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Press from the past 2 : The Roo Series.
Roo series not really difficult. by Gordon Darge with Ross Duberal "The Western Australian" or "The Sunday Times" 7th June 1980 http://cjoint.com/data/eoqKTDeOg1.htm THE Kangaroo and Map series can appear to be complicated to stamp collectors interested in some of Australia's earlier issues. There were 15 values (plus three colour changes) and five different watermarked papers used in the 37 years from 1913 to 1950. The details have been collated into the accompanying check list to simplify the series for the collector. The design was a combination of ideas and was not the work of any one person. Blamire Young a Melbourne artist Edwin Arnold of London, who was second in the 1911 stamp design competition, and the Postmaster - General's Department, including C.W. Frazer, the then Postmaster-General are said to have been involved. It proved to be far from popular and caused considerable political controversy after the stamps wore issued on January 2,1913. The stamps were printed at the Stamp printing Branch Melbourne, by letterpress (surface printing). Perf. 12 was used for the whole period. WATERMARKS: The first, type 1 (single crown over A) was manufactured in London and was used in late 1912 and 1913. Shortage of stocks of the first paper caused the paper (type 2) to be utilised for the K.G. V portrait series and to be used for some denominations in 1914-15. Considerable displacement of the single crown over A watermark in relation to the stamp design resulted. The next watermark (type 3) appeared in late 1915 when new supplies of paper arrived with the watermark changed—a single smaller crown over A. Revised specifications for stamp paper in 1926 resulted in a fourth watermark (type 5) appearing in 1929-30—a small multiple crown over C of A was introduced in 1932-35 (type 6) when the specifications were further revised. Watermarks are known inverted and sideways and are worth looking for as they are priced at more than twice the value of a normal one. COLOUR CHANGES: A Universal Postal Union decision at the 1920 Madrid Congress resulted in certain postage stamps of member countries being made to conform to a revised colour pattern based on the major international postage rates. For Australia, three colour changes were made to the 6d. (blue to chestnut), 2s (brown to maroon) and ?1 (blue and brown to grey). Another factor was a reduction in Australian postage rates effective from October 1, 1923. Colour shade variations occur from further printings and can he found among most of the values. Some of the major variations came during and after the Great War period when there were difficulties in obtaining the correct inks. In the 1940s only two 'Roos' were still in use —The 2s and ?2. Continuing demand for the 2s resulted in the replacement of worn printing plates in 1945. In the process of making a new die and plates, minor differences developed and, the new printing can be readily distinguished from the earlier printings. The best feature is the two background lines between the value circle and "TWO SHILLINGS" on the original compared with one line on the revised version. The 2s was finally replaced in 1948 by the 2s Aboriginal Art stamp. The last 'Roo' to go was the ?2 value which was replaced in 1950 by the ?2 Coat of Arms stamp. PRICES: The cheapest of the unused stamps is the 2s maroon at $5, but most are much more highly priced. The Australian collector with limited funds must now look to used copies to complete his collection which suggests that used prices will continue to rise. The values with type 2 watermark are the scarcest of all and subsequently are priced accordingly. The elite item of the 'Roo' series is the ?3 type 3 watermark with the Harrison imprint (block of 4) which retails about $20,000. The highest priced single stamp is the unused ?2 type 1 watermark which fetches about $3200. An estimate for a superb copy MUH in a forthcoming Melbourne auction is $9,000 It should be noted that genuine perforated large and small OS are fetching very good prices after being in the collecting wilderness for many years. Philatelic knowledge of this series and the ones to be discussed in future Stamp Spots cannot be over-emphasised. The Australian Commonwealth Specialists' Catalogue 1980 costing $7.95 is the only publication that provides in-depth Information. |
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