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Hi, I was hoping that someone out there could help in explaining the "blob" that exists on the r/h side of the half fraction. If you look closely you can see above the numeral 2 and dissecting the diagonal division bar the said blob. Is this a "transitional " flaw or is this a known variety/error?

I'm not sure that the above scan does this next query any justice , however, here goes. If you look closely at the S in AUSTRALIA, you will see what appears to be a faint dark line dissecting across the diagonal section of the S. Under 14 times magnification it clearly shows a line which starts from under the R, trangresses across the l/h base of the T, through the S and out in the same direction until it reaches the buds/flowers. The line where it tracks especially under the T makes the green shading almost fluouro and where it passes through the S, the white much brighter. The line is approx 8-10 mm long.

Kindest regards

Thomas

I can't see it at all in the scan, but your description of the line exactly matches the cracked electro listed in Dix and Rowntree as Unpositioned Constant Flaw B11 (known on single watermark stamps but not on multiples). Nice find if that is what it is!

Greg

Greg,

Many thanks for your reply, my first query was for the blob on the r/h side half fraction. Any ideas on that.

The second query is a little harder to detect on this scan, however, if you look at the diagonal in the middle of the S the scan, it shows the faint line of the marking what I had mentioned. If it is the flaw you are suggesting is it rare/valuable?


Cheers


Thamas

The one you ask about is just poor ink take up is my guess - common on LM.

Peering at ANY KGV head under 14 times mag is frankly a total waste of time as every stamp ever printed from this era will then be full of "flaws"!

Seeing you are posting on KGV remember to type '½' you press ALT key and the 171 keys on right.

"half pence green" is not the usual way to type these - ½d or 1½d is the go. I've edited your heading to make it easier to read.

Bottom line anything you can't see clearly with the naked eye on a KGV head is pretty much minor flyspecking.

True, but this one is interesting because, if it is what he thinks it is, it is one of the varieties that is unlocated. And this printing is later than the other known copies -- if he's identified it correctly, it could be the earlier error repaired. Having said that, I still can't see anything on the scan. But he's described the error very precisely, without knowing such an error existed, which suggests to me that he can see things on the real stamp that aren't showing up on the scan. (The blob, btw, is of no significance -- a drop of water on the plate or something.)

Greg

One thing that may work is to scan it sideways -- i.e. at 90º to this one's first scan.

It often shows things a first scan does not.

Thanks for your tip in turning the above stamp sideways. I scanned the above X 600 dpi and I think now you can see what I was on about. I have also checked the back of the stamp more thoroughly and it appears (not sure though) that there could have been something behind the stamp when it was printed hence this strange line.

What say you all!

Kindest regards


Thomas

I think you are right. That's close to the reported flaw, but it isn't the same -- a bit too high, not the right angle.

Greg

Looks from this angle to be a small crease in the paper, which has had an impact on the ink uptake at that point.

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John

Looking for used pre-decimal OS/NSW and G/NSW state perfins, and NWPI KGV overprints.

Thank you all for your replies, just a further query does the line make this a one off?


Kindest regards

Thomas

Hi,
Like most of the ½d greens, there appear to be no 2 stamps that are identical,(generalization) every one has some small difference. Some of the more major electro flaws get listed.
When you remember that there were variations in the printing inks used, paper and the actual plates/electos used,it is no wonder. Minor imperfections in the paper are magnified, natural variations in manufacture, storage and humidity can all effect the final product.
Remember back in 1913, the conditions under which the stamps were printed were not as exacting as today. During the war years, there were periods of shortage of both papers and inks,and possibly manpower to actually print the stamps, just look at the 1d reds and their variations in colour.

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Waroff49

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