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 1a

1908

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

Plate 1

Unknown year

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

Position 107 (plate 1) from my collection

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

Plate 1a

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