Australian KGV Stamps Explained.

i am a bit surprised at the Scott catalog values on the lower denomination stamps..many of us have them as packet material !

KGV Watermarks as seen from the back of stamps.



1st stamp: watermark large A with a large crown on top.

Names~ second watermark, single watermark, 2nd wmk, S wmk

2nd stamp: watermark multiple large A with a large crown on top.
Names ~ large multiple watermark or LM wmk


3rd stamp: small A with small crown side by side.
Names ~ small multiple watermark or sm wmk.

4th stamp: small crown with CofA side by side
Names~ Commonwealth of Australia watermark or CofA wmk.

5th, 6th, 7th stamps are examples of 2nd watermark misalined to the print of the stamp.

Note: one of the printings of both the 1d green & 1 1/2d red was issued with no watermark.

Watermark Detection.




Method One:
Using a black background hold a stamp [back up] over or on the background; a single sided black stock sheet works well. This will show up most of the watermarks. The watermarks that do not show up will do so in the next process. Experimenting with different lights, times of day &/or night, or tilting the stamp at different angles, will allow you to identify the best conditions in your environment for viewing watermarks.


Method 2.
Using a black saucer [not porous], place a used stamp in the middle of the saucer with the back facing up & apply a small amount of lighter fluid. A very clear view of the watermark will appear. Be careful not to damage the stamp while it is saturated with fluid. The lighter fluid does not damage the stamp in any way. It totally evaporates. Follow all safety instructions as lighter fluid is dangerous & flammable.

Perforations of K.G.V Definitives.
1. Single~line perf 14.2 X 14.2 only small issues 1/2d green, 1d red & 5d brown.

2. Comb perf. 14.25 X 14 ~ called perf 14

3. Comb perf 13.5 X 12.5 ~ called perf 13.5

Perforation Detection & Measurements.
1. Single line perf has more pointed corner perfs compared to the comb perfs that have a double corner perf. Using a comb perf 14.25 stamps as a measuring tool on the vertical the perfs are comb perf 14 & the single~line perf 14.2 is on the vertical . The misalignment will show up/

2. Comb perf 14.25 X 14 counts 17 perf tips on the horizontal.
Comb perf 13.50 X 12.50 counts 16 perf tips on the horizontal.

Using a comb perf 14.25 stamp on the horizontal as a measuring tool the alignment or misalignment will discern a comb perf 14.25 or a comb perf 13.5 stamp.

Excellent scans of the watermarks, KGV Collector. I'm sure everyone will find these much better than the pictures in catalogues. Great thread.

Balf

Yes, great info. Thanks, KS

Perfins or Official Punctures.



The reason for official perfins was simply to stop the stealing of stamps.
Top row: stamps 1 & 2 ~ examples of Federal Government perf "OS"

Stamps 3 & 4 ~ examples of Tasmania's state government perf "T"

Mid row: stamps 1 &2 ~ examples of N.S.W government perf "OS/N.S.W"

stamps 3 & 4 ~ examples of N.S.W government perf "G/N.S.W"

Bottom row: stamps 1 & 2 ~ examples of Victorian government perf VG

stamps 3 & 4 examples of private company personalised perfins
Private perfin names: Inverted David Jones Limited & New Zealand Limited.

The stamp printer of the day used their poorly centered perforated stamp sheets for official punctures as they went to the government departments & not to the general public. Official punctures in their day were considered useless for collecting & as such their numbers are small. Now they are worth a premium. Reasonably centred stamps are rare.

Interesting part postmarks, top left "Stn", and the 5 penny "royal"
I have read there are two types of DJ perfins, keep an eye out for variety.

Rod thanks for the comments on postmarks and perfins.These are the two areas that I have little knowledge in. But have located where to buy books on official and private perfins. I cannot help myself I keep buying stamps with my budget.
Penny reds are what my current time is going on.I am up to my neck in them.Ive been at them for 6 years now. Finally with many,many dated stamps and a large bank of uv longwave lights I have 25 of 27 shade groups in smooth paper worked out.Rough paper dated stamps is what I am into now and a digital magnifier is a great help.Once the weather cools a bit I will lock myself in my dark room again and finally I should get somewhere. But to find 422 shades is going to take two life times.

You are welcome KG5 collector,
The eminent philatelist S Orlo-Smith had IIRC 500,000 penny reds
to define his chart.
Some brilliant member of the RCSD stamp group made this up for us
the penny red colour chart
I wish I knew who it was, we owe him a debt of gratitude.
Here it is... enjoy

BTW isn't it nice to see exactly where the gem of the penny reds lies, the "Eosin Pink"
I reckon this chart is magic.

In a sheer streak of luck, I found this in the bottom of a phossick box.
It is a good example for all new collectors...NEVER THROW ANYTHING AWAY!
This is the aussie stamp news page of 1939 when s orlo smith made commentary on his penny reds...enjoy

Good Article, Poor Margins

Amazing posts, Rod! SCF is great stuff. My shades chart is in black & white so I will look up your colour one many times. Very helpful info "A 1939 stamp news"! Yes, a treasure! Thanks for the encouragement with my penny reds. KGV.

KirkS: Do you give humour lessons? I'm practising.

Feel free to take the image KG5 collector,
Yeah, I had a chuckle with young Kirk's response.
(a nice "in" joke :)
He doesn't realise that shoddy example fits well with my collection.