So Who's Afraid Of The Indian States?

Shades of the(Grey-Black)1a can vary from the grey-black-brown shades towards the black.*


The (Green) 2a shades are numerous. The bottom right stamp not seen often is in blue!
These stamps were printed over a period of 40 years,with 4 plates for each value; so over time the control over the color was approximative.

Thanks perf12 for posting. It's very helpful to see these and all in 1 place. It's quite something to note the color shift. I have a handful in the later "Postage" version and different shades too. While SG mentions more colors than Scott, it's still a challenge.

Scott no anyone? This measure 19.5 x 21mm . The back of the stamp has O44 which is 4p on 1/2a but I don't see that over print. Just a cancel. I think it's O39.

Right. its O39 with the small 'Sarkari' Official ovpt.

thanks perf12. another challenge I am having. I have to think I have a few, 1 or 2 at least Laid paper... However I have yet to be certain and none I have are like any examples I have seen - easy to I.D.. I have tried Rosonal and Clarity and the light. I scanned these two as 1 was marked O47a - Laid paper and 1 of my others which seems to be identical. Can you or anyone else suggest anything else I might try to determine Laid Paper? I am also able to edit photos also to change shading, etc... Thank you.

As concurrence would have it,
I have just been preparing some Deccan stamps for placing in my Album.
(Up to "H")

Here are some 18 pieces, (Perforation as yet, remain ungauged)

Note : Very first stamp EFO, paper fold and fingerprints.

Any corrections welcomed, Scott References.

3rd stamp, assume oxidation of pigments, colour change.

I don't see laid paper in those stamps. The laid paper is thinner white paper that started in 1947.Yours are on thicker wove paper.Maybe who ever wrote o47a mistook the wmk for laid paper..

Rod; There is no oxidation just different +20 shades for the ½a.

From an older source email to me.
Attached is a list of 17 color varieties of the half anna Hyderabad Post Stamp. Source "Philatelic Advisor February 1947 "The Stamps of Hyderabad III by J. Gordon Rodger.

Extraordinary!
Thanks Perf12, and S4L.

S4L: Fantastic information. Thx for posting.

Any insight as to the meaning of the various letter codes?

Perf12: Appreciate your postings with shade varieties.

It was an email and that's all I have. But, I sent a request to the sender to see if I can get it. If I get it, I'll post.

S4L...

Will contact APRL tomorrow am to see if a copy of the article is available. If so, will post link to SCF. Assuming this is permissible.

Hyderabad stamps 1871-1909
For the 3a,4a,8a & 12a the color shades are more regular.
____________________________________________________________
Gibbons lists the 3a in ochre-brown & chestnut.


For the 4a slate & greenish grey.




The 4a also in the olive-green shades.


The 8a is listed as deep brown.(close to the 3a shades).

And the highest value of 12a pale ultramarine & grey-green.

Excellent!
I have been assuming my shades were down to poor husbandry.
Soaking in warm water, and other ghastly things.