that the plate for printing the
"Two Shillings" stamp was composed of three electrotypes of forty
stamps each. This is proved by variations at column 3, lines 4, 8, 12 (Nos. 33,
73, 113), where in the lower right-hand corner there is a white spot between
the terminal ball and stem of numeral "2”. In column 9, lines 3, 7, 11
(Nos. 29, 69, 109), a small white dot is found between the top petals of the
upper rosette of the left-hand scroll; in column 10, on the same three lines
(Nos. 30, 70, 110), the tops of the letters "ND" of "land"
are joined by a small white sloping bar. Therefore, whatever doubts may arise
about the size of an intermediate die there should be none regarding that of
the electrotypes. The Two Shillings" was printed in blue or turquoise
green early in 1900, on Crown over Q paper, superseded about middle of 1908 by
Commonwealth paper, watermarked Crown over A. It was perforated 13, and this
stamp concluded the medallion type of the 1897 series. There, however, were
some subsequent emissions of the three lower denominations, which we will proceed
to describe.
"Halfpenny" of 1899.
The "Halfpenny" rectangular stamp, with large
fraction of value at foot, was the first postage stamp to be produced in
Queensland without the art of engraving. It was at first drawn double its
required size by Mr. McKellar, who about that time was the Government's
lithographic artist. By the usual photographic process on zinc the design was
reduced one half, yielding a plate of normal size, and from this was prepared
the electrotypes for printing the stamps. A careful examination of blocks of
four for differences of type has not furnished any clue as to the method
adopted in striking the mould. Whether the original zine plate was used for it
or for preparing the preliminary quadrangular quadruple intermediate die
customary in Queensland, it seems impossible to decide, as every stamp in a
block of four seems exactly alike. Of the size of the electrotypes, however, I
am able to get some assistance in forming an opinion, as there is some minute,
although incontrovertible, evidence on examination of an entire sheet that the
mould was made for forty stamps instead of sixty, as had been the former
practice since 1897. On line 4, column 4 (No. 34), there can be seen a small
interruption of the thin green arched line under the "E" of
"One": in column 9, line 3 (No. 29), there is a similar break of the
line under "PE" of "Penny." The break in column 4 again.
happens on lines 8 and 12 (Nos. 74 and 114), and the one in column 9 recurs on
lines 7 and 11 (Nos. 69 and 109); clear proof that the flaws were on the mould.
and the forme or plate was composed of three electros of forty stamps each. Besides
the variations just pointed out, there are also a couple of rather prominent
faults found on the plate. The first is in column 7, line 1 (No. 7), where the
second stem of letter "H" of "Half" extends to the white
line over it; there is also a white line, about 4 mm., extending from the
centre of the letter "E" of "One," upwards to the point of
the bust: the latter defect is the more prominent, but is not to be seen on all
impressions, with the extended "H," and in the later printings the
extended H" also disappeared. At a later period in its existence, the
plate received a thin cut or scratch through the "2" of the fraction,
which shows on the stamp as a white vertical line down the centre of the numeral,
line 7, column 7 (No. 67), and it remained until the stamp was displaced by the
"Kangaroo”. It was issued about the end of September, 1899, on Crown over
Q paper, printed in various shades of green. In 1908 the Commonwealth paper,
Crown over A. was substituted. The perforation is 13
"One Penny," 1907.
The "One Penny" with four numerals was distributed
near the end of December, 1907, on Commonwealth paper, watermarked Crown over
Q: and the sheets being double size, two plates or formes were used side by
side in the printing" press and afterwards divided. The small loop
variety, existent throughout the 1897 issues (Crown over Q) being absent in the
1907, I may conclude that a new mould was struck to make new electros of forty
stamps, the 1897 quadrangular intermediate die being availed of, as the four
distinct types are clear. Regarding the size of the electros we find on column
2, line 3 (No. 22), a small downward projection from the outer oval above and
almost touching the "L" of "land," and in the next column
3, on same line (No. 23), the shading lines are broken at front of bust and
neck. These very minor varieties again recur on lines 7 and 11 (stamp Nos. 62,
102, 63, 103), and they leave no doubt of their origin in the one mould of
forty stamps, also that three electros composed each plate. Although. the
useful loop of the 1897 mould is not found in that of the 1907 one, there is a
similar variety in one of the cliches, but the loop is at the foot of the
left-hand scroll, on No. 33, column 3, line 4, and it cannot be mistaken for
the 1897 loop, which was on a right-hand scroll. On line 3. column 1 (No. 21),
and adjoining the two mould types 22 and 23, there is a small projection from
top of "L" of "land." At column 1, line 6 (No. 51), is a
prominent white fracture of the front border, and another break also shows in
the back border at column 10, line 8 (No. 80). Those four blemishes (Nos. 21,
33, 51, 80) may be of service in identifying the twin plates, as the faults are
hardly likely to be found in both, but to distinguish right from left would not
be easy, as the sheets were separated by guillotine before being sent to the
G.P.O. for sale. The colour was originally a rich vermilion, but towards the
end became a dull rose. The perforation was principally 13, by the No. 1
(Buncle) comb machine, but in 1911 stamps found their way out with the
grotesque perforations 10 x 10, 12 x 12, &c., adapted from the railway
machine with letters "L," and also the subsequent irregular perforations,
ranging from 13 x 11 to 13 x 13, from the No. 2 comb machine set up by the
engineers of the printing office. In some of the earlier sheets the front
margin was not perforated laterally.
First Re-Drawn "Twopence," 1906.
The Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co. steel die had been the
victim of so many transmutations that it had become unsatisfactory for further
service, and as the "Twopence" plate, rearranged in June, 1906, was
much worn, it was decided to again resort to the camera as an economical and
rapid way of obtaining a fresh matrix. A good impression of the current
twopence, but with the portrait screened, was photographed on a greatly enlarged
scale. The lithographic draughtsman then drew, in the blank central oval, a
fresh profile portrait of Queen Victoria resembling the one taken out. Though
very similar there were variations not easily to be described but easily seen
when the stamps of 1897 and 1906 are placed side by side. The outline of the
profile varies, there is a lack of firmness in the chin, and the shading of the
neck and cheek is so coarse as to deface the ear. The most noticeable, perhaps,
and most easily remembered differences are, that in the 1906 re-drawn head the
front of the diadem, the coil of the hair, and the point of the bust ail
touched the inner thin blue line of the oval. The draughtsman apparently did
not interfere with any other part of the design. The photographer having
received back the patched drawing, reduced it to normal proportions, and by the
usual process the zinc plate was brought out. I have failed to find indications
that a quadruple die was used to make the mould, but have evidence that the
mould was for forty stamps. At column 2, line 2 (No. 12) are to be seen two very
small white dots in front of “P" of Pence," and one projecting from
the upper side of the "O” of Two," giving some resemblance to an
inverted "Q"; there is also a white dot above and touching the
"W" and white blemish between "T" and "W" of “Two."
Those varieties are repeated again in lines 6 and 12 (Nos. 52 and 92). At
column 4, lines 3, 7, 11 (Nos. 24, 64, 104), in the top border above the letter
"N" of “land" is a pyramid of three dots, caused by an
additional dot above the space between two regular dots. In column 6, lines 1,
5, 9 (Nos. 6, 46, 86), the thin white line under the neck is irregular and wavy
instead of a consistent Oval These three sets of varieties are unquestionable
evidence of three electros to the sheet. Of greater prominence to the eye are
some on line 11; where can be seen a white spot on the thick shading of the
neck, above "P" of "Pence," at column 4 (No. 104), and a
splash of white joins the head of "T" of "Two" bottom
floret of the left side scroll at column 6 (No. 106). The stamps, printed in
dull and deep blue, were issued in September, 1906, on Crown over Q paper, and
in December, 1907, it appeared on Crown ever A paper. The one plate served
throughout the stamp's short existence of nineteen months, and varieties Nos.
104 and 106 are to be found on both papers. The perforation is 12½-13,
by the No. 1 (Buncle) comb machine. This issue is notable from the fact that
the front margins were not perforated laterally, though such had been the
practice since 1895; and also because it was the only "Twopence" to
be printed on both "Q" and "A" watermarked papers. The
Commonwealth paper (from December, 1907, to April, 1908 is comparatively
scarce, and is apt to be confused with the succeeding issue. and sometimes
overlooked by the catalogues.
Second Re-Drawn "Twopence," 1908.
When it was apparent to the authorities, through criticisms
of the first re-drawn "Twopence," that the public had discovered the
difference from other denominations of the same series it was suggested that
the draughtsman should have another try, and being supplied with a second
headless enlargement, it was put through the same modus operandi as its
predecessor. Although successful in getting a better reproduction of the
original engraved head than was the case in 1906, differences could still be
seen on comparing it with the 1897 stamp. The point of the diadem was certainly
clear off the blue oval line, but the hair and bust still touched; and these
are the readiest means of distinguishing between the issues, since the 1897
stamp does not touch at any of the three points, while the 1906 touches at all
of them. In this second re-drawn head the profile and chin were strengthened:
the blue shading lines were much finer, the ear was brought up with
distinctness, and the head bore a generally lighter appearance than in 1906.
With the exception of the numerals and small ornamental fillings near them, the
rest of the design was left untouched. For printing, electro types of forty
stamps were used, though it would almost need a photomicrograph to demonstrate
the variations of this, which are a minute break in the thin oval blue line
under the first foot of "A" in "Queensland," in column 1,
lines 3, 7, 11 (Nos. 21, 61, 101), and a similar break in the oval line, nearly
opposite the mouth, column 6, lines 1, 5, 9 (Nos. 6, 46, 86). The sheets are
very free from other faults, and I only am aware of one, not prominent, and it
occurs in column 2, line 8 (No. 72), as a small white diamond on the outer oval
line immediately under the "WO" of "Two." It kept its place
until the end, but was not to be seen on every sheet, which rather perplexed me,
until I discovered that this issue and the "One Penny., 1908, were both
printed on double sheets of 240 stamps, by two parallel plates, and afterwards
divided into single sheets by guillotine. The No 72 variety is therefore useful
to distinguish between the two plates, but it is scarce. This second retouch
superseded the first re-drawn head in April, 1908, printed only on Commonwealth
Crown over A paper, in shades of dark to pale blue. It remained current until
the advent of the “Kangaroo." It was perforated 12½, 13. with the No. 1 comb machine,
the front. margins not being perforated laterally in the early printings. but
the practice of 1895 was resumed subsequently.
