Into the Deep Blue
The Six Pence, like its fellow COGH Triangular siblings, was printed by Perkins Bacon (1858-63), and, on PB plates, by De La Rue (1864).
The Perkins Bacon era can be further divided into the slate-lilac (1862) or slate-purple (1863) on blued paper issues; and the 1855-58 deep rose lilac (1858) or pale rose lilac on white paper issues.
The DLR 1864 Six Pence is bright mauve (Scott says "purple").
(Note: SG color descriptions will be used primarily, although I will include Scott's description also.)
I should mention at the outset that Chris Dorn (Beryllium Guy) of The Stamp Forum helped significantly to clarify my thinking on these Six Pence stamps. Thanks Chris!
The best way to learn is to look at examples in my collection, so let's begin. 😎
Example 1
The slate-lilac colors of the 1862 issue are relatively easy to identify. This example to me has more "slate" than "lilac". The CV is a rather hefty $540.
The other reason the PB slate-lilac (or slate-purple) stamps are more easily identified, is they are the only ones to have paper "more or less blued', seen here on the reverse. (For the other Six Pence stamp varieties, the paper is "white")
Example 2
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Here is another "slate-lilac". To me, this stamp shows more "lilac" than "slate". Probable "fiscal" use.
Could this stamp actually be the rare "purple" color (1863 SG 7d (Sc 5c) with a CV of $1200? Well, the "slate-lilac" can come in shades, so this is probably still within the "slate-lilac" group. And the "slate-purple" is rare. But it has a fiscal script of 1865, so possible (but not likely).
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The reverse only shows spotty bluing, but definitely there.
Example 3
Now we will look at the other major Six Pence PB grouping - the pale or deep rose-lilacs of 1855-58, on "white" paper.
This stamp appears to be a 1858 "pale rose-lilac". CV is $300.
The major problem for collectors of the "rose-lilacs" is the frequent fading of the stamp color, due to light exposure. This example is an exception: it shows decent detail and color.
Note the "white" paper.
Example 4
This example has a deeper color, and is probably a "deep rose-lilac" variety. Again, decent detail with no apparent fading. CV is $400.
I should mention that the PB "deep rose-lilac" color can sometimes be confused with the 1864 DLR "bright mauve" (Scott "Purple"). But this stamp looks like a PB printing with more detail evident.
The reverse shows "white paper".
Example 5
A local dealer had a cache of "Six Pence" stamps - six or seven of them. All of them were badly faded, except for this example. I was hoping this might be a DLR stamp, as I did not yet have one. But closer inspection shows some background detail, and the color is probably not "bright mauve".
Example 6
When I saw this stamp for sale at the APS site, I had high hopes this would turn out to be a DLR 1864 "bright mauve". Notice the very poor detail in the background and the lack of detail with "Hope".
I should mention, though, that Six Pence DLR stamps are not as commonly found compared to PB stamps.
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"White" paper as one would expect. One can see the watermark.
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Comparing a PB "rose-lilac" with a DLR "bright mauve".
I asked for a Cert. The APS uses two experts for APEX, and they have to agree. Four months later, I got the result: Indeed a DLR 1864 SG 20 (Sc 14) 6p Bright Mauve (Purple)! CV is $450.
Out of the Blue
The major problem with Six Pence stamps is finding a good specimen, as the "rose-lilacs" are prone to fading. And then finding a genuine DLR Six pence is sometimes difficult. They are not that common, and the PB "deep rose-lilac" can be confused (and sold as) the DLR stamp.
Comments appreciated!
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