Watermarks On New South Wales Stamps - Share Your Research.

Purchasing of catalogues and other philatelic references is essential for the aquisition of the knowledge on this board and the support of catalogue publishers is critical for the continued wellbeing of the hobby.

Although there may be cases where people have spent more on reference material than the value of their collection, catalogues are indicative of the relative value of their stamps for resale so that collectors don't unknowingly give away high-value items for a song.

A specialised catalogue can pay for itself with the discovery of just one stamp, the value of which the collector may have otherwise been unaware of.

Research update:

Nice FDS

Your results have made me think I should have a second look at mine. Will double check and report back ASAP.

Members are always welcome to add their own findings to these colonial watermark threads. I will update my spreadsheet if any new data is provided from your collections.

A sample of NSW Two Pence De La Rue stamps:

FDStamps.

Quote; "A specialised catalogue can pay for itself with the discovery of just one stamp, the value of which the collector may have otherwise been unaware of."

*Agree with you 100%*.

How many specialized catalogs should a world-wide collector or casual collector purchase?
Don

Specialised catalogues are especially useful when a collector has, or intends to have, a sufficient number of those stamps pertaining to the area of study to warrant the purchase. Alternatively, there may be an interest in learning more about the subject matter, regardless of the number of such stamps in one's collection.

There is, of course, no definitive answer to the question of who should buy or how many should be bought.

In terms of probability, the 'world-wide collector' who aims for one of each stamp is unlikely to need specialist literature beyond the purchase of an excellent catalogue to identify their stamps.

The presence of a large number of numeral postmarks in any colonial New South Wales or Victoria collection may prompt the philatelist to invest in one of Hugh Freeman's excellent books so that rarity and other information may be ascertained.

The casual collector may decide to buy a bulk lot of Australian KGV stamps or low denomination kangaroos - in either case the purchase of the relevant Australian Commonwealth Specialists' Catalogue may well turn out to be a very astute purchase.

There are no guarantees as to what lies within any lot or collection - the thrill is in the hunt and it helps to know what to hunt for!

Hi fairdinkumstamps,
Understood, I agree that if a person desires to specialize in a area that purchasing catalogs is a good recommendation. But I would question the recommendation for many of the readership of this community.

No doubt that many folks are motivated by 'the hunt' but finding a 'treasure' is not something that we can guarantee and the large number of 'false positives' can lead to disappointment and frustration. The attributes we can ensure collectors can glean from our hobby are things like education, friendship, family time and the intrinsic creativity of creating a collection. These things are attainable by collectors of any means, any level of experience, any area of collecting interest.
Don

51 Studebaker,

This thread brings up another interesting point. How many collectors part with that 'special find'.
At this stage, I cannot...sad.
I feel I would be cutting off my little toe...so to speak. Often wondered if this 'deficiency' is unique to me being fully aware nothing is taken with us on departure.!!

Interesting question.........
Just appraised my Australian Catalogues.... lost count at 100
over 100 catalogues of Australian stamps.

Something (for me) comforting to have a really good library, no matter what pops up, we can generally nail it.
Most were given, donated, or purchased below $10, the heavy lifters are still absent, being the Brusden White Stationery Catalogue et al.

Also begs the question, where does a "catalogue" definition begin,
considering small 1-2 page dissertations on a particular issue printed in magazines over the years?

Hello all,
I would appreciate some advice of this NSW 8 pence (SG167a). There is no distinguishable watermark on the stamp however you can see the of the letters "TU" as a type of watermark. Is this common and are the letters referring to paper manufacturer?


Thanks
Rod

Rod (Noodles),

The watermark is from the margin of the sheet, the 'UT' of 'NEW SOUTH WALES''

Because it reads 'UT' from the back (letters in correct order) as opposed to 'TU', the watermark is reversed (stamp printed on the wrong side of the paper). SG has a note that watermark variations such as this are not uncommon.

John

Noodles,
this is what John was referring to............
"UT" on the dandy roll.

Here's a fun one to add to this discussion. Scott 65, damaged. Perf 11.5 x 11 (I know, not possible.) SG 231/232/233? Possible scribe line and fingerprint upper frame?


Reverse has some sort of diagonal line that didn't soak off. It does not show through in later scans. Stamped is flipped.


Scott 55 watermark (SG 40) in the inverted, reversed position, upper left in these scans. As discussed, this is relatively common.


Retroreveal did a great job in pulling out the watermark. Notice the E/F in the lower margin.


Just an interesting study that I thought I would share.

No "F" in New South Wales.