1966 RHODESIA DEFINITIVE ISSUE (HARRISON)

Transcription

1 1966 RHODESIA DEFINITIVE ISSUE (HARRISON) (Issued 9 th February, 1966) With Northern Rhodesia becoming the independent state of Zambia on 24 th October 1964, it was considered correct to drop the word Southern from its neighbour and henceforth the country was simply known as Rhodesia. The change of name was initially reflected in the three commemorative issues that were released in 1965, but what of the definitive issue? Sometime in 1965 an order was placed with Harrison & Sons, London, for a new definitive issue using the same designs as for the 1964 issue. Although the same designs were used many of these were placed with different values, while the 1d, 3d, 6d, 2s6s, 5s, 10s & 1 retained their original designs. The ½d stamp was done away with and an 1s6d stamp introduced. The political environment of Rhodesia changed with the Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) on 11 th November R C Smith recounts what happened with the order of the new definitives. 1 The issue of the 2s 6d Independence stamp was, however, only a prelude to what was still to happen. Rhodesia had truly hit the 'Big Time' in the philatelic world. It was decided to overprint the remainders of the Southern Rhodesia definitive stamps, which were to be replaced with a new definitive issue early in The imposition of sanctions, however, had created a problem. The new stamps were due to be shipped at the end of November and were in fact delivered to the docks, but the British Government refused to allow their export. A serious situation was beginning to develop, as the residue of our stocks was fast running out, particularly during the Christmas rush. It became necessary to consider making alternative arrangements for the local production of the new definitive issue. There appeared little prospect of obtaining our stamps from Britain. A telegram was sent to London on Christmas Eve of 1965, stating that if the stamps were not released and a third sent by the next available aircraft, the order could be regarded as cancelled. Whether it was the effect of the festive season or whether the loss of an order worth about 25,000 was the reason, the stamps were released and the air consignment arrived in Salisbury on 9th January, Before the arrangements to overprint the remainders could be put in hand, it was necessary to examine the new consignment to confirm that it was, in fact, what had been ordered, for having regard to the attitude of the British authorities, it was not beyond the realms of possibility that stamps other than our own could have been sent. Current British stamps could well have been used for this purpose and overprinted 'Rhodesia'. It was not beyond the British to contrive some such form of retaliation! In the event, however, the consignment was in order and on 17th January, the overprinted series was released. The references to the 2s6d Independence stamp and the Independence overprints refer to stamps that were either produced by Mardon Printers in Harare, or overprinted by the same company. These stamps were issued prior to the release of this 1966 definitive issue, indeed due to British economic sanctions the reprinting of this definitive issue needed to be undertaken locally. The intention of this section is solely to look at the stamps printed by Harrison & Sons, the last time stamps for the country were printed abroad until ~ 1 ~

2 The Stamp Designs: The designs of the stamps followed those of the 1964 issue, only one of the new stamp was redesigned but on an old theme, namely the 4d illustrating Emeralds. The changes for the set are as follows: ½d Scrapped 2d Changed from Tobacco to the previous Citrus design of the 4d 4d Changed from Citrus to the new design for Emeralds 9d Changed from the Ansellia Orchid to the previous 2d design of Tobacco 1s Changed from the old Emerald design to the previous ½d Maize 1s3d Changed from the Aloe to the previous 2s Lake Kyle design 1s6d New value using the Ansellia Orchid design previously used on the 9d 2s Changed from the Lake Kyle design to the previous 1s3d Aloe THE ISSUED SHEET STAMPS Buffalo Citrus Kudu Emeralds Flame Lily Tobacco Maize Lake Kyle Ansellia Orchid Aloe Tiger Fish Cattle Guineafowl Coat of Arms ~ 2 ~

3 Catalogue Listings SG 2 RSC 3 Value Description Print colours d Buffalo Reddish violet & yellow-ochre d Citrus Deep green & yellow-orange a. a. Yellow-orange omitted white oranges d Kudu Pale blue & chocolate a. b. Chocolate omitted, including Queen s head b. a. Light blue omitted c. Antler flaw R8/1 d. Missing branches d Emeralds Greyish brown & emerald d Flame Lily Greyish-green, carmine-red & yellow d Tobacco Deep violet & yellow orange s Maize Light blue, yellow-green & yellow s3d Lake Kyle Dull blue & yellow-ochre a. a. Yellow-ochre omitted s6d Ansellia Orchid Dark olive green, yellow & red-brown s Aloe Light olive-green, violet & orange s6d Tiger Fish Turquoise blue, orange & dull blue a. Extra Jewel flaw Cyl 1A R8/ s Cattle Buff, blue and orange-brown s Guineafowl Ochre, black, blue & orange Coat of Arms Salmon pink, brown, green & yellow-orange Notes 1. The print colours described above are those found in the colour indicators (reading from top to bottom) and cylinder numbers (reading from right to left) 2. The colour descriptions in the catalogues tend to be those colours seen in the stamps, for example RSC has the description green in the 5s Cattle, here the colour is made up of elements of the blue and orange-brown 3. Stanley Gibbons have the following notes (but these statements may not be accurate) a. No 375a (2d omission of colour) occurred on single rows from two separate sheets. b. No 376a (3d chocolate omitted) in the bottom row of a sheet c. No 376b (3d blue omitted) in the top two rows of a sheet d. No 381a (1s3d, yellow-ochre omitted) in the third vertical row on two sheets Technical Details Stamp Sizes: ½d to 4d 26 x 22 mm 6d to 2s6d 30 x 26 mm 5s to 1 35 x 30 mm Sheet size: ½d to 4d 240 stamps, 20 rows x 12 columns 6d, 1s, 1s6d, 2s6d 60 stamps, 10 rows x 6 columns 9d, 1s3d, 2s, 5s, 10s, 1 60 stamps, 6 rows x 10 columns ~ 3 ~

4 Artist: Cylinders: Paper: Print Colours: Perforations: Imprint block: Victor Whiteley of Messrs Snell & Whiteley, London 1A on all values 1B on 6d, 1s, 1s6d & 2s6d values Harrison & Sons, unwatermarked white paper with clear gum As described above All comb perforated ½d to 4d 14½ 6d to 2s6d 13¼ x 13 (SG & Mash Guide 13½ x 13) 5s to 1 14½ x 14 On bottom margin of all sheets, centred below bottom row. Print colours vary, single colour from print colours used Cylinder numbers: Below the second from right stamp in bottom margins Colour registers: 1d & 4d: square traffic lights in box in bottom margin sheet edge below column 1 Guide marks: Sheet value: Sheet number: No. of printings: Remaining stamps: opposite bottom row square traffic lights in box in right margin sheet edge Guide marks are generally cut off when sheets are cut up, occasionally with a wider than normal margin vertical lines can be seen running parallel with the stamps Top margin over the last two columns, depending on the stamp width more will be above last column. Print colours vary, single colour from print colours used Separately printed in left margin to left of top row Only one printing by Harrison & Sons. Marginal perforations: Value Printing Pane Top Right Bottom Left Perforation direction 1d A One perf Imperforate One perf Perforated Right to left 2d A Imperforate One perf Perforated One perf Top to bottom 3d A Imperforate One perf Perforated One perf Top to bottom 4d A One perf Imperforate One perf Perforated Right to left 6d A Imperforate Perforated Perforated One perf Top to bottom B Imperforate One perf Perforated Perforated Top to bottom 9d A Perforated Perforated Imperforate Perforated Bottom to top ~ 4 ~

5 Value Printing Pane Top Right Bottom Left Perforation direction 1s A Imperforate Perforated Perforated One perf Top to bottom B Imperforate One perf Perforated Perforated Top to bottom 1s3d A Perforated Perforated Imperforate Perforated Bottom to top 1s6d A Imperforate Perforated Perforated One perf Top to bottom B Imperforate One perf Perforated Perforated Top to bottom 2s A Perforated Perforated Perforated Perforated 2s6d A Imperforate Perforated Perforated One perf Top to bottom B Imperforate One perf Perforated Perforated Top to bottom 5s, 10s & A Imperforate One perf Perforated One perf Top to bottom Notes: 1. This table was taken from the Mash Guide 4, with an additional column added to far right to indicate the direction the comb perforator moved across the sheet. This is seen by the margin at the start being imperforate. 2. Some of the sheets are perforated through all margins, indicating that the start of the comb perforation happened outside the printed sheet. Print Numbers: R C Smith 1 and RSC 3 reported the same number of stamps printed 1d 1,920,000 1s3d 2,460,000 2d 27,360,000 1s6d 1,200,000 3d 34,320,000 2s 300,000 4d 3,100,080 2s6d 1,200,000 6d 3,900,000 5s 235,020 9d 1,800,000 10s 130,020 1s 2,300, ,040 RC Smith 1 suggested that the whole order was received (see opening section), however RSC 3 states part of the printing was sent to Rhodesia and part retained in London owing to sanctions. The later could be the case as the Mash Guide 4, Stanley Gibbons 2 and RC Smith 1 state that the booklets were first on sale in London in June 1966, although the booklets were not released in Rhodesia until February Quite why they should be on sale in London, given economic sanctions is a mystery. Issue date: 9 th February, 1966 (Notice No 2 of 1966) Withdrawn from sale: 31 st December 1970 (although they would have likely have been sold out by then). ~ 5 ~

6 Demonetisation date: 1 st July, 1971 Coil stamps Coil stamps for the 1d value only were produced from the printed sheets of 240 stamps (10 rows by 12 columns). The makeup of the coils was described by the Mash Guide, 4 as follows: The sheets are split in half forming a sheet 12 x 10 and are joined according to the way in which the stamp is required for the roll. In this case they are joined side by side so that they form complete length 10 stamps deep and are then split into coils. It is normal custom to keep each half separately when joining, therefore, the flaw on the fifth stamp (1d) in Row 1 would only appear once in every 20 coils. Should, however, the bottom half be joined on the top half, and then the flaw would appear once in every ten coils. If 10 coils from the same reel were inspected, the flaw would be found to occur in either one, or twenty, as mentioned and this would become the 5th, 17th and every 12th stamp thereafter. (This information was supplied by the courtesy of Messrs. Harrison & Sons, Ltd., and the Postmaster-General, Salisbury). As the stamps are produced from the printed sheets, the stamps cannot be distinguished from those sold from the sheets of stamps. Indeed, the Rhodesia Stamp Catalogue 3 does not list the coil stamps, whilst they are noted by Stanley Gibbons. However, having said that the Mash Guide suggested that there are two varieties in the coils, and even numbered the stamps. Coil stamps can be identified if the join between the two strips of stamps can be identified. From the front this can be seen with the perforation next to the join where the joining margin is not perforated. From the back the join can be easily seen. The coils were produced in rolls of 480 stamps 3, with the joins occurring at every 12 th stamp, total number of stamps from coils is recorded as 960,000, 1,3 giving 2,000 rolls. With 480 stamps per roll this would mean that two complete sheets would have been used to create the roll. This example clearly shows where the join is likely to be, as the far right stamp not being centralised when perforated. Booklets One shilling booklets were produced by Harrisons, with a single block of 4 stamps all of which have a margin to the left in the stitched booklet, with a glassine sheet between stamp pane and back cover. The Mashonaland Guide describes the production of the booklets as follows: 3 Printed in four columns of twenty giving a sheet total of 80 stamps. Each column contains ten horizontal or ten vertical pairs. After printing and perforating, the component parts of the booklets are assembled in layers which are stitched one at a time. For cutting, the layers are stacked in piles twenty deep producing 400 booklets at a time. (By courtesy of Messrs. Harrison & Sons, Ltd.) ~ 6 ~

7 These stamps have their own flaws which differ from the flaws found on the sheet stamps but it is not possible to 'place' them because when the booklets are prepared for dispatch they are made up into packets of 20 which may come from different piles. Listed in Stanley Gibbons 5 as SB7 and Rhodesia Stamp Catalogue 3 as B10, with the stamp pane as BP15. The total number of stamps printed for the booklets were 1,000,000 or 250,000 booklets. Front Inside front cover and stamp pane Varieties Below are varieties documented or seen for each of the values, starting with the listed varieties within the Mash Guide 4 (within yellow shaded tables), with those listed in the Rhodesia Stamp Catalogue 3 and Stanley Gibbons 2. Those descriptions in bold listed are considered by the authors of the Mash Guide to be the more important. Where possible illustrations of the main varieties are shown. Penny (Buffalo) Row Column Variety 1 8 White dot at 11 o'clock in O of Rhodesia. Th F4 3 5 Thin horizontal line from Oval, crossing Queen's forehead to hairline above the left eye. Th B/ Short vertical line at the top of first F of Buffalo. Th A Small mark on Queen's forehead, above left eye. Th B Small mark to left of lower part of R of Rhodesia. Th F Dot to the right of the Queen's mouth. Th C Vertical line from Queen's hairline to left eyebrow. Th B Dot between A and L of Buffalo. Th A2 Note First perforation up from the bottom of the whole of horizontal row 1 (12 stamps) missing. 20 sheets known. These two varieties are reported in the Mash Guide as being from coils, see earlier comments 5 Retouch on the Queen's forehead. Th B6 6 Dark horizontal line under the buffalo's head. Th E3 ~ 7 ~

8 Unlisted varieties Pre-printing paper crease, with upward shift of violet (Source: Shift of violet printing to the right (Courtesy Dave Trathen) Shift of violet printing to left (Source Dave Cooper) Tuppence (Citrus) Row Column Variety Stamp scan 1 6 Dot on Queen's chin 1 8 Mark on Queen's forehead, eyebrow and left eye. Th B7 2 1 Large irregular white mark left side of left orange. Th D/E Broad whitish line down the Queen's cheek and neck. Th C7 5 5 Curl of Queen's hair out of place at back of head. Th C Thin vertical line 'splitting' bottom orange. Th D/E3 7 7 White dot under E of Postage. Th A4 7 8 White marks down left side of Queen's face. Th B/C Dot under d of 2d. Th A White spot in O of Rhodesia. Th F Short black line in Oval, at 2 o'clock. Th B Black mark on the Queen's left cheek. Th B/C Dot on Queen's neck. Th C7 ~ 8 ~

9 Row Column Variety Stamp scan 18 1 Black dot between Oval and Queen's head at 9 o'clock. Th C Dot in top corner of D of Rhodesia Other catalogued varieties Yellow Orange omitted White oranges SG 375a RSC 638a (Source: (Courtesy Dave Cooper) Dave Cooper submitted the following information. The omission of the orange occurred on 2 rows of one sheet and the bottom row of a second sheet. A total of mint copies exist and 2 used copies are known. Partially omitted examples are also known. This spectacular block may well be the largest surviving multiple. A multiple of 4 was offered at the Harmers Sale of 22 nd January 1991sale #753. This lot was lost in the post. One half of this block was later offered by International Philatelic Services of Johannesburg and despite being reported as stolen, no action was taken. Stamps below showing full and partial missing colours Source: Deverill & Macgregor UDI Price List) ~ 9 ~

10 Unlisted varieties Downward shift of orange plate, giving white tops to top oranges Paper creases through vertical strip of 3 (Source: Sotheby s auction Johannesburg 13 May 2009 part of a block of 12) Mis-perforation of top right sheet corner, folded along red dotted line during perforation. Also has small offset on left of R1/12, arrowed. (Source: Deverill & Macgregor UDI Price List 1999) Mis-perforation of top right sheet corner, folded along red dotted line during perforation. Also has small offset on left of R1/12, arrowed. (Source: Deverill & Macgregor UDI Price List 1999) This is variety is an oddity. The oranges appear to be printed with two different colours, the usual orange and reddish ink. There is some overlap of the reddish ink onto the green leaves, (Courtesy Dave Trathen) ~ 10 ~

11 Three Pence (Kudu) Sheet stamps Row Column Variety Stamp scan 4 3 White dot on Queen's lower lip. 4 8 Small screen flaw on Queen's neck. Th C7 7 7 White spot on Queen's neck. Th C7 8 1 Coloured horizontal mark across Kudu's left horn. Th F/G 6 (note this flaw is also likely to have brown vertical lines) 9 12 Cloud effect between Kudu's horns. Th B Cloud effect between Kudu's horns. Th A Cloud effect at Kudu's right horn. Th B White dot in O of Rhodesia at 6 o'clock 16 8 White dot in Queen's right eye Note This stamp has appeared without the background trees between the Kudu's horns. RSC 639d missing branches flaw Other catalogued varieties This variety has a significant range, from normal at left, reducing in and between the centre pair and almost completely losing the tree to the right of the kudu Blue omitted SG376b RSC 639a (Source: Spink Auction 29 April to 2 nd May 2014) ~ 11 ~

12 Row Column Variety Stamp scan (Source: part of a vertical strip of nine at Sotheby s auction on 13 May 2009 in Johannesburg. Vertical strip of 11 stamps with row 6 completely lacking blue, and rows 5 & 7 with upper part of stamp with missing blue) Varying degress of missing blue from this strip of six, and single with small area of blue (Source Dave Trathen) Chocolate omitted SG 376a RSC 639b (Source: ~ 12 ~

13 Unlisted varieties Aeroplane flaw, found on R10/3. Not listed by Mash Guide so probably a common batch flaw Plate shifts up and down Multiple vertical brown lines through stamp. This variety is usually seen affecting column 1 Vertical doctor blade/smudge (Source: Small smudges into bottom margin below R of Rhodesia (Source Dave Trathen) Brown blob between vertical pair (Source Dave Trathen) ~ 13 ~

14 Perforation shifts left and right Additional strike of comb perforator through top imperforate margin of sheet. (Source: Deverill & Macgregor UDI Price List) Sheet corner fold during perforation, top right corner Sheet corner fold during perforation, top left corner Three Pence (Kudu) Booklet stamps A study of the 1966 booklets was not included in the Mashonaland Guide, however a study was undertaken and written up by Richard P Pollett in The following study is therefore from these unpublished notes. Pollett s notes to this study are as follows: 1. Pane numbering is entirely arbitrary, since there is no evidence at present as to the makeup of the printer's sheet before guillotining. 2. The Break in Panes 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 11 and and 20 refer to a gap in the diagonal twig immediately above the figure '3' at Th D7. It varies considerably 3. These pane characteristics have been found in the examination of over 800 booklets (four sealed boxes of 200). No pane which does not fit one of these descriptions has been observed. It is suggested that this confirms that the printers' sheet consisted of 20 panes. This is further confirmed by the same conclusion regarding the 1964 booklet. Booklet Row/Col Variety 1 1/1 ''Break in Th D7 (may be weak) (see note 2) 2/1 ''Break. White dots on Queen's nose and check 2 1/2 ''Break ~ 14 ~

15 Booklet Row/Col Variety 2/1 White dot above Queen's left eyebrow 2/2 ''Break 3 1/2 ''Break. 3 blue lines in gutter to left of kudu's right horn. Left of Th C1 (if none see No 10) ( Break yellow arrow) 2/1 ''Break 4 1/1 2 brown dots on tree trunk Th E1 (but see No 11) 5 1/1 One brown dot on tree trunk below kudu's left horn Th D4 1/2 Weak Break 6 1/1 White dot under D of Rhodesia with blue dot at Th B5 1/2 Weak Break 2/2 Break 7 1/1 Blue dot in gutter above oval (above Th A7) 8 1/1 Brown dot in gutter above tree (above Th A2) 9 1/1 Brown dot above kudu's left horn Th A4 10 1/2 Weak Break. Marked white screen flaw below kudu's right ear Th D3 2/1 Break 11 1/1 One dot with tail Th E4 (also see no 4) 1/2 White dot centre of Queen's forehead (but see No 16) 2/1 Weak Break 12 1/1 White dot 2 o'clock of D of Rhodesia Th F6 (can be hidden) 1/2 Brown dot on branch above large fork between kudu's horns Th A2/3 13 1/2 White dot on Queen's 'adam's apple' Th C7 14 2/2 Curved extra twig 2 o'clock of oval Th A8 15 1/1 Blue dot at 2 o'clock of oval on edge of design Th A8 2/2 Brown tadpole to right of bottom of '3'. Th E8 16 1/2 White dot top centre of Queen's forehead (also see No 11). Brown dot top left of T of Postage Th E5 17 1/2 White dot above Queen's left eyebrow B7. Extra line of dots 4:30 of oval Th C8 18 1/1 Faint blue dot at 11:30 of oval on edge of design Th A6/7 1/2 Two small faint brown dots on edge of design above kudu's left horn Th A4 ~ 15 ~

16 Booklet Row/Col Variety 2/2 Faint blue cloud at 9 o'clock of oval Th B5/6 19 1/2 Small blue cloud at 10 o'clock of oval Th A5 2/2 White dot above K of Kudu Th F1 20 1/1 Extra branch in tree of three heavy dots st 7:30 of oval Th D6 1/2 Blue dot off tip of kudu's right ear Th D1 2/2 Break Unlisted varieties Fading or missing branches variety (Courtesy Dave Trathen) Hole in Kudu s left ear R2/2 (Courtesy Dave Trathen) ~ 16 ~

17 Four Pence (Emeralds) Row Column Variety 1 1 Retouch between the letters E and S of Rhodesia. Th F/G Retouch at bottom of stamp under the lower emerald. Th G2 1 7 White dot in S of Postage 2 6 Scratch line from top left corner of emerald to base of T of Postage 2 8 Small flaw between Oval and S of Emeralds. Th F Green dot between bottom arm of E and letter R of Emeralds 2 12 Two white dots between T and A of Postage 4 10 Retouch below the value. Th B Small flaw on Queen's forehead. Th B Sloping scratch line from R of Emeralds to right edge of design. Th E White dot in bottom left corner of E of Rhodesia 6 7 Retouch below Oval. Th D7 7 4 Coloured dot below T of Postage. Th A Coloured spot at bottom of upright of D of Rhodesia 9 10 Retouch in top right corner of stamp. Th A Screen flaw below value. Th Bl White mark between E and S of Rhodesia. Th F Screen flaw on left side of stamp, below value. Th C Dark dot under A of Emeralds. Th E Small black mark at 2 o'clock from A of Rhodesia. Th F Vertical flaw at left point of 4 of value Th. A-B Small flaw below the point of 4 of value. Th B Small flaw in top right corner of stamp. Th A Retouch from RA of Emeralds to S of Rhodesia. Th E6-E/F Full stop after Emeralds. Th E Scratch mark (? retouch) from S of Postage to below E of Postage and another from opposite centre bar of E of Postage to edge of design. Th A3-4 and A Retouch in Queen's hair at 2 o'clock from left eye. Th B7. Also a scratch mark in bottom left corner of stamp. Th F/G ~ 17 ~

18 Unlisted varieties Constant variety, not shown in above listing. R13/7 extra emerald green shading to left of top stone. Horizontal green doctor blade flaw (source: Horizontal green doctor blade flaw in block of four. (Source: Deverill & Macgregor UDI Price List) Horizontal greyish brown doctor blade flaw in block of four. (Source: Deverill & Macgregor UDI Price List) Plate movement of emerald green up (source: Plate movements of emerald green, down (source: Plate movements of emerald green, left (source: Horizontal green lines running through stamps (Source Dave Trathen) ~ 18 ~

19 Additional comb perforator strike through right sheet margin, which should be imperforate. Additional comb perforator strike through right sheet margin, which should be imperforate. (Source: Six Pence (Flame Lily) Row Column Variety Stamp scan Cylinder 1A 1 4 Slight screen flaw touching Oval at 5 o'clock 2 4 White dot between S and T of Postage 4 1 Red dot between Queen's chin and Oval at 7 o'clock. Th D8 4 4 Green mark like a U turned sideways, to left of flower. Th B2 5 1 Short red line inside the Oval at 11 o'clock. Th A7 5 6 Thin red line crosses line of Oval towards the Queen's head. Th A7 7 3 Small red mark on Queen's forehead (Th B8) and short dark green vertical line at top of P of Postage 7 4 Black spot in the fold of the second petal of left side of the lily. Th D2 8 1 Semi-elliptical line of dots from E of flame to edge of design. Th E9. (Courtesy Dave Trathen) 9 3 Two irregular horizontal rows of dots at 11 o'clock from value. Th E/F1 ~ 19 ~

20 Row Column Variety Stamp scan (Courtesy Dave Trathen) 9 5 Small screen flaw to left of Rhodesia. Th G Red dot in bottom loop of 6. Th G2. Cylinder 1B 2 1 Small flaw between value and petal. Th F2 3 4 Small flaw above 6 of value. Th F2 3 6 Retouch next to Queen's nose. Th C8 7 1 a. Dark triangular shadow above the Oval. Th A8-9 b. Light patch at 7 o'clock below O of Rhodesia. Th H5 7 3 White spot on the Queen's mouth. Th C8 7 5 Top of T of Postage damaged 8 1 Similar to 7/1a, triangle of shading well defined 9 1 Similar to 8/1 with addition of a dark shadow round Queen's mouth 9 4 Retouch below the Oval. Th F Like 9/ Short white stroke between top of D of Rhodesia and stem of lily. Th G6 Unlisted varieties Two large white dots above E of Rhodesia Large yellow dot to part of the flower (appears as a bulge in the side of the petal) R2/1 ~ 20 ~

21 Significant movement of yellow plate to the right, with yellow into the Queen s portrait (Source: Significant movement of yellow plate down, also note the movement of the yellow cylinder number (Source: Movement of carmine-red plate to left and down. Note lack of red colour to right of flower (Source: Movement of carmine-red plate upwards, with some faint green vertical lines through stamp (Source: Shift of green plate to the left, giving white lines to the left side of the petals. (Courtesy Dave Trathen) Vertical green lines through Queen s portrait, seen in a strip of five marginal stamps. Number of examples seen, this being the most predominant ~ 21 ~

22 Thin red (left) and green (right) vertical lines. (Courtesy Dave Trathen) Number of large red spots between a pair of stamps (Source: Vertical red lines through C12 and into margin (Courtesy Mike Hughes) Vertical red lines through columns 11 & 12 (Courtesy Mike Hughes) Additional strike of the comb perforator through top imperforate margin (cylinder 1A) Nine Pence (Tobacco) Row Column Variety Stamp scan 1 6 Coloured dot in Oval at 11 o'clock. Th A8 1 8 Circle of light shading on Queen's left cheek. Th C8 Unlisted varieties Constant dot under B or malformed B flaw R4/7 ~ 22 ~

23 Lack of definition to the Queen s portrait and to tobacco leaves, with comparison to normal stamp. Probably thin application of ink to printing plate. The stamp from R6/10 shows a lack of definition to the Queen s head, probably thin application of ink to printing plate. May be the same as the one above (Courtesy Dave Cooper) One Shilling (Maize) Row Column Variety 3 4 White spot on Queen's left cheek. Th C8 6 1 Small yellow mark on maize stalk. Th Gl 8 6 Small screen flaw at top of stamp at 11 o'clock from Oval. Th A8 9 2 White dot on right leg of A of Maize 10 1 Sloping scratch line from 5 o'clock on Oval to right edge of stamp. Th D9-E Scratch marks at M of Maize 10 5 Screen flaw above ES of Rhodesia. Th F7 4 1 Fine white diagonal line from corner of Queen's left eye to her hair. Th B8-C8 9 5 Blue dot in O of Rhodesia, at 10 o'clock. Th G White mark above IA of Rhodesia. Th F9 Unlisted varieties Plate shift of yellow to right and down ~ 23 ~

24 Plate shift of yellow to left (Courtesy Dave Cooper) Vertical doctor blade from light blue plate in sheet number block of 4 (source: rhodesia.co.za) Vertical doctor blade from light blue plate (Source: Deverill & Macgregor UDI Price List 1999) Green line to left if 1/-, with green date below R6/9 Faint blue vertical lines (Courtesy Dave Trathen) One shilling & three pence (Lake Kyle) Row Col Variety 1 9 Blue dot between T and A of Postage 2 6 White mark in top left corner of stamp. Th Al 2 7 White line comes down hill and disappears in the water. Th C4-D3 Cluster of three blue dots in sky to right of Postage. Th A6 3 9 Small coloured mark above S of Postage 4 6 Coloured mark on S of Postage Other catalogued varieties Yellow-ochre omitted SG 381a RSC 664a ~ 24 ~

25 This is the bottom row of the only known sheet where the ochre is missing from stamps in columns 4, 5 and 6. The far right of the stamp in column 3 is also missing (source: rhodesia.co.za) The missing ochre also appeared in another sheet where it was missing from Column 3, and also missing from the majority of column 2 (except to far left) and 4 (except to far right) (Courtesy Dave Cooper) Unlisted varieties Upward movement of ochre plate Strange interruption to the printing of the stamp on the far left side, some blue ink appears to be missing and well as smudging. Also downward shift ochre. Also seen similar stamp from top left of sheet no 214 (source: Rhodesia.co.za) ~ 25 ~

26 Significant vertical blue lines through columns 10 &11. (Source: Deverill & Macgregor UDI Price List) One shilling & six pence (Ansellia Orchid) Row Column Variety 3 3 Small yellow mark in C of Orchid 4 4 Small dark mark above AN of Ansellia. Th E7 5 1 White dot between T and A of Postage 7 2 Two thin vertical parallel lines on Queen's left cheek. Th C8 8 2 Small yellow patch between the two buds. Th B2 8 4 Dark green line from S of Ansellia to 6 o'clock on the Oval. Th D8-E Closed G of Postage 1 5 Coloured dot under the Queen's left eye. Th B8 8 3 Coloured dot above Queen's left eyebrow (Th B8) and another near her left ear. Th C Light patch under left upright of H of Rhodesia Unlisted varieties Plate movement of yellow up and to left. Plate movement of yellow up and to right. (note alignment of colour indicators) (source: rhodesia.co.za) ~ 26 ~

27 Plate movement of yellow to left only. Vertical green line through Queen s face. (downloaded from ebay) Two Shillings (Aloe) Row Column Variety 3 10 Coloured dot on the Queen's cheek. Th C8 4 5 Coloured spot on the Queen's jaw bone. Th C8 Unlisted varieties Violet plate shift to left Violet plate shift up (Courtesy Dave Trathen) ~ 27 ~

28 Two shillings & six pence (Tiger Fish) Row Column Variety 3 1 White mark on Queen's forehead. Th B8 5 3 Two parallel blue lines from Queen's nose to her left eye and coronet. Th C8- B9 5 5 Coloured dot between Queen's left eye and ear. Th B8 7 1 White spot on Queen's neck. Th D8 8 4 Extra jewel in the Queen's Coronet. Th A8 RSC 647a 1 6 No dark line under the pectoral fin. Th F7 5 6 Same as 1/6. 8/6, 9/6 and 10/6 7 2 Small screen flaw at the base of S of Rhodesia. Th White dot above G of Tiger. Th A2 8 2 White mark to the right of the pectoral fin. Th F8 9 1 Two white dots on Queen's neck and one outside the Oval at six o'clock. Th D Screen flaw between Postage and Rhodesia. Th H Small dark mark on the Queen's neck. Th D White dot above F of Fish. Th A3 Unlisted varieties Marked shift of orange plate to the right Shift of dark blue plate to the right (Source Dave Trathen) Shift of dark blue plate upwards (Source: rhodesia.co.za) Dark blue smudge through Queen s head (Source Dave Trathen) ~ 28 ~

29 Five Shillings (Cattle) Row Column Variety 1 2 Small dot in margin under P of Postage 1 7 Large screen flaw in sky on left side of stamp. ThAl 1 8 Screen flaw at 10 o'clock from Oval. Th B8 3 3 Brown mark with yellow centre at left bottom of I of Rhodesia 3 7 Screen flaw in sky between large tree and Oval. Th B7 4 2 Small dark mark near the middle cow's spine. Th E5 4 5 Small screen flaw in the sky at top left of stamp. Th Al 4 6 Line of short strokes from top of stamp, across Queen's face to the bottom of the oval at 6 o'clock. Th A10-D Dark shading over STA of Postage and lower part of figure of value. Th H Vertical brown mark at bottom of D in Rhodesia. Th White dot on the small brown cow. Th E8 6 6 Brown spot between the top of H and O of Rhodesia. Th H6 6 7 Coloured mark on the belly of the centre animal. Th F5 Unlisted varieties Significant shift of orange brown plate to the left, creating white cattle Shift of blue plate down (note trees on the horizon now buff), giving blue lines to top of cattle and white shadow below. ~ 29 ~

30 Significant shift of blue plate down. (Source: rhodesia.co.za) Shift of blue plate to left. (source: rhodesia.co.za) Shift of buff plate down (note horizon trees blue), giving buff strip to backs of cattle and blue shadow. Shift of buff plate to left, giving blue shadows behind cattle # Blue blob of ink on left margin opposite value. (source: Rhodesia.co.za) Light blue areas on cattle. Left: on neck of left cow, found at R5/9. Right on back of central cow. Orange-brown vertical lines running through left cow and value. Vertical blue line through Queen s face. ~ 30 ~

31 Ten Shillings (Guineafowl) Row Column Variety Stamp scan Small blue dot between the Queen's eyebrows. 1 1 Th B Screen flaw under S of Rhodesia. Th White dot inside D of Rhodesia 2 10 Two black dots in top of right upright of H of Rhodesia 3 1 Screen flaw under D of Rhodesia and white dot on Queen's throat 3 2 Black dot in the top right corner of the stamp. Th A Screen flaw at 4 o'clock from oval. Th D11 (Courtesy Dave Trathen) 3 6 Light mark under D of Rhodesia. Th Vertical blue line from the Queen's hair to the point at which the Queen's neck meets the frame of the portrait. Th D11 (this is the continuation of a hairline which begins at the top of the stamp at Th 11) 4 8 Screen flaw between value and E of Postage. Th H3 6 2 Red dot on the Queen's neck. Th D White dot between S and I of Rhodesia. Th Red dot just outside the Oval at 11 o'clock. Th A9 Unlisted varieties Shift of red plate up ~ 31 ~ Shift of red plate down, sometimes referred to as the bleeding flaw.

32 (lower stamp source: rhodesia.co.za) Shift of red plate left Ochre plate shift to left, colouring Rhodesia (Source Dave Trathen) Black ink mark to rear guineafowl s head (Courtesy Dave Trathen) Vertical black lines through parts of vertical pair. (Source Dave Trathen) ~ 32 ~

33 One pound (Coat of Arms) Row Column Variety 1 6 Top of S of Postage retouched 2 8 Black dot outside the Oval at 9 o'clock. Th C8 4 2 White dot on Queen's cheek. Th C White line from Oval to top of sign. Th E/F9 5 1 Flecks of ink between coat of arms and Oval. (These green flecks have been found in a strip of 6 vertical stamps on column 1, see below. These flecks may not be constant, but never-the-less are present in stamps within column 1) R2/1 R4/1 R5/1 R6/1 Unlisted varieties Salmon pink shift to left, with various salmon pink vertical lines Salmon pink plate shift down (Source: rhodesia.co.za) Salmon pink plate shift down and to right (Source: rhodesia.co.za) Shift of green plate to the left (Courtesy Dave Trathen) ~ 33 ~

34 Curious shade of salmon pink, with normal for comparison (Source: rhodesia.co.za) Late strike of comb perforator, leaving larger than normal gap at bottom of vertical perforations. Appears to be a missing perforation. (Also green splash in column 1 arrowed) (Source: rhodesia.co.za) Related Material With the advent of the modern computer, stamps can be manufactured using powerful computer software. In what is referred to as the Maryland forgeries some known valuable varieties were copied, including the missing blue of the 3d kudu of this issue. These copies appeared in the market in around The stamps were produced on very sophisticated printing equipment probably in Maryland, USA. The entire stock was purchased by Roger West of Avion Thematics in the UK. The stamps were sold with printed certificates explaining their origin and with Forgery endorsed on their backs. (Source: RSC Memoir 22 A Guide to Rhodesian Philatelic Forgeries by Phil Stevenson and Colin Hoffman) ~ 34 ~

35 First Day Covers The cover numbering comes from the catalogue produced by Geoff Brakspear. Cover 30.1 (Post Office) Cover x 177 mm Cover x 153 mm (green Zimbabwe bird) Cover (gold Zimbabwe bird) Cover Cover x 133 mm Cover x 165 mm Cover x 101 mm 305 x 127 mm ~ 35 ~

36 Cover Cover x 88 mm Cover x 102 mm Cover x 164 mm (without printed issue date) Cover x 164 mm (with printed issue date) Cover x 177 mm Cover x 165 mm (note cover size) Cover x 177 mm (note cover size) 243 x 165 mm (two set of red lines added) Bibliography 1. Rhodesia, A Postal History, R C Smith, published in 1967, pages 413 to Commonwealth Stamp Catalogue Southern & Central Africa, 2nd edition, published by Stanley Gibbons, The Rhodesia Stamp Catalogue, 1983/84 edition (last) published by Salisbury Stamp Company. 4. A Guide to the Postage Stamps of Rhodesia No 2 (1 st January st July, 1966), published by the Mashonaland Philatelic Study Group. Known as the Mash Guide. ~ 36 ~