GB KGV Downey Head - Overview And Discussion

Maybe that Krag looks familiar to some of you?

The Krag cancel that the CA O/P 1d.Die 1A Downey Head is the exact same one that is shown as example in both the 4th and 8th editions of the reference "Collect British Postmarks". It would seem that someone has photocopied the cancel and placed the stamp on it to make it look complete? Pretty sneaky move if you ask me!

Here is the one that has been in CBPM's since the 4th edition, where it is listed as #254. I would now think the 212 is the number it was referred to in an earlier version of the handbook? It is now called #10/109 in the 8th Edition:



Kind of makes a fella wonder even more about the CA overprint? Any chance we could have a whopper of a scan, maybe around 1200 dpi, of the actual stamp?

Regardless, this gives me some ideas as to what to do with these:











Thanks for the update LB1, I for one truly appreciate all the efforts you have put forth into researching this interesting Downey Head!

Yerthebestbus!

Skilo54

Nice pages Skilo !
Long time I did not get back to this and so here is the 1200 scan you asked for.
As you can see, the cancel is clearly over the 'C' so unless this Krag cancel was used in Australia House, it looks like this is a good piece as stated on the sheet.

I think you deserve this piece Skilo.




Londonbus1

Londonbus, that is excellent news my friend! I would be extremely happy to be able to include this in my Downey Head Collection! Please send me a message via PM here or The GOMC and we can figure out the details on this one!

Just did a couple backflips when y'all were blinking,,,,

Have a good one,

Skilo54

skilo54 - I just discovered this thread, and it is, without a doubt the "gold standard" for the Downey Head issues.

And this is after I published a review of the Downey Heads on my blog, intended for the classical generalist, and handicapped by the Scott nomenclature.

http://bigblue1840-1940.blogspot.co...00-1950.html

But the reason for adding to this thread is a question about the SG #329 Die 1B stamp (Scott 152g)...



Both stamps here are Die 1, Imperial crown watermarked.

Let's take a closeup of the right ribbon area of the left stamp...




I believe this is a SG #329 Die 1B....

Now let's look at a closeup of the right ribbon area of the right stamp...



Note ALL the lines are broken? Is this still SG #329 1B, a sub-type of SG #329 1B, or something else altogether?

Hi there, that is great that you blogged about the Downey Head! I am going to have to check it out, Nice One!

With regards to your observation, I think your used stamp is SG#329 - WMK Crown, and your mint stamp is SG#332 - WMK Crown - Booklets only. The differences may be caused by a lighter printing pressure would be my guess, nothing in the ribbon lines is too far out of normal IMHO. That being said, howzabout that cool little cedilla underneath the 'R' of "REVENUE" on that Mint 1d. Downey! Most likely a transitory flaw, but regardless, one I would most certainly note if it was mine.

I will scan something that will add to this post, one second, I'll be right back....

Skilo54

So a any remaining "complete" line or a "broken" line (Both to the right of the second line as SG describes it) both qualify as Die B, as long as the second line of shading is broken in the middle.

Of interest, SG and Scott put a slightly different twist on the explanation. SG emphases is on the presence or absence of a second line, while Scott describes "two complete" lines, or "one complete" line for the respective Dies.




Cool. So it is probably a 1d scarlet, Die B (Imperial Crown wmk).
Scott lists that as a 152k.

But I see nothing about either SG #332 or Scott 152k in the respective catalogs listing this stamp as being from a booklet. Is this "known", but not in the catalogues? BTW, my SG is the 2012 Commonwealth & British Empire 1840-1970 catalogue: perhaps it does not have all the information.




I see it!

Thanks skilo54, I'm learning a lot.

Thanks for the pics-what a collection.




That is for sure!

Skilo54. A question regarding the SG 332. Is the shade the deciding factor whether or not it is the booklet stamp? The booklet stamp is shown in the 4 Kings specialised as some shade of scarlet, while the other stamps leading up to it are shades of carmine. (and thanks again)

I have a few of these that I'd like someone of authority on the subject to look over. Nothing special I'm sure but you may find one you need or something? I'll scan and post them later on today. Thank you for the really informative thread!

Hi there, how's things?

I missed you post earlier this week Rohumpy, I am glad that letter made it to you safe and sound! Please enjoy!

RE: SG329/332

Colour is a very important clue in determining the difference, but there are some shades to keep in mind. If you aren;t able to work with shades, perf tips will be your next best clue, at least one top or bottom edge will be straight cut from when they were trimmed and assembled. Another thing to look for is 'booklet centering' placement of the printed image on the printing paper. There are some visual changes to the actual image that I have noticed, but I have never read anything on this and I need time to prepare these observations properly. I'll post anything more I find out here, I'll ask a couple folks and see what they say, stay tuned....

ILS, good news on the Downey Heads! I am looking forward to seeing the scans and can try to answer any question you may have regarding them.

It's been a long week, that took far too long to type. I hope I make sense, seems good to me!

Have a good one,

Skilo54

oh, and what would a post from me be without a little Downey Head Magic.... howzabout a couple Registered covers, some of my favorites!

Rohumpy! I just had a thought.....

Since you made the 101th post here on the Downey Head thread, you won a prize! The ol' crystal ball must have been firing on all cylinders or something....

I'd enjoy seeing Downey Heads from others, feel free to join in the fun! I always enjoy a good scan bomb!

Have a good one,

Skilo54

A prize? Wow. I win so few prizes.