Philatelic Studies (Part II) – 1854 India Half Anna Red

HIGH PRIORITY - CLASSIC

Overview

On May 19, 2011, a 1854 India Half Anna Essay, Brownish Red, 8 Arches  in complete sheet of 96 subjects with large sheet margins on thin yellowish paper, without ornaments or inscription, a rarity sheet, it was one of David Feldman's auction.

Looking into the album, there is a Half Anna Red collection has been hinged on hingeless sheet. The actual stamp and image in the hingeless sheet has similarity to 1854 Half Anna Red, 8 Arches, imperforate & litho. However, it is not similar to 1854 Half Anna Vermilion, 9.5 Arches & unissued which is higher value than 8 Arches.

Referring to Stanley Gibbons, 8 Arches is an impression from Die used for the Used Stamps, mostly using die proof, trial print and lithographic transfer from the Die so-called Die IV states.

Analyze

The sample of Half Anna Red stamp enriched with red pigment colour, depicting Queen Victoria is illustrated below.

1854 Half Anna Carmine Red

Watermarked Paper, LLM,
We believe this an exceptional 1st. trial printing of Die Proof with flaw conditions - deflection and broken lines surrounding vignette whereas the latest versions prints with minor flaw or flawless.

Physically, the above sample of Half Anna Red has a pin hole at bottom right of corner frame, top left and right corner has ornaments, the diadem and numbers of arches are almost similar to the 1854 Half Anna Blue Die II or Die III, therefore could be classified as new die so-called Die IV states. The shape of the cruciform mark in the top corners and the hair strands below the diadem is similar to 1854/94 Half Anna Brownish Red Essay. The lithographic impression shows a characteristic of horizontal stroke for 'L' of 'HALF', sloping downwards which is similar to Half Anna Blue 1854 (April).

1854 Half Anna Blue 8 Arches Die I

1854 Half Anna Blue 8 Arches Die II

1854 Half Anna Blue 8 Arches Die III

There were reprints of 1854 issues in 1855, 1889, 1890, 1894, 1905 & 1916 in various shades such as vermilion and brownish red,  without or with watermark such as "Arm of Great Britain" each has large margins all around, one shade in red and other in blue & black, both with “Specimen” letters on reverse. However, the above sample do not have any letter of “Specimen” on reverse, could be an accepted die proof or trial prints. Refer to the image.

Yellowish wove paper with a portion watermarked coat of arm East India Company

 Inscription Stamp Office 

According to international philatelic source, there is a forgery of British India 1854 Half Anna 8 Arches Red imperforate lithograph. The forged proof 8 Arches  has cruciform corner marks resembling of 1854 One Anna Die I lithograph. Also there is genuine essay issued in 1889 use cruciform corner.

1854 One Anna Vermillion 8 Arches Die I

The genuine British India 1854 Half Anna 8 Arches Red imperforate proofs was printed on yellowish wove paper without or with watermark of arm East India Company with inscription STAMP OFFICE inside.

When analyze more detail on the sample, the eye & eyebrow was retouched. According to International Philatelist that the genuine proofs has two types consists of Chignon strongly retouched or eye & eyebrow retouched were printed at different rows. The sheet of 288 was distributed in 3 panes of 96 proofs divided into blocks of 24. It was first printed shade in Red twice by Henry L Thuillier, Deputy Surveyor General, Survey of India, Kolkata on March and April 1854. This means the quantity of the 1854 Half Anna Red proofs were printed most probably an approximated of 576 numbers only, a rarity stamp.

Eye and eyebrow retouched

similar to 1854 Half Anna Blue

Conclusion

The 8 Arches Red or 8 Arches Carmine Red are considered as a proof die.

Looks to the actual condition of the Half Anna 8 Arches Red, there is no signed of forged stamp or reprint. Refers to Scott Catalogue, this Half Anna Red 8 Arches is Scott #1 & CV $825. Believe it was printed sometime in 1854 which is similar to 1854 Half Anna Blue.

Due to very limited references, it is very difficult to secure an appropriate conclusion at this stage.

Indeed, collecting this stamp is rare and gorgeous.

Philatelic Studies (Part I) - Kajian Filateli (Bahagian I)

DUAL LANGUAGES

ENGLISH VERSION

PHILATELIC STUDIES (Part I)

Introduction

The stamp collecting is one of the world’s most popular hobbies for many decades for all ages. The Beginner stamp collectors are many in comparison with Specialised stamp collectors. Prior to be a Specialist stamp collector, generally requires philatelic knowledge and philatelic studies.

Types of Philatelic Studies

According to Prof. Damian Lage, there are three main types of philatelic studies as follows:-

Basic: The detailed study of the philatelic important varieties.

Intermediate: A detailed study of the important varieties for an identical detail.

Advanced: Two or more items of an identical detail are shown to underline personal knowledge or philatelic importance of the items.

Levels of Philatelic Studies

Generally, the ability in collecting “essays” and “proofs” stamps are so important prior to mark the levels of a philatelic studies.

An Essay is a design for a proposed stamp submitted to the postal authorities for consideration but not used or used after alterations have been made.

A Proof is a trail printing of an accepted stamp.

Both essays and proofs are rare, as usually just a few are produced.

Philatelic studies regard 5 priorities as follows:-

World Status: essays and proofs for the most classic stamps.

High Priority: accepted artists’ drawings and essays, unissued stamps, die proof for control engraving process.

Moderate Priority: rejected artists’ drawings, colour and plate proofs, proofs production process, presentation materials, approval card.

Lesser Priority: preliminary artists’ drawings of accepted designs, presentation issues, die proofs, colour proofs, modern colour separation.

No Priority: preliminary artists’ drawings of rejected designs, perforation, modern specimen stamps, photographic archive materials.

Basic Study

Let's start your philatelic studies on basic only, it’s not a burden even an enjoyment hobby during your free time. Example, collecting stamps as much as we can regardless any face values, used or mint, as far as we are concerned that the stamps having similar characteristic in terms of thematic, face values, patterns, colours, perforations and types.

After get all of the collections then you may commence your philatelic studies on the basic things. Let’s get a few reference materials like Scott Catalogue together with equipment like magnifying glass or scanner. Let’s focus on detailed of the stamps, perhaps you may find something special about the stamps upon random comparison has been made.

Less Priority: Modern Stamps Specification

Malaysia 2010 Scott #1309, 60 cents, Bougainvillea, Watermark ‘SPM’, perforation 14 x 13 ½ , 2 mint & 5 used. Stamp paper is supplied by Harrison & Sons and ‘SPM’ means “Security Printers Malaysia”. Base material is  Luminescent that has been used since 1960. Luminescent contains Phosphorescent dan Fluorescent. Whereas at back of the stamp, colourless gum has been used contains PVA and Dextrin. These issues, the letter ‘L’ on ‘Malaysia’ looks like number ‘1’.

There are few errors could be identified amongst the stamps. Some of the error stamps having high value could be more than 1,000 times from the original value due to rarity also unique.

Analyse each stamp and check the errors on the stamps.

Error at bottom, Perforation 14, VFU

‘y’ on ‘Malaysia’ almost touching bottom perforation, Perforation 14 _1/2, Pair & Mint

1 of 2 white dotted secret sign having contrast, ‘M’ on ‘Malaysia’ far from right frame, Perforation 14, VFU

Lighter colour, Perforation 14, Used

No error, Perforation 14, Used

Stamp perforation 14_1/2 having high value compared to perforation 14. It was first issuance compared to latest issuance. This stamp was kept in stock card for more than 5 years ago.

4 Malaysia 2010 , Scott #1308, 50 cents, Hydrangea macrophylla, Watermark ‘SPM”, Perforation 14 x 13_1/2, VFU, 1 unfranked

1^st. stamp in the row, lighter green compared with others, perforation setting error

4^th. Stamp in the row, Perforation 14 ½ , early issuance, dark green

5 Malaysia 1986~2000, Scott #329 and #329a, 40 cents, Rambutan, Watermark ‘SPM’, Perforation 12 or 13_1/2, VFU

Perforation 11 ½, light green, early issuance & elusive

Perforation 13½, Green

Perforation 13 ½, Yellow Green

 

Perforation 11_1/2 having high value compared to Perforation 13½.

VERSI BAHASA MALAYSIA

Kajian Filateli  (Bahagian I)

Mukadimah

Mengumpul setem merupakan salah satu hobi yang sangat popular di seluruh dunia sejak beberapa dekad untuk semua peringkat umur. Pengumpul setem remaja adalah lebih ramai berbanding pengumpul setem lanjutan. Untuk menjadi seorang pengumpul setem lanjutan, ia memerlukan ilmu dan kajian filateli.

Jenis-Jenis Kajian Filateli

Menurut Professor Damian Lage, kajian filateli merangkumi 3 jenis iaitu:-

Asas: Kajian terperinci kelainan keutamaan filateli.

Amatur: Satu kajian terperinci kelainan keutamaan mengenai perinician sesuatu identiti.

Lanjutan: Dua atau lebih bahan-bahan kajian terperinci mengenai perincian sesuatu identiti menunjukan garis kemampuan ilmiah seseorang atau pengetahuan keutamaan bahan-bahan filateli.

Tahap Kajian Filateli

Secara amnya, kemampuan mengumpul setem-setem “essay” dan “proof” adalah sangat penting kerana ia merupakan penanda aras tahap sesuatu kajian filateli.

“Essay” ialah suatu cadangan reka cipta setem yang dihantar kepada pihak berkuasa Pos untuk kelulusan tetapi belum diguna atau diguna setelah beberapa penambahbaikan dibuat.

“Proof” ialah suatu cetakan percubaan ke atas reka cipta setem yang diluluskan.

Kedua-dua  setem ‘essay’ dan ‘proof’ sukar diperolehi, hanya beberapa cetakan sahaja.

Kajian filateli mengeneai 5 tahap keutamaan iaitu:-

Berstatus Dunia – ‘essay’ dan ‘proof’ untuk setem-setem paling klasik.

Keutamaan Tinggi – lukisan artis dan setem ‘essay’ yang diluluskan, belum dikeluarkan, acuan ‘proof’ dikawal semasa proses ukiran.

Keutamaan Sederhana – Kajian lukisan artis, warna dan plat ‘proof’, proses ‘proof’, pembentangan kertas kerja serta kad permohonan yang tidak diluluskan penggunaanya.

Keutamaan Rendah – Kajian lukisan artis untuk permulaan reka cipta setem moden yang diluluskan penggunaanya, pembentangan kertas kerja, warna ‘proof’ serta pengasingan warna.

Tiada Keutamaan – Kajian lukisan artis untuk permulaan reka cipta setem moden serta contoh setem moden yang tidak diluluskan penggunaanya.

Kajian Asas

Mari mulakan kajian filateli secara asas sahaja, ia tidak membebankan malah menyeronokan sebagai suatu hobi masa lapang anda. Contoh, kita kumpul seberapa banyak setem-setem tanpa mengira keadaan samada ia telah digunakan mahupun baru, nilai muka setem, asalkan setem tersebut mempunyai ciri-ciri kesamaan antara satu sama lain dari segi tema, nilai muka, corak, warna, tebukan dan jenis.

Setelah anda mempunyai koleksi-koleksi tersebut maka anda boleh mulakan kajain filateli mengenai perkara-perkara asas. Dapatkan beberapa bahan rujukan seperti Scott Katalogue serta peralatan seperti kanta pembesar atau alat pengimbas. Sila perhatikan setem-setem tersebut secara terperinci, mungkin ada sesuatu kelainan terdapat pada setem-setem tersebut setelah melakukan perbandingan secara rawak.

Keutamaan Rendah:  Spesifikasi Setem Moden

Malaysia Scott #1309, 2010, 60 sen, Bunga Kertas, Tera air ‘SPM’, Tebukan 14 x 13_1/2, 2 baru and 5 terpakai. Kertas setem dibekal oleh Harrison & Sons dan ‘SPM’ bermaksud “Security Printers Malaysia”. Bahan “Luminescent” telah digunakan sejak tahun 1960an. ‘Luminescent’ mengandungi bahan-bahan seperti Phosphorescent dan Fluorescent. Manakala di belakang setem, gum terdiri daripada PVA dan Dextrin yang tidak berwarna. Dalam keluaran ini, perkataan ‘L’ pada ‘Malaysia’ seakan angka ‘1’.

Terdapat RALAT di antara setem-setem tersebut. Sesetengahnya mempunyai nilai mencecah lebih 1,000 kali ganda dari nilai asal bergantung kepada tahap kelainan yang sukar diperolehi serta unik.

Analisa satu persatu setem tersebut serta perhatikan RALAT pada setem-stem tersebut.

Ralat tebukan bahagian bawah, 14 tebukan, guna keadaan baik

 ‘y’ pada ‘Malaysia’ hampir sentuh tebukan bahagian bawah, 14_1/2 tebukan berpasangan & baru

Tanda rahsia salah satu 2 titik putih kurang ketara, ‘M’ pada ‘Malaysia” jauh dari sisi kanan, 14 tebukan, Guna Keadaan Baik

Warna cerah, 14 tebukan, Guna

Tiada ralat, 14 tebukan, Guna

Setem 14_1/2 tebukan mempunyai nilai yang lebih tinggi dari 14 tebukan. Ia merupakan keluar awal berbanding keluaran tekini. Setem tersebut sudah disimpan di dalam kad stok lebih 5 tahun lalu.

4 Malaysia 2010, Scott #1308, 50 sen, Bunga Tiga Bulan, Tera air ‘SPM’, 14 x 13_1/2 tebukan, Guna Keadaan Baik, 1 belum dimatikan

Setem lajur 1, hijau lebih cerah berbanding yang lain, ralat aturan tebukan.

Setem lajur 4 terdapat 14 ½ tebukan berbanding yang lain, keluaran awal, hijau gelap

5 Malaysia 1986~2000, Scott #329 dand #329a, 40 sen, Rambutan, Tera air ‘SPM’, 12 atau 13_1/2 Tebukan, Guna Keadaan Baik

11 ½ tebukan, warna hijau muda, keluaran awal & terhad

13 ½ tebukan, warna hijau gelap

13 ½ tebukan, hijau-kuning

 

11_1/2 tebukan mempunyai nilai yang lebih tinggi dari 13½  tebukan.