Double Fairlie Australia 1979

Hi to all

In Gibbons Catalogue 6th edition, item no. 715a is listed as a major error missing black colour etc.
However, these two copies of the stamp, The one on the left shows another possible error, it is partly missing some of the black, particularly around the word Australia. ( You can actually see an orange forward slash)Also the orange in the foreground is much lighter and also also the clothes on the guy standing in front of the engine by himself, his clothes are completely black rather than black and brown. Also the two guys standing together, one of them has a missing colour also on his clothes. Perhaps this is a stamp that shows the progressive loss of colour.
Has anyone else seen this variation?
Regards
Horamakhet

I think you'll find it's just been sitting in the sun a bit too long, I'm afraid. Very hard to prove missing colours in used stamps, in any case.

Hi Tonymacg
I have a question though
Why would black around Australia fade to Orange, and why are only parts of the clothing faded. If stamp was left in the sun then the fading would be even, not selective?
Regards,
Horamakhet

Doesn't always work like that, you'll find. Different colours fade out more quickly than others, and the fading may be more extreme where the colour is more lightly applied. This sort of thing is depressingly common in modern stamps.

Hi tonymacq
Thanks for the information. much appreciated.
Horamakhet