The 2d blue 3rd Sideface issue (SG 234), was issued from April 1897 to September 1906. There were several plates during the life of this issue. Plate 3 was introduced in about September 1900 and included the "cracked head". In June 1906 plate 3 was rearranged following the repair and replacement of the "cracked head". Known as 3a, this plate had a very short life - June to September 1906.
Very shortly after this rearranged plate was introduced, some very badly blotched stamps were printed. They as now known as the "Diseased Queen" or the "Blotchy Queen". It is probable that they are from the first printing of plate 3a as the only known dated used copies are dated 18 June 1906.
Samuel Dalby, writing in the Australian Philatelist, 7 June 1916, p. 159 (Queensland: The 1897 Series of Electrotypes - II), describes what happened:
"Also a few sheets presented a curious phenomenon: the head on stamps in column 1, on lines 2 to 6 (Nos. 11, 21, 31, 41, 51) had an unsightly mottled appearance, blotches of blue marring the shading lines from the diadem down to the neck. An official explanation was that through carelessness, part of the ink was insufficiently mixed or thinned before being served to the inking rollers; some of the thicker portion having got down to the end of the roller the colour was applied too solidly near the edge of the plate, and clogged the shading lines during several feedings of the press".
It is not listed as a variety in the Stanley Gibbons catalogue. It is however listed in Brusden White, The Australian Commonwealth Specialists' Catalogue: Kangaroos and the Early Federal Period, 1901-12 as Q16c - Blotchy Printing and priced at $200 mint and $125 used. An included note explains: "The blotchy printing is very scarce and occurs for a short period in September 1906. It varies from stamp to stamp and at its most extreme can almost totally obliterate the Queen's head. It is believed to be due to an unsatisfactory mix of ink." It would appear from this description that the author had not seen the block dated June 1906 as it almost certainly was not still occurring three months later. As soon as the error was detected, the printing would have been stopped and and any existing diseased Queen stocks destroyed.
This is a composite illustration shown in Kenneth Scudder, Queensland Postage Stamps 1879 to 1912, p. 266
Mint Examples
A vertical strip of 4, positions 11, 21, 31, 41, Seen in Prestige Philately auction no 146 lot no 1184 and ex Bernard Manning. The auction description was "TWO PENCE: 2d blue Blotchy Printing ("Diseased Queen") BW #Q16c affecting all units - progressively more dramatic from the bottom to the top - in a marginal vertical strip of 4 from the left of the sheet, also with Double Perfs at Left (unlisted by the ACSC in this value), unmounted, Cat $800++. A marvellous piece!" The estimate was $1500 and it sold for $4,000
A block of 4 from the collection of Dave Elsmore
A block of 4 showing the variety at position 11. Sold at Prestige Philately auction no 137 lot no 399 for $675
Two vertical pairs from my collection
A horizontal pair seen at Prestige Philately auction no 129 described as "1897-1908 Four Figures 2d blue "Diseased Queen" BW #Q16c horizontal pair, both units with pronounced blotchiness though it is more evident on the left-hand unit, large-part o.g., Cat $400+. [ACSC states "...very scarce......occurs for a short period in September 1906". A single example of the pronounced variety sold for $380 in our auction of 24/6/2006]" This pair sold for $300. Now in the collection of Dr Andrew Walker
Horizontal pair courtesy of Dave Elsmore
Horizontal pair courtesy of Dave Elsmore
A vertical pair seen in the Queensland Stamp Collecting Facebook Group
Two examples from my collection
An example seen at Prestige Philately auction no 124 lot no 491 and which sold for $150
Three examples sold as part of a larger lot in Abacus auction no 237 lot no 199 and ex Alan Griffiths
An example courtesy of Dave Elsmore
An example seen at Phoenix auction no 19. Description as follows: "1897-1908 4-Corners Wmk 2nd Crown/Q Perf 12½,13 2d blue diseased face BW #Q16c ("blotchy printing"), the stamp also has constant variety break in framelines in the centre-left margin, well centred example, large-part gum, BW Cat $200. Mint examples have sold for up to $400+ at public auction." Previously sold at Prestige Philately auction no 122 lot no 665 for $380
Used Examples
A block of 6 postmarked Crows Nest 18 June 1906. Positions 01, 11, 21. From the collection of Dave Elsmore
A horizontal used pair (positions 41-2) from the collection of Dr Andrew Mortlock
A used single that appears to have been posted at Winton (numeral 219) that was sold as part of a larger lot in prestige Philately auction no 139 lot no 324
On Cover
Rockhampton dated 6 July 1906. Seen in the Queensland Stamp Collecting Facebook Group
