GB KGV Downey Head - Overview And Discussion

Love this thread! Thank you.

OK I copied this from another recent thread but thought it better here.

From studying Skilo's posts and researching my Downy head I believe it is a Scarlet, Die 2, Single Crown Watermark- S.G.#341 Sound right to you? The watermark is identical to Skilo's " N11 " example and I have the S.G. color chips and it lines up with the scarlet chip. Also the postmark is of 1912 (July 3). I think I'm onto it now!

Fully shaded lion, second line in wreath is clear through -

Hi there ILS, nice Downey Head! Looks like you nailed the ID, watermarks are the primary determining factor for these Die2 1d. Downey Heads. It is always nice to have a clear date, now all we have to do is figure out what city ends in '...?TOW' and you will be totally dialed in! Could be INSTOW, PADSTOW, PLAISTOW, SCATTOW, SCOTTOW, STOW, WINSTANTOW or WISTANSTOW.

Here are the SG listed shades for SG 341(N11)along with their used prices (in British Pounds):

(1) Scarlet - 2.00
(2) Bright Scarlet - 2.00
(3) Deep Bright Scarlet - 4.00
(4) Very Deep Bright Scarlet - 75.00
(5) Aniline Scarlet - 100.00
(6) Scarlet Vermillion - 350.00

There are also a few things to keep an eye out for while browsing your N11's. The 'no cross on crown' pops up fairly regularly and adds a premium, but you do have to be careful when determining this on used stamps. Another is the "coloured blot on 'O' of ONE" variety.

How about this, maybe you have one of these in your holdings? This is a Screen capture taken from a scan posted elsewhere. The author of the article is Mike Jackson. He is the guru when it comes to the Downey Head, well actually he is the guru for all British KGV.



Here are some of my SG341 (N11), these ones are control blocks showing the variety from the article above:



Here is a closer look at the area in question from 1d. Downey Head controls above:







And thanks for the kind words and taking the time to add to the Downey Head Thread I_Love_Stamps! I always truly enjoy seeing what others have in their collection and it puts a big smile on my face when I see someone has posted here

Have a good one and happy hunting to all of you!

Skilo54

The ½d. Downey Head is another issue that can seem confusing to work with at first, but with a little bit of information the task of ID'ing them becomes much more manageable. You will now be familiar with the 3 different watermarks associted with the Downey Head issues. They are the Crown, Simple Cypher and Multiple Cypher Watermarks. Below are some images to help you remember the 3 different types:



Within the ½d. Downey Heads there are 6 Major types. Each one has its own unique characteristic making them a bit easier to deal with in comparison to the 1d. value. The fact that there are only 6 of them helps too.

½d. Downey Heads - 6 Major Types

SG# 321 - N1 - Die 1A WMK Crown
SG# 324 - N2 - Die 1B WMK Crown
SG# 334 - N3 - Die 1B WMK Simple Cypher - Booklets only
SG# 338 - N4 - Die 2 WMK Crown
SG# 344 - N5 - Die 2 WMK Simple Cypher
SG# 346 - N6 - Die 2 WMK Multiple Cypher

Let's begin by doing what I would do first when sorting a large lot of ½d. Downey Heads.....figuring out whether they are Die 1 or Die 2. Once this is determined we can refine our two piles from there, sound good?

The very first thing to become familiar with is the Kings Beard. In a Die 1 stamp the beard is very undefined, almost a solid looking blob of green in heavier printings. This was refined substantially on the Die 2 stamps where the beard is well defined. Below is a Die 1 stamp above a Die 2 stamp to illustrate the difference I am referring to:



See the difference in the beards? I think this is a great way to begin working out you ½d. Downey Heads. Another difference in the two has to deal with the ornament above 'P' of HALFPENNY. Below are two images to explain the differences between this design element on the Die 1 and Die 2 ½d. Downey Head stamps:





So now we are rocking! You should be able to now look at 2 distinct piles of ½d. Downey Heads on your Stamp Desk without the need to get too crazy with magnifying glasses or USB Microscopes.

Have a good one,

Skilo54

Put those Die 2's off to the side for a second or two, we have some Die 1 action to discuss. :P

Within the Die 1's there are three different issues, but don't get too freaked out, we will have it nailed in a few minutes. First let's figure out whether your stamp is a Die 1A or Die 1B, then we can go from there.

The differences between Die 1A and Die 1B aren't as simple as determining the difference between Die 1 and Die 2's. You will have to get in a bit closer and familiarize yourself with two key design elements in order to properly determine which one you have in your own collection.

The first area to look at and get familiar with is the right hand Dolphin, and the scales on its body. Below are two comparative images I have prepared to illustrate the differences, I hope they are clear enough for you all:





You will notice that in the descriptions I have mentioned a centre jewel? This is the other area to look at to determine if it is a Die 1A or Die 1B stamp. Again I have prepared Images to illustrate the differences:





So now we should be able to properly ID our first main type of ½d. Downey Head, the first one issued on June 22 1911, a Die 1A SG 321 (N1). There was only one release of the Die 1A's Watermarked Crown.


SG# 321 - N1 Die 1A WMK Crown

Die IA & Die IB (wmk crown)

Great stuff! Very clear presentation.

Scott calls these Original Die, Type 1, and Original Die, Type 2, and gives them Scott numbers 151 & 151d.

I prefer the SG approach.

Nicely done my friend! And what a perfect segue into the next run of posts! I am glad you are finding the thread helpful JkjBlue! Please keep posting away! I am Mclovin' it!

So we can now cross Die 1A ~ SG 321 off the list of 6. The next two are relatively easy to identify as the Watermark is the key to determining the difference between the Die 1B stamps. SG 324 has a Crown Watermark and SG 334 has the Simple Cypher Watermark.

SG 324 (N2) WMK Crown - Die 1B -



SG 334 (N3) WMK Simple Cypher - Die 1B - (apparently I have misplace my mint N3's.. :affraid: )





These ½d. Downey Heads were released in booklets only, so the usual booklet perfs and centering is another quick visual thing to look for when trying to ID these. Another thing to keep in mind when checking the watermarks, Crown watermarks are usually very strong and can be easily seen, whereas the Simple Cypher watermark can sometimes be faint and hard to see. If you are having a hard time determining the watermark on a Die 1B ½d. Downey Head, chances are it is a Simple Cypher. That is just my own observation from the Downey Heads I have studied, may not hold true for yours?

The remaining 3 issues are all Die 2's. You will need t check the watermark to properly identify your Die 2 ½d. Downey Head, and this can be difficult on used stamps. The key two features again for determining a Die 2 ½d. Downey Head is the well defined beard and the thick line on the ornament.






The first of the Die 2's is SG 338 (N4) Die 2 - WMK Crown - released January 1 1912

SG 344 (N5) - Die 2 - WMK Simple Cypher
Released August 1912



SG 346 (N6) - Die 2 - WMK Multiple Cypher
Released October 1912



Good Luck with your own Downey Heads, and I look forward to seeing some discoveries sometime soon!

Have a good one,

Skilo54

Getting close to 4000 views! That is Savage! It would seem that there are a few of us out there that like the Downey Head!

Has anyone else notice he listings on ebay getting a heck of a lot more accurate when it comes to Downey Heads?

I sure have!

Have a good one,

Skilo54

This presentation is excellent, so much information. Do you have a website?
Thanks,
Victoria

One monarch with so much interest, George V has to be king of stamps.

Hi Victoria, I am glad you enjoyed the Downey Head thread and truly appreciate the kind words! Thanks!

I do own the rights to www.downeyhead.com , but I haven't really figured out what to do to make it look like I am envisioning. Free time is a struggle for me, I may try to get a partner who knows their schtuff when it comes to websites and get them to dial it in.

I have tried my hardest to represent this wonderful stamp on the Big 4 online stamp forums, so the place to check out the latest 'buzz' on the Downey Head would be right here on SCF!

Hello Zee! Welcome to the forum! I am happy that you found the Downey Head thread and 'YES!' KGV is the king of stamps, called it, no erasies.

I'd also like to say a blanket 'Hello' to all the new members that have joined up recently, Welcome! Please feel free to use this thread to ask any and all questions you have of this wonderful stamp, I will always try my best to answer or comment. I also love scans of Downey Heads, so please pop a bit of eye candy into the mix, that's always cool and definitely appreciated!

I have a question for all the trained eyes out there. The following stamp.... overprint above or below the postmark? Opinions and observations would be truly appreciated, and I would be happy to provide additional magnified images if the need arises, no problemo!



I hope you are all well, and the collections are looking as good as ever!

Have a good one,

Skilo54

KGV,
From what I am taught, my feel is that this stamp is fake.
Official were issued before being cancelled. In England they were named from source of official, but this one is not.
Also letters are not straight this was not this way by Admiralty etc.
Save as curio, but alas not real overprint and many many fakes exist.

Here is a taste of what is coming.....



A nice Downey Head Perfin Lot, oh yeah!

Have a good one,

Skilo54

p.s.- This should put this thread over 4000 views! Happy time!