Queensland "Victoria" 1882-95 Large Queen Engraved Issues

1882 Scott 77 10sh brown "Victoria"

Engraved, P12, Thin paper

Wmk 68 twice sideways (SG Wmk 5)

Into the Deep Blue

The high denomination engraved Large Queen issues of 1882-95 are lovely to behold. They do have a high CV (Used: $30-$175), but revenue cancels sell for much less (CV $3-$6).

Left: Wmk 68 Twice Sideways "Crown & Q" (SG Wmk 5)

Right: Wmk 69 "Large Crown & Q"

For the engraved stamps, there are two main watermarks (Wmk 68 & Wmk 69). More about that in a bit.

Although I will cover only the 1882-95 engraved specimens here, I need to mention there are Wmk 68 1903-06 typographed specimens, 1905-06 lithographed specimens, and 1907-11 lithographed examples with Wmk 12 sideways (Crown & Single Lined A). So, before one does anything, one needs to separate out the engraved stamps in one's collection. ;-)

1882 Scott 74 2sh ultramarine "Victoria"

Engraved, P12, Thin paper

Wmk 68 twice sideways (SG Wmk 5)

The initial 1882-85 (-95) issue consisted of five denominations on thin paper, P12, and Scott Wmk 68 twice sideways.

Here is the Two Shilling ultramarine (SG bright blue).

1882 2sh (top) and 2sh6p (bottom)

Wmk 68 twice sideways (SG Wmk 5)

As noted Scott has the watermark only illustrated as Wmk 68. The Scott catalogue mentions that there are two varieties of the watermark, but doesn't provide further detail. 

Stanley Gibbons illustrates the two watermark varieties and assigns them Wmk 5 ( a "v" in the center of the crown) and Wmk 6 (Three equal columnar divisions for the center of the crown).  The SG Wmk 6 is the same as the illustrated Scott 68. For this issue, Wmk 5 was used 1882-85, while Wmk 6 was used 1895. I do have a pic of the two SG watermark varieties in this recent post.

SG lists the Wmk 5 and Wmk 6 stamps separately, giving them thier own catalogue number and CV.

But the Large Queen thin paper engraved stamps I have in my collection consist only of Wmk 5, as far as I can tell.

1882 Scott 75 2sh6p vermilion "Victoria"

Engraved, P12, Thin paper

Wmk 68 twice sideways (SG Wmk 5)

CV is $32+. 

1885 Scott 76 5sh  carmine rose "Victoria"

Engraved, P12, Thin paper

Wmk 68 twice sideways (SG Wmk 5)

A fiscal copy.

Top: 5sh: Bottom: 10sh

Wmk 68 twice sideways (SG Wmk 5)

Another pic of the SG Wmk 5 watermark,

1882 Scott 77 10sh brown "Victoria"

Engraved, P12, Thin paper

Wmk 68 twice sideways (SG Wmk 5)

CV is $60. I am not listing any possible unused specimens , as Scott notes the high values means cancellations are often removed.

1883Scott 78 1 Pound  dark green "Victoria"

Engraved, P12, Thin paper

Wmk 68 twice sideways (SG Wmk 5)

CV is listed as $175.

2sh & 1 Pound

Wmk 69 "Large Crown & Q" (SG Wmk 10)

The thick paper issue of 1886 has Wmk 69 "Large Crown & Q" (SG Wmk 10)

1886 Scott 79 2sh ultramarine "Victoria"

Engraved, P12, Thick paper

Wmk 69 "Large Crown & Q" (SG Wmk 10)

CV is $67+.

Example Two

1886 Scott 79 2sh ultramarine "Victoria"

Engraved, P12, Thick paper

Wmk 69 "Large Crown & Q" (SG Wmk 10)

Another example. Although a bit worn, this has to be an engraved specimen, as there were no Two Shilling denomination stamps printed typographically or lithographed.

1886 Scott 83 1 Pound  dark green "Victoria"

Engraved, P12, Thick paper

Wmk 69 "Large Crown & Q" (SG Wmk 10)

Finally, a nicely colored dark green. CV is $90.

Out of the Blue

Nice issues! 

Comments appreciated!