Help - Austria Franz Josef 1890 On Thin Transparent Paper?

Scott is doing a rather poor job on Austria . It annoys me that perf varieties are mentioned, and not listed. What's even worse is what appears to me like two very different papers on Franz Josef 1890 issue, eg:

The left stamp is so transparent I can almost read the Scott catalog through the paper - the stamp on right is not transparent at all. Seen from the reverse the design is perfectly clear on the transparent one, and almost invisible on the other. Both are granite paper.

Seems to me the thin transparent paper is less common than the normal paper. Please - Will anyone with Michel (or other even more comprehensive catalog) share some light on different papers for this issue (and later issues)?
Thanks, Jon

From a 1907 journal:

In a country where all issues have their own points of interest, it is difficult to single out any particular series for special eulogy. but we shall always hold that the Austrian stamps of 1867-1883, showing the laureated head of Emperor to right, are an ideal set from the point of view of the stamp collector. What an array one can get of these, and at what a trifling outlay of cash! Although there are only seven values—the 2, 3, 5, 10, 15, 25 and 50 kreuzer-—the varieties of color, paper and perforation swell the number of obtainable varieties to forty, and only three or four of these are so scarce as to be beyond the reach of the philatelist of moderate means. At least two—sometimes three or more—distinct shades of colour are to be found in each value. There are two distinct papers-thick and thin, the latter being unmistakeable in its semi-transparency. First perforated in a gauge of 9%, the stamps were afterwards issued "pert, 10 to 11%" and "perf. 12 to 13", while the 3 and 10 kreuzer values (on the thin paper) have 'been found in a compound of 11 by 9%, and are scarce in this condition. The 3 kreuzer green also exists with a compound perforation of 12 to 13 by 10 to 10%. This series of Austrians may well furnish one of the most striking pages in the young vphilatelist's album if he will observe a correct chronological and philatelic classification.

EDIT: I'll see what can be found regarding 1890's issue.

I agree Blaamand, Scott is not very good with the classical Austrian issues. I also have thin and thick paper on some values.

My ancient SG Europe refers to forty different perforations or combinations thereof, and lists five groups in some detail, but doesn't mention paper types. I suspect that later SG catalogues will have more detail. This and the following issues are a way to fill in long evenings if you have the patience. Worth looking out for the perfs of 9 or 10 1/2 on the 1901-2, 1905-6 and 1906-7 issues "made specially by the postal authorities to the order of certain highly placed philatelists"!

Scott's 1903 catalogue lists 64, 64a, and 64b. 64a is on bluish paper and 64b is without numerals. Nothing, however, about the 'granite' paper.

The perfs, by the way, are listed as 9 to 10.5 and 11.5 to 13.5.

Thank you gents - seems we all have experienced the 'infinite' number of perf/color-var for these - and now the paper on top of that!



Absolutely Geoff - and I have the patience, for now at least.

KGB - I was not aware the thin paper variations for the 1874 issue, interesting. Let's see if some will chime in with more info with regards to paper for later issues.



Edit: KGB - our posts 'crossed' - It's all granite from 1890-1908, presume you mean "Nothing, however, about the 'transparent' paper."? Interesting with the blue paper var, it's not listed in my cat, thanks!

From 1899:

Issue of 1890-91.
All the stamps of this issue have two points in common, viz.,the horrible granite semipelure paper and the thick glutinous mass of almost insoluble stuff which is supposed to be gum, or perhaps " Double adhesive mucilage"
The result of these two is to produce a series of stamps which in the normal used condition are most unprepossessing. They can, however, be made fairly respectable if placed face upwards in very hot water for an hour or so (I have never found the colour change in the least except in the case of some of the 5 kr. value), and then turned face downwards on blotting paper, the paper slipped ofT the back and the "glue," which by this time has swollen to a considerable thickness, carefully scraped off by a sharp horn or ivory paper knife. Then, after pressing and mounting, they look considerably better. Unused specimens curl up unless constantly under pressure and should have two hinges when mounted.
The shades, which are somewhat washy in appearance, vary considerably, but none of them except the 5 kr. change if the faces be not wetted and are therefore distinct printings. The 5 kr. is frequently aniline-rose and must be treated differently, as hot water causes this colour to run.
In some fer cases cold water will dissolve the gum, but usually it seems to make the stamps stick more closely to the paper.
The 10 kr. is frequently found on thicker less transparent paper than the other values.

http://www.linns.com/en/insights/st...r-types.html

"Granite and silk papers require the addition of colored fibers to the paper pulp, mixed in to spread the fibers evenly."

"Pelure paper is almost translucent. It is thin, lightweight and very strong, similar in appearance to what used to be called 'airmail paper.'"

Example of a stamp on pelure paper:

The Austria Netto Katalog Spezialkatalog has prices
for the perforation varieties but not for the paper.

It mentions though that the granite paper can vary from white to

yellow-grey, soft, hard,glossy (glassine) or translucent (pelure?) type.

Nice snip Litho

What are columns F and G?

F = compound perforations (cheapest type)

G = imperforate pairs

BC, see here on this German stamp forum for German to English
and English to German philatelic terms translated.
You might already have this link or maybe I even got it from you.

http://www.philaseiten.de/cgi-bin/dict.pl

litho, fantastic!

Thanks Litho - it is not in my database, so you get the credit

Thanks to all. That's a lot of helpful information, particularly the Michel scan. lithograving :
Seems like no cats are listing different papers specifically, but Michel is at least saying there are differences. I guess with the already large range of varieties provided by the various perforations, the cat issuers did not want to bother with paper types on top of that.

KGB - The stamps I have with very thin and hard paper pretty much resembles the hard pelure paper as described in your link - but in addition it also has the silk threads as in granite paper.... so maybe best term would be 'pelure granite paper' ?

Happy stamping!

Hi Blaamand




The catalogue mentioned is the Austria Netto Katalog
not Michel.

Litho - thanks for the correction! Is this the top-notch catalog for Austria?