1856 Victoria in Bud's Big Blue
Bud's Big BlueBud's Observations
(From Jim: Bud is well, but has a lot of non philatelic obligations and responsibilities at the moment. With his permission, I will upload country pages in his complete '69 Big Blue that so far has not been shown. He might add his observations later. Enjoy!)
Jim's Observations
Victoria, the British colony, existed from 1851-1901, when it became part of Australia. Prior to 1851, it was part of New South Wales.
The colony was named, of course, for the Queen, and naturally all of stamps depict the monarch with images attractive and unattractive!
The colony was named, of course, for the Queen, and naturally all of stamps depict the monarch with images attractive and unattractive!
Stamps were introduced on January 3, 1850, with the production of the "Half Length" Queen Victoria by Thomas Ham of Melbourne. In fact, local printers were used for most of the stamps produced up to 1859. Naturally, these stamps are rather expensive today, and a fertile field for the specialist.
After 1860, all stamps were printed by the Stamp Printing Branch of the Post Office. In 1885, the Stamp Printing Branch became part of the Victoria Government Printing Office. From 1909-1918, the Commonwealth Stamp Printing Office produced stamps for both the states and commonwealth.
Although Victoria joined the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901, stamp production continued for Victoria through 1912. The Australian 'roos were issued in 1913.
The 2014 Scott Classic Specialized 1840-1940 catalogue has, for Victoria 1850-1912, 260 major number descriptions. (This does not include the 65 "Postal-Fiscal" stamps listed in the catalogue.)
Of the 260 descriptions, only 27 are CV <$1-$1+, or 10%. Raising the bar to CV $10, yields 98 stamps, or 38%. Victoria is quite popular with Australia, British Commonwealth, and classical era collectors, and the CV reflects this.
It is a great complex "dead country" to collect for specialists, with all the shades, watermarks, perforations, die states, and printings. One will also need deep pockets.
For a knowledgeable approach, one should have, at least, a good comprehensive Stanley Gibbons catalogue. ( The Commonwealth & British Empire Stamps 1840-1970 catalogue is what I have.)
But the WW collector can have fun with the stamps too. Be aware that many of the stamps are very heavily cancelled, and the perforations often cut into the stamp. A picky condition collector might be frustrated with Victoria.
Of the 260 descriptions, only 27 are CV <$1-$1+, or 10%. Raising the bar to CV $10, yields 98 stamps, or 38%. Victoria is quite popular with Australia, British Commonwealth, and classical era collectors, and the CV reflects this.
It is a great complex "dead country" to collect for specialists, with all the shades, watermarks, perforations, die states, and printings. One will also need deep pockets.
For a knowledgeable approach, one should have, at least, a good comprehensive Stanley Gibbons catalogue. ( The Commonwealth & British Empire Stamps 1840-1970 catalogue is what I have.)
But the WW collector can have fun with the stamps too. Be aware that many of the stamps are very heavily cancelled, and the perforations often cut into the stamp. A picky condition collector might be frustrated with Victoria.
Big Blue '69, on two pages, has 60 spaces for 1856-1912 Victoria. Coverage is 23%.
BB begins with 1856 Scott 29, and therefore ignores the very expensive 28 catalogue numbers back to 1850.
Nine stamp spaces require an expensive (CV $10+) stamp, but only one (1856 Scott 29 1p green ($42+)) breaches the $35 "Most Expensive" category.
BB, as usual, telescopes the spaces, so multiple stamps (up to eight!) are often eligible. There are, not infrequently, many choices for color and watermarks for a space. It makes for a quite complex checklist, but keeps costs down, as an inexpensive stamp is eligible then for the space.
BB begins with 1856 Scott 29, and therefore ignores the very expensive 28 catalogue numbers back to 1850.
Nine stamp spaces require an expensive (CV $10+) stamp, but only one (1856 Scott 29 1p green ($42+)) breaches the $35 "Most Expensive" category.
BB, as usual, telescopes the spaces, so multiple stamps (up to eight!) are often eligible. There are, not infrequently, many choices for color and watermarks for a space. It makes for a quite complex checklist, but keeps costs down, as an inexpensive stamp is eligible then for the space.
For more on the stamps themselves, as well as the complicated checklist, click on the link below.
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Supplements
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