The Machin 14p grey-blue (AOP)
Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2021 11:16 pm
Whilst going through some off paper kiloware sourced from the early 1980s, I came across a 14p grey-blue Machin that did not seem to fit the bill.
What initially struck me was the difference in colour this particular stamp was in comparison to the others found in the same batch being of a much lighter shade. On further investigation using indicators I discovered that the value tablet had been re-positioned as against the others inspected, I had read that the numerals on some stamps had been narrowed to accommodate the setting of the portrait in 1983, especially those values ending with ½p (20½p etc), but it would appear that this 14p value had not been narrowed but just re-positioned.
By using coloured arrows, the positional differences can be seen between the two stamps listed below.
The red arrow points to the centre of the large pearl of the necklace, whereby it's tail points to the upper half of the "P" in the value.
The green arrow points to the white curve of the dress on the portrait with it's tail in the region of the base of the "P"
The blue arrow points to the joining in the design, with it's tail near the base of the "4" of the value. In all three instances the tails of the arrows did not align in the same way as with the neighbouring stamp, therefore the numerals and the "P" have not been narrowed but re-positioned.
A significant difference was also noticed when placed under longwave ultraviolet light which confirmed my findings as seen in relation to the visible spectrum. Here are the same stamps but from the reverse. WM.
What initially struck me was the difference in colour this particular stamp was in comparison to the others found in the same batch being of a much lighter shade. On further investigation using indicators I discovered that the value tablet had been re-positioned as against the others inspected, I had read that the numerals on some stamps had been narrowed to accommodate the setting of the portrait in 1983, especially those values ending with ½p (20½p etc), but it would appear that this 14p value had not been narrowed but just re-positioned.
By using coloured arrows, the positional differences can be seen between the two stamps listed below.
The red arrow points to the centre of the large pearl of the necklace, whereby it's tail points to the upper half of the "P" in the value.
The green arrow points to the white curve of the dress on the portrait with it's tail in the region of the base of the "P"
The blue arrow points to the joining in the design, with it's tail near the base of the "4" of the value. In all three instances the tails of the arrows did not align in the same way as with the neighbouring stamp, therefore the numerals and the "P" have not been narrowed but re-positioned.
A significant difference was also noticed when placed under longwave ultraviolet light which confirmed my findings as seen in relation to the visible spectrum. Here are the same stamps but from the reverse. WM.