Queensland 2d Blue (1897 - 1913) Specimen Overprint

This page is a census of known examples of the 1897 2d blue issue overprinted with the word 'SPECIMEN.' These handstamps are believed to have been for record or presentation purposes only and were not sold to collectors. They were not handstamped in this manner for distribution to the Universal Postal Union; mint stamps being used instead for this purpose.

Three different types were used for this issue:

• A Scudder Specimen Type 9 overprint (Kenneth Scudder, Queensland Postage Stamps 1879 to 1912, p. 364). It was typeset with sans-serif capitals, 15.5 mm long and 1.75 mm high plus a stop at the end. It was applied in red ink on mint gummed issues, wmk 2nd type "Crown Q", perforation 12.5, 13 in around 1901. At least one sheet was overprinted. 
• One example is known of a Scudder Specimen Type 8 overprint (Kenneth Scudder, Queensland Postage Stamps 1879 to 1912, p. 364). It was typeset with sans-serif capitals, 12.5 mm long and 1.5 mm high plus a stop at the end. It was applied in black ink on mint gummed issues, wmk 2nd type "Crown Q", perforation 12.5, 13 in around 1901 - This 2d blue example is the only 3rd Sideface known with this particular specimen handstamp
• One example is known typeset with sans-serif capitals, 15 mm long and 3 mm high plus a stop at the end. It was applied in black ink on mint gummed issues, wmk 2nd type "Crown Q", perforation 12.5, 13 - This 2d blue example is the only 3rd Sideface known with this particular specimen handstamp

Examples are also known stamped SPECIMEN after receipt by various UPI countries and colonies, and Bechuanaland, Natal and Tunisia are shown below.

The Scudder Type 9 Specimen overprint

The three types. L-R: Scudder type 9, Scudder type 8, 15 x 3 mm

CENSUS

Scudder Type 9 (15.5 x 1.75mm) (red Ink)

A block of 55 from the bottom of the sheet (positions 66-120). Seen in Abacus auction no 237. Now in the collection of Dr Andrew Mortlock

A partially obscured block of 4 seen in Spink auction no 16030 lot no 1170

An example from my collection

A single seen in Abacus auction no 229

A single seen in Status auctions

A single seen on Ebay

A single seen in the collection of Tony Griffin

A single seen in Spink auction no 25015 lot no 3026(x)

A single seen in the collection of Dr Andrew Mortlock

Scudder Type 8 (12.5 x 1.5mm) (black Ink)

Specimen handstamp in black. Seen in Phoenix auction no 109. Ex Bernard Manning (Prestige Philately auction no 146 lot no 1133)

15 x 3mm (black Ink)

Specimen handstamp in black. Seen in the collection of Dave Elsmore

BECHUANALAND SPECIMEN

Specimen receiving handstamp (seriffed 22.5 x 2.75 mm) in Black by Bechuanaland. Seen in Status auctions

Natal Specimen

Specimen receiving handstamp (sans serif 17.25 x 3.25 mm) in violet by Natal. Seen in Phoenix auction no 108 lot no 5315

Tunisia

Specimen receiving handstamps in black and violet by Tunisia. Seen in Abacus auction no 237

1899 ½d green - Split fraction variety

This page is a census of the 1899 ½d green stamp (the so-called Widows Weeds) 'split-fraction' variety. It is the most prominent constant variety for this issue and is described by Scudder as "Near vertical white flaw on the "2" and the fraction line." It appears to have commenced as a scratch below the fraction line and then extended slightly further and got slightly larger over time. It was fully formed while still on the original plate 1.

This variety is not present on early sheets. Scudder states this variety is known from 1900 onwards. The earliest example I have seen is from 1901.

On the original plate, known as plate one, it occurs in position no 107 with the Cowan Crown over Q watermarked paper. In 1906 this plate was refurbished and rearranged whereby the centre and lower electros were interchanged. Called plate 1a, this variety then became position 67. 

Examples seen on the Cowan Crown over Q watermarked paper can be from either plate. However, all examples seen on the Cowan Crown over A watermarked paper are from plate 1a (position 67)

This variety is not listed in either the Stanley Gibbons or Brusden White catalogues.

The split fraction variety when it first formed

The split fraction variety in its fullest extent

Positions 67 and 107 without the variety

This block of 30 from the Butler collection shows both positions (67 and 107) without the variety, thus indicating that it was NOT present originally but developed later

Another block of 30 in the collection of Dr Andrew Mortlock also showing both positions (67 and 107) without the variety

A block of 42 courtesy of Dave Elsmore also showing both positions (67 and 107) without the variety

Mint examples

Plate 1

Position 107. Seen in the collection of Dr Andrew Mortlock

Watermark Crown over Q, so probably plate 1. From my collection

Plate 1a

A full sheet with the flaw shown in position 67. Click on the image to enlarge. Seen in Status Stamps auctions in 2015

Another full sheet with the flaw shown in position 67. Click on the image to enlarge. Seen on Ebay in 2020

Position 67; from a block of 24 in the collection of Dave Elsmore

Used

Plate 1

1901

Plate 1 (position 67) dated 1901. Seen in my collection

Plate 1

Unknown year

Position 107 (plate 1) date stamped Brisbane. Seen in the collection of Dr Andrew Mortlock

Position 107 (plate 1) date stamped Bundaberg, from my collection

Position 107 (plate 1). With a Sydney machine cancel. Seen in the collection of Henk Godthelp

Two examples of position 107 (plate 1) from my collection

Position 107 (plate 1). Seen in the collection of Henk Godthelp

Plate 1a

1908

Plate 1a (position 67) dated 1908. Seen in the collection of Tony Griffin

Plate 1a (position 67) dated 15 December 1908. Seen in the collection of Henk Godthelp

1911

Plate 1a (position 67), an OS example dated Goondiwindi 19 April 1911. Seen in the collection of Henk Godthelp

Unknown year

An undated example seen in the Queensland Stamp Collecting Facebook Group

Four examples from my collection

An undated used example courtesy of Dave Elsmore

An example from Position 107 (plate 1) and position 67 (plate 1a). Seen in the collection of Dr Andrew Mortlock

1895 ½d green blob - a transient flaw (SG 223)

This page shows examples of a spectacular transient flaw where an irregular shaped piece of paper has adhered to the plate. The adhesion is in the same colour ink as this issue, albeit more concentrated, suggesting it has come into contact with the ink used to print the sheets of stamps. 

The flaw has been seen in two different positions, indicating that it shifted on the plate before either being noticed and removed or naturally being loosened off the plate. It is not known which of the two positions (assuming it is in fact the same paper adhesion) came first

Flaw at bottom left

A lovely example on a pair. Seen in the Queensland Stamp Collecting Facebook Group

An example on a single stamp. Seen in the Queensland Stamp Collecting Facebook Group

Flaw at top centre

Here the flaw is at the top of the stamp. From my collection

Queensland 9d brown and ultramarine postally used blocks

A census of Queensland 9d brown and ultramarine (SG 265 and SG 266) used blocks. This issue first went on sale in July 1903. Most of these stamps, being of a high value, were used on telegrams and parcels and while postally used examples are not that scarce,  postally used blocks are

Postally used

1908

9d block of 6 cancelled with a Cairns type 5a date stamp dated 28 October 1908. Seen in the collection of Dave Elsmore

1910

9d block of 4 cancelled with a Mount Perry date stamp dated

August 1910. Seen in the collection of Henk Godthelp

1911

9d block of 4 cancelled with a Brisbane Parcel Post Branch datestamp dated 13 February 1911

9d perf 11 block of 4 cancelled with a Brisbane Parcel Post Branch datestamp dated 19 December 1911. Seen in the collection of Dave Elsmore

1912

9d block of 4 cancelled with a Townsville type 6t date stamp dated 29 August 1912. Seen on Ebay

1913

9d block of 4 cancelled with a Toowoomba type 5a date stamp dated 23 February 1913

9d block of 4 cancelled with a Brisbane Parcel Post Branch datestamp type 5 dated 14 May 1913

Unknown year

9d block of 4 cancelled with a Brisbane parcel post branch roller cancel type 6

9d block of 4 cancelled with a Cairns type 5a datestamp with an indistinct date. Seen in the collection of Dave Elsmore

9d block of 4 cancelled with a Brisbane registered datestamp with an indistinct date. Seen in the collection of Dave Elsmore

9d block of 4 on a parcel label cancelled with an indistinct barred numeral. Seen in the collection of Dr Tim Dexter