New Zealand 1850's

Hi to all
Both these stamps are imperf and both have a large star watermark, both are cancelled in oval.
How do I tell what year they are from?
Regards
Horamakhet

As I read Gibbons, there was only one issue with the large star watermark and imperf, in 1862-3. I don't see how you could be more definite about the year without the covers the stamps were on.

I collect these but you would need someone with far more knowledge than me to identify these stamps. However, I'll offer a few comments anyway. The majority of the imperforate Chalons you see from time to time are from the 1862 issue. The more valuable versions are from the 1855 issues. There were two major issues from 1855, the original London prints and the later blued paper printing. Regardless of the vintage, I wouldn't think your 2d stamp is especially valuable due to the ragged right edge, although it is still a nice stamp to keep. Hard to say what the 1d is - it is cropped so close to the design that it might even be a perforated stamp that someone has cut close. If the paper is really blueish, it might be worth letting a knowledgeable dealer have a look at it. I don't know much about the cancels but they might also provide some clues. I don't know where you live in Oz but there are plenty of people out there who know these stamps well.

Hi tonymacq and NBSTAMPER

Thank you for the information which is always appreciated.

The chalon heads are certainly confusing. I only have a 2006 Gibbons NZ catalogue, which is well out of date and it refers to the large star watermark and oval cancel being on the 1855 issue as well as the orange of 1857 and as well as the 1862 issues.
The 2d blue is ragged, but I will keep it as it is the only one I have.

I will take them to one of the big dealers in Melbourne as suggested.

However, does anyone know what towns in NZ the postmarks are from.
Regards
Horamakhet

I've been told that anyone who wants to collect N.Z. seriously has to have a specialized Campbell Paterson catalogue; it is a very expensive book and I haven't purchased one yet. However, where you are, you might be able to find one at a library. Not having browsed through one, I'm not sure if it would have information about the cancellations, but it might. I believe it has considerably more detail than the SG NZ. I am familiar with the old Pim's NZ catalogue and I believe C-B picked up where Pim's left off. The Pim's had an amazing amount of detail.

I believe the '1' is Auckland, and the 'D' is Dunedin (before Dunedin became 'DN'?).