Australian Kookaburras Bird Stamp Question

Is it possible to tell by quick glance which variety these are by any chance? It seems there are a few Scott #173 varieties of this stamp with different perforations. I haven't checked SG numbers yet :)

These birds are Kookaburras. Perhaps you could rename the thread? I can't do these at a glance, I'm sorry.

Done. Sorry about that. Thanks.

Good lord, that was quick!

They can be one of 4 possible types Marc.

1 SG172 Wmk 15 p13.5 x 14
2 SG189 ditto p15 x 14 (red brown or purple brown)
3 SG230b No Wmk

wmk 15= multiple crown over CofA

Hope this assists

What I can make out from looking at them closely is this. Neither the block of 4 or the single stamp has a watermark at all. And since they are still gummed and never used I would think the watermark should at least be visible if there was one. I don't have a perf gauge to measure them, but I would assume they are closet 15 perfs rather than 13.5 perfs. The block looks a bit more purple brown in color and the single stamp looks a bit more chocolate brown. The color difference is so subtle, but that is my estimation. It would seem though the ones with more value have the lower number of perfs which these do not seem to be. So according to Scott numbers above, I think the block is #173 and the single stamps is #173b possibly. I would think maybe the catalog value for the 5 together is around $10. Thanks again Rod.

Maybe a poor man's perforation gauge will help:
My understanding is perf # is the # in 2cm of edge. So either measure 2cm edge and count the number, or count the total number of perfs, divide by total length in cm, then multiply by 2.

As for detecting watermarks without use of a black-light or watermark fluid, maybe somebody here can offer an opinion?

perf gauges, grrr... I had to put my early US stamps back on the shelf due to the lack of a perf gauge the all look the same to me!

Not to burst your bubble or anything,
but it's always better to be surprised on the higher side.
Catalogue value is a load of cobblers.
If your catalogues says $10 for the 5, then assume 30%
If you then assume the 5 to be worth $3, then you get a surprise
when you receive more, if you do.
A worthy regime with any "valuation".

That $3 is the 5 nicely presented in a part Hagner's
covered by a Mylar strip, on card with the auction reserve.

In an album, the appraiser would flip over those without nary a glance.

Welcome to stamp collecting.

Thanks everyone. Don't worry Rod, no bubble bursted. I am aware of that. I also realize these are not any high value stamps at all. I am only noting down catalog values for reference purposes and in this case assuming the lesser value is what they are since I can't tell exactly on the perfs.

Great Marc
thusly armed with the pros and cons
prevents unrealistic expectations.

Let's hope you get surprised in the positive.

These are nice to look out for. The Ash imprint in a block of four is now a pricey item

Looks like no wmk, so 173b to me.

Buy a Stanley Gibbons Instanta perf guage. Not the cheapest but the best in my opinion.

"As used by the incumbent Indian States Guru, Mr. Tony Macg"

And me!

Mine tinkit they fit