Gold Coast

1891 Scott 15 2 1/2p blue & orange "Queen Victoria"

Quick History
With the defeat of the Ashanti in 1874, the British proclaimed the former coastal protectorate a crown colony, the Gold Coast Colony, on July 24,1874.

The Ashanti people were and are the major ethnic group of the Gold Coast (now Ghana), and established an empire in west Africa lasting from 1700-1896.

Ashanti Empire in the 19th Century

The peace treaty required that the Ashanti give up any claim to the coastal territory, and the British proclaimed a protectorate over the interior Ashanti kingdom. The British sphere of influence gradually expanded, and the Ashanti territory became part of the colony in 1901 after a final defeat.

Map of Gold Coast 1896

The Capital of the newly formed  Gold Coast Colony, between the French Colonies of Dahomey and the Ivory Coast, was moved to the former Danish castle at Christiansborg in Accra.  The population was 4,000,000 in 1942.

Cacao trees were introduced in 1878, and by 1950, more than half of the world's cocoa supply was exported from the Gold Coast. 

The export of Timber and Gold was also significant.

The first Gold Coast postage stamp issue occurred in July, 1875. 

1948 2 1/2p light brown & red "Position of Gold Coast"

Into the Deep Blue

The 2011 Scott Classic Specialized catalogue has 154 major description for stamps from 1875-1952. Of those, 81 are <$4 CV. "Affordability" Index is 53%.

A closer look at the stamps and issues

1884 Scott 13 1p rose & Scott 17 4p dull violet "Victoria"

Watermark "Crown & C A"

Between 1875-79, eight "Queen Victoria" design stamps were issued with watermark "Crown & C C". They had the same design as those illustrated above. Three have a CV of <$12, but I don't have any. ;-)

Of interest, a handstamp surcharged "1D" on a 4p red violet is listed as Scott 9 in the catalogue. There are supposedly 1-3 copies that exist. There is one in the British Museum. Some experts question the legitimate status of the stamp. In fact, SG mentions the stamp, but does not list it.

Between 1883-91, an eleven stamp issue was produced with a watermark "Crown & C A". The 1p and 4p are illustrated above.  Eight have a CV between $1+-$6+. Classic design.

1898-1902 Scott 26 1/2p lilac & green

watermarked "Crown & C A"

In 1898, another "Victoria" series was introduced as illustrated above. This ten stamp series has four stamps with a CV of <$1-$2+. Some of the colored numerals are on a colorless background tablet (2p,3p,6p).

Upper left: wmk 2 "Crown & C A"

Upper right: wmk 3 "Multiple Crown & C A"

Below: wmk 4 "Multiple Crown and Script C A"

Since we will be getting into watermark differences, here is a refresher pic of the relevant watermarks.

Generally with British colonies, it is important to ascertain the watermark.

1902 Scott 43 6p violet & purple & Scott 44 1sh green & black

King Edward VII: wmk 2

The King Edward VII issues were produced in 1902 with an eleven stamp bi-colored set. Five stamps have a CV between <$1-$4. These "Baldies" have wmk 2.

1904-07 Scott 51 2p violet & red orange

1905 Scott 53 3p violet & orange- these issues have wmk 3

Another seven stamp set of bi-colored "Baldies" was issued between 1904-07, all with wmk 3. Three are CV <$1-$2. Several stamps of this issue were produced as chalky paper varieties in 1906.

1907-13 Scott 59 2 1/2p ultramarine

Single color issue; all wmk 3

A ten stamp third set of "Baldies" was issued between 1907-13. The lower denominations are on ordinary paper, while the higher (3p and up) are found on chalky paper. They are easy to distinguish, as the stamps are single color, although the higher denominations are printed on colored paper. Seven stamps range from CV <$1-$3.

A different design for King Edward VII was produced in 1908 for the single 1p carmine (Scott 66). An illustration of this stampt heads the "Big Blue" section of the blog. The same design was used for the subsequent 1p "George V" issues.

1913-21 Scott 71 2p gray & Scott 74 6p dull violet & red violet

"King George V": Die I types; wmk 3

The Gold Coast colony is one of those that has both Die I and Die II varieties for the "George V" stamps. We will have a primer for Die I/Die II types later in the blog.

The 1913-21 "George V" design was a fourteen stamp issue, as illustrated above. They are characterized by wmk 3 and Die I types. Nine of the stamps range in CV from <$1-$3+.

1922 Scott 84 1p brown & 1925 Scott 90 1sh black/emerald

1921-25 issue; wmk 4(mostly), Die II

The second "George V" issue was produced between 1922-25, and had wmk 4 (Except for 15sh & £ 2), and Die II type. This thirteen stamp set has eight stamps between CV <$1-$4. Note the 1p design similar to the "Baldy" Scott 66.

Now, let's refresh our memory on the Die I/Die II differences...

1922 Scott 85 1 1/2p carmine Die II

1913-21 Scott 69 1/2d green Die I

Die I has the crown above King George V dropped down further into the solid background around George V compared to Die II. Also the solid background side panels for "POSTAGE" and "& REVENUE" on the top inside corners are "square" in Die I, and "diagonal" in Die II. There are other differences also.

Let's take a closer look...

Upper stamp differences Die II vs Die I

The differences are:

A) The Die II bottom of the crown (thick horizontal colored line) is even with the inner white line on either side of the crown. Note on Die I, the inner white line intercepts the crown above the bottom of the crown.

B) Thick horizontal middle (colored) line that intercepts the crown on either side of the crown is "squarer" in Die II; while "diagonal" in Die I.

C) The solid vertical background panel for "POSTAGE" and "& REVENUE" on the inside upper corners is  "diagonal"" in Die II while "squarer" in Die I.

Lower stamp difference Die II vs Die I

Observe the little curly-cue at the bottom outer edges of the design? Follow the little curly-cue up until it is vertical. There you will see a little nubbin come out on the outer side in Die I, but none in Die II. You may need to enlarge the image to see it well.

1928 Scott 100 1 1/2p scarlet & Scott 102 2 1/2p yellow

"Christiansborg Castle"

In 1928, a ten stamp set was produced as illustrated above. Six stamps are CV <$1. The formerly Danish Christiansborg Castle in Accra serves as the Capital building.

1938-41 Scott 121 6p rose violet "Christiansborg Castle"

Eight stamp design

In 1938, a series was issued as illustrated above. All the stamps are inexpensive. But this is one of my favorite stamp series for a personal reason. 

When I became interested in stamp collecting as a child, my Father gave me the red Scott "Modern" stamp album that was his. In it, I recall vividly this set for the Gold Coast. My Father must have bought this inexpensive series at some time. Since he was a child of the Depression, he did not spend frivolously. Yet there was this wonderful design to my eyes -MINT! 

He has passed away now some 20 years. But whenever I come upon these stamps, I think of my Father. :-)

1938-41 Scott 125 2sh dark violet & deep blue

The five higher valued denominations in the set are horizontal in format, as illustrated. CV ranges from <$1-$10.

1948 Scott 133 2p chocolate "Talking Drums"

Scott 137 6p orange & black "Cocoa Farmer"

Although the Scott Classic catalogue (and Deep Blue) cover up to 1952 for British Commonwealth, most of the stamps found for the British Colonies during 1945-52 are Omnibus series; such as the Peace issue, the Silver Wedding issue, and the UPU issue. Not real exciting.

Here, though, is a  twelve stamp series issued in 1948 that has local pictorial images.  Refreshing! The set ranges in CV from <$1-$7+.

Cocoa is an important export for the Gold Coast, so appropriate to see the farmer depicted here.

1948 Scott 135 3p blue "Manganese Mine"

Scott 138 1sh red orange & black "Breaking cocoa pods"

More images depicting local mining and the important cocoa industry. Extractive and low-tech, to be sure, but these stamps offer a glimpse into the ordinary life of the Gold Coast.

1951-52 Postage Due Scott J5 black /chalk surfaced paper

The original 1923 design was the same as shown above, except the 1951-52 stamps are on chalk surfaced paper.

1918 War Tax Scott MR1 1p scarlet

The war tax stamp is overprinted on a 1913-18 Scott 70a 1p scarlet, which has this interesting "George V" design. The design is similar to the 1p brown  "George V", and the 1p carmine "Edward VII" stamps.

Deep Blue

Deep Blue (Steiner) has ten pages for the Gold Coast. and I have stamps on all pages. The Steiner has all of Scott's major numbers represented, including the dubious Scott 9 discussed at the beginning of this section. Perhaps I could borrow the stamp from the British Museum to put there. ;-)

Of interest, the chalk surfaced 1951-52 Postage Due's (4 spaces) are not represented in the classic Steiner Gold Coast pages. Either they are in the full Steiner page set (probable), or they were missed by Steiner.

1908 Scott 66 1p carmine "King Edward VII"

Big Blue
Big Blue '69, on two pages, has 61 stamp spaces. Subtracting for the stamps issued after 1940, coverage is 46%.

Big Blue, as we all know, is a "representative" album. Nevertheless, it is still annoying when otherwise fine inexpensive stamps are not included. Here are the Gold Coast issues where BB cuts off 1-3 stamp spaces early...

Stamp series where BB could have included more stamps for a nominal CV include:
1884-91 (one-Scott 19)
1898 (two- Scott 30,31)
1907-11 (one-Scott 62)
1913-16 (two- Scott 75,76)
1921-15 (three- Scott 83,86,89)

Simple Checklist

1884-91
11,13,14,15,(17)

1898
26,27,

1902
38 or 49, 39 or 50, 40 or 51, 42 or 53, (43 or 54),(44),

1907-11
56,57,58,59,60,61,

1908
66,

1913-16
69,70,71,72,73 or 81,74,

1921-25
84,85,87,88,(90),(91),

1928
98,99,100,101,102,103,104,(105),

1935
108,109,110,111,

Next Page

1937
112,113,114,

1938
115,116,117,118,119,120,
121,123,122,

War Tax stamp
1918
MR1

Postage Due
1923
J1,J2,J3,J4,


Comments
A) Most expensive stamps ($10 threshold)
1935 Scott 110 6p indigo & green "Silver Jubilee" ($10+)
1923 Postage Due Scott J1 1/2p black ($20)
B) (   ) around a stamp number indicates a blank space elective choice

1948 Scott 140 5sh gray & red violet "Surfboats"

Out of the Blue
Between the watermarking and Die I/II evaluations for the classic issues, and the Pictorials found in the later issues, the Gold Coast offers a lot: to say nothing about the exotic name and location.

Note: Maps appear to be in the public domain.

Links
Gold Coast - Bud's Big Blue

Drop me a comment!

Gilbert & Ellice Islands

1911 Scott 11 2 1/2p ultramarine "Pandanus"

Quick History
The Micronesian Gilbert Islands and the Polynesian Ellice Islands, located in the Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and Australia, began as a protectorate in 1892, and then a British colony from 1916 until 1976. Thereafter the Gilbert Islands became the majority of the island nation of Kiribati (pronounced "Kirr-i-bas") in 1979, while the Ellice Islands were renamed Tuvalu in 1978. Both are currently members of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Gilbert & Ellice Islands
Copyright: brcstamps.com

The Gilbert group has Butariti, Tarawa, and Tamana as the more important islands. Besides the Ellice Islands, the Phoenix Islands, the Line Islands (Fanning, Washington, and Christmas (aka Kiritimati, not the Indian Ocean Christmas Island that puts out stamps)), and Ocean Island are part of the colony. By the way, notice the U.S. Howland Island? That is the last place Amelia Earhart's radio transmission was heard*.

The Capital was Tarawa, and the population was 30,000 in 1940.

Present day Kiribati & Tuvalu

Presently, the Micronesian Kiribati has 100,000 residents.  Polynesian Tuvalu has 10,000 population, the third least populous sovereign state in the world, and the fourth smallest in land area (10 sq mi).

1911 Scott 1 1/2p green "Gilbert & Ellice Protectorate"

Overprinted stamps of Fiji 

Note "General Post Office Ellice" postmark

Into the Deep Blue

The 2011 Scott Classic Specialized catalogue has 65 major descriptions between 1911-1940 for Regular, Postage Due and War Tax categories. Of those, 33 are <$4 CV. "Affordability" index is 51%.

A closer look at the stamps and issues
12 Pence = 1 Shilling
20 Shillings = 1 Pound
The "Funafuti Provisionals" of 1916 caused quite an uproar in the philatelic press at the time. These values, surcharged by the Post Office in Funafuti because of a shortage of stamps, have never been listed in Scott.  SG withdrew their listing in 1923. For a fascinating read about this episode, click on:
http://brcstamps.com/catalog/countries/Gilbert_and_Ellice_Islands/geic_funafuti_provisionals_1.html

1911 Scott 3 2p gray "Gilbert & Ellice Protectorate"

Stamps of Fiji overprinted

A regular ship service for picking up mail began January 1, 1911, and hence seven Fiji "King Edward VII" stamps were overprinted as illustrated for the first stamp issue. The least expensive are two mint stamps for $7+, with the rest $15-$45 CV. Perhaps the reason the used CV is high for these stamps ($10+-$90), is because they were only out a couple of months before the next  issue was produced.

1911 Scott 9 10 carmine "Pandanus"

In March, 1911, four stamps were issued depicting the Pandanus Tree. This lovely set is fairly inexpensive (CV $1+-$5).

1912-24 Scott 23 2sh violet & ultramarine/blue "George V"

Wmk 3, Die I

In 1912, the familiar "George V" designs were produced with twelve denominations, all watermarked  "Multiple Crown and C A"-wmk 3, and Die I. Eight stamps range in CV from <$1-$2+.

1918 Scott MR1 1p scarlet

The War Tax overprint of 1918 was also a wmk 3, Die I design. For a refresher on the Die I/Die II differences, see the Fiji blog.

http://bigblue1840-1940.blogspot.com/2011/10/fiji.html

I will also revisit the Die I/Die II variations with the "Gold Coast" blog; next to be published.

1924 Scott 29 1 1/2p scarlet

Wmk 4, Die II

A five stamp "George V" issue was produced between 1921-27 that had the watermark ""Multiple Crown & Script C A" -wmk 4, and Die II. Three stamps have CV between $2-$5.

Note the crown is not dropped down as far into the solid color vignette area as in Die I. For watermarking illustrations, see the prior Gibraltar blog .

1939 Scott 40 1/2p dark green & slate blue "Great Frigate Bird"

In 1939, a nice pictorial set of twelve stamps was issued. Nine stamps are CV <$1-$2+. Seven stamps (illustrated above) are of the larger design.

1939 Scott 41 1p dark violet & bright blue green "Pandanus"

This King George VI set also has a smaller design as one will note above. Other scenes depict "Coconut trees", "Phosphate loading jetty", and "Ocean Island".

1940 Postage Due Scott J1 1p emerald

Note the printing error in "Ellice"?

In 1940, a eight stamp Postage Due set was issued with various colors for different denominations. The CV is rather high; $5-$30+.

Of interest, this particular 1p emerald does not show the full "E" in "Ellice". Stanley Gibbons makes no mention of a consistent error, so this must be an idiosyncratic plate printing flaw?

Deep Blue

Deep Blue (Steiner) has five pages for the Gilbert & Ellice Islands, and I have stamps on four pages. The layout follows Scott.  But, of interest, Steiner includes two additional spaces for perforation varieties (minor numbers) for the 1939 issue George VI pictorials.

1939 Scott 46 5p dark brown & deep ultramarine 

"Ellice Islands Canoe"

Big Blue

Big Blue '69, on one page, has 28 spaces beginning with the 1911 "Pandanus" issue. Coverage is 43%.

There are no stamps included with CV over $10. 

The George V stamp spaces, per usual, combines the wmk3/wmk4 and Die I/Die II varieties; although in this case there is not a lot of overlap, except for the 2p gray. The 1p "scarlet" George V listed by BB, is now a minor number (15a). The major number, Scott 15, is "carmine". I include both as choices as a nod to pragmatism.

The Silver Jubilee issue (CV $1+-$5) is not included in BB's space choice.

Simple Checklist

1911

8,9,10,11,

1912-27

14,15a or 15, 28,29,16 or 30, 17,18,19,

20,21,22,(27),

1937

37,38,39,

1938 (actually 1939)

40,42,43,44,

41,46,47,

45,48,

Comments

A) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold): none

B) ( ) around a number indicates a blank space choice

C) Additional comments above in blog

1939 Scott 42 1 1/2p carmine & black 

"Canoe crossing reef"

Out of the Blue

An interesting grouping of stamps for an interesting grouping of islands. ;-)

Note: The Gilbert & Ellice Islands Map is copyright, but is used with the kind permission of Brian of brcstamps.com.  The Kiribati Map appears to be in the public domain.

*Amelia Earhart search scheduled for this summer (2012) is focusing on Kiribati's Phoenix Island chain and Gardner Island (Now called Nikumaroro), where the landing gear of her plane on a reef may have been spotted from an old 1937 photograph.

Links
Gilbert & Ellice Islands - Bud's Big Blue

Comments? Would like to hear from you!

Gibraltar

1898 Scott 9 1/2p gray green "Victoria"

 First dedicated issue for Gibraltar

Quick History
The British have claimed the Rock of Gibraltar (1,400 feet) on the southern coast of Spain, about 2 square miles in area, since 1713. The promontory juts out at the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea. A very strategic location, this has been a key location for the British Royal Navy for many years. The capital is Gibraltar, and the population was about 20,000 in 1940.

1733 Gibraltar Map

In the 1950's, Franco and Spain renewed their claim on Gibraltar, but Gibraltarians voted to reject Spanish governance.  In 1981, residents of Gibraltar were granted full U.K. citizenship, and today Gibraltar remains a British overseas territory.

Satellite Map of Gibraltar

There have been stamps of Great Britain used in Gibraltar since 1857. Some 75 stamps are recognized in the Scott catalogue ( a barred "G" or oval "A26" postmark), and they are valued for the specialist from $20-many hundreds. They are outside the realm of the general WW classic era collector, so I will say no more about them here.

The first issue (seven stamps) was produced in 1886, and actually were Bermuda stamps that were overprinted "Gibraltar". Three of them are valued @ <$10. 

Since I don't have any, no more will be said. ;-)

1904-12 Scott 50 1p violet/red "Edward VII"

There are 33 stamps of the "Baldies" for Gibraltar

Into the Deep Blue
The 2011 Scott Classic Specialized catalogue has 135 major stamp descriptions for Gibraltar. ( I didn't include the 35 Great Britain stamps prior to 1886.) There are 15 stamps <$10 prior to 1900, and 52 stamps <$5 from 1900-1950. "Affordability" index is 54%.

Highlights of Gibraltar's stamps include a "Centimos/Peseta" denomination series from 1889-95, 33 "Baldies" with two watermarked issues from 1903-1912, A nice 4 stamp "Rock of Gibraltar" issue from 1931-34, and  a George VI fourteen stamp Pictorial series from 1938-49.

A closer look at the stamps and issues

1898 Scott 11 1p carmine rose "Victoria"

1898 Scott 14 2 1/2p bright ultramarine "Victoria"

Part of first dedicated issues of Gibraltar

The first issue intended for Gibraltar was a thirteen stamps series with the classic "Victoria" design. Six stamps can be found for <$1-$7+.  Illustrated above are two of the different frame designs, with a third heading this blog. Nice.

1889-95 Scott 32  25c ultramarine "Victoria"

A change in denomination to Centimos and Pesetas

In 1889, a change in denomination was introduced- influenced by Spain?- to Centimos and Pesetas. I was unable, in the short time I spent on research, to find why this occurred. Perhaps a reader knows? At any rate, it was short lived, as the next series (1903) was again in Pence/Shilling. 

The twelve stamps in the issue have six stamps with a CV ranging from <$1-$6. It has the same design as the preceding issue.

All of the Queen Victoria's for Gibraltar have wmk 2- the Crown and CA, No need to worry about different watermarks.

That certainly is not true for the forthcoming issues, however, so it might be good to "refresh" the memory on the colonial watermarks.

Wmk 2-Crown and C A 1886-1912

Wmk 3 Multiple Crown and C A 1922-1921

Wmk 4 Multiple Crown and Script C A 1921-1950

The three watermarks we will encounter are illustrated above. If one is mounting a stamp with several possible watermarks, turn it over to view the watermark. If it is not clearly identifiable, then use a watermarking tray and fluid. Values can vary widely depending on the watermark! Although Big Blue does not usually "require" checking for watermarks, one should get in the habit. ;-)

Two examples, with different shades, of 1889-95 Scott 30 10c "Victoria"

The "A26" cancellation was for Gibraltar

I never quite know what to do with "shades". Sometimes the catalogue, either Scott or Stanley Gibbons, will have a matching shade description. Then I will happily assign the minor number to the shade, and try to add it to the page with the same major number if possible. But more often, I am left in limbo. Is it a changeling, or a "real" shade? I hate becoming a "hoarder", keeping every very minor variation. So I try to resist the urge. What do you do with your minor variations?

1903 Scott 42 2 1/2p violet & black/blue "Edward VII"

 The wmk 2 issue of 1903

The "Baldies" were introduced in 1903 with a ten stamp issue-wmk 2. Two are <$1, but the rest are at least $10+, with the £1 @ $600 CV. Perhaps because the next issue was introduced in 1904? Nevertheless, they are quite handsome stamps.

1904-12 Scott 49A 1/2p dull green & bright green "Edward VII"

1907 Scott 55 2 1/2p ultramarine -wmk 3

The seventeen stamp 1904-12 series -wmk 3 - was also issued as "chalky paper" varieties with their own (bolded) Scott numbers. (So look for the "chalky" to add a shiny pate to the head of the "Baldy". ;-) ) This adds six more stamp catalogue numbers. Altogether 23 stamp types- so it is a little complcated. And, one needs to differentiate this present series (wmk 3) from the preceding 1903 wmk 2 issues. The denomination varieties where the stamp exists in both ordinary and chalky paper are:
1/2p dull green & bright green
1p violet/red
2p green & carmine rose
6p violet & purple
1sh black & carmine rose
2sh green & ultramarine

As said, a bit complicated.

Nine varieties ( 2 of them chalky paper duplicates) are <$1-$8.

1912 Sott 69 2 1/2p ultramarine "George V"

Part of a 10 stamps series: wmk 3

Notice the frame is the same as the preceding "Baldies" issues?

King George V was introduced on Gibraltar stamps in 1912 with a ten stamp series. To give the impression to their British subjects that Monarchs may change, but everything else is the same, the stamp frame is identical in design to the "Baldies". (In fact, the next issue will push the sameness to 1932.)

Nevertheless nice classic design stamps.

Five of the issue ranges in CV from <$1-$4+. There are chalky stamps ( 6p and higher denominations), but no duplication's with the ordinary paper variety.

This issue is wmk 3, and the next issue is wmk 4.

1922 Scott 78 1 1/2p red brown & 1921-32 Scott 81 3p ultra "George V"

Second issue with wmk 4

The second issue -wmk 4-, was produced from 1921-32, and had 18 stamps- and included  some high value denominations.  Although six stamps have CV <$1-$4+, the high end yields three stamps between CV $170+-$1,700+.  The £5 dull violet & black denomination: was it really needed, or was it intended to extract some cash from the stamp collector? ;-)

1932 Scott 98 2p gray "Rock of Gibraltar"

 Four stamp set

Breaking out of the Monarch stamp mold, the 1931-33 set was a pictorial with the above illustration. I especially like the ships in front of the Rock. The CV ranges from $2-$4.

1938-49 George VI  2p carmine rose "The Rock North Side"

3p blue "Europa Point": part of a 14 stamp series

The 1938-49 George VI series continues the pictorials with seven scenes in a fourteen stamp production. Ten of the stamps range from <$1-$4.

1938-49 Scott 113 6p dull violet & carmine rose "Moorish Castle"

This issue brings up two observations.

Most of this series stamps were produced after 1940 (Nine of them), so clearly the "1940" usual cutoff for Big Blue would not work well here. Of interest, BB  does include 5 stamps issued after 1940 as choices!  Deep Blue classic pages, of course, goes to 1952 for the British Commonwealth.

I also reviewed the SG 1840-1970 catalogue for Gibraltar, and this issue had a number of reported flaws. What is amusing, though, is how SG reports the flaw. There is an "Ape on Rock" or "Bird on Memorial", rather than "smudge" or "fly-speck".  I give credit to SG for imagination!

1918 Scott MR1 "George V"

War Tax stamp

Finally, we end the Gibraltar close-up with the war tax stamp. Many of the British Colonies, in order to raise funds for WWI, had a war tax stamp which needed to be added to a letter along with the regular postage.

By the way, the United States had a war tax also, it was just "hidden". The first class letter rate was raised from 2c to 3c to pay the tax.

Deep Blue
Deep Blue (Steiner) has eleven pages with stamp entries from 1866-1950, and I have stamps on nine of the pages.. Naturally, Deep Blue has a space for the different watermark stamps of the Edward VII and George V era. And, thankfully, Deep Blue has all the spaces for the George VI 1938-49 pictorials.

Interestingly, it also has a space for the 1931-33 "Rock of Gibraltar" series with the minor number perforation (13 1/2 X 14) variation (Scott 96a-99a). The major number is for the perforation 14 stamp. Even SG only has a minor number for these perforation variations.

I noticed the descriptions for Gibraltar in Deep Blue follow the Scott catalogue. However, other colonies (such as Dominica) use the SG descriptive vocabulary.

What Deep Blue doesn't provide spaces for are the duplicate "chalky paper" varieties of the Edward VII 1904-12 set (six stamps). Scott gives these bolded minor numbers, and they are listed along with the major numbers, and given the same prominence and space.

I was ready to give Deep Blue a "tongue-lashing" about this, but noticed that SG only gives these variations minor numbers. So actually Scott might be a little too generous with the bolded numbers; perhaps they only deserve italic minor numbers.

1931-33 Scott 96 1p red "Rock of Gibraltar"

Socked-on-the-Nose

Big Blue
Big Blue '69, on two pages, has 40 stamp spaces from 1886-1938. Coverage is 30%.

Naturally, not very generous coverage, but BB is true to it's philosophy by not offering spaces for different watermarks, which is characteristic of the "Baldy" and "George V" issues.

Some comments...
A) BB, for the 1886-98 "Pence" Victorias, only offers one space for the 1/2p and 1p denominations, although there are two different color choices for these spaces, and the most expensive is $5. Also no room is offered for the Scott 13 2p ($2).

B) For the 1889-95 "Centimos" Victorias, no room is offered for the Scott 34 50c ($2+).

C) Naturally all the 1903-11 "Baldies" issues are only given one space for the two watermarks.
But the 1/2p comes in three major numbers, one bolded minor number,and three colors, and is given just one space. The CV range from $2-$11.

D) For the 1912-30 "George V" issues, Scott 67a 1p scarlet is requested, but is now a minor number. Therefore I have included the Scott 67 carmine as a choice. The Scott 77 1p rose red ($1+) is excluded because of color specifications. No room is offered for the 1sh 71 ($4+) or the 2sh 72 ($4).

E) The "1938" George VI pictorials, interestingly enough, do offer choices into the 1940's. But among the missing is the 1 1/2p gray violet (<$1), the 5p($1), and the 2sh($4).

Simple Checklist

1886-98
8 or 9, 10 or 11, 14

1889-95
29,30,31,32,33,

1903-11
39 or 49A or 49 or 49Ab, 40 or 50 or 50b, 51,41 or 52 or 52a,53, 42 or 54,55,

1912-30
66 or 76, 67a* or 67, 78,68 or 79, 69 or 80, 81,70 or 82,

1931-33
96,97,98,99,

1935
100,101,102,103,

1937
104,105,106,

Next Page

1938
107,
108,109,
110 or 110B, 111,113,
114,

Comments
A) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold): none
B) *67a 1p scarlet "George V" is now a minor number, so 67 carmine is now included. The 77 1p rose red is excluded (color).
C) Most of the discussion about the BB included stamps is elsewhere in this blog.

1943 Scott 109A 1 1/2p gray violet "Rock of Gibraltar"

Out of the Blue

After all the French and German colonies, and the German area proper blogs, it is nice to get back to a British colony. One knows what to expect, but there are surprises too. Here the Pence/Centimos Victorias and the long run of "Baldies" adds spice to the Gibraltar holdings for the classical era collector. 

Note: Maps appear to be in the public domain.

Links
Gibraltar - Bud's Big Blue

Comments appreciated!