I have also just purchased a very nice block of four of the 2 1/2 p ultra, thick paper wmk vert for 35 pounds- from the Colbran collection, through Stanley Gibbons, London. Their site has a number of Papuan examples for sale.
The stamps were issued in either horizontal or vertical watermark, with both thin and thick paper. The thin paper stamps are generally rarer than the thick papers, and were issued at a later date. Consequently, these stamps were mostly overprinted 'Papua'. I have a copy of the four pence, watermark vertical with thin paper. And also a copy of the two and a half pence stamp, watermark horizontal with thin paper. This particular stamp has been independently verified by Rodney A Perry auctioneers as authentic, however the paper thickness is not as thin as other examples.
four pence on thin paper
The following points are important when considering the appearance of the thin paper issues. Hamilton Croaker states that the first printings were issued "on thick paper, rather opaque, with the watermark horizontal and difficult to see". The key factor here is the reference to opaque paper. From a comparison of the thin paper stamps in my collection, to the thick paper varieties, it is clear that the thin paper stamps are on a very clean, white paper. Another important factor to note is that the watermark is much more easily seen on stamps that are thin paper, watermark horizontal than the thick paper watermark horizontals. Both watermark vertical papers have a relatively easily seen watermark.
The above three examples are SG1a and 4ab(both), scans of which have recently sent to me by a collector. The dull blues have been particularly hard to come by over the past few years, particularly mint copies ( catalogued at five hundred pounds).
The definitive word on thin paper has perhaps been written in Stanley Gibbons' Commonwealth 2000 catalogue: they state that with regard to the horizontal watermark, thin paper the important thing to note is that the watermark is easily seen and the gum is thin and smooth- but the paper may vary form thin to medium thickness. Certainly this is correct from my experience.
I purchased a set of three stamps, about five years ago which were in the Hamilton Croaker collection. They are all thin paper, watermark horizontal, two stamps the halfpenny green mint and used and one copy of the two and a half pence dull blue. This latter stamp seems particularly rare, with only three copies being offered in the past few years.
I have since sold the dull blue stamp, realizing over $A400 for it ( a small profit), but I still have a picture of it (at right). It is additionally cancelled with the "registered Port Moresby BNG" cancel which is quite rare ( Lee rating it at 'F'- 11 to 50 copies in existance). It also shows the 'white leaves' variety at right, which occured onlt once per sheet. The stamp shows some toning, but the shade was agreed to be genuine after examination by Chris Ceremuga of Sydney.
It has SG14e written on the back, presumably by Hamilton Croaker, as the other stamps I purchased have similar markings. It was originally included with another dull blue in a Leski auction in Melbourne, and the pair were both sold for approx $A350 each- why they were not included in the Croaker auction in London earlier that year is unknown.
The block of stamps at left is also in my possession, and is a block of SG1a. I had it in my collection for auction as the normal SG1, however it was discovered by Chris Ceremuga, with whom I entrusted my collection for sale. It was up for auction with Status stamps, however it did not sell and I have since obtained a certificate from Chris, guaranteeing its authenticity.
I also have three other singles of this stamp, and all seem to have a similar colouration of a richer, deeper green than the normal SG1. Whether this holds true for other SG1a's remains to be seen.
The only other blocks of the thin paper horizontal wmk stamps that I have seen, were from the John Leask sale of the 1950's.
A copy of SG 4a I have recently bought from Stanley Gibbons, for approx 120 pounds.
Pictued below is a very fine copy of SG1a, sold recently at Status stamps (May2002). It sold for $A300, which is possibly a record for this stamp.
Hamilton Croaker continues his discussion of the paper used with the following comments:
"The 2/6 thick paper watermark vertical was also on this paper...(thick paper, wmk horz)...and was caused by placing a few sheets the wrong way round in the press". This stamp is naturally quite rare, with auction estimates of around $A2000- being quite normal.
"Later printings on thick paper were with watermark vertical, the paper being slightly less thick, not so opaque and with the watermark easily seen.
The so-called thin papers then came into use, these being really variable medium papers".
The stamp at left is of SG18a (former SG number- I am unsure if it is listed in the current catalogue), recently offered for sale by Glen Stephens for approximately $A1850-. It has been authenticated by the Keeper of the Royal Collection. This is noted on the RPS Certificate by the words: 'After Comparison'. It is possibly a unique example in private hands, Hamilton Croaker not having ever seen a satisfactory copy! ( I apologise for the image quality- it was one of the first graphics I obtained for my website, in the early days of web development).
Also worth noting is an item appearing in The Leask sale from the 1950's. It was also an example of sg18a (old catalogue), being mint- its present whereabouts is unknown.
With regard to the numbers printed on thin paper, Hamilton Croaker gives the precise number of stamps printed with comb. perforations fro the values of four, six and one shilling. These are 266, 145 and 175 respectively. However. this is qualified by the statement that other stamps, though not on the thinnest paper of the comb printings were issued with singe line perforation. Concluding from this statement, the comb. perforated printings are a much safer purchase.
The halfpenny,one pence, two pence and two and a half pence values have no record of the number printed.
Of the two shillings and six pence value, those on thick paper, both wmk horizontal and vertical, totalled1470 copies. On thin paper, wmk vertical 764 copies were issued. Although this indicates that the thin paper variety is much rarer, this is not reflected in the pricing of the two stamps. This is probably because the thin paper variety was never actually sent for postal usage to Port Moresby, but was sold in London. Stamps of the thin paper variety in used condition ( very rare) must have been sent to British New Guinea from London. I have one copy of the thin paper variety in used condition, however the cancel cannot be said with certainty to have originated in British New Guinea.
Illustrated below is a copy of the 2/6 value, of thick paper, with vertical watermark. These stamps were produced in error, the paper sheet being placed sideways instead of vertically. Only a few sheets were so printed, and the stamps are selling for around $A 2000- at auction. This particular stamp is estimated at 800 pounds in the July 1999 auction at Harmers, London.
Wmk Vert. thin paper Block of Four.
(price realized: $US 300 approx. Shreves Dec 2001).
A copy on cover.
(price realized: $US 250 ex buyers comm. Shreves Dec 2001).
(another wmk vert thick paper) (price realized: $US 400 approx.[no gum]Shreves Dec 2001).
(another wmk vert thick paper- for sale at Premier Philately).
(price realized: $US 1200 approx. Shreves Dec 2001).
A used example on piece of sg8.
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