THE 1/6d MULTIPLE CROWN PHOSPHOR STAMP PAPERS.
Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2021 10:55 am
This value was the highest of the small format series of stamps originally issued with denominations from ½d to 1/6d all of which were printed by Harrison and sons, the stamp itself only had a relatively short life as it was soon to be replaced by the 1/6d Machin design on the 8th of August 1967, a period of approximately 10 months with later availability being made from the philatelic bureau for a set time.
The stamps were valid for postal use up until the changeover to decimal currency on the 15th of February 1971, it's possible that a few slipped through the net but you are not going to find many or any for that matter which have been cancelled after this date.
Due to their face value and usage combined with their relatively short lifespan the amount of printings of this stamp would have been relatively low when compared with the previous plain version that had been available since the 16th of December 1958 and the letter rated lower values.
It would be interesting to find out just how many was sold for use in comparison to its predecessor, as the SG specialised catalogue does not seem to have indicated this fact, surely some records must have been kept , does anyone know ?
As with the other values printed after 1962 they were designated as being printed on a whiter paper, but my findings indicate that this was not the case, as the whiter paper tends to go into the realm of both cream and fluorescent specimens when seen under longwave UV.
Here's a view in relation to that fact concerning a whiter paper and an oxidised cream (translucent) one. > I am sure that you will agree with my findings after seeing the above attachments, as the difference between the two types of paper are quite distinct and easily identifiable.
Should there be anyone with something constructive to report on this subject then please give details, or is silence still absolute ?
Thank you WM.