ACSC 190) 1937. King George VI. 3d. Perforation 13½ x 14. Die I. Ink stripped known as "white wattles". C of A watermark. Greyish BlueThis the is original state of the die found in the earliest printing. The shallow lines of engraving were exaggerated by the use of an unsatisfactory ink in a characteristic Royal Blue shade which had a tendency to be stripped from the plate by the wiper (doctor blade). The die characteristics are:
1. The wattles and wattle leaves in each corner are very white with little shading.
2. The King's ear is unshaded and the chin is badly defined.
3. "TA" of "POSTAGE" at top right is pronouncedly joined at foot.
4. A characteristic of the ink stripping is that it tendered to produce two breaks in the inner left frame opposite the lower half of the portrait oval (two arrows shown above), and notably the easiest way to identify the stamp.
ACSC 191) 1937. King George VI. 3d. Perforation 13½ x 14. Die I. Right side 'TA' of 'POSTAGE' joined. BlueThe introduction of a new ink formula solved the ink stripping problems. This improved the appearance of the stamps, correcting the defects of 1, 2 & 4 of the "white wattles", although the outline of the chin remained unclear. However, the joined "TA" remained to a lesser degree (encircled above).
ACSC 192) 1937. King George VI. 3d. Perforation 13½ x 14. Die Ia. Right side 'T' of 'POSTAGE' tapered. C of A watermark. BlueThe joined "TA" flaw was addressed by retouching the two copper plates. On each unit the letters "T" and "A" were cut apart producing a characteristic tapering of the lower part of the "T". The hand retouching means there is inevitably some variation between the letters (arrow shown above).
ACSC 193A) 1938. King George VI. 3d. Perforation 13½ x 14. Die II. Thick chalky surfaced paper. C of A watermark. BlueThe appearance of the Die 1A was still considered unsatisfactory. Die II was the recutting of Die I, performed on a fresh transfer of the original die. The characteristics are:
1. "T" and "A" are separated, and the rest of "POSTAGE" has been re-engraved, making it appear even.
2. The King's chin is outlined and strong, continuous line.
3. No white space over King's ear, as in Die I.
4. Top of cross level with top frame and does not slope.
ACSC 193B) 1938. King George VI. 3d. Perforation 13½ x 14. Die II. Thick chalky surfaced paper. C of A watermark. Greyish-Blue
ACSC 193c) 1938. King George VI. 3d. Perforation 13½ x 14. Die II. Thick chalky surfaced paper. Ink stripping 'white face'. C of A watermark. Blue
ACSC 194A) 1938. King George VI. 3d. Perforation 13½ x 14. Die II. Thin unsurfaced paper. C of A watermark. Blue
ACSC 194B) 1938. King George VI. 3d. Perforation 13½ x 14. Die II. Thin unsurfaced paper. C of A watermark. Prussian Blue
ACSC 194c) 1938. King George VI. 3d. Perforation 13½ x 14. Die II. Thin unsurfaced paper. Severe ink stripping giving blurred effect 'white face'. C of A watermark. Blue
ACSC 195A) 1940. King George VI. 3d. Perforation 15 x 14. Die III. C of A watermark. Deep BlueWhen a new master plate was required following the introduction of the 14.75 x 14 perforating machines, it was decided to engrave a completely new die. This was based on the design that was used for the 1/4d stamp, in which the head is slightly smaller and more of the epaulette at right is showing. According to archival records, Die III was created in September 1939, and the master plate and electros derived therefrom are 640-on.
ACSC 195B) 1940. King George VI. 3d. Perforation 15 x 14. Die III. C of A watermark. Prussian BlueVALUE INCREASE
ACSC 223A) 1941. King George VI. 3½d over 3d. Perforation 15 x 14. C of A watermark. Yellow and Black on Deep BlueA ½d war tax was imposed on postage from December 10, 1941. On that date, in order to use up surplus stocks of stamps rendered obsolete, three surcharges were isued - 2½d on 2d, 3½d on 3d and 5½d on 5d. Personnel serving in the AIF, RAAF and RAN were exempt from paying the war tax.
ACSC 231A) 1942. King George VI. 3½d. Perforation 15 x 14. C of A watermark. Blue
ACSC 231a) 1942. King George VI. 3½d. Perforation 15 x 14. Thin paper. C of A watermark. Blue
ACSC 231D) 1942. King George VI. 3½d. Perforation 15 x 14. C of A watermark. Dark Blue
Posted 04/10/2017 09:07 am
