1d. stamp duty sub-types

The 1d. stamp duty plate is composed of 30 quadruple electros. The quadruple die was derived directly from the original die without any re-engraving, Each quadruple electro (mould / cliché) has 4 sub-types

Ken Scudder lists a number of distinguishing features. The most prominent are as follows:

Type 1

• break in the triangle in the lower right corner
• top right corner frame is notched, same as Type 4 but slightly smaller
• Break in second line above ‘ E ‘ of ONE
• white dot in the top left spandrel

Type 2

• none

Type 3

• Top left corner has a very slight outward projection

Type 4

• break in the lower frame between 'E' of one and 'P' of penny
• both top frames have square notches in them

In the two proof blocks below I have highlighted the distinguishing features in red circles. The most obvious identifying feature is the break in the lower frame between 'E' of one and 'P' of penny in Type 4. The only way to determine Type 2 is the absence of the features in the other Types.

At the top right corner of some stamps a vertical white line joins the inner white frame lines. It is probable that  a second die was made from the first electro of 4 stamps that was produced. Both of these were then used to create further quadruple electros, similar to what was done for the 1d postage sideface issue. In one die the break is present, but missing in the second type. Both dies would be very similar as they would have been from the same original die.

The order here is 1/2 on the top row and 3/4 on the bottom row. Seen at Millennium Philatelic auction no 48 lot no 103

The order here is 3/4 on the top row and 1/2 on the bottom row. Seen in a private collection

Alan Griffith notes that the printed stamps often demonstrate symptoms of over inking and this may be attributable to the fact that the paper initially used - Crown over Q Type I - was not quite suitable for this new form of letterpress printing. The somewhat looser texture of the paper, which was not adequately sized, allowed the ink to permeate the surface. This can obscure some of the identifying features described above in the proof impressions which were on thin card and not the watermarked paper.