On Jul 9, 4:25*am, "rodney" wrote:
You're kidding us, right?

"Blair"
The stamps were printed with water-soluable ink.
Oops!

8^)

Blair

I kid you not.

Here is one example.

Aniline -- Ink with a coal-tar base. Such inks were
used in stamp printing to prevent erasure of
cancellations and reuse of stamps.

Aniline inks are very sensitive and may dissolve
in water or other liquids or chemicals.

Aniline Ink: A water-soluble ink with a dye base
that runs when wet.

Some of the first Australian commonwealth issue
(post 1918 Harrison printings) had deep analine
shades.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...210/75thin.jpg

Australia Roo 10/- Gray + aniline
http://www.richardjuzwin.com.au/plug...listing919.jpg

Victoria - postage due. blue + deep aniline. (SG D01b)
http://stampsofvictoria.com/osimages/sg-d01b.jpg

US Columbian $4 aniline rose
http://www.mbiauctions.com/images-news/179279.jpg

GB 1911 Harrison 1d aniline pink, (SG 275)

Natal 1863
http://www.rpsl.org.uk/images/perkin.../line_perf.jpg

Aniline ink was cheaper and prevented reuse
of high value stamps. It also allowed for
much brighter shades of ink.

Blair