My Australian Oddities

On to another item from a recent purchase. Since I didn't have a mint copy of #1, this one looked interesting. It is hinged, but there seems to be a few things going on.



There is evidence of some retouches in the bottom section below the value in several areas, though this picture does not do it justice.



But I thought the most interesting feature was the marks in Spencer's Gulf that I haven't seen on any stamp except for the high values.



Probably just another one-off, but thought it was interesting.

I picked up quite a few modern gutter pairs, which aren't listed in ACSC. This one caught my eye, though it is extremely subtle. Two very light parallel lines in the upper right corner. Re-entry? Probably not.

And one more. Scott 365 was sold as an uncut booklet sheet. A total of 1,500 sheets were sold. (ACSC 400bc)

OK, those last ones were rather normal and uninteresting. This one may pique the interest of the Australian group. This is a 9d Kangaroo, Die IIB (Harrison Plate) with the CofA Watermark (type 6 in ACSC catalog). This makes this ACSC 29, or Scott 122.



What is interesting is the white flaw above the last "E" in "Pence".


According to the ACSC catalog, this is only found on Plate 2 with Die II and first watermark, second watermark, and third watermark.


My watermark is clearly the 6th one, and it is the Harrison Plate. Any idea how plate 2 could have been used with this watermark? Thanks in advance.

Scan of back added.

Caveat: Still learning to read the Catalogue.

Would this not be 29(4) I ( that should be eye as in fill) "broken shading over second "E" of "PENCE" ?
Plate 4 upper position.

For newbies, translating the catalogue is like reading the rune stones.

PS: Gorgeous stamp.

Why does my computer give an "L" when I hit the lower case eye button?

I thought the same thing, but it is slightly different.



I'm hoping the newest color version of ACSC has an update. Thanks for looking.

A colleague has the latest, we shall have a look next visit,
Possibly identified as 4L12

Partime

Just one of the many errors in the ACSC Roos. This one was corrected in the latest version to BW27,28,29(4)o. I usually recommend the Banwell and Parsons 9d Roos for anyone who is serious about the 9d (my area of specialisation).

Regards
Frank

Langtounlad. Thank you very much for the update. Can you also give me the current value (in AUS$)? Thanks so much.

Just found this one in my collection. Scott 48c (ACSC 20). An odd corner break that is not listed in ACSC. Probably just a bit of paper stuck during printing.

Hi Steve

That 5d green booklet sheet is quite impressive, imperforate on the left. For someone who lives in the US, you seem to be accumulating some nice Aussie stamps.

Errors such as these are always on my bucket list. Below is a booklet pane of non-helecon ink 5d reds of the same value and design.

In 1965, non-helecon paper stock was quickly used up by mixing helecon in the printing ink.

The QEII 5d green definitive was changed to red specifically for this purpose and is the only issue to use helecon ink (All other stamps used helecon coated paper).

In fact, the ink supply ran out before the paper did, and the final printings of this issue untreated.

In the 2015 ACSC (most recent issue) it states that the existence of booklet stamps printed with ordinary non-helicon ink was first reported in early 1966 after the stamp had been discontinued.

An official explanation was issued stating that these stamps were printed in error but that it was decided to issue the made-up booklets.

Distribution had been restricted as far as practicable to States other than New South Wales and Victoria.

Mint unhinged stamps (with the G6 in red showing on the cover) are rare. Only four booklets stamped "G6" have been recorded, the front cover shows that the pane of 6 is part of one of the booklets mentioned, this pane and the cover are rare.

Hi Rod

A capital "I' (lower case "i"), looks exactly like the lower case "l" (upper case "L").

Most likely your caps lock is/was on.

Rob

Partime

Your 9d Roo is catalogued at $A150.

Do not write off your 6d Roo so easily. As these have not yet been thoroughly plated anything could be lurking in that group.

Regards
Frank

Rob, Rod, Frank, thanks for the comments and information. My hoard of more interesting Australian varieties came from one auction lot. Some others I picked up at local shows here and there.

Rob. I was also lucky enough to pick up another 5d green booklet stamp at a local show. This is similar to the first, but imperf on the right side rather than the left. (If you would like one or the other, send me an email.)



I also just happen to have an ACSC 403c Booklet pane of 6, though I haven't checked it for Helcon Paper or Ink. Was there an easy method to tell which is which?

Scott 235 (ACSC 251ca). This is a vertical block of 18, three panes. According to ACSC,

"Plans to issue this stamp in booklets had to be abandoned following the postal rate increase on 9, July 1951. However, as an economy measure, uncut booklet sheets were issued for sale at post offices ..." There were 91,617 sheets sold, so not a big rarity, but it barely fits on a page in my collection. Please excuse the multi-screen view.