Sg Bahamas 152Bb Two Pence Printed Double.

Came across this stamp today. Is it possible that it is SG Bahamas 155bb with the two pence printed double? Or is it a fake?


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Apart from the claimed 'doubling' only occurring at the top of the letters spelling the value - making doubling unlikely - , have a look at the right leg of the 'W.' This is oriented from the southwest to the northeast. The 'doubling' is oriented southeast to northwest. If it would be doubling, it should have the same orientation, unless it is where the left leg of the 'W' ended up. But then the 'T' should not show doubling where it does.

Several of the letters show patches of very weak printing. This is most notable on the left of the horizontal stroke of the 'T,' the top of the 'P,' and the top of the left vertical stroke of the 'N.' It looks like something caused the ink to be smeared when, still, it was wet.

Thanks NSK for your great interpretation. All valid points and I agree with your conclusion.

Known as a "kiss-print", it is caused by slight paper movement during printing. Often confused for a double print, likewise for surcharges and overprints.

Unlikely to be a kiss print. That, indeed, would have doubled some of the design. This looks more like something swept some ink upward or the ink ran.

Looks to me like an 'ink pull'
Don

Perhaps TimH could offer some sage advice,
would these be printed in a two step process ?

The value tablet printed separately ?

Not seen the value text impinge on the bottom frame before.

It does appear like a key-plate issue. The Empire Catalogue (2007) does not say whether or not it is. But I agree with rod222. The value is set very low in the frame, suggesting it was printed separately.

The higher face value stamps from this series are printed in two colours, which suggests there are two plates involved in the printing process.

I save scans of stamps that are unusual and rare when I see them on internet posts. Here is one of the 2-1/2d double print Bahamas issue. The double printing results in a very deep impression in the value tablet. There were done in two steps which is why only the value tablet was printed this way. Unfortunately, I did not save the source of this post, so I can't say where it came from originally. Hopefully it shows what to look for as you sort these stamps.

I recall similar stamps from Malaya, (KG6) single colour but "Two Pass printing"
for the value tablet.
Not considered scarce.

Here are copies of some other Bahamas showing the two pass printing. Nothing "double-printed" like KGVIstamps pointed out, but definitely shows that the value plate position can be variable. The 2 1/2d is a little harder to see.


Also, not "ink-pulls" or wet ink like the OP's two pence example. I thought I had a similar stamp like that ... I'll have to keep looking.

Nice examples Steve.
I think I read about the two pass printing on the Keyplates
from L.N. and M Williams years ago.
Editors of "The Stamp Lover" and "The British Philatelist"
If memory serves.