Printers - Rhodesian Study Circle

Southern Rhodesian Admirals in the Waterlow Files

Colin Hoffman wrote an excellent series of articles on the Southern Rhodesia Admiral issue found in the “Waterlow Archives” (RSCJ 144-151). The one drawback to these articles was the relatively poor quality of the black and white illustrations limited by the technology of the time.

The purpose of this section of the website is to bring together coloured illustrations of the various blocks of each value found in the archives showing manuscript printing details and Waterlow Plate Numbers supported by Colin’s notes on each sheet.

In addition to die proofs and sample stamps the archive contained Imperforate File Proofs and Perforated File Copies.

Imperforate File Proofs were taken before each print run and contain marginal notes added by the Waterlow inspectors regarding improvements to be made to the printing plus details of order number, quantity to be printed (expressed as number of pulls in addition to the actual quantity required) and date printed. In addition the Waterlow Plate Numbers appeared at the top centre of the sheet. These were guillotined off prior to the sheets being issued.

Perforated File Copies were a sample of the actual print run and usually contained details of the printing in the top left corner of the sheet (date, order number and quantity printed).

When Colin viewed the “archive” in May 1987 part had already been sold to Bridger and Kay before being transferred back to Christie, Robson Lowe. Colin was able to borrow the “archive” from Robson Lowe which was thus missing the portion retained by Bridger and Kay. In reality the “archive” consisted of a suitcase containing a folder for each value Many of the sheets were incomplete as noted by Colin, in particular many of the perforated file copies only contained 33 stamps. All stamps had been invalidated by means of a punched hole.

Colin noted that “the same date appeared on all the file copies of the first printing, so possibly the date 17^th October 1923 has a significance unrelated to any actual event. All the first printings of this issue could not have been printed on that date. It must therefore be a date accepted by the customer”.

Layout of the Website

There is a separate section for each value consisting of an introductory page with a list of all the printings for that value taken from the list that Bridger and Kay included with collections made up of every printing of each value which were numbered in pencil on the reverse. (The 1928 5/- was not included in the collection). It is possible that these collections were made up from the sheets that later only contained 33 stamps. Examples of the various Waterlow Plate Numbers used are also shown for each value. A number of items missing from the “archive” when viewed by Colin are illustrated.

This is followed by a page for each printing with scans of all appropriate blocks from both the Imperforate File Proofs and Perforated File Copies which have been obtained to date. It should be noted that many of these scans have been taken from sheets or larger multiples as only the manuscript markings support the details recorded. For some values additional pages are included showing a range of different shades from a particular plate combination.

Although not covered by Colin‘s articles a section has been added for the high value revenue stamps.

Thanks are due to Patrick Flanagan, David Spivack, Simon Peetoom, Adrian de Bourbon, James Gavin and Colin Hoffman for providing scans and information.

Members are encouraged to help complete this project by supplying additional scans to Christopher Cooksey

Christopher Cooksey – January, 2025