Unusual Watermark In Australian KGV Margin

This is the reverse of an Australian KGV issue. On the left is the normal single watermark (Crown over A). On the other side, however, there seems to be a partial watermark of something else, perhaps a letter or a double circle, and something else again below it (in the bottom righthand corner). Does anyone know what this might be or has seen something like this before?



Detail:



Thanks for looking!

I think you may have something pretty special there. The vertical line makes me think they were at the end of a roll of paper and weaved in a little more to complete the sheet, but used paper with a different watermark.

I agree. It looks like a join between rolls on the sheet. Nice.

I am going papermaker's name.
Can we identify the stamp first please?

Perhaps "Commonwealth of Australia"
or "Postage"
from the dandy roll of the typographed Georges
on war savings paper.
(guess)

There he goes again.

Thanks for the comments, everyone.

I also wondered about the vertical line.

rod222, the stamp is a garden variety 1 1/2d scarlet KGV. At least, it looks the same as any other from the front.

It may be, but before identifying anything
we should have all the possible information, otherwise
we are going in blind.

Well, this is what it looks like from the front:

It goes something like this,
and possibly can be confirmed or debated
by an owner of Brusden White.

paper was issued for the 1d line engraved george
but as the war intervened, the paper was used for
the war savings stamps.
Subsequent to this the paper was then used for the typographed
issues as yours above.
I think then this is part of the margin text
of the dandy roll, which did show "commonwealth of australia"
and "postage"
I feel I have seen it before, but it certainly does not
come up that often that I have to just put it down
to conjecture at the moment.

Whatever the outcome, an interesting piece, and well done you
for spotting it.
I am sure SCF will come up with the definitive answer in time.

Thanks for the information, rod.

I wonder if there's anyone I could send the scans to who might be able to identify the margin text?

Rod, this isn't the special Wartime printing on War Savings paper: that was made in 1917 for the 1d, but this is a 1½d from 1924. I'd guess SG 77. However, I'm sure you're right about the origin of the line and bases of the letters. These turn up quite frequently on that Other Place Which Must Not Be Named - minimal value, except insofar as they help plate the stamp.

Thanks Tony,
yes you are right,
I have been "trawling" through my library,
the answer lies in "the aust comm specialists catalogue" (I think)

In 1924 due to a paper shortage, local paper stocks were used
and due to poor placement of paper some stamps became
"no watermark" or, if I have it right, "single line watermark"
which, as you say, do not qualify to be catalogued.

I have read so much looking for the solution, I am
losing the plot myself.
If this is correct, the margin text remains unknown,
as I think the paper makers name remains unknown.

I tried googling for "single line watermark" examples
but the search was fruitless, we need wt1 :)

That's all very disappointing.

I'm a bit surprised to learn that a stamp can show a portion of a different watermark and remain of 'minimal value.'

Yes, I suppose you feel that way,
but it is certainly an interesting piece.

Recently a new wmk error has been found on a KG5
the "C" of C of A was put on the dandy roll backwards

Yours is still the same wmk, but just shows part
of the edge of the roller imprint that is normally sheared off.


see the margings shown here...

Thanks for posting that, rod.

The watermark on the side seems to be the 'O' from 'CROWN AGENTS.'

But the one in the bottom righthand corner doesn't resemble any of those other letters. It looks more like part of a logo.

I've been looking everywhere for an image of the sheet layout for Crown and CA watermarks. Thanks, Rod. I'm no expert when it comes to watermarks and read elsewhere about the margin lines sometimes showing up. My particular interest was prompted by a Gambia Scott #8x/SG #14cB QV stamp. The only part of a watermark I can discern is a horizontal line across the center of the stamp. There is clearly nothing below the line and whatever is above the line is unclear to me and mostly hidden by a hinge remnant. Can I safely assume the sheet layout presented above would apply to the 1880 QV Gambia issue? Thanks!

Tom