John Davies Prints
New Colours on 'Large Star' Watermarked Paper
1871 - 1873
It is a peculiarity of certain colour pigments to absorb sulphur from the atmosphere and then change colour. Examples are found where red can change to brown or even black. These ‘changelings’ are generally described as being ‘oxidised’, even though that term is not chemically accurate. A discoloured stamp of this nature, when treated with hydrogen peroxide, will often be restored to its original colour.
A change in colour does not necessarily denote illicit treatment. Thermal areas of New Zealand such as Rotorua and Hanmer Springs; where the atmosphere has a high sulphur content have produced some curious colour changes on stamps. When it was reported that the red 1d Chalon values were changing to a brown shade that resembled the 6d Chalon value, the postal authorities decided some action was required.
The Postmaster-General’s Report for 1872 stated:
“It having been discovered that the colours in which certain of the denominations of the postage stamps were printed were liable, by chemical process to be so altered as to resemble the colours of stamps of higher value; in order to the protection of the revenue it was deemed advisable to alter the colour of such stamps. These are now so arranged that the effect of any change in the colours will be to assimilate them to those of postage stamps of lower value”.
The stamps affected by the change were the 1d, 2d and 6d values and the changes, according to Davies later statement, were introduced about 1 July 1871.
1d Brown Perf 10 x 10
The 1d value was printed in a shade of deep-brown with some stamps found in reddish-brown. At this time the plate was showing definite signs of wear. The first printings were perforated 10 all around (SG 126). The earliest recorded use of SG 126: 15 October 1871.
1d Brown unused
Perf 10 x 10 - SG 126
1d Brown used
Perf 10 x 10 - SG 126
1d Reddish-brown used
Perf 10 x 10 - SG 126
1d Brown Perf 12 1/2 x 10
Deep-brown stamps perforated 12 ½ x 10 (SG 127) are very rare and unknown mint. One cover is known bearing a pair, 27 November 1871 from Palmerston North to North Otago. The two known used copies and the cover all have cancellations originating at Palmerston North. Many of the greatest collections of NZ stamps have failed to attain a copy of this stamp.
'The Collection' is currently waiting for a copy (which has a certificate) and we will let you know when it arrives. This is a very exciting addition to The Collection as it is an undoubted NZ rarity
1d Brown used
Perf 12 1/2 x 10 - SG 127
1d Brown Perf 10 x 12 1/2
It can be easy to become confused with all of the different perforation combinations. Sheets in reddish-brown and brown were also perforated 10 x 12 ½ (SG 128). Use of the perf 10 machine was erratic, as can be seen by a number of combinations where perforations were initially perf 10 and then corrected with the line perf 12 1/2, or vice versa. A few of the varieties produced do not fall easily into catalogue groups and may be considered ‘irregular compound perforations.’ Earliest recorded use of SG 128 was 25 October 1871, on cover from Oamaru to England.
1d Brown used
Perf 10 x 12 1/2 - SG 128
1d Brown used
Perf 12 1/2 x 10 - SG 126
1d Brown used
Perf 12 1/2 x 10 - SG 128
'The Collection' has a pair of the below coming soon. Watch this space! The pair below has been perforated 10 all around but 12 ½ in between. A very rare, and strange combination, which shows the erratic use of the perforating machines.
1d Brown used Pair
Perf 10 all around outside but 12 1/2 between stamps
CP A1n(X)
1d Brown, Perforations compounded
Other variations include compounded perforations. That is, combinations of perforations with three sides one size with the remainder another size. For example, the stamp below has three sides perf. 10 and one side 12 ½. This unused copy is extremely rare. The other three stamps are the opposite; i.e., they have three sides 12 ½ and one side 10 (SG 128a).
1d Brown unused
Perf 10 x 10 x 10 x 12 1/2
SG 128a variant
1d Brown used
Perf 12 1/2 x 12 1/2 x 12 1/2 x 10
SG 128a
1d Brown unused
Perf 12 1/2 x 12 1/2 x 12 1/2 x 10
SG 128a
1d Brown used
Perf 12 1/2 x 12 1/2 x 12 1/2 x 10
SG 128a
2d Orange - vermilion
This printing is found in various shades of orange and vermilion. As with the 1d value, the use of the perf 10 machine was often erratic, leaving varieties in combination with the perf 12 ½ and with imperforate sides. Separation varieties reported include:
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Double perforations
-
Irregular compound perforations (one side only perforated 10) (SG 130a)
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Perforated 10 all round (SG 130c)
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Perf 10 x imperforate
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Horizontal strip of four with mixed perforations 10 and 12 ½ at bottom.
Earliest known use of SG 130 is 21 October 1871 Lyttleton and Christchurch.
2d Orange-vermilion used
Perf 10 x 12 1/2 - SG 130
2d Orange-vermilion unused
Perf 10 x 12 1/2 x 12 1/2 x 12 1/2 SG 130b
2d Orange-vermilion used
Perf 10 x 12 1/2 x 12 1/2 x 12 1/2 SG 130b
2d Orange-vermilion used
Perf 10 x 12 1/2 x 12 1/2 x 12 1/2 SG 130b
6d Deep Blue
The 6d blue with a true compound perforation 10 x 12 ½ (SG 131), where the top and bottom are both perf 10 and both sides are perf 12 1/2 is comparatively rare, especially mint copies. The irregular compound perforation, where only one top or bottom edge of the stamp is perforated 10 and the remainder perf 12 ½ is the more usual variety of this denomination.
The use of the perf 10 experimentally continued in a small way with the initial printings of the 6d. Although catalogues may list varieties as perf 10 on one side only, that refers to a top or bottom ‘side’. Nevertheless, examples have been seen with perf 10 vertically.
Another 6d is perf 12 ½ x 10, similar to the variety of the 1d found used only at Palmerston North, both are used copies. A third variety in that collection was a copy with mixed perforations 10 and 12 ½ at the top. Perforation varieties reported include:
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Irregular compound perforations—top or bottom only
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Perforated 10 (SG131c).
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Vertical pair, irregular compound perforations, imperforate between (SG131b)
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Horizontal pair, imperforate vertically, top perforation 10, bottom 12 ½ (SG131c).
Earliest reported use of SG 131c is a single cancelled 3 November 1871, Auckland.
6d Blue used
Perf 10 x 12 1/2
SG 131
6d Deep Blue used
Perf 10 x 12 1/2 x 12 1/2 x 12 1/2
SG 131c
6d Deep Blue used
Perf 10 x 12 1/2 x 12 1/2 x 12 1/2
SG 131c
1d Brown
Most sheets printed on large star watermark paper were issued perforated 12 1/2, in various shades of brown. Three distinct periods of printing may be seen with this combination of perforation and watermark. The earliest have relatively low plate wear, the second group shows an intermediate amount of wear, and the final group includes badly worn copies.
1d Reddish-brown used
Perf 12 1/2 - SG 132
Intermediate plate wear
1d Reddish-brown unused
Perf 12 1/2 - SG 132
Extended plate wear
1d Reddish-brown unused
Perf 12 1/2 - SG 132
Advanced plate wear
1d Brown unused
Perf 12 1/2 - SG 132a
Intermediate plate wear
1d Brown unused
Perf 12 1/2 - SG 132a
Extended plate wear
1d Brown unused
Perf 12 1/2 - SG 132a
Advanced plate wear
1d Reddish-brown unused block of 8
Perf 12 1/2 - SG 132
Extended to Advanced plate wear
Again, a number of different perforation varieties have been reported. In 1872 when the rotary machine broke down and the line heads were being overhauled some of the sheets were issued imperforate, but few copies are known of this variety.
Separation varieties reported include:
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Double perforations
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Mixed perforations (re-perforated with perf 10 machine)
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Pair, imperforate horizontally (SG 132b)
1d Reddish-brown unused
Perf 12 1/2 sides, imperf top & bottom - SG 132v
Extended to Advanced plate wear
1d Reddish-brown used
Imperforated - SG 132a
Intermediate plate wear
1d Brown Covers
Earliest known use of SG 132: 4 November 1871, single on piece with Wellington duplex 070 and date stamp.Earliest known use of SG 132a: 12 April 1872, cover from Wanganui to Patea.
Pair tied by Wellington NO 1 1872 duplex cancel addressed to ‘E W Stafford, Nelson. Backstamped Nelson NO 3 1872. of SG 132a: 12 April 1872, cover from Wanganui to Patea.
1d Reddish Brown P12 1/2 SG 132 Pair tied on Cover tied by Wellington MY 19 1872 duplex cancel with the cover endorsed ‘Per Overland Mail’ to Napier. Backstamped Napier MY 24 73.
2d Orange
When the line machine 12 ½ was being used there was considerable variation in shades ranging from deep to pale orange, orange-vermilion and vermilion. During the times that the machine was being overhauled a few sheets were issued imperforate.
Separation varieties reported include:
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Double perforations
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Mixed pair (re - perforated 10)
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Imperforate pair
Earliest recorded use of SG 133: cover postmarked Charleston, 26 October 1871, backstamped Auckland 30 October 1871.
2d Orange unused pair
Perf 12 1/2 - SG 133
2d Orange used
Perf 12 1/2 - SG 133
2d Orange multiple used
Perf 12 1/2 - SG 133
2d Orange multiple used on piece with 6d Blue
Perf 12 1/2 - SG 133 & SG 136
2d Orange used
Perf 12 1/2 - SG 133
2d Vermilion
During its lifethe second plate of the 2d printed more than 17,500,000 stamps. Due to the improved hardening process that went deeper in the plate, copies of the 2d outside the damaged area show very little wear. The below copies of the 2d Vermilion show the quality of the printing. While the 2d Hausberg reprint of 1905 below shows areas of the damaged plate and areas largely in fine condition.
2d Vermilion unused
Perf 12 1/2 - SG 134
2d Vermilion used
Perf 12 1/2 - SG 134
2d Vermilion used multiple
Perf 12 1/2 - SG 134
2d Vermilion P12 1/2 Large Star Watermark SG 134a/CP A2s(v) with R18/8 retouch tied by
MARTON MR 18 73 cancel to Okarito, Westland. Backstamped Wellington, Nelson MR 24 73 &
Hokitika MR 27 73.
2d Black Hausberg Reprint - Plate II whole sheet (12 x 20)
You can see the areas that are damaged, especially across the bottom of the sheet, but also many images that are not ,especially the top of the sheet. The image can be magnified - place your cursor over the sheet and click.
6d Blue
The majority of the 6d printing was perforated by the 12 ½ line machines and range in shade from deep to pale blue. The earliest examples show very little overall wear, after which a weakness appears to the right of the head, similar to that found in the 2d printing on no watermark paper in 1863. Eventually the background became more worn and the shade lighter. It is thought that a considerable amount of white pigment had been mixed with the blue resulting in the ink appearing to have been applied rather more thickly than usual.
Stamps in the pale blue shade, SG 136, were issued imperforate during the time that the line machines were being overhauled. Separation varieties reported include:
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Double perforations
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Imperforate vertically
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Imperforate all round
Earliest recorded use of SG 135: 16 October 1871, on cover from Auckland to Liverpool. Earliest recorded use of SG 136: 16 March 1872, cover from Christchurch to London.
6d Blue mint
A5k(1)
6d Blue mint
SG 135 - A5k(2)
6d Pale Blue mint
SG 136 - A5k(3)
6d Blue used
A5k(1)
6d Blue used
SG 135 - A5k(2)
6d Pale Blue used
SG 136 - A5k(3)
6d Chalky Blue mint pair
A5k(5)
6d Dull Blue mint
A5k(4)
6d Chalky Blue mint
A5k(5)
6d Dull deep Blue mint
A5k(6)
6d Dull Blue used
A5k(4)
6d Chalky Blue used
A5k(5)
6d Dull deep Blue used
A5k(6)
6d Dull Blue mint pair
A5k(4)
6d Blue used multiple
SG 135 - A5k(2)
6d Blue used
Provisional Imperforated
CP A5k(w)
6d Blue P12 1/2 Large Star Watermark on Cover 2x 6d values SG 135 endorsed ‘Via Suez & Marseilles’ tied by Christchurch ‘MY 6 73’. 300 Backstamped London ‘JY 8 73’.