The difference is the paper. Two varieties: ordinary and granite. The latter is a coarser sort, with colored cotton, linen, jute or wool fibers embedded within it. Under magnification the fibers show up clearly.
Thanks for responding. So let me make sure I understand. 164-7 does not have fibers? The reason I am asking is that I just purchased 164-7 and when I look at the gum magnified under light both 164-7 and 172-5 both have colored fibers.
Both series were issued during WWI, on an inferior sort of paper that's rather dark. But the granite paper of the #172-5 series will also have very noticeable, fairly large and distinctly colored fibers. Here's a photo from L.N. Williams, Fundamentals of Philately.
The #164-7 series has paper that may look rough and fibrous, but it won't look like that photo.
OK, just to summarize. 164-7 were printed on ordinary paper which does not have embedded fibers. 172-5 were printed on granite paper which has embedded fibers. Correct? Thanks.
Yes, correct. Just remember that the "ordinary paper" of #164-7 was also a wartime product that appears dark grayish rather than white. Still, only the granite paper of #172-5 contains those clearly noticeable fibers of added fabric.
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Posted 04/28/2020 8:26 pm
