Ceylon 1935-1947 - a closer look

1936 Scott 267 9c orange red & olive green

"Picking Tea"

Into the Deep Blue
Classic British Empire stamps, on the whole, tend to be rather predictable (read boring?), with their ubiquitous  head shots of the British monarch.

Not that a particular colony, such as Ceylon, don't have interesting issues, as demonstrated by these previous blog posts....

Ceylon 1861-1900 Victorian Era
Ceylon 1903-1935

But, then Ceylon issued the well designed 1935-36 George V engraved pictorials, and then continued with the 1938-52 George VI engraved pictorials.  Is this the classical design "golden era"?. Let's take a look....

1935-1947: a closer look
100 Cents = 1 Rupee

1935 Scott 264 2c carmine rose & black

"Tapping Rubber"

The 1935-36 eleven stamp eleven design issue features local Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) scenes. Here, "Tapping Rubber"...

The economy of the 19th and 20th century included production and exportation of natural rubber from rubber tree plantations.

It all began in 1876 with the planting of 2,000 rubber seedlings in the Henerathgoda Botanical Gardens. The natural rubber industry grew to become the third largest export earner, and Sri Lanka still ranks sixth in the world in terms of production.

1936 Scott 266 6c blue & black

"Colombo Harbor"

The issue was released between 1935 and 1936: 5/1/35 - 2c, 15c, 25c; 6/1/35 - 10c; 7/1/35 - 1r; 8/1/35 - 30c; 19/1/35 - 3c; 1/1/36 - 6c, 9c, 20c, 50c.

Colombo Harbor - 1914 Postcard

The ship traffic for Ceylon went mainly through Columbo Harbor.

Map of Columbo -1914

Columbo today is the commercial capital of Sri Lanka.

1936 Scott 270 20c ultramarine & black

"Coconut Palms"

Of interest, the 1935-36 "George V" pictorial issue was printed by two British stamp firms: De la Rue for the 2c, 3c, 20c (the one illustrated above), & the 50c; The rest were printed by Bradbury Wilkinson. 

1935 Scott 268 10c dark violet & black

"Rice Terraces"

The classical bi-color design has stood the test of time. The engraving process means the detail is exquisite. Go ahead, click on the image, enlarge, and enjoy!

1935 Scott 269 15c green & orange brown

"River Scene"

The CV for the eleven stamp issue ranges from <$1 to $20+ used/ $35 unused.

1935 Scott 274 1r brown & violet

"View of Trincomalee"

Trincomalee is a port town on the east coast.

Entrance to Fort Fredrick

There, are the remnants of Fort Fredrick. Originally built by the Portuguese in 1624, it was occupied by the Dutch in 1665. The French were involved for a while, but then the fort was taken over by the British in 1795, and it remained a British garrison until 1948.

1938 Scott 279c 3c dark green & black (Perf 13 1/2)

"Adam's Peak"

The "George VI" 1938-52 thirteen stamp pictorial set uses many of the previously issued "George V" pictorial scenes, and eliminates the "Postage & Revenue" script.

Adams Peak (pictured in 1909) and Sri Pada ("Sacred Footprint") near the summit

Adam's Peak (7353 feet) in central interior Ceylon is well known for a belief that a footprint embedded in rock is of Buddha (Buddhist tradition) or of Shiva (Hindu tradition).

1938 Scott 283 20c dull blue & black

"Picking Tea"

James Taylor, a Scottish planter, introduced Tea plantations in 1867. Ceylon (Sri Lanka) has been known for its high quality black tea since. Today, Sri Lanka is the fourth largest tea producer in the world.

1944 Scott 278 2c carmine rose & black

"Ancient Guard Stone"; Anuradhapura

A Guard Stone (Muragala) was commonly found on either side of an entrance to a religious or royal building of Sinhalese architecture of ancient Ceylon as far back as the 1st century C E.

This stamp design is one of three new designs for the 1938-52 issue.

1938 Scott 281 10c blue & black

"Sigiriya (Lion Rock)"

This stamp pictorial is also new for the issue.

Sigiriya is an ancient rock fortress where a palace was built on top of the rock in the 5th century C E. 

1938 Scott 284 25c chocolate & dull ultramarine

"Temple of the Tooth, Kandy"

The 1938-52 thirteen stamp issue was again printed by different British firms: Bradbury Wilkinson - 6c,10c,15c,20c,25c,30c,1r,2r,; De La Rue - 2c,3c,50c,5r,10r. Actually, the 2c, 3c, 50c (Perf 11 X 11 1/2, 11 1/2 X 11) were also printed by Bradbury Wilkinson after December, 1940 when the De La Rue plant was bombed.

1938 Scott 285 30c dark green & rose carmine

"Ancient Reservoir"

CV for the George VI issue ranges from <$1 to $50 (10r).

I should mention that there are plenty of perforation variations (14 minor numbers) to pursue for the 2c, 3c, & 50c.. They mark what year the stamp was produced. 

1942 Scott 286e 50c dark violet & black

"Wild Elephants"

The Sri Lankan elephant is the largest of the four sub-species of Asian Elephants. The Wild Elephant count has decreased from 20,000 to 2,000 the last hundred years.

1938 Scott 289 5r brown violet & green "George VI"

All of the 1938-52 George VI issue was engraved, except for the 5r and 10r, which were typographed. One should note that the 10r was a revenue stamp, and had "REVENUE" inscribed vertically on either side of the frame. BUT, the 10r was valid for postage between Dec 1, 1952 - Mar 14, 1954.

1947 Scott 296 6c deep ultramarine & black

"Parliament Building, Colombo"

India was heading for independence, and so was Ceylon (soon to be Sri Lanka).

There was a four stamp issue released Nov 25, 1947 celebrating the new Constitution.

1947 Scott 298 15c red violet & greenish black

"Temple of the Tooth, Kandy"

Housing the relic of the tooth of the Buddha, Sri Dalada Maligawa is in the city of Kandy.

1940 Scott 290 3c on 20c dull blue & black

"Plucking Tea"

In 1940, the 20c dull blue & black was surcharged "3 cents" as shown.

1941 Scott 291 3c on 6c blue & black

"Colombo Harbor"

Likewise, in 1941, the 6c blue & black was surcharged by the Government Printing Office in Colombo. No doubt this was done because of the war and stamp shortages.

1947 Scott 295 2r violet & black

"Ancient Guard Stone"

Type of 1938

This is the 1947 version (color change) for the "Type of 1938" "Ancient Guard Stone" 2 Rupee stamp.

1947 Scott 292 5c red orange & olive green

"Coconut Palms"; Perf 12

The 5c denomination was printed, using the "Coconut Palms" design of the 1935 Issue, in 1943 (Perf 13 1/2) and in 1947 (Perf 12).

1947 Scott 297 10c carmine, orange & black

"Adam's Peak"

This 10c from the 1947 "New Constitution" set is postmarked Nov 25, the first day of issue.

1947 Scott 299 25c bright green & bister

"Dagoba at Anuradhapura"

Composed of over 90 million bricks, the Dagoba was built in the 3rd century BC, and was probably the 3rd tallest building in the ancient world after the two great pyramids of Giza.

1949 Scott 303 25c deep blue & brown

"D.S. Senanayake"; First Prime Minister

Independence (Feb 4, 1948)! - actually, this stamp was issued for the one year anniversary of Independence in 1949. Ceylon (Dominion Status) continued to rely on Great Britain for defense and external affairs.

1938 Scott 282 15c red brown & green

"River Scene"

Out of the Blue

Ceylon is on my bucket list for a visit. 

Comments appreciated!

Madeira - Bud's Big Blue

Madeira precursor #A8

Bud's Big Blue
Bud's Observations

When you poke though feeder albums, look for precursors. Sometimes an older cancellation found among a colonizing country’s stamps turns out to be from a colony, not the mother country, and was used before stamps were overprinted or inscribed with the colony’s name. Such is the case of the Madeira #A8 above. It’s identified by the barred numeral “51.” Otherwise, it would be a used Portugal #8 (100r, lilac, King Pedro with straight hair). I had placed the stamp in the supplement pages for Portugal, but spotted it and moved it to Madeira’s supplement page just before writing this post.

Madeira’s stamps need to be studied together with those of Funchal, Madeira’s capitol city, and of Portugal. Stamps overprinted or inscribed Madeira were issued from 1868 to 1928, with interludes in which Funchal stamps were made available and/or ordinary Portuguese stamps were used.

The MADEIRA overprints (1868-1881) vary in size and shape of the letters, as can be seen in the examples shown below. Reprints exist.

Census: 25 in BB spaces, 16 on the supplement page counting the precursor.

Jim's Observations

The Portuguese had settled Madeira since 1420, and the island was granted administrative autonomy in 1895. Today, the archipelago is part of two Autonomous regions of Portugal, along with the Azores.

Stamps of Portugal can be found used on Madeira from 1853-1867. But, beginning in 1868, overprinted "Madeira" Portuguese stamps were produced. Thirty-two Scott major numbers are noted until 1881. A Vasco da Gama eight stamp common design issue for Madeira was issued in 1898.

And, between 1892-1905, one can also find stamps for Funchal issued.

But, in general, the stamps of Portugal were used on Madeira after the Vasco da Gama issue of 1898, and the Funchal issues through 1905.

There are several exceptions...

• In 1928, a 21 stamp "Ceres" issue was produced for Madeira. It was necessary for postal patrons to use the stamps on mail for six specific days in 1928 & 1929. This was to raise funds for a Museum building.

• Postal Tax and Postal Tax Due stamps were produced for Madeira in 1925.

Madeira Blog Post & BB Checklist

Page 1

1a

1b

Supplements
Page 1

Comments appreciated!

Bud's League of Nations Album: Pre- League of Nations Philately 1919-20 WW I Peace Conferences

League of Nations Album

2. Pre- League of Nations Philately

 1919-1920

WW I Peace Conferences

To be precise, it was not World War I that produced the philatelic outburst that fills BB albums but, rather, it was the war’s aftermath. The post-war Peace Congress changed the world and, with it, stamp collecting, forever.

The Congress’ five principal treaties -- signed at Versailles, St. Germain-en-Laye, Neuilly, Trianon, and Sevres -- all made new stamps necessary, but no stamps were issued for the Congress itself. Stamp production soon surged elsewhere, though. (1) Why? Because the Congress abolished Germany’s colonies, redrew national boundaries, authorized plebiscites and mandates, and established three international peace-preserving organizations -- The League of Nations, The International Labor Organization, and The World Court -- all of which required new stamps. Philately convulsed; stamp albums bloated.

Although it issued no stamps for the Congress, France did provide commemorative cancelations for two of the sessions. All French stamps circulating in 1919 can be found with Versailles and/or St. Germain “Congres de la Paix” cancels. They were struck from 7 May through 10 September, 1919. War-related Cinderellas often have such cancels too. Even stamps of other nations sometimes bear Versailles or St. Germain postmarks.

Many of these are “favor” cancels on unaddressed envelopes that must have been available for purchase long after the Congress concluded its work. They’re relatively inexpensive even today.  In addition, delegations participating in the Congress had diplomatic cachets. These are exceedingly scarce on official envelopes, but sometimes found on souvenir postcards. The United Nations displays the cachets in a pdf. (2)

Unmailed souvenir postcard with German and French delegation cachets

The French provided six different cancels for the Versailles session and four for St. Germain. Together with the diplomatic cachets, they represent the beginning of post-war philately.

Versailles cancels

St. Germain cancels

Cinderella with type 2 St. Germain cancel

Small envelope with both Versailles and St. Germain cancels

Large unmailed envelope. St. Germain cancels 

“Suddenly from outside comes the crash of guns thundering a salute. It announces to Paris that the second Treaty of Versailles has been signed…. There was a final hush. ‘La séance est levée,’ rasped Clemenceau. Not a word more or less. We kept our seats while the Germans were conducted like prisoners from the dock…. ‘Oui,’ says Clemenceau, ‘c’est une belle journée!’ There were tears in his bleary eyes.” From diary for 28 June 1919, Harold Nicolson. (3)

The sender of this commercial postcard, Versailles cancelled on the day the Treaty was signed, may have heard the thundering guns. “Vive la Paix!” -- the message of the day.

The following cover addressed to A(ntoine) Velleman came from a German organization that supported peace. Velleman and his associates invented the consecutive translation system used at the Peace Congress and, later, at the League of Nations’ many conferences.

 To Velleman, 1 February 1919

The cover probably arrived while Velleman was working on the plan for immediate translation as delegates were still speaking. Without it, communication at the Congress would have been slow and hopelessly snarled. He founded the Geneva Interpreters School. Several covers connected to Velleman will follow in subsequent posts of this series. This one belongs in the “Pre-League of Nations Philately” chapter.

Notes:

(1) See for example postal history of Hungary, Austria, Turkey, Samoa, German East Africa, Mariana Islands, Saar, Alexandretta, Palestine, Upper Silesia and many others. Peace Congress-generated stamps of these countries either are presented, or will be, in Bud’s Big Blue posts.

(2) http://www.unpi.com/clem/unpostcards/LONCatalogC.pdf

(3) Harold Nicolson. Peacemaking 1919, Being Reminiscences of the Paris Peace Conference. London: Constable & Co. (1945), pp, 302-303.]

Ceylon 1903-1935 - a closer look

1903 Scott 169 5c dull lilac "Edward VII"; Wmk 2

 Postmark: site of Neboda Tea Co. of Ceylon Ltd (1898-1926)

Into the Deep Blue
This the second of three posts on the stamps of Ceylon: this one will feature the Edward VII and George V stamp period - 1903-1935.

Previous post: Ceylon 1861-1900 Victorian Era

A Closer Look 1903-1935
100 Cents = 1 Rupee (1872)

1903 Scott 166 2c orange brown "Edward VII"

Wmk 2

Between 1903-05, for the new King "Edward VII", a twelve stamp typographic issue using five designs, but all featuring the same side portrait, was released. The paper had a "Crown and C A" watermark (Wmk 2), which distinguishes this issue from the similar 1904-10 "Wmk 3" issue.

CV ranges from <$1 to $10+ for ten stamps.

1910 Scott 183 10c olive green & violet "Edward VII"

Wmk 3 "Multiple Crown and C A"

The next issue of 1904-10, consisting of nineteen stamps, used the same five designs of the preceding 1903-05 Wmk 2 issue, but on Wmk 3 paper. Some of the stamps of the issue appear identical to the 1903-05 issue, save that they are on Wmk 3 paper. Obviously, watermark checking is a must.

1904-10 "Edward VII" Wmk 3 Issue

Here is a scan of the 1904-10 "Wmk 3" issue, showing the various five frame designs (A36 - A40).

1908 Scott 197 5c deep red violet
"Edward VII"; Wmk 3

In 1908, there were two new frame designs (A41, A42) printed for the 5c (shown) and the 6c.

CV is <$1.

1911 Scott 199 3c green "Edward VII"

Wmk 3

In 1911, the 3c denomination was printed using the A40 design rather than the previous A37 design.

CV is <$1.

1912 Scott 202a & 202 deep green "George V", Wmk 3

Die I, Type I Small "c" after value; Die 1a, Type II Large "c"

Between 1912-25, a nineteen stamp issue (Wmk 3) of George V was released.

The 3c and 6c come in two types: small "c" after value, or large "c".

CV is <$1 - $4+ for twelve stamps. Some values, though, have a very high CV indeed.

There were some very high denomination values in the issue. Scott has a note that the 1912 Scott 217 500r gray green (CV $8,000) and the 1925 1000r violet red (CV $30,000), although they could have been used for postage, it is not probable, and they were used for fiscal purposes.

1918 Scott 223 1c on 5c red violet "George V"

No. 203 Surcharged

IN 1918, the 1912 Scott 203 5c red violet was surcharged "one cent" as shown.

Of interest, this overprint/surcharge is identical to the war stamp 1918 Scott MR4 (scroll down), but without the "War Stamp" overprint.

1921 Scott 239 30c green & violet "George V"

Chalky Paper; Wmk 4

Between 1921-33, another "George V" issue of twenty-three stamps was released on Wmk 4 paper. The higher denominations (beginning with the 30c - see above) were on chalky paper.

1921-33 "George V" Wmk 4 Issue

Here is a scan of the 1c-25c denomination 1921-33 Wmk 4 issue.

CV is <$1 to $3+ for sixteen stamps.

I should mention that, for the 1921-33 issue, most "George V" stamps are Die I (Also Die Ia, Die Ib), but some are Die II. There is a good illustration of the differences in Scott's 1840-1940 catalogue. Or, for basics, see Gold Coast.

1926 Scott 249 5c on 6c violet "George V"

No 231 Surcharged

In 1926, two stamps were surcharged: the 2c on 3c slate, the 5c on 6c violet (shown).

CV is <$1-$1+.

1935 Scott 262 20c blue & brown "George V"

"Silver Jubilee Issue"

The common design type "Silver Jubilee Issue" is not very often shown on this blog. (What is the point?)  But I like the postmark.

Havelock Town is now part of Colombo, Sri Lanka. For more on the interesting history of Havelock Town, click here.

1918 Scott MR4 1c on 5c; No 203 Overprinted

Shades: Purple & Red Violet = (SG: Bright Magenta)

The 1918 War Tax issue for Ceylon consisted of four overprinted/surcharged stamps.

Of interest, there are two shades in the catalogue for MR4.

CV ranges from <$1 to $3+.

Deep Blue

1912-25 "George V" Wmk 3 Issue

Deep Blue (Steiner) has four pages for the Edward VII and George V (1903-35) stamp era. All of the major Scott numbers have a space.

1918 Scott MR1 2c brown orange

No 201 Overprinted; Die I, Wmk 3

Out of the Blue

As I mentioned on the Victorian era Ceylon post, it would be fun to specialize in classical Ceylon

Comments appreciated!