UK Old Stamps, Cannot Determine Catalog Number

Hello everyone,

Hereby two stamps where I cannot find the right catalog number.
I think it is SG 105 or SG 118...

Can you guys determine which catalog number the right one is.
Thank you very much!

We must be looking at different Gibbons Catalogues.

My version which is the 2013 Commonwealth & British Empire Stamps 1840 - 1940 edition shows that they are either SG 351-356 or SG 418 for the 1/2d value, and SG 362-365 or SG 420 for the 1-1/2d value.

The defining issue is the watermark - it will be either the Royal Cypher which has a crown with GvR in script above it, or repeating block letters of GvR with a small crown above it. (See the catalogue to view the watermarks).

Once you determine the watermark, you will have to decide on the color. It is kind of tough with used stamps, but if it is the script watermark, I would guess the 1/2d is SG 351 (1/2d Green) and the 1-1/2d is SG 362 (1-1/2d Red-Brown).

Let us know if you determine the watermark.

Actually 105 and 118 are the illustration numbers, not the catalogue numbers. Your stamps are both 105, the most obvious difference being the vignette - the area behind the head which is shaded like your two examples and solid for illustration 118.

KGVIStamps has already given you the correct possible SG numbers - they are all illustration 105.
Clive

Clive, thanks for figuring it out. I couldn't see how he got SG 105. It never occurred to me to look at the illustration number.

How can I identify the watermarks?
I don't have an UV lamp...

Ricky, sometimes holding the stamp in a strong light works, but you can usually use a black tray and some lighter fluid will work.

Peter

I use black paper under a strong light. The watermarks are very different, so even if you just see a few letters you can tell them apart. Script characters are the Royal Cypher, and Block characters are the one used later on.

Black tray and watermark fluid.

The first stamp is watermarked with GvR and a crown, so that must be a SG no. 418.
I now know that the catalog numbers are stated in the most left column of the text.
Thanks for the correction.
Now the one who is perforated, I cannot discover any watermark under bright light... Maybe other tricks for getting the best view of the watermark?

Greetings from Holland

Somebody who can confirm my findings?
Sincerely Yours,

Ricky93

If everything else fails (ie you do not purchase Watermark fluid)
then soaking in cold water always does the trick.

Cold water, immerse stamp for say 10 minutes, and place on a darkish dish, the Wmk will stand out clearly.

Takes 1-3 days to dry the stamp in a drying sandwich.