Great Britain Watermark Error

Stanley Gibbons mentions that certain watermark errors are very common, hence not listed in their catalogs. However, I believe this one is uncommon, so am wondering whether it is a one-off, or just something to keep for reference. This stamp is actually a Mint Bechuanaland Protectorate, but the underlying stamp is SG 105, the 1/2d green with watermark block cypher. As viewed from the front, this is the way the watermark should appear (111 is the one I am referring to):

Here is my stamp from the front:

This scan is a through-scan, so the orientation of the watermark is from the front. The "G" of "GvR" is missing exactly in the middle of this stamp.

There should be a "G" in this circle:

I also used Postmark Reveal to try and show it in even more detail. It only helped a little, but you can see that something is missing in that area:

If the missing "G" variety were known, I would think it would be listed. Any ideas?

The shape of the G would seem to be the most obvious way to separate these watermarks, but none of the photos are clear enough to see any of the G's (for me).

The only G's that can be seen are on the far left side. See this enhancement with the G's circled. To me, it is clearly the type 111 watermark with the thinner, taller G.

It is, exactly in the centre.


All the G's are there. This is a very normal 'Block Cypher' watermark. The encircled part in the centre, from the back, shows a very mottled 'G' of 'GvR' to the right of the crown halfway down the stamp.

A missing letter or crown in the watermark, normally, is listed. Minor errors are when small parts of the watermark are missing or deformed.
Also, the varieties of the 'Royal Cypher' watermark are not priced but rather mentioned in the Specialised.

It's weak, almost indistinct, but I agree that there looks to be something there. I think in order to be missing, you'd want to not be seeing any artifacts in your various manipulations.

My 2d.

Here is a better picture from a watermark dip. (Now viewed from back.)

Here's a different stamp that seems to show the 111a watermark style.

It is weak but it is there. Probably something with the paper thickness, rather than the watermark bit.

What face value has that last stamp?

It's the 1 1/2 d brown, used.

Yes, that could the experimental paper. And it looks like it is.