A is for Aden and Z is for Zanzabar


A is for Aden and Z is for Zanzibar... Now what is between? For the world wide classical era philatelist and stamp collector, a country specific philatelic survey is offered by the blog author, Jim Jackson, with two albums: Big Blue, aka Scott International Part 1 (checklists available), and Deep Blue, aka William Steiner's Stamp Album Web PDF pages. In addition, "Bud" offers commentary and a look at his completely filled Big Blue. Interested? So into the Blues...

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Queensland 1895-96 Victoria Head on Oval White Background Issues

Queensland 1895-96 Scott 111A 6p yellow green pair
Great rarity - only a few used examples (1902 cancel) are known
CV -$50,000, Image from Internet catalogue

Into the Deep Blue

The 1895-96 Queensland stamps are characterized ( with a few exceptions) by the Victoria head on a white oval background, as opposed to the previous issues having the Victoria head on a colored oval background. In addition, the 1895-96 stamps are characterized by either no numerals in the corners. or numerals on the bottom corners. In contrast, the 1897-1909 stamps have numerals in all four corners.

This blog post will look at the 1895-96 issue stamps.

1895 Scott 101 1/2p green 
Perf 12 1/2, 13, Unwmk, Moire on Back

This half Penny green has a signature sign if one looks at the back.

(Reverse) 1895 Scott 101 1/2p green 
Perf 12 1/2, 13, Unwmk, Moire on Back

The Reverse shows a blue burele band. CV is $11 (unused).

1895 Scott 102 1p orange 
Perf 12 1/2, 13, Unwmk, Moire on Back

I should mention that this stamp is a 1887 A6 design with no period after "Penny". But look at the Reverse...

(Reverse) 1895 Scott 102 1p orange 
Perf 12 1/2, 13, Unwmk, Moire on Back

The Reverse shows a blue burele band. CV is $2+.

Scott Wmk 68 "Crown & Q"
Stanley Gibbons Wmk 5 (upper) & Wmk 6 (lower)

FYI: If there is a watermark on the 1895-96 issue stamps , it will be Scott Wmk 68 (SG Wmk 6).

1895 Scott 103 1/2p green 
Perf 12 1/2, 13, Wmk 68

This 1/2p green has Wmk 68, and therefore Scott 103. CV (unused) is #3+.

1895 Scott 103a 1/2p deep green 
Perf 12 1/2, 13, Wmk 68

A "deep green" color variation.

1895 Scott 104 1p orange
Wmk 68

The major number (Scott 104) One Penny is orange.

1895 Scott 104a 1p pale red
Wmk 68

The minor number color is pale red.

1895 Scott 105 2p gray blue
Wmk 68

As is most of these stamps, the CV of the 1895 2p gray blue is nominal (<$1).

1895-96 Scott 108 1p orange
Thin paper, Unwmk

This 1p orange is unwatermarked and on thin paper. The catalogue says the stamp is faintly impressed with the Crown & Q, but I don't see it with this stamp. CV is $2+.

1895-96 Scott 109 1p red
Wmk 68

Note this issue design has the numerals in the bottom corners. CV is <$1.

1895-96 Scott 110 2 1/2p rose
Wmk 68

CV for the 2 1/2p rose is a bit more than the others ($6).

1895-96 Scott 111 5p violet  brown
Wmk 68

The CV is $6.

Well, so far, this issue deign offers nothing very rare. 

Then that changes dramatically.

Queensland 1895-96 Scott 111A 6p yellow green pair
Great rarity - only a few used examples (1902 cancel) are known
CV -$50,000, Image from Internet catalogue

This Six Pence yellow green was never issued - at first.

Then, it is thought that this stamp design was entered and printed inadvertently in and on a plate of 1898 six pence yellow green (Scott 120, SG 249). It was only discovered later in schoolboy album.

About 16 singles are known, and this is the only double.

All are used with ~1902 postmarks.

Check your collection! ;-)

Out of the Blue

Comments appreciated!

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