New Zealand Stamps 1855 to 1864 Chalon Head Issues

A Rarity of New Zealand Stamps

The NZ 1855 to 1864 Chalon Head Issues (Full Face Queen Victoria) imperforates were one of the most high value of the classic stamps in the world. These stamps were the first to feature pictorial views on their definitive stamps, provide a fascinating collections and as such are popular stamps amongst the world class collectors.

There are total 12 samples of NZ 1855 to 1864 Chalon issues to be studied, face values ranging from 1d to 1sh imperforates. This study is merely focused on classifying dates of issuances, sources of printing, catalogue values of Scott 2009 and as well as  characteristic of papers, watermarks and printing methods.

There are two types source of early printing; one is called as London Print and another one is Auckland Print, apparently having different quality of printing. The first printing was in London in September 1854 and followed by Auckland print in 1855. Copies of the London prints are expensive, gorgeous and rare.

Front

Back

1855 (18 July) 1d dull carmine (red blood) on white paper, watermark large star at middle left of the stamp (see from back), believe Scott #1 due to several key factors  as well as marks in NEW ZEALAND, having ‘white mark’ middle of ‘A’ & both ‘N’ and right of ‘W’, position of large star, colour & engrave; Printed by Perkins Bacon, London Print, imperforates with 1 large margin & 1 net margin improper cut, showing portion of adjoining stamp around 1mm between 2 margins at right of stamp, with crisp part strike of the Perkins Bacon cancelled handstamp & very light cancel ‘1’ Auckland, engrave can see from back of the stamp, Gorgeous & Rare
SCV USD75,000 (M) & USD16,250(U).

Front

Back

1864 1d carmine vermilion on white paper, watermark 59 NZ, Scott #27, imperforates with 2 margins top & bottom, printed by Davies, with crisp part strike of the Perkins Bacon cancelled handstamps & light cancel ‘1’ Auckland, elusive stamp

SCV USD1,250 (M) & USD400 (U)

Front

Back

1855 (18 July) 2d deep blue on white paper became blueing's, very difficult to see watermark, believe Scott #2 due to blued paper caused by chemical reaction in printing process, printed by Perkins Bacon, London Print, imperforates with 4 very good margins, superb gem, with crisp part strike of the Perkins Bacon cancelled handstamps & fine cancel ‘1’ Auckland,  Scarce

SCV USD40,000 (M) & USD700 (U)

Front

Back

1856 2d blue on blue paper, no watermark, Scott #5, printed by Richardson, Auckland Print, imperforates with 4 margins, faulty, fine cancel ‘16’, a rarity stamp
SCV USD3,250 (M) & USD325 (U)

Front

Back

1862 2d slate blue on white paper, watermark large star, Scott #12d, printed by Davies, Auckland Print, imperforates with 3 margins, fine cancel ‘15’ Nelson , the left adjoining stamp is 1mm, elusive stamp

SCV USD2,000 (M) & USD215 (U)

Front

Back

1858 2d blue on thick soft white paper, unwatermark, Scott #8, printed by Richardson, Auckland Print, imperforates with 3 margins, fine cancel ‘1’, elusive stamp
SCV USD1,300 (M) & USD200 (U)

Front

Back

1862 2d rich deep blue on white paper, watermark large star, Scott #12, printed by Davies, Auckland Print, imperforates with 3 margins, light cancel ‘1’ , elusive stamp
 SCV USD1,000 (M) & USD97.50 (U)

Front

Back

1863 3d brown lilac on white paper, watermark large star, Scott #13, printed by Davies, Auckland Print, imperforates with 2 large margins, fine cancel, tentatively 2 mm between 2 margins of stamps, elusive stamp
SCV USD950 (M) & USD175 (U)

Front

Back

1863 3d brown lilac on white paper, watermark large star, Scott #13, printed by Davies, Auckland Print, imperforates with 2 margins, fine cancel ‘15’, elusive stamp
SCV USD950 (M) & USD160 (U).

  

Front

Back

1863 6d brown on white paper, watermark large star, Scott #14e, printed by Davies, Auckland Print, imperforates with 4 margins, light cancel, elusive stamp
SCV USD1,950 (M) & USD130 (U)

Front

Back

1862 NZ, Queen Victoria “Chalon Head”, 6d Black Brown, Imperforate Scott #24, Pelure Paper is high transparency paper, Light Cancel, Unwatermarked, printed by Davies, Very clear margins to Large of 4 margins, Bottom the adjoining portion is 1mm, Very Fine Used, a rarity & elusive stamps, Superb Gems

Scott Value USD3500 (M)/USD400 (U)

“Pelure Paper; a strong, thin & transparent paper occasionally used in stamp printing and a slightly dark or onion skin paper.”

The 1862 NZ face value of 1d to 1sh Pelure Paper, it’s were relatively high value as refers to Scott Catalogue. Most obvious was 3d mint stamps, brown lilac, Scott #23 with SCV USD100,000 (Mint) and lowest SCV USD 6,000 (Mint), whereas Used ranging from USD400 to USD5,500. These stamps can be categorized as the world class stamps with superb value and a rarity stamp.

Front

Back

1862 1sh yellow green on white paper, watermark large star, Scott #15, printed by Davies, Auckland Print, imperforates with 4 margins, heavy cancel, elusive stamp & exceptional choice
SCV USD2,750 (M) & USD375 (U)

Important Finding

The portion of adjoining stamp of 1855 NZ Chalon Head printed by Perkins Bacon was an approximately 1 mm as compared to printed by John Davies was 2 mm with similar watermark of large star. However, before 1862 the portion of adjoining stamps were 1mm.

The Perkins Bacon was located at middle left whereas Davies was at middle right of the stamp (see from back). In term of colour for 1d, Perkins Bacon was Dull Carmine whereas Davies were orange vermilion and carmine vermilion.


Edit by Myla: 15 June 2017 (Rev 2.0)