Chalky Paper

From: Rodney )
Subject: Chalky Paper was Question re. Tete-Beche
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Newsgroups: rec.collecting.stamps.discuss
Date: 2005-01-15 16:34:13 PST

| Rodney
| I don't know about this particular issue and/or country but SOME chalk
| papers react differently under a uv lamp to the non-chalky on the same
| issue.Note that this is a difference in flourescence not
| phosphorescence so you are not looking for an afterglow - purely the
| relative whiteness.You could try comparing with a known example. Note
| that when several different chalky and/or non-chalky papers are used on
| the same issue this is not foolproof. Try sorting out Irish definitives
| and you will know what I mean!! Also chalk-surfaces can be compromised
| when soaking, and give you a false "reading".
| Postmark dates can also be useful in finding "control" copies where
| first date of use of new variety is known. Again this is not foolproof
| as pre-issue is not unknown - but a month early should be adequate
| margin.
| Regards
| Malcolm

Thanks Malcolm,
I have been aware of "chalky paper" for a while
of course,but my collections were not advanced
enough to bother with the finer details, until now.

I was wondering about the compromise with soaking,
in the few years I have with this group, chalky
paper has never been discussed.

I find it hard to believe collectors draw silver
coins across issues to determine their status.

==================================

Rodney:

Chalky paper: A chalk-surfaced paper for printing
stamps. It is not always real chalk, by the way.
Sometimes starch is used. It is a security feature.
Any attempt to remove the cancel on a used
chalky-paper stamp will also remove the design.

Immersion of such stamps in water will
cause the design to lift off. As you said,
touching chalky paper with silver will
leave a discernible, pencil-like mark and
is a means of distinguishing chalky paper.

One example of ordinary versus chalky paper
can be seen on the 1937 set honouring Pushkin
(Scott 590-95). The set was printed on both.

Chalky paper may or may not make a big difference
in stamp values. For example:

GB 1958 Defins (crowns)
SG Denom. (MNH) UM VF-U F-U AVG-U
SG 570 ½d. Orange-Red £0.02 £0.05 £0.03 £0.02
SG 570k ½d. Orange-Red Chalky Paper £1.10 £1.30 £1.00 £0.55

South Africa Definitives Stamps
1972 / 1974 : normally on Phosphorescent Glossy Paper, No Watermark
2 cent is US $0.30 but $0.80 on chalky paper. (SACC 327 + 327c)
20 cent is US $2.80 but $4.50 on chalky paper. (SACC 335 + 335a)
50 cent is US $5.50 but $9.00 on chalky paper. (SACC 336 + 336a)

Values are retail.

Blair

On 16 Jan 2005 05:53:52 -0800, (TC Blair) wrote:

From: Rodney )
Subject: Chalky Paper was Question re. Tete-Beche
This is the only article in this thread
View: Original Format
Newsgroups: rec.collecting.stamps.discuss
Date: 2005-01-15 16:34:13 PST

| Rodney
| I don't know about this particular issue and/or country but SOME chalk
| papers react differently under a uv lamp to the non-chalky on the same
| issue.Note that this is a difference in flourescence not
| phosphorescence so you are not looking for an afterglow - purely the
| relative whiteness.You could try comparing with a known example. Note
| that when several different chalky and/or non-chalky papers are used on
| the same issue this is not foolproof. Try sorting out Irish definitives
| and you will know what I mean!! Also chalk-surfaces can be compromised
| when soaking, and give you a false "reading".
| Postmark dates can also be useful in finding "control" copies where
| first date of use of new variety is known. Again this is not foolproof
| as pre-issue is not unknown - but a month early should be adequate
| margin.
| Regards
| Malcolm

Thanks Malcolm,
I have been aware of "chalky paper" for a while
of course,but my collections were not advanced
enough to bother with the finer details, until now.

I was wondering about the compromise with soaking,
in the few years I have with this group, chalky
paper has never been discussed.

I find it hard to believe collectors draw silver
coins across issues to determine their status.

==================================

Rodney:

Chalky paper: A chalk-surfaced paper for printing
stamps. It is not always real chalk, by the way.
Sometimes starch is used. It is a security feature.
Any attempt to remove the cancel on a used
chalky-paper stamp will also remove the design.

Immersion of such stamps in water will
cause the design to lift off. As you said,
touching chalky paper with silver will
leave a discernible, pencil-like mark and
is a means of distinguishing chalky paper.

One example of ordinary versus chalky paper
can be seen on the 1937 set honouring Pushkin
(Scott 590-95). The set was printed on both.

Chalky paper may or may not make a big difference
in stamp values. For example:

GB 1958 Defins (crowns)
SG Denom. (MNH) UM VF-U F-U AVG-U
SG 570 ½d. Orange-Red £0.02 £0.05 £0.03 £0.02
SG 570k ½d. Orange-Red Chalky Paper £1.10 £1.30 £1.00 £0.55

South Africa Definitives Stamps
1972 / 1974 : normally on Phosphorescent Glossy Paper, No Watermark
2 cent is US $0.30 but $0.80 on chalky paper. (SACC 327 + 327c)
20 cent is US $2.80 but $4.50 on chalky paper. (SACC 335 + 335a)
50 cent is US $5.50 but $9.00 on chalky paper. (SACC 336 + 336a)

Values are retail.

Blair

--- also Br.Virgin Islands 1938 KGVI Definatives -
set of 10 ( to 5/- val ) mint - ( Stanley Gibbons )
Ordinary paper - GBP 32.65
Chalk surface paper - GBP 97.25

Brian