2d Hobart pictorial varieties

[Geoff Dane]

While I use the Australian Commonwealth Collectors Catalogue (ACSC) as the basis for organising my Tasmania stamps collection I have been had to use Lancaster to identify flaws but Lancaster has relatively few illustrations compered to, for example, the KGV heads ACSC. A few months ago I purchased a digital magnifier and was able to quickly check a few hundred electrotyped 2d Hobart crown over A pictorials (T36 and T37 from the ACSC) for the more significant flaws. Attached are a couple of the flaws I found with plate details where I could find in Lancaster ( I will attempt to add other examples in the future).

Bombed steamer flaw, Plate 2 4

2d 4.jpg (32.47 KiB) Viewed 3247 times

White spot bottom right, Plate 2 48

2d 5.jpg (32.14 KiB) Viewed 3247 times

White spot inside lower right frame

2d 8.jpg (31.2 KiB) Viewed 3247 times

[Jeffharris]

The "Bombed Steamer" variety is interesting as it shows several other flaws. If you look at the photo of this variety [on page 98 of Lancaster's book] you can clearly see a flaw on the upper part of the right vertical of the letter "H". There is also a break in the thick frame under the "H". There are also two areas of light shading, one behind the steamer and one above the letter "H". Perhaps Geoff could show a full scan of his stamp to see if these other flaws exist on his example?
Jeff.

[Geoff Dane]

As suggested many months ago, below is a full scan of the Bombed steamer stamp which shows the flaws around the H of Hobart (see second image).

Bombed.jpg (27.82 KiB) Viewed 3071 times

Bombed H.jpg (20.25 KiB) Viewed 3071 times

[Jerry Weirich]

Here's a flaw that is not listed in Lancaster's book that I discovered years ago while looking for other flaws. It is a J-shaped coloured flaw extending off the left side of the yacht's mast. I have multiple copies of the flaw with dated copies that run from 1907 through 1910--essentially covering the entire printing span. Unlike most flaws on the electrotyped/tyopographed issues that changed over time due to plate wear, this flaw stays unchanged throughout the printings. Although Lancaster doesn't mention this flaw, I do have his master book of 2d reconstructions, and he has a copy of this flaw--as a single stamp--under Plate 2, Position 26. I have not yet been able to independently confirm this position using multiples (blocks, strips, etc.). If you collect plate flaws, I believe this is one worth collecting and should be rated as one of the more significant ones.

[Jerry Weirich]

Here's a copy of Plate 2, Position 58. It shows a curved white flaw at lower right of "T" of Hobart and extending to break lower frame. This flaws wears away in late printings and sometimes only shows as a nick in the lower frame.

[Jerry Weirich]

The following 2d lithographed stamp is listed in Lancaster's book as unpositioned constant variety vii from Plates 1 and 2. The variety is a small white oval flaw on the left side of the mountain. My research places the stamp in the top half of Plate 2. I would like to know if anyone has this flaw in a pair, strip, or block that would enable the position to be determined. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Jerry

Plate 2 glacier flaw_RESIZED.jpg (178.35 KiB) Viewed 2865 times

[Jerry Weirich]

It's been almost 3.5 years since I posted the request for information (see previous post) on the "glacier" flaw (small white oval on left side of mountain), but I can now report for all those plating enthusiasts that this flaw is from position 15 of plate 2. I recently acquired the stamp in a pair with position 16. I am now down to needing 3 positions to complete the plating of plate 2! Slow progress but exciting whenever progress is made.

[admin]

Great work Jerry.
Pete