Existing paper stocks ran out before new stocks had been received from England. A quantity of white handmade paper manufactured by T. H. Saunders and watermarked with his name and the date 1877 was procured and 12 scroll bands of interlaced wavy lines were lithographed in pale lilac upon it by the Government Engraver as a substitute for a watermark (the so-called burelé band or Moire on back as described by the Scott Catalog). The 1d and 2d postage stamps were printed on this paper - with the first issues being in early October 1879 - as well as the then current duty stamps. These bands differed considerably from those on the large fiscal stamps from 1871-76, which were narrow blue bands with rather wide spaces between the interlaced lines. The burelé band is not always easy to see as the ink is water soluble. At high magnification the burelé impression can sometimes be seen even if it is colourless and any unwatermarked stamp is likely to be from this printing. Further information on this paper can be found here.
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