1899-1912 Tasmanian Pictorials Part A

1902 Tasmania Scott 95 Electrotype (SG 240) 1p carmine 

"Mount Wellington", Perf 12 1/2, Wmk 70 "V and Crown"

Into the Deep Blue

The Tasmanian pictorials of 1899-1912 present a delightful significant complication for the WW collector with the various perforations, multiple shades, different watermarks and the three printing techniques ( Engraved, Lithographic, Electrotype or Typographic).

Quite the challenge for this lovely set!

After I worked through these stamps over several days, I thought I would share what I learned here.

 Hint: One really needs to use the Stanley Gibbons catalogue, and not rely on just Scott. !!

Ok, let's begin...

1900 Scott 86 (SG 229) 1/2p dark green "Lake Marion"

Perf 14, Wmk 78 Multiple TAS, Engraved

The complete set of eight denominations was engraved by De La Rue in London in 1899-1900. This is indeed a lovely set, but actually is the easiest to identify because of two unique features: The Perfs are always 14, and the watermark is always Wmk 78 Multiple TAS. The subsequent issue stamps using these designs are generally Perf 11, 12 12/1/2, and the watermarks are Wmk 70 "V and Crown" or Wmk 13 "Crown & Double Lined A".

Wmk 78 "Multiple TAS"

The engraved 1/2 Pence CV is $16 (unused), and shows "Lake Marion" , an alpine lake in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park.

But in 1901 it was decided to print the stamps in Melbourne, and the De La Rue engraved plates were sent there. 

1904 Tasmania Scott 94 (SG237b) 1/2p green "Lake Marion"

Perf 11, Lithographic printing, Wmk 70 "V and Crown"

The De La Rue plates were transferred to a lithographic printing. The 1/2 Pence denomination was printed beginning in 1903. It is characterized by  Perf 12 1/2 or 11 (other rarer perf combinations exist), and Wmk 70 "V and Crown".  CV is $8 (unused).

Wmk 70 "V and Crown"

The "V and Crown" watermark usually shows up as two watermarks on the sides of the stamp only partially complete. They can be sideways, upright, or inverted. The "V" is on top of the Crown. This is important and needs to be checked as the other watermarked used during this era is the "Crown and Double Lined A", where the "A" is attached to the bottom of the crown. Believe me, they can be confused, and when I double checked my Wmk I.D.s, I had made several errors initially. !!

Can one tell the difference between the engraved (Dr La Rue) stamps and the Lithographic 1/2 Pence? Yes, there are subtle differences, but the obvious difference is the Perf (14 vs 11, 12 1/2) and the Wmk ( 78 vs 70).

1908 Tasmania Scott 102 (Sg249) 1/2p dull green "Lake Marion"

Perf 12 1/2, Electrotype (Typographic), Wmk 13 "Crown & Double Lined A"

The third issue with the 1/2 Pence stamp was printed in 1908 using Electrotype, and on Wmk 13 "Crown & Double Lined A: paper. The Perfs are usually 12 1/2 or 11 (Other rarer combinations exist). The appearance of the electrotype stamp is somewhat cruder than the engraved and lithographic prints.

One can also clearly tell, as, all of the 1/2 Pence electrotype stamps are on Wmk 13 paper, while the lithographic stamps are on Wmk 70 paper. CV is $4 (unused).

Wmk 13 "Crown & Double Lined A"

Here are examples of the Wmk 13 paper. Note sideways (can be upright or inverted). Verify that the "A" is at the bottom of the crown. !!

1899 Tasmania Scott 87 (SG230) 1p carmine "Mount Wellington"

Perf 14, Engraved, Wmk 78 "Multiple TAS"

The 1899 One Pence engraved De La Rue is an upright carmine color stamp showing "Mount Wellington". Hobart, Tasmania's capital city, is located next to this 4170 foot elevation mountain.

Notice the nice cancellation? Before the Pictorial issue, Tasmanian stamps were cancelled with heavy bars. With the advent of the Pictorials, a small circular town name cancel was applied to help show off the stamps. Tasmanian stamp specialists often collect these town cancels, as many are fairly rare.

The De La Rue is a very clean lovely engraved print. But the easiest way to identify the stamp is the characteristic Perf 14 and Wmk 78 ("Multiple TAS"). CV is $3.

1902 Tasmania Scott 95 (SG238) 1p carmine "Mt Wellington"

Perf 12 1/2, Lithographic, Wmk 70 "V over Crown"

In 1902, the One Pence was printed lithographically in Melbourne as transfers from the De La Rue plates. The Perf is 12 1/2, and the stamps are on Wmk 70 "V over Crown" paper. CV is $15 (unused).

How can one tell it is a lithographic printed stamp?

For one, the mountain is mostly white with little definition.

and....

Close-up

1902 Tasmania Scott 95 (SG238) 1p carmine "Mt Wellington"

Perf 12 1/2, Lithographic, Wmk 70 "V over Crown"

The lower right portion of the stamp shows a path which is mostly white overall. This is in contrast to the electrotype printing as we will see in a bit.

1902 Tasmania Scott 95 (SG240) 1p carmine "Mt Wellington"

Perf 12 1/2, Electrotype (Typographic), Wmk 70 "V over Crown"

In later 1902, Electrotype printing was added for the One Pence stamp. Perf was 12 1/2 or 11. (There are also additional rarer Perf combinations.) This stamp is still on "V over Crown" Wmk paper. CV is ~$5.

On this stamp, note the "T" holes on the stamp indicating a Tasmanian "Official".

How can one tell the printing is Electrotype?

Close-up

1902 Tasmania Scott 95 (SG240) 1p carmine "Mt Wellington"

Perf 12 1/2, Electrotype (Typographic), Wmk 70 "V over Crown"

The Electrotype printing tends to be cruder than the lithographic printing. Specifically, the path is strewn with large red dots and marks (compare with the lithographic close-up ). 

Here I would like to point out an omission of the Scott catalog. Although Scott states that "Scott 95" can be found both lithographic and electrotype, it provides only ONE number. Stanley Gibbons rightly has the stamps listed separately as SG238 (lithographic) and SG240 (Electrotype).

I should mention that Stanley Gibbons lists multiple shades for the One pence (bright lake, carmine-red, pale red, rose-red, scarlet, rose-scarlet, carmine-vermilion) and states there are other shades in all values that are not listed. There is a 1903 typographic (Electrotype) Scott 96 1p "dull red" shade listed that I don't have (SG241 "scarlet").

1905 Tasmania Scott 103 (SG250) 1p carmine

Perf 12 1/2, Electrotype (Typographed), Wmk 13 "Crown over A"

In August, 1905, the One Pence Electrotype printing was switched over to Wmk 13 "Crown over A" paper. The Perfs are usually 12 1/2, 12,  or 11 (There are rarer Perf combinations). CV is <$1.

Note the mountain has more interior definition, compared to the Lithographic printing, although also with a cruder appearance.

and....

Close-Up

1905 Tasmania Scott 103 (SG250) 1p carmine

Perf 12 1/2, Electrotype (Typographed), Wmk 13 "Crown over A"

Note the path with lots of dots and markings characteristic of Electrotype printing. Be aware that this stamp is on Wmk "Crown over A" paper compared to the earlier example on Wmk "V over Crown" paper. !!

Out of the Blue

Clearly, one has to pay attention to many variables if one wants to parse accurately these stamps!

The Pictorial issue will continue with Part B soon! ;-)

Comments appreciated!