Although Potter & Shelton list a 1941 4d and a 1948-50
Colonial Release of the 1/3d, I have been advised by noted Falkland
Island specialist Tony Belfield that these are not correct. These
stamps were not printed. The dates were left in the chart in
order to correlate to the original listing by Potter & Shelton.
I will admit that there are probably other discrepancies in
this chart. If you note any errors, additional information would
be appreciated. This article is posted on the Internet to invite
collaboration. Here are a few differences I have noted: The 2d
violet issues as described by Potter & Shelton differ from
all other sources. I feel the other sources are correct in this
case, and reassigned them accordingly. Where print quantities
are not listed the issue was not included in Mr.Heijtz's book,
I assume they are part of another total shown, but cannot be
determined due to other circumstances. This is not that unusual
for King George VI issues. Remember, that World War II was occurring
during this time period. Stamp issue records did not survive
for other Colonial issues.
Assuming that you take a little time to look over the table;
you should note that there were five primary printing dates:
11/1937, 7/1938, 8/1944, 2/1949, and 7/1949. These dates were
used for most of the issues. I would like to describe these issues
first.
One of my theories in studying stamp printings, is that stamps that were
printed at the same time are very likely to have similar paper, gum, and color.
This theory was originally proposed to me by my friend Larry Goldberg, the
former editor of George VI. Larry (who is in the advertising business) suggested
to me that a printer makes a print run as efficiently as possible. The ink
is measured efficiently to meet the required print run; and is used as soon
as possible to avoid waste. The paper would also be allocated from some type
of bundle, and would be typically used sequentially. In this type of circumstance,
the gum would likely be applied in one process also. Naturally, there are
known exceptions to this theory; but if you take a close look at the paper
and gum characteristics of the Falkland Islands issues, they do seem to follow
a recognizable pattern. This pattern is what I use to sort the printings.
Okay, so if you agree with Larry's theory about stamp production,
how do you figure out the characteristics of the various printings?
Luckily for this issue, there were some changes in color and
design that can help isolate specific printings which can be
used as reference copies. These issues are primarily used to
make the assumptions that I have made about identifying the Falkland
Islands printings. The list is shown below:
Print Date
|
Value
|
Potter & Shelton Description
|
|
11/37 |
2-1/2d |
Slate & Ultramarine - Flock of Sheep Design |
|
7/38 |
2d |
Grey-Black & Dull Violet |
|
8/44 |
9d |
Brown-Black & Grey-Blue on Tinted Paper |
|
2/49 |
6d |
Black |
|
7/49 |
2/6 |
Bluish-Slate |
1937 Issues:
Let's start with the 1937 printings. Normally, the first printings
are among the more elusive issues for a King George VI set. Bermuda
is a good example, where a set of the first printing keyplates
would sell for over $1,000 U.S. In the case of the Falkland Islands,
there is no current premium for stamps of this era. In fact,
many of the later printings are more valuable. The 1937 printings
are fairly easy to identify. In fact, if you have just purchased
only one set of this issue, you have a reference copy of the
1937 printing: It is the 2-1/2d Flock of Sheep issue. This stamp
was printed only once, in 1937. If you look at the back of this
stamp against black paper, you should notice that the gum is
not very smooth. In fact, there are typically visible cracks
in the gum. The watermark is fairly visible without enhancement,
assuming your vision is properly corrected. Comparing the back
of the stamp against white paper, the color tends to be more
yellowish-white than the white of laser printer paper. In the
case of the 2-1/2d issues, there is no reason to compare the
color of the stamp, but we will do this for other issues.
In summary, the 1937 issues can be found by looking for the
gum cracks, and the yellowish paper. I will admit to you that
I have found some 2-1/2d issues without these cracks, so this
method is not fool-proof. It is, however, the one that I typically
use to evaluate my printings.
1938 Issues:
Isolating a 1938 issue for comparison will take a little more
effort on your part. I use the 2d Black and Violet issues for
this purpose. Unfortunately, there were two printings, so before
we can allocate a reference piece, we have to figure out how
to identify the printings. Luckily, the two printings vary, and
can be fairly easily differentiated based on the color of the
stamps. Looking at the chart, you should note that the descriptions
according to the chart are as follows:
1937 Printing: 2d Black & Violet
1938 Printing: 2d Grey-Black & Dull Violet
Ironically, Potter & Shelton have these two printings
reversed, but all of the other sources show the Dull Violet shade
as a 1938 printing. Based on the crackly gum characteristics
of the Black & Violet issue, I agree with the other sources.
The primary visible color difference between the two printings
is the dull violet color of the 1938 printing. If you have multiple
copies, look at them all against black paper, and concentrate
only on the violet frame. Assuming that you have enough copies
to have both printings, you should note two distinctly different
colors. One is deeper and more pronounced than the other which
is dull and less pronounced. Do you see it?
The deeper more pronounced color should be the 1937 printing.
Flip it over, and look at the gum. Is it cracked? If so, you
have found the 1937 issue. The duller colored issue should be
the 1938 issue. That is the one we will study for reference.
The bad news about identifying the 1938 issues is this: They
differ from one another more than the 1937 printings. As a result,
you will not always be identify a stamp that was printed in 1938
by the method I am about to describe. Please let me know if you
find other variations. I will publish them as addenda to this
article.
Looking at the Dull Violet issue, flip over all of the copies
you have found. (I hope there is more than one, or this may not
work.) Comparing the backs against black paper, you should note
that some of the stamps do not appear to be very flat looking.
In fact, on some of my copies, I have noticed a wrinkled look
to the gum (not the paper) that runs vertically up the stamp.
This effect reminds me of a stretched cotton shirt just before
it is ironed. The shirt looks flat, but these little wrinkles
appear. This is the characteristic I have seen on some of the
1938 printings. Unfortunately, not all of them. You should be
able to see this effect better if you look at the stamp from
a 45 degree angle with the light source at a 45 degree angle
behind the stamp. For the record, the gum and paper will look
yellowish compared to the white laser paper on this issue, but
are not as yellowish as the 1937 printing. You should also know
that I have seen some slight gum cracking on a few of the 1938
printings, but it is not as pronounced as the 1937 issues. So
be careful to compare the color after you have looked at the
gum and paper.
1944 Issues:
The 1944 issues differ significantly from the earlier issues
we described. If you are lucky enough to find a 9d issue on tinted
paper, the comparison will be fairly easy. Looking at the back
of the stamp, you should notice that the gum is perfectly flat.
Where you noted cracks and a wavy appearance to the gum for the
1937 and 1938 printings; the 1944 printings have no texture at
all. Compare the back of the stamp against a piece of white laser
paper. You should note that the color is still yellowish-white,
but not as yellowish as the 1937 printing.
If you are unable to find a tinted paper 9d issue, you should
still try to compare your stamps to find this printing. It is
fairly common particularly among the four high values of the
set.
2/1949 Issues:
I guarantee that if you have a complete set with the 6d Black,
you can find this printing. You see, the 6d black was not reprinted.
Take a moment to compare it to the other printings we have isolated.
You should note that the gum is similar to the 1944 printing
in that it is flat with no variation. If your lighting is good,
you should also notice that the gum and paper appears whiter
than all of the other printings; and that the paper appears just
a little thinner. This thinner paper trait is not a measurement,
just an impression based on the way the design shows through
from the front when compared against black paper.
Although you do not need to know the characteristics of the
2/1949 printing to find the 6d black, or the 2-1/2d Goose issue,
it will help you isolate the 7/1949 printings. They are very
similar to this printing.
7/1949 Printings:
Noted author, Gary Clark tells me that the 4 high values of
the Falkland Islands "thin paper issues" are selling
for a fairly good premium over the other issues. The 7/1949 printings
are the "thin paper issues", so there is an incentive
to find these issues. For what it is worth, I would characterize
these issues as the "white paper issues", but that
is my opinion.
The most obvious trait is the white paper. It is similar to
the 2/1949 issues, and can be easily seen against black paper.
I use the 6d black for comparison. Although there are some differences,
these issues are closer to the 6d black than any other printing.
If you ever get around to comparing the colors of the stamps,
you should note that there are differences. The most striking
is the 2/6 issue.
Three of the four printings of the 2/6 issue are slate-black
in color. If it were not for the paper and gum differences, I
do not think a collector could determine the printings of these
stamps. They are that close in color. The exception is the 7/1949
printing which has a pronounced bluish cast to the slate-black
color. This is the most obvious color difference within the 7/1949
issue series.
For the record, the 7/1949 printings do seem scarce to me.
I have not found that many. If you look at the numbers printed,
you may get the impression that these were printed in about the
same quantity as the other issues. However, there is one piece
of information missing from the chart. There were issues destroyed
when this set of stamps was replaced with the new printing in
1952. These destroyed issues would primarily be from the 1949
printing since they would be the ones still sitting unsold at
the local Post Office. Quoting from Mr. Heijtz again, here are
the quantities destroyed:
Falkland Islands Issues Destroyed in 1952
Value
|
Quantity Destroyed
|
|
1/2d |
170,569 |
|
1d |
183,448 |
|
2d |
125,079 |
| 2-1/2d |
116,400 |
|
3d |
121,481 |
|
4d |
41,165 |
|
6d |
34,390 |
|
9d |
51,126 |
|
1/ |
25,850 |
|
1/3 |
71,652 |
|
2/6 |
18,003 |
|
5/ |
22,915 |
|
10/ |
25,322 |
|
£1 |
23,830 |
Now that you have some idea of the characteristics of the
paper and gum for these issues, take some time to compare the
colors. I have heard Potter & Shelton criticized for their
descriptions, but I feel they are generally fairly good. However,
there are exceptions, like the 2d violet issues which are reversed
(compare the paper and gum and see if you do not agree).
The Remaining Printings - 1941, 1942, and 1947:
These printings comprised several of the low value issues.
Unfortunately, they are more difficult to isolate by paper and
gum. From the stamps that I have examined, it appears that the
1941 and 1942 issues seem to be close to the 1944 printings with
the flat gum appearance and the 1947 issues were on a whiter
paper and gum than the 1944 issues, in fact they tend to be close
to the appearance of the 1949 issues. I used color differences
viewed against both black and white paper, and my best guess
after looking at multiple copies of each value.
How I Sorted Each Value:
As a summary, I thought it might help to describe how I sorted
each value to further explain my thought process. Please remember,
this does not work with two stamps. I accumulated as many copies
as possible prior to making the comparisons and laid out each
value on a sheet of paper to make these comparisons. I tend to
look first at the paper and gum, and then the colors as described
by Potter & Shelton in making my decisions. Please treat
these scans as just colorful examples of the stamps. They are
low resolution so this article will load at a reasonable rate
of speed, but not all that good in comparison to the real stamps.
It is a fact of internet life that there is no way to compare
colors over the net. This is because the typical browser (the
software that actually displays this set of images) will only
deal with 256 colors. As a result, scans of varying shades of
stamp color will be altered, and could look entirely unlike the
original stamp. Here is my description of the process for each
value, and remember, I am describing subtle differences.
Basic Differences in the Falkland Islands Printings:
 |
1/2d Value
|
Comparing the colors, you should notice shades of Green, Yellow-Green
and Blue-Green. The Yellow-Green issue should have cracked gum,
although I did find some with cracked gum that were just Green.
The Bluish-Green issue has whiter gum and paper similar to the
1949 printings. You will also note many shades that are not Yellow-Green
or Blue-Green. These are the 1942 or 1944 Printings. I compared
the gum, and color of these issues. The brighter green according
to Potter & Shelton should be the 1944 printing. This would
make the Green issue the 1942 printing.
 |
1d Value
|
The primary variation is in the red color. All of my copies
have cracked gum in varying intensities. The two primary colors
as listed by each of the catalogs is: Carmine and Scarlet. Potter
& Shelton add a Scarlet-Red shade. I sorted these by color
only. The carmine issues tend to be redder than the scarlet issues
which seem to have a little more orange. After you have isolated
the scarlet issues, you may notice there are two shades of the
scarlet. The issue with a little more red to it, should be the
printing Potter & Shelton describe as Scarlet-Red. The other
one would then be the Scarlet issue.
 |
1d Value
|
Most of the violet 1d issues are very similar. I did find
one copy with a brownish-black center which I assume to be the
1941 printing, and a shade on whiter paper that should be the
1947 printing. The remaining issues would be from the 1942 or
1944 printings. Potter & Shelton indicate that the 1942 printing
is deeper colored than the 1944 printing. This appears to be
true. The one I assigned to the 1942 printing had gum that was
a little thicker looking with more texture than the flat gum
of the 1944 printing.
 |
2d Value
|
The 2d violet issues were differ in the characteristics of
color and the gum & paper. Look for the crackly gum of the
1937 issue compared to the frequently found wavy gum of the 1938
issue. You should also note the difference in the intensity of
the violet color. The 1937 printing will be the deeper colored
issue. The 1938 issue is the pale violet shade.
 |
2d Value
|
The 2d red issued differ in terms of color variation, and
to some extent based on the gum and paper conditions. The 1941
printing is a scarlet color compared to the carmine-red shades
of the later printings, so that can be isolated fairly easily.
The scarlet issue may help you in comparing other 1941 printings.
The three remaining printings are in shades of carmine. The 1949
issue has a deeper color, and whiter gum and paper like the other
versions of this printing, so it can be found by looking for
the white paper. Use the 6d black for comparison. The 1942 and
1944 printings are a little more difficult to identify, but it
is likely you have them. They are the most common. Compare the
gum and paper with other 1944 values you have identified to isolate
the 1944 printing. If you have stamps that are slightly different
from the 1944 issues, they are probably from the 1942 printing.
The color of the 1942 issue seems to be slightly deeper than
that of the 1944 printing, and the paper and gum seem to be shinier
than the flat gum of the 1944 printing.
 |
2-1/2d Value
|
There was only one printing from this issue, so you should
have no problem identifying it.
 |
2-1/2d Value
|
There was only one printing from this issue also, so it should
be readily identifiable.
 |
3d Value
|
This is the one that I found to be the most difficult. The
two 1941 and 1942 printings seem to be the ones that are not
dark blue (the 1944 printing). I felt that the center of the
1942 printing was lighter than the 1941 printing (brown-black
compared to grey-black). For the record, the center of the 1944
printing (deep blue frame) seemed to be very close to the one
that I feel is the 1941 printing. Potter & Shelton differ
in the color descriptions from every one else here by indicating
that the 1944 printing is the only deep blue printing. I think
I agree with Potter & Shelton, but can not put up much of
an argument either way.
 |
4d Value
|
I sorted these issues by gum and paper into three piles: the
1937 issues with crackly gum, the 1938 issues with the wavy looking
gum, and the 1944 issues which had the flatter looking gum. Since
there is no 1941 issue, finding these three components will complete
the set.
 |
6d Value
|
This was the easiest printing. I sorted the stamps by gum
and paper. The 1937 issues have the crackly gum, the 1938 issues
(which are the deep brown color) have the wavy gum and paper,
and the 1944 issues (which resemble the 1937 issues in color)
have the flat gum and paper. For the record, Commonwealth assigns
two 1937 printings; but I think CW10a is actually the 1944 printing
based on the characteristics of the gum and paper. Compare your
copies, and decide.
 |
6d Value
|
There was only one printing from this issue, it requires no
identification.
 |
9d Value
|
These values will fall into the same pattern as the 6d issues,
with the addition of a 1947 printing which is on white paper.
The colors are very similar. The 1944 printing on tinted paper
is unusual, and should be catalogued. Look for a bluish-greyish
cast to the paper as you look at the front of the stamp. You
will also note the flat 1944 gum on this issue.
 |
1/ Value
|
These will also fall into place by comparing the paper and
gum. The 1937 printing has the crackly gum, and is rather a distinctive
paler blue color compared to the rest of the issues. The 1938
printing with the wavy gum and paper; is deeper and tends be
a greenish-blue compared to the 1937 issue. The remaining issues
will have flatter looking gum and paper. The elusive 1947 issue
has the whiter paper and gum like the 1/2d blue-green issue.
It is also a deeper color of blue. The 1944 issue falls in the
middle in terms of color when compared to the 1938 printing and
the 1947 printing. It could be mistaken for the 1947 printing,
but can be found just by comparing the gum. If you are not sure
about whether you have the 1944 or 1947 printing - you have the
1944 printing. It is fairly common.
 |
1/3 Value
|
There was only one printing from this issue. Although Potter
& Shelton note a Colonial Release - there was not a second
printing, so it could only have been from the original printing.
 |
2/6 Value
|
The first three printings can be identified by gum and paper
only. I did not notice any color difference between them. As
I stated earlier, the 1949 printing is a bluish slate color which
could be used to identify this printing even before you notice
the white gum and paper.
 |
5/ Value
|
There is good reason to check these issues for the wavy gum
that was described as indicative of the 1938 printing. If you
find one, it is the celebrated "Indigo" shade. However,
don't be too disappointed if your copy is the 1944 printing.
That is the one I always seem to find. The gum and paper will
help you identify these printings. There is a slight color difference
in the brown frames, but I have trouble sorting these issues
by color alone. The exception is of course the indigo shade.
Which I feel should be better described as the "Yellow-Brown
shade', but that is less dramatic. Look for the white paper and
gum on the 1949 issue. That is a scarce stamp also.
 |
10/ Value
|
The paper and gum characteristics are helpful for the 10/
issues also, but there are observable color differences as well.
The 1937 printing is a deep orange, the 1938 printing is much
paler. The 1944 printing seems to fall between these two extremes,
and the 1949 printing is just a little paler than the 1938 issue.
 |
£1 Value
|
The £1 issues require gum and paper comparisons to sort.
Although there are color differences, but they are not extreme
enough to describe in useful terms. The centers vary from a greyish-black
to black, and the frame color goes from violet to deep violet.
Potter & Shelton's descriptions seem to match my copies for
this value. Sort your copies by gum and paper and then see how
they match against the descriptions provided by Potter &
Shelton.
Conclusions
If you are still reading this article, you are to be commended.
My goal was to put into writing all of the information that I
have found, and observed about these interesting issues. This
is meant to be a collaborative effort, so if you have additional
information, comments, or disagree with any of the statements;
please let me know. I would like this article to be a depository
for all information about this issue.