Tablet issues of 1892-1899 and new TAS watermark

[bill]

When the Tablet issues of 1892 were introduced, a new sheet format was introduced.
These would be 240-on instead on 120-on as before. A new dandyroll was evidently
made with the letters TAS as before. The differences between this paper and the
previous machine-made TAS paper are small. Basset Hull said in "Stanley Gibbons
Monthly Journal" for 31 March 1892, page 266, that the new paper had the letters in
a rather more slanting form. Noting that the 1d Sideface Plate 4 was 240-on instead
on 120-on as previously it is possible that the new paper was used for that stamp as
well. It would be worth examining small unused blocks of the 1d from Plate 4 to see
if this claim is correct. They should be compared with small blocks from Plate 3 or
earlier plates.

Perhaps a few collectors on this BB can help. Please note that a close examination
is needed since the differences will not be very obvious at first glance, if they exist.

[Ross Ewington]

Bill, a couple of large images inserted into your post should aid in obtaining some assistance from TPS BB members.

...a picture speaks...... etc., etc

cheers ... Ross

[bill]

On further checking of this topic, it became clear that the 1d Plate 4
was 120-on, nor 240-on as I had thought. That comes straight from
Easton's De La Rue History where he said that Plate 4 was invoiced in
1892 with 10,000 sheets being ordered (1,200,000 stamps). It is now
clear that the plate could only have been 120-on.

This emerged from email correspondence with Geoff Kellow recently.

We can now conclude that no new TAS dandyroll was ever used for any
of the Sideface issues. A new dandyroll would be needed for the Tablet
issue (240-on) but that is another story.

Added on 20 Jan 2014

Further reading of Geoff's message shows that the Tablet series of
1892-1899 was printed from plates with 120 impressions, not 240.
That emerges from Reserve Bank of Australia archives and can be
deduced with some effort from Basset Hull's Appendix to his book
in the "London Philatelist" of 1902. Basset Hull himself assumed
in the latter half of that Appendix that plates were 240-on. This
has been a perennial source of confusion.

[Lars Peter Svendsen]

I have in my exhibit the De la Rue copy of the original correspondence to the Crown Agent regarding a new dandy roll for the Tablet Issues and the new TAS watermark including a Watermark essay. I also have the answer from the Tasmanian Government accepting this dandy roll.

The letter says:
With reference to your order of 29th ulto. for
2 1/2d and 5d Postage Stamps, we beg to say that we experience considerable difficulty with the watermarked paper made from our existing dandy-roll, in consequence of watermark being somewhat out of truth.
We therefore propose, with your consent, to make a new dandy-roll, at our own cost, and enclose a tracing to show the arrangement we recommend. The only alteration is that the words “Tasmania” have to be somewhat smaller i area, to allow of the watermarks “TAS” being arranged so that one shall fall accurately in each stamp.
We can arrange for the dandy-roll to be completed in time to make the paper to used for the two new duties, 2 1/2d and 5d, the printing plates for which are now in hand.
We are, Sir, Your obedient servant,
Tho. De La Rue

[bill]

Referring to Lars Peter Svendsen's very interesting contribution,
it is good to see two letters reproduced in full and also the essays
for the modified dandyroll.

Both essays are described as from the right pane of 60. Surely,
one is from the left pane. Which one is from the left and which
one is from the right?

Bill

[Lars Peter Svendsen]

Bill, it is now corrected. Thanks.

[bill]

Thanks for the correction. This is a marvellous pair of essays
showing the proposed TAS watermark from the new dandyroll.

Bill