Australia King George V Bw 70A

Hi to all,

is there a definitive way to identify Brusden White 70a

I have one that may or may not be.
The stamp has a perforation of 14.2 on all sides, and has the type two watermark, and the watermark is inverted.
Before I send it off to have it examined, does anyone have ideas that would possibly help me.

Regards

Horamakhet

I wonder how many here have a Brusden White catalogue.

I have a copy of Brusden-White's, "The Australian Commonwelath Specialists' Catalogue: King George V". It is an excellent book for those interested in this particular series.

As Horamkhet says, the 70a is a Single Watermark, Type 2, with a Single-line perf 14.2.

In Scott terms, this is Scott 21, the 1d Red, Watermark 9 (Wide crown and Narrow A) variety from 1914-1922 ... and that is about it. Scott does not do this issue any justice.

Stanley Gibbons would call this Watermark 5, specifically SG 21bw. The note in SG says, "Most of the Nos 20/3 were perforated 14 by a comb machine (exact gauge 14.25 x 14), but printings of the 1/2d in December 1915, of the 1d in July and August 1914, and of the 5d until June 1917 were perforated by a line machine measuring 14.2". So, it appears the one of interest was only printed for a short period in 1914.

The Brusden-White catalogue has a note on this particular stampe that, "At least eight used examples with watermark inverted have no been recorded." This leaves great hope for Harmkhet's find.

Good luck on the certification. I'm sure that you have double and triple-checked for the 14.2 perf. I, personally, would find it difficult to tell the difference between 14.2 and 14.25 x 14, but the inverted watermark definitely points towards something of value. Good luck!

Yes, good luck!

Horamkhet

Put up a good scan of your stamp (at least 600 resolution ) as there are enough experienced Australian collectors on this board who can give you an opinion. Might save yourself $70 in certification fees.

Regards
Frank

Is your stamp line perforated or comb perforated? I'd be checking that aspect before sending it to be expertised.

Hi to all

Copy attached of what I hope is BW70a


Regards

Horamakeht

Line the perfs up with a one penny Violet KGV if they line up its not line perf, Violets only come in comb perf .

Horamkhet

Definitely a comb perf.

Regards
Frank

Hi to all

Thanks for all the helpful information.


Horamakhet

Hi langtounlad

Now most combs I have seen have sharp points (talking about combs for hair) So would a comb perf follow suit. This stamp has perfs that are cut flat across?
Regards
Horamakhet

Pointy perfs tips vs. flat perf tips are a function of the size of the hole and the spacing between holes. The major difference seen between line and comb perfs are in the hole placement. With comb perfs the holes are always in the same position, since three sides are perforated in one operation. With line perfs the holes usually don't line up so neatly. Typically comb perfed stamps have the same pattern of holes at each corner. Here's an image I ripped from the Internet, comb on the left, line on the right...

Horamkhet

Your scan above shows perfectly normal comb perforations. The pointed tips of some perfs is related to the amount of paper removed by the perforation pins as explained by billsey.

Following is my KGV SLP ½d which shows how to check SLP in the KGV series. You will also note that because the Australian machine used in this case had larger pins the perfs have a more pointed appearance.




Regards
Frank

Hi to all

Once again thank for the advice, it is always helpful and instruction.
Best stamp site on the web.
Horamakhet

Hi to all

One other thing that makes this stamp a possibility for BW70A is the machine cancellation.

Regards

Horamakhet

Horamkhet

BW70A is a single line perf stamp. Your stamp is not single line perf.

Regards
Frank