Queensland "Victoria" 1879-81 "Plain Corners" Issue

1879 Queensland  Scott 59 4p orange yellow

SG 141 4d orange yellow

"Plain Corners", Typographed, P12

Into the Deep Blue

The non Chalon Head "Victorias" of 1879-1909 are rather challenging, with differences in design, watermark, Perf, and thin/thick paper.

With this post, we will concentrate on the first 1879-81 issue, which is quite complicated in itself, despite the issue only consisting of five denominations.

Although it is true that the script (Queensland) is smaller than the later issues, the best way I found to quickly determine a 1879-81 stamp is to look at the four corners of the stamp. In a word, the corners are "plain"  with only vertical brush marks found - nothing else.

Top Row: SG Wmk 5

Bottom Row: SG Wmk 6

In Scott, both Wmks are labeled Wmk 68

Then there is the matter of which catalogue to use: Scott vs Stanley Gibbons (SG). Frankly the SG is far superior. 

For example, the SG illustrates Wmk 5 (one pence, two pence) and Wmk 6 (One, Two, Four, Six Pence & One Shilling). Note Wmk 5 has the upper crown as a small middle "v", while Wmk 5 has three equal oval sections.

Unfortunately Scott only shows Wmk 68, with a note that there are minor differences in watermarks. Scott Wmk 68 is the equivalent of SG Wmk 6, with no illustration of Wmk 5. 

The one pence and two pence stamp can be found with Wmk 5 (SG 128-133) with much higher CVs ($50-$200) than the Wmk 6 (Scott Wmk 68) One or Two Pence stamps. Alas, I checked all my stamps for watermark, and they were Wmk 6 (Scott Wmk 68) in my case.

1881 Queensland Scott 57 1p rose red

"Plain Corners", SG Wmk 6, (Scott Wmk 68), Die I

SG 136 1d scarlet

And SG has many more catalogue choices for colors. For that reason, I will illustrate the stamps here with SG colors for the most part.

Finally, SG illustrates the two Dies found for the One and the Two Pence, while Scott only mentions them without providing any detail

SG Die I: The white horizontal inner line of the triangle

in the upper right hand corner merges into the outer white line

of the oval above the "L".

This shows a close-up of Die I. Die I CV here is $10.

1881 SG 136a 1d scarlet

SG Wmk 6, Die II

This is a Die II stamp.

SG Die II: The white horizontal inner line of the triangle

in the upper right hand corner is short and does not touch

 the inner oval above the "L".

As it turns out, I happen to have more Die II stamps than Die I. The CV is usually similar. Here CV $10.

SG 135a 1d dull orange

SG Wmk 6, Die II

A nice color description for this stamp. CV is ~$15.

1879 SG 134b 1d reddish brown

SG Wmk 6, Die II

The reddish brown description is not in Scott. CV ~$15.

SG 138 2d grey blue

Wmk 6, Die II

Scott and SG agree on color here. CV $5,

SG 139 2d blue

Wmk 6, Die II

I also have a Die I copy of this color. CV $5.

1879 Queensland  Scott 59 4p orange yellow

SG 141 4d orange yellow

"Plain Corners", Typographed, P12

CV $60.

SG 143 6d yellow green

Wmk 6

The "yellow green" color found in both catalogues. CV $8.

SG 142 6d deeo green

A nice "deep green" color. CV $8.

SG 144 1s deep violet

CV $14. There is also a pale lilac color (CV $15).

No Wmk, Example of Moire (blue burele band) on Back 

For 1879 Scott 62 1p brown orange, the burele band would be lilac

There are also 1878-79 Scott 62-64 (one, two pence, shilling) with no watermarks and  Moire on back. High CVs ($63-$125).

Out of the Blue

This 1879-81 "Plain Corners" issue is a bit more complicated than what one would casually expect. ;-)

Comments appreciated!