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lilac overprints

Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2019 6:18 pm
by MIKE
Could anyone advise on the best method of identifying the listed blue-black version relating to the Victorian 1d lilac overprints.

Re: lilac overprints

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2021 9:05 pm
by HeerbruggM8
Hi Mike,
Both the late Michael Astley, and the late Tony Wiseman have stated that light transmission microscopy (i.e. shining a light through the stamp) is the best way to identify the blue-black ink varieties on the 1d lilac IR Official overprint issue. The only limitation to this is if the stamp is still attached to the envelope/paper or is heavily hinged this does not work very well.
Good luck!

Re: lilac overprints

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2021 5:08 pm
by MIKE
Hi - many thanks for the reply - very interesting and not a process I would have thought of, I have a bantum with a super blue-black cancellation of which I posted a query about on the site sometime ago and had assumed the colouration would be somewhat similar but annoyingly we all live and learn even at our sage age.
Mike

Re: lilac overprints

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2021 9:21 pm
by HeerbruggM8
Hi Mike - in case I wasn't clear - I only have limited knowledge of the overprint ink itself (i.e. the words stating "IR Official") on the stamp and how to detect that ink being in blue-black ink and in that instance light transmission microscopy is the way to go. I do not know whether this technique can be used for any other blue-black inks (i.e. your cancellation). One of the things that's so interesting about the blue-black ink departmental official overprints is that you cannot really identify them easily with a magnifier or loupe so they are rather tricky to identify!
Kind regards,
H

Re: lilac overprints

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 6:12 pm
by MIKE
Hi I have several hundred overprints from Edward VII through to the lilac and given some spare time I will check the Victorian and let you know if anything interesting pops up.
Mike

Re: lilac overprints

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 8:47 pm
by HeerbruggM8
Wow! several hundred overprints should keep you pretty busy - good luck looking through them and yes it'd be great to hear if you find anything of interesting!
Kind Regards,
H