Wales: Scarce Regional Issues to Look For: 3d Plain
Apr 26, 2022 23:24:12 GMT
Philatarium, zipper, and 6 more like this
Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2022 23:24:12 GMT
The above stamp is a common 3d regional issue for use in Wales and Monmouthshire and was also postally valid throughout the UK, in total 3 different defined versions were produced during its lifetime, and they are as follows :-
The 3d plain with the multiple crown watermark, first issued on 18th August 1958
Initially printed on cream paper then printed on a whiter paper from 30th April 1962
The 3d violet phosphor (centre band) Wmk multiple crown, issued from 16th May 1967
The 3d violet phosphor (centre band) with no watermark printed on chalky paper
In total three cylinder numbers were used 1,2 and 3
Cylinders 1 & 2 was used for the cream paper version
Cylinders 2 and 3 was only used for the whiter paper printing of the 3d plain
Therefore it was possible to have cream or whiter papers printed of the 3d plain from cylinder 2
Cylinder 3 was used for the 2 phosphor versions
Whilst checking with a longwave ultraviolet lamp for cream papers on some 3d plain stamps I noticed that a couple of them responded with a bright fluorescent reaction in the paper, initially, I thought I had mixed some of the non watermarked chalky paper stamps with the watermarked ones, but on checking I discovered these stamps had a watermark and was without phosphor bands
On checking the Stanley Gibbons specialised part 3 catalogue I could only find two versions of paper that was used to print these stamps SG XW1 and XW2 being either cream or whiter, with no mention of a fluorescent version being issued. The difference is strikingly obvious as these stamps appear to glow when introduced to a long wave ultraviolet light.
This is the difference between a cream paper and a fluorescent one.
You can't mistake them, they are so distinct !
Currently you will not find this stamp listed in any specialised catalogue, yet, it exists !
"Worth finding"
Have you got this elusive stamp in your collection ? Remember the 17p Northern Ireland type 2 SG NI43ea !!!
What and where is its availability ?
To be continued ............
