Category: Printers

Pre-Production

1908 – Colour Trials

This final Series with similar title, “O” and “OX” notes on the top of its three sheets, (but with details printed 6 point in black) was identical to the Fourth Series except that the solid numerals on the 6d. Imperiums were changed to white numerals for the ¼d., 1½d.,
2d., 3d. 5d., 6d., 8d., 1/-, 2/6, 4/-, 5/-. £1 and £ 10 values.

The lotting and placement of the various trials is the same as in the Fourth Series except that as in this Series the face value is printed only at the left of each “pair” or “row”, the seven £10 trials are affixed as a triplet with the matched 6d. and 1d. trials, the £10 being placed about 42 mm. away from the 1d.

Supplement

In this Series the fourth sheet has a slightly different title. Each of the 27 1d. trials has the face value printed at left and these are, as before, offered as separate lots.

Twelve copies of the Fifth Series Universal Colour Scheme were sent to the Crown, Agents on April 6th 1908 for despatch to British Honduras, Cayman Is., Fiji, Gold Coast, Leeward Is., Northern Nigeria, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Sierra Leone, Straits Settlements and Virgin Is., themselves retaining a file copy. Thirty-five copies of the Colour Scheme (comprising the fourth sheet) were sent to the other Colonies.

Reference

• Robson Lowe Ltd – The De La Rue Plates

 

Pre-Production

March 1908 – Colour Trials 

This series, submitted to the Crown Agents on 24th February, 1908, was headed “UNIVERSAL COLOUR SCHEME” and was identical to the Third Series except that the trials had titles over each, printed in 4 pt. brown ink with details as to whether S.F. (singly fugitive) or D.F. (doubly fugitive) inks were used. Also, a £10 value was now introduced.

Each of the three pages had the following two notes at top: “X” In the case of Stamps thus marked, the Crown Agents consider the adoption of a new plate necessary to guard against a fraudulent change of dirty. “OX” signifies that although manipulations would be quite possible, the Crown Agents do not think that the amount to be thus gained would be sufficient to tempt to fraud. They do not recommend new plates for these values.

The numbering of this series was as follows:

• 6d. Imperiums Nos.1 to 27,
• 1d.”Nyasaland” trials Nos. 28 to 54 and £10 trials Nos. 55 to 61.

Supplement

A fourth page, printed in the same style, was included in this series. This comprised 27 1d. “Nyasaland” trials in the same colours as Nos. 28 to 54 above but instead numbered Nos. 1 to 27. This colour scheme was intended for those Colonies which did not use Universal
plates.

Reference

• Robson Lowe Ltd – The De La Rue Plates

Presentation

1908 – Edward VII Definitive Series (N)

 

Specimens

 

Pre-Production

1908 – Edward VII Definitive Series

Fig 1: 1908-11 3d. die proof of frame in black on glazed card (92 x 60mm.), endorsed ”BEFORE/HARDENING” and dated ”14 FEB 08”.

Fig 1.2: Master die proof of the King’s head used for both “Oval” and “Nyasaland” key plates, in black on glazed card, cut-down (21 x 25mm.).

Fig 1.3: Master die proof of complete key plate with value, country name and inscription tablets uncleared, cut down to stamp-size for file reference and affixed to small piece.

Fig 1.4: Master die proof of complete design with country name, inscription and value tablets uncleared, in black on glazed card, cut-down to stamp size.

Pre-Production

1945 – George VI Definitive Series

Pre-Production

1953 – QEII Definitive Series

Fig 1.3

De La Rue Queen Elizabeth II head, die proof against lined background with double oval surround, on thin glazed card (45 x 39mm).