South West Africa Airmail Question.

Hello everyone, I just bought this airmail cover from South West Africa.

My question is about the numbers above the airmail stamps. I tried to find answers on google first, but could not find the information I was looking for.

I did find out that there were 2 types of SWA overprints. Small and large, I believe this is the small overprint.

Are the numbers above the stamps correct? I believe they are the Stanley Gibbons numbers.

Is there any significance to the subnumbers: I mean the b and II behind the 70 and the I behind the 71.

Thanks for your help.

Hi: In this link the different types....
http://www.southafricanstamps.net/S...t_Africa.htm

Thank you perf12. Some good information there.

So 70/71 is small overprint, 72/73 larger overprint.

Still leaves me with 1 question: What is the difference between a 70/71 and a 70a/71a.

In the link: no stop (.)after A

Sorry perf 12 you are absolutely right.

My mistake, I got so confused that asked the wrong question

Right question: What is the difference between a 70/71 and a 70b/71b?

It seems the "b" is a later printing.The upper "airpost is a bit taller.
Some of these web sites only give bit's of info.Never explain everything!

I have been able to buy a few more covers from the same vendor. One of them the same flight with a set of lager overprints.

For those who are interested:

70/71 Small overprint: 1,95 cm or 19,5 mm(whatever you prefer)
72/73 large overprint: 2,20 cm or 22 mm

Nice pair of covers.

Robson Lowe describes the 70b and 71b as later printings with a cleaner overprint, thinner letters and square stops. Gibbons agrees.

Gibbons appears to say that the main catalogue numbers (and higher values) are assigned to the first printing, issued November 27, 1930, and the 70b and 71b numbers are later printings (plural). Even though they have a minor number, the later printings have much lower values in the catalogue. So how often do you think SG 71b is identified (and priced) as SG 71?

The takeaway is that if you are looking for the smaller overprint setting, go with fat and blurry, and rounded corners on the stops (periods). The catalogue-value premium, especially on the 1sh, can be significant.

In Robson Lowe, the overprints are listed as 9.5mm (70 and 71) and 11mm (72 and 73). And as long as I'm typing, in case anyone is interested in the numbers printed:

70: 24,000
71: 14,400
72: 49,200
73: 24,000

As always, if I'm having a braincramp while reading the catalogues, someone please speak up.

Seems pretty good to me They can be a bit of a headache to sort out.

I also note Robson Lowe's comment about forgeries of the errors on the larger overprint type. These are definitely stamps to purchase with a certificate from a reputable body.