Australian Watermarks

I have a question or two to ask of our knowledgeable community.

The first question is rather a general one. How common are inverted watermarks in the earlier issues - Roos and George V? I have isolated two in my collection, which is not large when it comes to these issues, one on Scott #21 and one on Scott #116. The catalogue itself makes no mention of this variety so I have no idea whether they are relatively common or quite unusual.

My second question is in reference to Scott #50 with the Narrow Crown, Narrow A. The watermark is quite apparent and reasonably well centered on the stamp. However, there is also a vertical line watermark which runs from top to bottom and when you are looking at the reverse of the stamp, it is to the left of the crown. Any information on what I am seeing here?

I have tried scanning the stamp but cannot get the watermarks to stand out.

Some are common some are not ,I have no idea which is which using scott numbers can you show pics please.

The watermark line runs around the edge of the sheet it helps with plating top,bottom,left,right.

Pictures of the stamps are shown here. I have tried to get the watermarks clearly and they are not bad though I am not entirely happy with them.

First is the example with the vertical line. Thank you, by the way, for that bit of information. I was not aware of the guideline around the sheet of stamps.








Next are the two stamps where I did find an inverted watermark. First picture is the face of the stamp and it is then followed by the watermark. You should be able to identify the issue from these. Unfortunately, neither the local library nor I has a copy of Stanley Gibbons to supply alternate numbers.














Just to add to the issue, there is one more stamp from the region with an inverted watermark. This time from New South Wales.








Hope these make it easier to identify.

Hi Backroads,

I have both Scott and Stanley Gibbons (SG), and I find that SG has much more information on the British Commonwealth varieties. Scott #21 is indicated by Scott Wmk #9 (or Wmk #5 in SG). Scott #21 is claimed to be Die I, Die Ia, Die II, Die I rough paper, , or Die 1a rough paper. Not really too much help there, so first you have to decide whether you have Die I or Ia, then, somehow, figure out if you have rough paper.

Inverted watermarks can only be followed in SG, but first you have to identify the Die correctly, and then the paper. Some of the SG listings for Inverted Watermark are great, others only a small premium.

<Scott #128 comments removed.>

I looked at my copy of #50, and didn't see any type of special vertical line watermark. As Aussie Al says, try and show us some pics and maybe we can be of more help. Good luck.

Your Scott #116 is the SG 127w which is for Inverted Watermarks, from booklets. This is common with a relatively small premium.

Your KGV penny red is die 1 smooth paper cat value $5 ,rough paper has blotchy ink so is easy to pick.

As Partime said the two pence CofA Wmk is common.