1987
Author: Mr. Bernie Doherty.
Australia 1/2d Postage Due (10th Series)
Some time ago I found a used copy of the 1/2d bicoloured Australian postage due SG
D112 (ACSC D80) in a lot with an unusual flaw. The stamp had a crescent shaped cut
passing through the outline of the ball of the 2, in the value tablet. A check of my trusty
reference book on postage dues, "Commonwealth of Australia: The Postage Due Stamps
1902 -1963" by R P Hyeronimus had no reference to this flaw, so I presumed that it was a
transient.
Some months later, a block of 40 mint SC D112 stamps were acquired. Here again the
crescent shaped flaw was evident, giving substance to this being a constant flaw rather
than a transient. Possibly damage to this old typo value plate late in its life, was the cause
of the flaw. And with the block of 40 it was possible to locate the actual position of the
flaw, in relation to other primary and secondary flaws on the block. A grid showing the
position os this new flaw at E16, and the other flaws in blocks F,E,A and C is shown .
The actual flaw is shown .
This particular issue of postage due stamps was printed on Crown CofA watermarked
paper, having the first Recess Frame plate and the old Typo value plates Die 1, Issued in
sheets of 120, left and right panes of 60 (10 rows of 6).
Unfortunately the date on the used copy with the flaw is illegible, and it is impossibleto
arrive at a possible period of issue. Has any other collector come across this particular
flaw?
Posted 08/21/2011 10:49 pm
