Australia 1915 Sg 30-W 5/- Roo Die II

I have recently discovered the above stamp in a collection I inherited. It would seem that the inverted watermark variety is not that rare but commands a higher value than the normal watermark orientation? However, I am not sure if this stamp is rare, as it also exhibits the Brusden White BW 43e L2 variety with the frame break on the right.

Does anyone know if there are any other known examples of this variety? If it is rare then I may decide to sell at a suitable auction. Thanks

It also appears to have a broken coast near Sydney?

What watermark?
Unmounted mint?
mounted mint?
Used?

Beautiful strong fresh colour plus great centering. Very nice looking stamp!

Nice looking stamp. I can't wait to hear every ones answers.

I was about to post the continental break when I saw @Lord Harry 's post.

Very interested in the outcome here.

It's a 2nd watermark stamp. SG has a 30% premium for the inverted watermark.

Fairdinkumstamps should be able to help with some more information.

The broken coast near Sydney goes hand-in-hand with the frame break for this position.

Abacus auctions had an equivalent variety (also catalogued at $2900) with second watermark at an estimate of $600 but without the inverted watermark (which comprised approx. 20% of the printing - source: BW 2021 ACSC catalogue). Lot 106 sold for $460 in May, 2021.

https://www.abacusauctions.com.au/A.../Lot-Order/3

The price realised for your stamp, if you choose to auction it, will of course depend upon the bidders participating. It certainly looks like a nice example from the front.

Some people are prepared to forgo the possibility of a higher auction price for the convenience of sale to a dealer.

There are a number of auction houses that deal in this material and they will discuss/indicate a reserve price with you - your choice where you want to go from there.

The back will be important for any auction house/purchaser i.e. confirmation of watermark, assessing any foxing, hinge remnant, thinning, re-gumming, closed tears etc.

Good luck!

Lord Harry,
Can you post a close up image of the 'broken coast' area?
Don

Don,
adjacent Kangaroo tail end.


Lot 460
"Tsunami in Great Australian Bight"

Interesting : "Faint aging" ..perhaps the brownish tinge, top of stamp?

Thanks to everyone for your input and comments. As confirmed already, it is second watermark, parts of two inverted marks to reverse, mint, lightly hinged and clean. I have scanned reverse for your interest. Fairdinkum, does this variety always show both right hand frame break and broken coast at Sydney?

Lord Harry, the two flaws are listed together as the variety to be found at plate position L2 for 1st, 2nd and 3rd watermark.

Also for 3rd watermark and subsequently SMC watermark and CofA watermark, the broken coast can be found alone with the frame break corrected and hence no longer present.

Source: BW 2021 ACSC Kangaroos catalogue - 7th Edition