1966 RHODESIA DEFINITIVE ISSUE (MARDON) · 2021. 1. 26. · 1966 RHODESIA DEFINITIVE ISSUE (MARDON) With the imposition of economic sanctions against Rhodesia, the reprinting of the

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1966 RHODESIA DEFINITIVE ISSUE (MARDON)

With the imposition of economic sanctions against Rhodesia, the reprinting of the 1966 definitive issue

could not continue by Harrison & Sons in the United Kingdom. “It became imperative to obtain further

supplies and Mardon was again commissioned to undertake the work. They were required to copy the

original stamp, and it was fortunate that some time earlier the probable need to produce stamps locally had

been foreseen, and the art work was retrieved from England”.1

The only experience that Mardon Printers in Salisbury had of lithographic printing of postage stamps was

the 1965 Independence issue, which, not to put too fine a point on it, was rather crude, and thus quality had

to be significantly improved. The first set of stamps produced by Mardon was the 1966 Rhopex issue,

released on 2nd May, 1966. R C Smith in writing about the production of the definitive issue appears to

ignore this, and instead concentrates on the reprinting of the 1966 definitive issue. The first stamp, the 1d,

was released on 2nd June 1966, with others being released during the course of 1966. Further reprints

followed until the release of the 1970 definitive. In addition, the definitive also has both the imperial £sd

and decimal $c currencies, known as dual currency stamps.

Although the Rhopex issue was the first issue released, the reprinting of the definitive stamps represented

an important milestone in Rhodesian stamp production. During this period there was much experimentation

in stamp printing until Mardon established a standard that is still largely in place today.

With the art work retrieved from the UK, “matching the local printings with the originals proved to be a

difficult task. By using a different printing process, and non-coated papers, it was not always possible to

match the originals exactly, although in some values, it is hard to tell the difference. However, an

examination of the cameo frame will indicate an obvious difference. The local printing has a slightly larger

cameo than the Harrison one and the frame is also much thicker.”1 Although the main artwork appeared to

have been used, the Queen’s head appears to have been replaced by the artwork used for the 1965

Independence stamp1, hence the difference in the size of the cameo and the strength of the frame.

“For the first printings the litho plates were made up to the production stage, and any alterations

necessitated the production of a completely new set of plates which was an expensive process. To overcome

this an experiment was made by having a large proof prepared measuring 5 in. by 3¼ in., but this was also

not entirely satisfactory, for although a reducing glass was used, it did not give a true impression of what

the final product was likely to be. Finally, a proof to actual sheet size was adopted which appears to meet

all requirements.”1

RC Smith’s account of various aspects of the production of the definitive issues is somewhat puzzling. For

example, he states “the first papers used by Mardon were not entirely suitable for stamp production, as they

had not been designed for this purpose.” The paper used for the Rhopex issue, the first printing of the 1d

and the printings of other values was that referred to as JH4. If this paper had proved so unsatisfactory why

was it used repeatedly?

Later Smith states “the problem of obtaining a satisfactory paper still remained, and various firms were

requested to send samples out as soon as possible. One supplier in the United Kingdom supplied a paper

which was inferior to that already being used and was politely told that if they wanted to do business,

samples of suitable paper had to be delivered within two weeks. Despite sanctions, the paper was delivered

in time! Other papers were received from Germany and trial printings were included in the ordinary produc-

tion run.”1 These papers were indeed used in testing the lithographic process of producing Rhodesian

stamps at Mardon, these stamps are known as the trial printings. Inevitably as economic sanctions started

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to bite, the availability of stamp paper became more of a challenge. The JH4 paper appears to be the main

paper used while stocks lasted, this was replaced in 1967 with what is described as “Chromo, brown gum”.

No information in available on the source of this Chromo paper, no doubt with sanctions no one was

prepared to reveal the source.

The study of the Mardon printings of the 1966 definitive is a fascinating but complicated subject. It is

difficult to give a general description of the technical details of the stamps due to the different papers and

sheet margin annotations. Each value will therefore be dealt with separately in greater detail, however as

general background, elements have been extracted from this encyclopaedia’s chapter on the local

production of Rhodesian stamps.

Paper types

Type Mash Guide RCC UV First used

2 JH4, colourless

gum

JH4, white clear

gum

Fluorescent back &

front

1d First printing (RCC 651)

3 Off white,

colourless

JH3, clear gum Dull fluorescence, back

& front

5/-, 10/- & £1 Mardon Trials

(RCC 673-5). Experimental

JH3

4 Dri-gum Dri-gum Non-fluorescent,

yellow colour front &

back

Experimental 1d, dri-gum

(RCC 667a)

5 White Chromo,

deep cream gum

White Chromo,

brown gum

Non-fluorescent,

brownish colour front

& back

Experimental, 6d White

chromo (RCC 671)

6 Supreme Chromo,

deep cream gum

Supreme chromo,

brown gum

Bright fluorescence,

front & back

Experimental, 6d Supreme

chromo (RCC 671a)

7 White Esparto, off

white gum

White Esparto,

cream gum

Fluorescent front, non-

fluorescent back

Experimental, 6d White

Esparto (RCC 671b)

8 German, brown

gum

German, brown gum Bright fluorescent

front, non-fluorescent

brownish colour

Experimental, German paper,

brown gum (RCC 672)

9 German, creamy

white gum

German, cream gum Bright fluorescent

front, non-fluorescent

dark brownish colour

Experimental, German paper,

cream gum (RCC 672a)

10 Chromo/white

coated paper with

varying shades,

creamy/brown gum

of various shades

Chromo/white paper,

brown gum, various

shades

Front: Slightly

fluorescent, with

variable mottled

appearance. Gum: Non-

fluorescent, with traces

of fluorescence, light

brownish appearance,

variable

Used from 1967 onwards,

with first definitive stamp

being the first printing of the

2d stamp

The further differentiation of the JH3 and JH4 papers can be found with the use of a micrometer which

measures the thicknesses of the papers used. A paper was produced by Richard Wright13, which was

followed up by a similar paper by M J Kohn14 “The micrometer used had a ratchet mechanism to ensure an even

pressure though this was not sufficient to damage the stamp at all. Measurements were done in three places on

each stamp (at random) as ± 2% can be found for various reasons - paper, ink, pressure, gum - and the results

averaged. It did not seem to matter if one used the margin, if one happened to be present. The zero error of the

instrument was measured and allowed for, because of expansion which could be due to body warmth, and the

operation takes one to two minutes.”13 The measurements gave a range of measurements over different areas of

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the stamps and are shown in both of these articles. The following are the average thicknesses reported. (The

measurements are in units where ten units is about 1 mm)

Value JH3 (Trial) JH4 (normal)

5sh 8.8 10.8

10sh 9.4 10.7

£1 8.6 10.4

These mean figures show that the JH3 paper is somewhat thinner than the JH4, but as there is a variation

of thickness across a stamp, it does not have the consistency one could rely on to differentiate between the

papers. If one had a micrometer these measurements could be reasonable indicative of the paper used but

should be used with care.

Printer’s Imprint

Type First Used Font

Size

Length

Illustration

PI 2

(RSC

type 1)

1966 definitive,

(9th February)

Arial

Size 11

84 mm

PI 3

(RSC

type 2)

1966 definitive,

(9th February)

(2sh)

Times

New

Roman

Size 7

57 mm

PI 4

(RSC

type 3)

1966 definitive

(9th February)

Arial

Size 6

45 mm

Full stop after LTD.

PI 5

(RSC

type 4)

1966 definitive

(9th February)

Arial

Size 6

45 mm

Full stop and comma after LTD.,

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Colour Register’s or “Traffic Lights”

Type Placement Issues Examples

TL 2

Square

Vertical to left of

stamp R1/1,

unboxed

Some of the early Mardon

printings of the 1966

definitive - 2, 3 or 4 colours

TL 3

Round

Vertical to left of

stamp R1/1&2,

unboxed

Some of the early Mardon

printings of the 1966

definitive, and 3d~2½c dual

currency - 2 or 3 colours

TL 4

Round

Vertical within left

or right margin,

alongside top or

bottom row of

sheets, boxed

Some of the Mardon printings

of the 1966 definitive - 2, 3 or

4 colours. Boxes all appear to

be the same size, with a

double line on the left and

right sides.

Cylinder Numbers

Type Font Position Issues Examples

CN 2 Arial

Size 11

Bottom margin 1966 Definitive - Cyl 1A, 1d below

R20/11

CN 3 Arial

Size

13.5

Bottom margin 1966 Definitive - 5/-, 10/- & £1, Cyl

1A below R6/9, Cyl 1B below R6/8

CN 4 Arial

Size 6.5

Bottom margin 1966 definitive & 1/-~10c dual

currency – Cyl 1A or 2A below first

stamp in bottom margin, Cyl 1B or 2B

below second stamp in bottom margin,

Cyl 1C below third stamp in bottom

margin

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Sheet Number

Type Font

Size

First issue used Examples

SN 2 Size 19.5 1966 definitive

SN 3 Size 14.5 1966 definitive

SN 3a Size 19.5 1966 definitive (as type 3 but

larger font)

Printing numbers and sheet numbers

As detailed as the contents of the Rhodesia Stamp Catalogue is on the Mardon printings, there is no

information as to the print quantities. The Mashonaland Guide does provide some figures of quantities

printed, probably the most accurate of these are for stamps that were not reprinted – 3c~ 2½c – 19,920,000;

4c first printing 8,496,000 and 2sh 402,000. The same could be said as correct of the 6d, 1sh3d, 4sh, 10sh

& £1, but there is nothing to say whether these included the trial printings in the numbers. There is a figure

of 17,250,000 for the 1d, which could include the 1st, 2nd and Dry-gum printings. No quantities were

available for the 2d, 9d and 1sh/10c.

A few brief exercises have been undertaken to see if the sheet numbers could be a gauge as to the printing

and print quantities. In the 2d, for example, in the section below, the 1st printing has a sheet number of

23636, 2nd printing of 24504 and 3rd of 13466. Given the volume of 2d stamps being used, it would suggest

that there must be more than, say, 24,000 sheets of the first printing (or 2,400,000 stamps). Particularly as

there was an 18 month gap between the 1st and later printings. On the 3d there is 65864 on the first printing,

83534 on the interim printing and 17554 on the second printing. In addition, there are sheet numbers of

111626 & 126629 for queried printings.

With the 9d value, on the second printing sheet numbers seen of 029, 067 & 97616, which are too far apart

to give any correct interpretation of the size of the print run. This range indicates a possible 100,000 sheets

printed or 6,000,000 stamps. Why would the post office order some six million stamps of this low use value

about six months before decimalisation and the release of a new definitive issue?

No real reliance can be given that the sheets numbers give an indication of print size or for sequencing the

different printings. Mardon were at this stage learning about the printing of stamps and related matters such

as security and accounting. This was to change when the 1970 definitive issue was released and reprinted.

Printing sheets

In many of the values there were more than one cylinder number, which leads to the question as to whether

the printing sheets accommodated more than one pane or printing cylinder. All commemorative issues until

1970 had a single cylinder number, with two exceptions. The first being the Jameson issue, where it is

known that the 1A and 1B sheets were printed on different presses. The second is for the 1967 Flora and

Fauna issue, where it is possible that the 1A and 1B sheets were from the same printing sheet.

But what of the definitive issue? With the 6d, 9d (1st printing), 1sh3d and 2sh stamps there were three

cylinder numbers (1A, 1B & 1C). It is possible that all three cylinders formed separate panes on the printing

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sheet. But there is a problem with this. with the 6d and 1sh3d trial printings there were different numbers

of sheets for each cylinder recorded. With the 6d there are only 1C sheets for the Supreme Chromo printing,

for instance.

With the three high values, although the number of sheets of the trial printing are known, but the references

state that the “sheets divided between 1A and 1B in unknown proportions”2.

All this leads to the conclusion that each printing sheet had a single pane, being one of the cylinder numbers.

Why is this important? There are queries relating to possible interim printings of the 3d and 9d. With the

3d, the first printing had two cylinder numbers – 1A & 1B, and the interim printing appears to have used

the printing plates of the 1st printing. So far with this interim printing, only cylinder 1B sheets have been

found, the question then is whether this printing only using the 1B plates or was the 1A plate also used.

Time will tell

Finally, with the 9d, it appears to have been established that there was an interim printing using the printing

plates of the first printing. No clear evidence has so far been forthcoming as to which cylinder was used for

this printing – 1A, 1B or 1C – or two or three of them, sheets or double bottom rows of this printing are

still to be found.

Shades of Colour

Derek Pollard had the following to say about the different shades of colour of the Mardon printings.21

“The stamps from the different plates of any particular value cannot be distinguished from each other, apart

from where a flaw might appear in one plate only. There are two exceptions to this: the first is that the 1d.

first printing, plate 1A, can be distinguished from the 2A and 2B plates, but this is because it is a different

printing. The 2A and 2B plates cannot be distinguished from each other. The other exception is that the

second run of the 4d, plate 1 A, is lighter in colour than that of the first run of the 1A and 1B plates.

These comments are intended to correct a false impression that seems to be prevalent outside Rhodesia.

The Salisbury Stamp Co. has been asked to supply stamps from a particular plate and have been asked to

guarantee that the stamps come from a particular plate when they are, in fact, no different from the stamps

of the other plate.

Possibly, this could be due to the fact that the intensity of colour varies considerably in most of the values

printed, sometimes from the left to the right of the same sheet or from sheet to sheet, and it may be that

collectors have got the impression that this variation was from the different plates. However, this variation

in colour is no more than occurs from time to time in any printing done by established stamp printers, and

is such as might be described in a catalogue as "shades", or not catalogued at all.”

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Varieties

In general, the printing of the definitive issue by Mardon was undertaken well, there are far fewer varieties

visible to the naked eye than is the case with the Harrison printings. The Mashonaland Guide for these

stamps does however show a long list of minor varieties that are basically “dots and specks” which could

be present in the printing plates, but just as equally they could come from dust in the atmosphere. Only

those varieties that are reasonably visible to the naked eye or a low magnification lens are illustrated, if

available.

The Mashonaland Guide also lists a large number of “ring flaws”, no doubt some of these are very

noticeable. However, these “ring flaws” are really litho flaws, caused by a bubble in the printing ink

bursting during the printing process. These litho rings are not constant and may have occurred on a very

few sheets in the same position before the ink rollers removes it. Consequently, all ring flaws listed in the

Mashonaland Guide have been removed from the list of varieties shown. The litho flaws are seen on all

values and vary in size from fairly large to very small. As these are not constant flaws they have not been

listed in the varieties, either listed or non-listed, nor have they been illustrated. These flaws are fairly

common with the larger ones being scarcer. Obviously, scarcity varies with the number of stamps released,

some more so particularly with the trial printings.

The Mardon printings of the 1966 definitive issue is largely covered in the 3rd supplement of the

Mashonaland Guide3, dealing with the period from 31st August 1966 to 31st December 1967. Although

these dates are not strictly true as some of the Mardon releases occurred before 31st August 1966, but all

early printings and those up to the end of 1967 are dealt with in this supplement in some detail. From

January 1968, the releases are listed in the 4th Supplement4, but the extent of the work in listing varieties

are minimal to almost non-existent, save for the higher value dual currency values. The reason for this is

unknown, especially as the commemorative issues appear to have been dealt with in the more usual detail.

The Rhodesia Colour Catalogue produced the Salisbury Stamp Company2does include a large amount of

information than is normally the case for Rhodesian stamps. The publication goes into a good amount of

detail on the various printings but only lists two varieties for the 10sh each for the trial and normal

printings.

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One Penny (Buffalo)

Harrison printing

Mardon printing

SG RSC Description Catalogue colours

397 Reddish violet and yellow-ochre (shades)

651 1st printing (white clear gum) Purple-brown, reddish violet and yellow-ochre

667 2nd printing (white clear gum) Violet-brown, bluish-violet and yellow-ochre

667a Experimental dri gum printing

667b 3rd printing (brown gum) Chocolate-brown, violet & orange

667c 4th printing (brown gum) Brown, violet and buff-yellow

Technical details

Stamp size: 26 x 22 mm

Sheet Size: 240 stamps, 20 rows x 12 columns

Perforations: Comb perforated: 14½ (SG & RSC)

Printing plates: Judging from the marginal annotations to the five printings of the 1d value by

Mardon, there was probably four sets of printing plates prepared and used by

Mardon, each set comprising a plate for each colour. These were:

1. The first set of plates were used solely for the first printing where there were

larger fonts used for the marginal texts of the printer’s imprint and cylinder

numbers (1A only)

2. The second and third set of plates were used in 1966 for the dri-gum and

second printings, one set of plate for each cylinder (2A & 2B), the fonts for

the printer’s imprint and cylinder numbers were smaller than for the first

printing. The position of the cylinder numbers are below the centre of the

stamp

3. The fourth set of plates (2A only) were used in 1969 with smaller text to the

printer’s imprint and cylinder numbers. In addition, there was the re-

positioning and changes to the traffic lights, sheet value and sheet numbers.

The position of the cylinder numbers is below the left side of the stamp

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1st printing Dri gum trial 2nd printing 3rd printing 4th printing

RSC651 RSC667a RSC667 RSC667b RSC667c

Issue date 2/6/1966 25/7/1966 17/8/1966 10/2/196922 9/5/196922

Paper JH 4 (white) Dri gum JH 4 (white) Chromo Chromo

Gum Clear gum Invisible Clear gum Brown Brown

Imprint type PI 2 (large) PI 3 PI 3 PI 4 PI 4

Imprint position Below

R20/C5 to 8

Below

R20/C5 to 8

Below

R20/C5 to 8

Below

R20/C6 to 7

Below

R20/C6 to 7

Imprint ink

colour

Violet Violet Violet Violet Violet

Cylinder No 1A 2A & 2B 2A & 2B 2A 2A

Cylinder No type CN 2 - large CN 4 CN 4 CN4 CN4

Cylinder No

position

Below

R20/11

2A below

R20/1

2B below

R20/2

2A below

R20/1

2B below

R20/2

Below R20/1 Below R20/1

Cylinder No

colours (from

left)

Orange

Violet

Violet

Orange

Violet

Orange

Violet

Orange

Violet

Orange

The positioning of the “2A 2A” or

“2B 2B” is below the centre of the

stamp image

The positioning of “2A 2A” is below

the left side of the stamp image

Traffic lights

type

TL 2 (square) TL 2 (square) TL 2 (square) TL 4 TL 4

Traffic lights

placement

Opp R1/C1 Opp R1/C1 Opp R1/C1 Opp R20/1 Opp R20/1

Traffic light

colour order from

top

Orange

Violet

Orange

Violet

Orange

Violet

Violet

Orange

Violet

Orange

Sheet Value

position

Above

R1/C11&12

Above

R1/C11&12

Above

R1/C11&12

Below R20

/C11&12

Below R20

/C11&12

Sheet Value

colour

Violet Violet Violet Violet Violet

Sheet Number

type

SN 2

(reading

down)

SN 2

(reading up) #

SN 2

(reading down)

SN 3

(reading down)

SN 4

(reading down)

Sheet Number

position

Opp R1/C12 Opp R1/C12 Opp R1/C12 Opp R19-20 /

C12

Opp R19-20 / C12

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1st printing Dri gum trial 2nd printing 3rd printing 4th printing

RSC651 RSC667a RSC667 RSC667b RSC667c

Perforating

direction

Left to right Left to right Left to right Left to right Left to right

Top margin One pin One pin One pin One pin@ One pin@

Left margin Imperf Imperf Imperf Imperf Imperf

Right margin Perf through Perf through Perf through Perf through Perf through

Bottom margin One pin One pin One pin One pin One pin

#Mike Amos in his 1976 article in Magnify states that the sheet numbers were 0001- 0194. 12

@ It is assumed that the perforations to the top margin follows those of the bottom margin, but see below

The block of 4 to the right is from the top left corner of the

sheet. As there are no square colour indicators this block

would have come from either the 3rd or 4th printing.

The normal practice of Mardon with the lower value sheets

are perforated from right to left or vice versa. The top and

bottom margins are then either perforated through or with a

one pin extension hole. Records show that the bottom

margins of the 3rd and 4th printing to have bottom margins

with a one perforation extension pin.

Under “booklets” there is speculation that there may be an

interim printing with the printing of the sheets used to form

the booklet panes. More research and discoveries into the

booklets and its panes is necessary to ascertain if this a

possible cause of this anomaly. (see after 3d – Kudu)

Identification of printings2

MINT:

1st printing (651), 1d. 2nd printing (667), both white clear gum. In the 1st printing details are more clearly

defined than in the 2nd printing; in the 2nd printing the sky is paler than in the first; the word Buffalo in

the second printing is bright bluish violet and, in the 1st, printing a dull reddish violet.

1d. Dri-gum (667a). Appearance similar to 2nd printing. Gum - cream, matt finish, giving appearance of

no gum.

3rd and 4th printing (667b and 667c), both brown gum; the 4th printing is a brighter buff yellow as opposed

to a duller orange buff in the 3rd printing.

USED (Back of Stamps):

1st and 2nd printings: Paper - white.

3rd and 4th printings: Paper - cream.

Dri-gum: Paper - off-white; appears more transparent than other printings.

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U.V. LAMP (Back of stamps):

1st and 2nd printings: Fluorescent-white.

3rd and 4th printings: Mottled violet.

Dri-gum: Non-fluorescent.

Dri-Gum paper

The ‘Dri-Gum’ paper used experimentally on one printing of the 1d was supplied supposedly by a South

African Company. After investigation by George Stewart it was found that the paper was indeed supplied

by the Salisbury Paper Company’s associate South African company. The paper is “Brilliant White Litho”

and manufactured by Samuel Jones of the UK. However, the paper was ungummed, this was overcome by

Salisbury Paper Company (Pvt) Ltd where it was coated with starch based particle glue which gave an

appearance of no gum. The paper was about 70 gram/square metre ungummed, and about 80 grams

gummed.15

Mardon was supplied with a roll of about 118 kg. This proved to be satisfactory from a printing perspective

(once the ungummed side had been identified). However only 194 sheets of the 1d ‘Dri-Gum’ paper were

issued. R C Smith suggested that the paper was unsuitable because the public did not approve. Once the

paper was moistened it did take a bit of time for it to become sticky enough to adhere to the envelope,

which was its main problem. But what happened to the rest of the roll? This printing would have accounted

for about 2 kgs of the 118 kgs supplied.15

The Ministry of Posts announced in the Rhodesia Herald on 21st July 1966 that this experimental paper was

to be released the following Monday in only two post offices, Causeway and Union Avenue with an object

of testing customer reaction. A spokesman stated that it was believed that the type of gum would facilitate

the storage of the stamps in humid conditions prevailing during the wet season. The question then should

arise as to why the stamps were released experimentally in limited numbers in the middle of the dry season?

Sales of the stamps were to be restricted to no more than 12 stamps at a time. The article requested that

comments be sent to the Controller of Postal Services.16

On 26th July 1966, Salisbury Paper Company (Pvt) Ltd placed an advertisement in The Rhodesia Herald.

The advertisement announced that the paper was manufactured in South Africa by the company’s parent

organisation. This is contrary to what was reported the thorough investigation by George Stewart. The

advertisement had the strap line for Dri-gum paper as “Doesn’t curl ... doesn’t taste”. 17

Richard Pollitt reported in Magnify that because he was living in the Centenary area he was unable to get

to either of the post offices where the stamps were being released. He was, however, able to contact the

postmaster at Union Avenue and persuaded him to keep some blocks aside for him, in particular to keep

aside an imprint row. When he arrived at the post office a few days later he was advised that he was lucky

to get it as the post office normally halved the sheets vertically before they were in their counter stamp

books. This would have split the printer’s imprint in half. In addition, it would appear that there had not

been a run on the stamps as expected. The order to only sell blocks of no more than twelve was not

apparently popular with counter staff. Richard was able to acquire two complete unbroken sheets.18 This

may have happened on other occasions as there is evidence of a reasonable number of these stamps in

blocks greater than twelve.

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Varieties

Below are the varieties documented in the Mashonaland Guide, third supplement. There are no varieties

listed in either the Stanley Gibbons catalogue or the Rhodesia Stamp Catalogue2. The Mashonaland Guide

only lists the varieties found for the first, dri-gum and 2nd printings, no attempt was made to list the varieties

for the third and fourth printings.

1st printing only

Sheet 1A 2/5 White dot in apex of ‘A’ in Buffalo

2/11 Dot at top of Crown

6/6 'Comma' attached to L in buffalo

10/2 Dot to right of 'd' of value. Th E2

20/6 Yellow circle under ‘E’ in Postage (sometimes also a white ring

between the yellow circle and the letter ‘E’)

20/8 Short vertical line in the margin under ‘HO’ of Rhodesia

Common to both the Dri-gum and 2nd printings

Common to sheets 2A and 2B

2/12 Black dot just below buffalo's hind leg, above ‘S’ in Rhodesia

6/6 Dot near point of buffalo's right ear. Th D2

17/10 Dot in the crook of the buffalo s right horn. Th C2

19/8 Dot at 7 o'clock from ‘O’ in Rhodesia. Th G4

Sheet 2A 4/7 Dot between the two ‘F's’ in Buffalo

4/11 Small dark mark at 9 o'clock from 1 of value. Th E1

19/10 Two closely aligned vertical dots on bottom border under ‘O’ in Postage. Th G1

Sheet 2B 9/2 Large white oval encircling top of ‘A’ in Postage.

10/8 Coloured mark inside ‘D’ in Rhodesia

12/5 White dot in apex of ‘A’ in Buffalo

14/8 Tiny dot in border under ‘OD’ in Rhodesia. Th G5

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16/10 Whitish mark with yellow centre above ‘E’ in Postage.

Th F2

18/2 "Beauty Spot" to the right of Queen's left eye

18/5 Small vertical line joining top and bottom of middle bar of ‘E’ in Rhodesia

Batch Flaws – as noted by Mashonaland Guide

Dri-gum printing

Sheet 2A 3/8 Large spot to right of and retouching top of ‘D’ of value

4/8 Large dot over ‘R’ in Rhodesia

6/2 Two large vertically aligned widely spaced dots on the trunk of the tree above the centre of

the Buffalo's head

6/4 Obvious coloured dot on the right border in line with the fifth perforation up

Sheet 2B 3/3 Coloured dot joining base of the two legs of ‘R’ in Rhodesia

5/6 Letters ‘UF’ in Buffalo very poorly registered

2nd printing

Sheet 2A 5/9 Round whitish mark with yellow centre almost touching left side of upright of ‘R’ in

Rhodesia

8/11 Spot in right leg of ‘R’ in Rhodesia

17/7 Whitish mark between value and ST in Postage

Sheet 2B 1/5 White mark on Queen's right eye

14/12 Ring flaw after Rhodesia (Th F8) and white mark in bottom right corner of stamp

(Th G8)

Unlisted varieties

Imperforate strip of 4 above printer’s imprint, first printing.

Within Spink’s April/May 2014 auction. Provenance – R C Smith collection

~ 14 ~

Double print of the violet from top right corner. The

sheet value has a faint violet shadow to the right of

the main print. This effect can also be seen in the

Queen’s oval with a faint curve to the left of the

portrait. Probably from the 2nd printing judging

from the sheet number.

(Courtesy Dave Trathen)

A more defined double print of the violet, as can be

seen from the close up of ‘Buffalo’. 1st or 2nd printing


1st or 2nd printing. This is one of the earliest

examples of a perforating error creating a slightly

narrower stamp. Due to the slightly later first strike

of the perforator, resulting in the last ‘tooth’ perf

being too close to the second strike.

1st printing. Earliest example of a perforating

error creating a slightly wider stamp in column

1. Due to the slightly early first strike of the

perforator, resulting in a slightly wider gap

between the last ‘tooth’ perf and the second

strike.

(Source – eBay)

~ 15 ~

1st printing: last strike of the perforator omitted,

resulting in column 20 being imperforate to the

right margin.

(Courtesy Tony Banks)

This may not be unusual, but there appears to be

a shift of the orange plate to the right. This is

apparent in column 8 only. Seen in all imprint

blocks of the 1st printing

4th printing. Appears to have a small shift of one of plates affecting “Rhodesia”.

Only apparent in R20 columns 8 to 10. Not apparent in row above.

~ 16 ~

Two Pence (Citrus)

Harrison printing

Mardon printing


398 Orange and green

652 1st printing (brown gum) Orange and deep green

668 2nd printing (brown gum) Yellow-orange and green

Additional Printing

The release of a bulletin of the “Philatelic News” by the Philatelic Bureau relating to the release of further

printings of the 1d and 2d value. Part of the description for the 2d stated – “Sheets are available with the

selvedge in the right hand margin perforated or top, bottom and right hand margins perforated.”22

Tony Banks previously brought to our attention a probable further printing of the 2d using the printing

plates of the second printing. But there were clear differences with these sheets, the perforating of three of

the sheet margins instead of only one as stated above, as well as the sheet numbering being with a smaller

font size than described for the second printing. It is clear that the purported interim printing was printed at

the same time, or in separate batches at about the same time as the second printing. With the sheets being

treated differently in both the perforating and application of the sheet number. As we now appear to have

confirmation from the Philatelic Bureau that there were two different types of sheets released on 9th May,

1969, it would probably be better to now refer the “interim printing” as the “3rd printing”. The sheet numbers

of the 3rd printing are the same type as with the 1st printing, so it is possible the 3rd printing was undertaken

prior to the 2nd.

Technical details




Printing plates: Judging from the marginal annotations of the 2d value by Mardon, there were

probably three sets of printing plates prepared and used by Mardon, each set

comprising of a plate for each colour. These were:

1. The first and second set of plates were used in 1967 for the first printing, one

each for cylinders 1A and 1B. These plates could have been printed side by

side, alternatively due to the size of the sheet, each cylinder was printed

separately. In addition, it is noticeable that with the printing of the cylinder number the green number is higher than the orange number.

~ 17 ~

2. The third set of plates were used in 1969 releases for cylinder 1A second

printing (no 1B plates prepared). The printing of the cylinder numbers below

R20/C1 are further left than with the first printing and in the same line, thus

suggesting new plates. In addition, the placement of the printer’s imprint and

the sheet value is much lower than the 1st and 2nd plates (6.5 mm from stamp

image compared to 4mm)

Printing using the third set of plates has been found with two different perforation

types to the sheet margins which are now referred to as the 2nd and 3rd printings.

1st printing (with 1A cylinder block only)

2nd printing

3rd printing

~ 18 ~

1st printing 2nd printing 3rd printing

RSC652 RSC668

Issue date 1/11/1967 9/5/1969 9/5/1969

Paper Chromo Chromo Chromo

Gum Brown Brown Brown

Imprint type PI4 PI4 PI4

Imprint

position

Below R20/C6 to 7 Below R20/C6 to 7 Below R20/C6 to 7

Imprint ink

colour

Green Green Green

The top of the imprint is about

3 mm below the stamp image

The top of the imprint is

about 6 mm below the stamp

image



image

Cylinder No 1A & 1B 1A 1A

Cylinder No

type CN 4 CN4 CN4

Cylinder No

position

1A below R20/C1

1B below R20/C2

Below R20/C1

Below R20/C1

The positioning of the “1A 1A”

or “1B 1B” is below the centre

of the stamp image

The positioning of “1A 1A”

is below the left side of the

stamp image

The positioning of “1A 1A”

is below the left side of the

stamp image

Cylinder No

colours

(from left)

Green

Orange

Green

Orange

Green

Orange

Traffic lights

type TL 4 TL 4 TL 4

Traffic lights

placement Opp R19 & 20/ C1 Opp R19 & 20/ C1 Opp R19 & 20/ C1

Traffic light

colour order

from top

Green

Orange

Green

Orange

Green

Orange

Sheet Value

position Below R20/C12 Below R20/C12 Below R20/C12

Sheet Value

colour Green Green Green

The positioning of “Value” is

about 3.5 mm below the stamp

image



image



image

~ 19 ~

1st printing 2nd printing 3rd printing

RSC652 RSC668

Sheet

Number type

SN 3 (reading down) SN 4 (reading down) SN 3 (reading down)

Sheet

Number

position

Opp R20 & 19/C12

Opp R20 & 19/C12

Opp R20 & 19/C12

Perforating

direction

Right to left Left to right Left to right

Top margin Perf through One pin Perf through

Left margin Perf through Imperf Imperf

Right margin Imperf Perf through Perf through

Bottom

margin

Perf through One pin Perf through

Right margin Imperf Perf through Perf through

Bottom

margin

Perf through One pin Perf through


1st printing (652) and 2nd printing (668): Both brown gum. The colours of the 1st printings are definitely deeper

than the 2nd printings.

Varieties

Below are the varieties documented in the Mashonaland Guide, third supplement. There are no varieties

listed in either the Stanley Gibbons catalogue or the Rhodesia Stamp Catalogue2. The Mashonaland

Guide only lists the varieties found for the first printing, no attempt was made to list the varieties for the

third and fourth printings.

Multipositive White mark on lower part of the bottom orange 4/5, 4/10, 9/5, 9/10, 14/5, 14/10, 19/5,

19/10

Sheet 1A 1/6 White spot between ‘P’ and ‘O’ of Postage

1/11 Round white flaw on the right side of ‘2’ of value

4/5 Orange mark above left orange

13/1 White mark inside ‘D’ of Rhodesia

Sheet 1B 1/7 White mark on Queen's upper lip

2/11 White mark on Queen's left cheek

4/3 White mark on Queen's jaw

6/1 Flaw in the Queen's left eye and a bulge on the Oval at 4 o'clock

~ 20 ~

9/5 White flaw between ‘P’ and ‘O’ in Postage

11/6 White dot above ‘2’ of value

Unlisted varieties

Ink blob to

Queen’s

forehead

with a

white edge

around

Scratch through the

oranges, the colour of

which is a mixture of

the two print colours.

Unusual

Four lines across the top margin and similar lines

through the bottom of the stamps. These appear

to be lines of the brown gum 1st printing. Could

be that the sheet was at either end of the roll

before cutting up. Unusual

1st printing. Vertical strip

with partial dry printing

of green plate.

(Source: Sotheby’s

Johannesburg Auction

May 2009)

Several ink blobs,

resulting a blotched

appearance to one

orange.


Keith Harrop has

reported the same batch

flaw, and can identify

that it is from Row 8

Column 11

3rd printing:

Pair from

bottom right

corner with two

sheet numbers

– No 18307 in

margin and No

18306 on

stamps.

(Source RSC

Journal No

274, page 163

– Mark

Thomas’

collection)

~ 21 ~

Three Pence (Kudu)

Harrison printing

Mardon printing


399 Chocolate-brown and pale greenish blue

653 1st printing (white clear gum) Chocolate and pale blue

668 2nd printing (brown gum) As 1st printing

Technical details




Printing plates: Judging from the marginal annotations of the two Mardon printings of the 3d value,

there were probably four sets of printing plates prepared and used by Mardon, each

set comprising of a plate for each colour. These were:

1. The first and second sets of plates were used in the early 1968 first printing,

one each for cylinders 1A and 1B. These plates could have been side by side,

alternatively due to the size of the sheet, each cylinder could have been printed

separately

2. The third and fourth pair of plates (1A and 1B) were used in the late 1969

second printing. The printing of the cylinder numbers below R20/C1 is further

left than with the first printing, thus suggesting new plates. In addition, the

placement of the printer’s imprint and the sheet value is much lower than the

1st and 2nd plates (6.5 mm from stamp image compared to 4mm)

Printing using the first 1B plates has been found with two different perforation types

to the margins. Both types have been perforated from right to left, with the right

margin imperforate and left margin perforated through. In one type the bottom and

top margins are perforated with a single extension hole. In the other the bottom

margin is perforated through, it is still to be established if the top margin is

perforated through.

The issue of the printings of the 3d stamps are listed as 29th January, 1968 (1st

printing) and 11th December, 1968 (2nd printing), it has to be established if there

was an interim printing or whether the sheets of the 1st printing were perforated in

a different way. No confirmation by the Philatelic Bureau has been found of when

the interim printing was released as happened with the 2d. There is a difference

when comparing the previous interim printing of the 2d (now referred to as the 3rd

~ 22 ~

printing). The interim printing of the 3d used the plates of the 1st printing, so it is

probable that this printing was undertaken between the 1st and 2nd printings.

The 3d stamp is one that was extensively used throughout the period as the local

postage rate for sealed envelopes. The 3d/2½c dual currency stamp had a life of

about ten months (issued 14th March 1967), with a print run of 19,920,000 stamps.20

Presumably a similar number of stamps were printed for the 1st printing, in which

case a life just over ten months would have justified the 2nd printing being released.

It is probable therefore that the cylinder 1B sheets with bottom margins perforated

through was part of the 1st printing, just perforated differently. It is still to be

established if 1A sheets were also perforated in the same way.

Two additional bottom right corner blocks have also been identified. Both these

blocks have the type 3 number block reading upwards, and both are from the first

two sets of plates. In both the right margins are imperforate, but the difference

between the two is that one has a fully perforated bottom margin, as with the interim

printing.

Under “booklets” there is speculation that the interim printing may have come about

with the printing of the sheets used to form the booklet panes. More research and

discoveries into the booklets and its panes is required to ascertain if this a possible

cause of the interim printing. (see after this section)

Thanks to Tony Banks for bringing this to our attention

1st printing

Interim printing

~ 23 ~

2nd printing

Query

1st/2nd set of plates, JH4 paper, imperforate bottom

margin, but with type 3 sheet number, reading

upwards. This is the same of the 1st printing but for

the sheet number

(Courtsey Narendhra Morar)

Query

1st/2nd set of plates, JH4 paper, but with perforated

bottom margin and type 3 sheet number reading

up. This is the same as the interim printing save

for the sheet number.

(Source www.rhodesia.co.za)

Another noticeable element to the examples above. The 1st and interim printings, with sheet number type

SN 2 appear to follow each other. The 2nd printing, with type SN 3, appears to start the number sequencing

again. The two queries above appear to follow the numbering of the 1st and interim printings, which has

some logic as the same printing plates were use.

1st printing Alternative marginal

Perforated sheets

“interim”?

2nd printing

RSC653 RSC669

Issue date 29/1/1968 11/12/1968

Paper JH4 JH4 Chromo

Gum Clear white Clear white Brown

Imprint type PI 4 PI 4 PI 4

Imprint

position

Below R20/C6 to 7 Below R20/C6 to 7 Below R20/C6 to 7

~ 24 ~


Perforated sheets

“interim”?

2nd printing

RSC653 RSC669

Imprint ink

colour

Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate


4 mm below the stamp image



image


6.5 mm below the stamp

image

Cylinder No 1A & 1B 1A & 1B 1A & 1B

Cylinder No

type

CN 4 CN 4 CN 4

Cylinder No

position

1A below R20/C1

1B below R20/C2

No 1A identified

1B below R20/C2

1A below R20/C1

1B below R20/C2

Cylinder No

colours (from

left)

Chocolate

Light blue

Chocolate

Light blue

Chocolate

Light blue

The positioning of the “1A

1A” or “1B 1B” is below the

centre of the stamp image

The positioning of the “1B

1B” is below the centre of the

stamp image

Not established if there are

“1A 1A” sheets

The positioning of “1A 1A” or

“1B 1B” is below the left side

of the stamp image

Traffic lights

type TL 4 TL 4 TL 4

Traffic lights

placement Opp R19 & 20/ C1 Opp R19 & 20/ C1 Opp R19 & 20/ C1

Traffic light

colour order

from top

Chocolate

Light blue

Chocolate

Light blue

Chocolate

Light blue

Sheet Value

position Below R20 /C11 &12 Below R20 /C11 &12 Below R20/C11 &12

Sheet Value

colour Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate


about 3.5 mm below the

stamp image


about 3.5 mm below the

stamp image



image

~ 25 ~


Perforated sheets

“interim”?

2nd printing

RSC653 RSC669

Sheet

Number type SN 2 (reading up) SN 2 (reading up) SN 3 (reading down)

Sheet

Number

position

Opp R20 & 19/C12

Opp R20 & 19/C12

Opp R20 & 19/C12 #

Perforating

direction

Right to left Right to left Right to left

Top margin One pin Not established Perf through

Left margin Perf through Perf through Perf through

Right margin Imperf Imperf Imperf

Bottom

margin

One pin Perf through Perf through

# booklet pane with SN 3 type sheet number found with number reading up, see below


MINT: 1st printing - white clear gum; 2nd printing - brown gum.

USED (Back of stamps): 1st printing paper — white; 2nd printing paper — cream.

Varieties

As these two printings were released after the publication of the 3rd supplement to the Mashonaland

Guide, no work was undertaken on listing varieties, nor was any work on these two printings included in

the 4th supplement.

1st printing, column 2, unknown row. Broken

oval at 2 o’clock

2nd printing, Blue dot to

right of Queen

(unknown row/column)

2nd printing, column 3

unknown row. Brown dot

to right of Queen

~ 26 ~

A unique error in the sheet numbering, with

two consecutive numbers 141782 & 141783,

with the former printed on the corner vertical

pair of stamps. Second printing.

(RSC Twitter – Vincent Green)

First day of issue query

The stated date of the release of the 1st printing of

the 3d is 29th January 1968, but this example, on

piece, clearly shows that it was used in Salisbury

two days earlier. (Machine cancellation date

enlarged for clarity)

(Courtesy Narendhra Morar)

According to Theo Rudman20. “the date that this stamp was issued from the Bureau on February 19,

1968, although no ‘First Day of Issue’ cancellation would be used. However, the date announced by the

Bureau was suddenly put forward to January 29, 1968 when it was discovered that Kingsway Post Office,

which was the issuing post office for 42 offices in the district had, long before February 19, sent stocks of

the 3d value to other post offices as their stocks of dual currency were depleted. It is therefore reasonably

certain that 3d reprints cancelled as early as January, are in existence.” This could explain the date of

the above example.

~ 27 ~

Booklets Issued 21st December 1968

The Rhodesia Stamp Catalogue describes how these booklets were made up. “To make up these booklets,

the three vertical (columns) were used from each side of the normal sheets of stamps. Various Mardon

printings were used, and some booklets issued with interleaving and others without.”2

From this description, the breakup of the sheet could be viewed as follows: (note some of the marginal

notation have been omitted from the background sheet)

Booklets should therefore have the side margin on the left or right sides of the booklet pane. It is assumed

that the remaining stamps were circulated through the post offices.

SG RSC Value Booklet make up

SB8 B11 5s 2 x panes of six 1d; 1 x pane of six 2d; and 2 x panes of six 3d

Front and back

covers

Inside front cover,

with postal rates

Inside back cover,

for POSB

~ 28 ~

Research on the booklets

Only a limited number of booklets, and booklet panes, have so far been examined in any detail, if anyone

should have further information or observations please forward it.

The Rhodesia Stamp Catalogue states that “various Mardon printings of the three values were used, and

some booklets are issued with interleaving and others were not”. The catalogue gives no indication of which

printings were used. Stanley Gibbons on the other hand simply states that Mardon printings were used

(nothing on the different printings).

From the examination of the booklets, it has been established that the booklets without interleaving have

stamps from different printings, compared to the booklets with interleaving. The study, therefore, of the

booklets splits the booklets into two types as follows:

Type 1 – without interleaving

The individual panes so far examined have the following characteristics:

Pane value Paper/gum Perforating direction Sheet number from right

margin booklet, if any

1d x 2 JH4, clear Left to right (left imperf, right

perforated)

Type SN2 reading down (opp.

R1/12 – 2nd printing)

2d x 1 Chromo, brown Right to left (right imperf, left

perforated)

Type SN3, reading down (opp.

R20/12 – 1st printing)

3d x 2 JH4, clear Right to left (right imperf, left

perforated)

Type SN3, reading up (opp.

R20/12, ? printing)

Sheet number Type 2 (2nd printing)


Sheet number type 3 (1st printing)

Traffic lights in left margin


Sheet number Type SN3, reading up (? Printing)

~ 29 ~

Sheet stamps in circulation as at 21st December, 1968 (when booklets were first released)

Value Printing Issued Paper/gum Perforation

direction

Number type

1d 2nd 17/8/1966 JH4, clear Left to right Type SN2 down

2d 1st 1/11/1967 Chromo, brown Right to left Type SN3 down

3d 1st 19/1/1968 JH4, clear Right to left Type SN2 up

The Type 1 booklet therefore matches the 1d and 2d stamps in circulation prior to the release of the

booklet. But the 3d is more in line with two queries illustrated above, the paper is JH4 but the sheet

number is SN3 reading up. From the booklet pane, it is not possible to tell whether the bottom margin is

perforated or not.

Type 2 – with interleaving

The individual panes so far examined have the following characteristics:

Pane value Paper/gum Perforating direction Sheet number from right

margin booklet, if any

1d x 2 Chromo,

brown

Left to right (left imperf, right

perforated) • Type SN3 reading down (3rd

printing)

• Type SN3a reading down

(4th printing)

2d x 1 Chromo,

brown

Left to right (left imperf, right

perforated)

Type SN3a, reading down (2nd

printing)

3d x 2 Chromo,

brown

Right to left (right imperf, left

perforated)

Type SN3, reading down (2nd

printing)

Traffic lights in left margin

(Courtesy Terry Cowlard)

Sheet number Type SN3 (3rd printing)

(courtesy Terry Cowlard)

Sheet number Type SN3a (4th printing)


~ 30 ~

Traffic lights from 2nd or interim printings

(imperf margin)


Sheet number Type SN3a (2nd printing)


Traffic lights, 2nd printing (paper type)

Sheet number SN3 (2nd printing)

Speculative findings

The Type 1 booklets follow the same pattern as the sheet stamps in terms of the papers and gums, as those

released at the time the booklets were first issued. The principal difference found, so far, is the sheet number

for the 3d; in the sheet stamps it is type SN2 reading upwards, whilst the booklet is type SN3 reading

upwards.

The above examples show a booklet pane and the two corner blocks that do not conform with the 1st

printing of the 3d. All are on JH4 paper. Both of these nonconforming blocks are printed with the first set

of printing plates. The second printing of the 3d was issued on the 11th December 1968, ten days before the

release of the booklets, which was on chromo paper, with brown gum, using the second set of printing

plates. Presumably the reason for a further printing of the 3d was that stocks in the post offices were running

low for this common internal sealed letter postage.

The question must be, with stocks of the 3d sheets running low, why take a load of sheets out of circulation

and place them in booklets whilst at the same time releasing the second printing? Could it be that Mardon,

using up the small remaining supply of JH4 paper, printed a number of additional sheets of 3d stamps? Is

it possible that the interim printing, together with the two queries above, were printed to cater for the

booklets? So far, no 3d panes have been found with the sheet number type SN2, only with sheet number

type SN3 reading upwards. The query is which of the nonconforming blocks were used, it is not possible

~ 31 ~

to identify this from the booklet panes. The sheet number of the illustrated booklet pane also does not assist

as it is between the numbers of the nonconforming blocks.

Why, possibly, was it felt necessary to perforate the top and bottom margins of the sheets? The answer is

probably simple. The sheets were not guillotined to produce the booklet panes but torn from the sheets. It

would be so much easier to tear off the three columns to the left and right of the sheets if there were

perforations through the margins. By perforating through the top and bottom margins, only one margin

needed to be cut to separate the panes. Depending on the direction of the comb perforation operation this

would be either the left or right margin.

Turning to the 2d pane. The paper and serial numbers for the 1st printing and the booklet pane are the same.

It is possible, therefore, that these 2d sheets were used in the booklets, without interleaving.

1st printing Booklet pane

The second printing of the 2d, was not until 9th May 1969, just over four months after the release of the

booklets and have the SN3a sheet numbers. It is possible that the 3rd printing of the 2d was undertaken to

provide panes for the type 2 booklets, which would be logical as the top and bottom margins are perforated

through. To date no sheet number type SN3 have been seen on the type 2 booklets, only the type SN3a of

the 2nd printing. It is therefore possible that examples will come to light showing the type SN3 sheet number,

reading down.

2nd printing Booklet pane

The blocks above show the value/number block from the 2nd printing, together with a booklet pane from

the Type 2 booklet This clearly shows that the sheets from the second printing were used in booklets

prepared after 9th May, 1969.

~ 32 ~

Finally, turning to the 1d. The last printing of this value prior

to the issue of the booklet was in 1966, two years before its

release. The Type 1 booklet used JH4 paper.

The booklet pane to the right shows the sheet number, type

SN2, opposite the upper row of stamps, which is correct for

the 2nd printing of the 1d. A booklet with a left margin should

show the unboxed square colour indicators (not seen yet).

Courtesy Narendhra Morar

The 3rd printing, on chromo paper, was issued on 10th

February, 1969 on chromo paper, with the SN3 sheet numbers

This is seen in the booklet opposite

Courtesy Terry Cowlard

The example opposite, the booklet pane is on chromo paper

with brown gum, with a sheet number (type SN3a) matching

that used in the 4th printing, issued on 9th May 1969.

Courtesy Narendhra Morar

At present, the possibility of using the additional printings of the three values in order to fill booklets is

merely speculative. It is only a 3d pane in the type 1 booklet that has been found with a different sheet

numbering to the recognised sheet printings. All the other examples so far comply with the sheets. Of

course, as these are booklets we have no way of knowing what the perforation is to the top and bottom of

the sheet margins. But it could provide a reasonable explanation for the interim printings of the 2d and 3d,

and a possible explanation for the block of 1d stamps with the margins perforated through.

Terry Cowlard has a single type 2 booklet, with three of the five panes having sheet numbers, which are

analysed as:

Value Paper Sheet no

type

Reading

direction

Sheet no. printing Release date of

printing

1d Chromo SN3 down 73138 3rd printing 10/02/1969

2d Chromo SN3a down 23543 2nd printing 09/05/1969

3d Chromo SN3 down 42953 2nd printing 11/12/1968

This booklet clearly shows that it was produced sometime after the initial release of the booklets

(21/12/1968), and must have been released sometime after 9th May 1969.

~ 33 ~

Further research is needed on the study of these booklets.

The list below of the three values speculatively indicates what could possibly be found in booklets (those

in bold have not been seen in the booklets to date):

Value Paper/gum Printing Marginal notation sought

1d JH4/clear 2nd • Square colour indicators

• Type SN2 sheet number reading down

1d Chromo/brown 3rd • Boxed round colour indicators #

• Type SN3 sheet numbers reading down

1d Chromo/brown 4th • Boxed round colour indicators #

• Type SN3a sheet number reading down

2d Chromo/brown 1st • Boxed round colour indicators, perforated margin.

• Type SN3 sheet number reading down, imperf margin.

2d Chromo/brown 2nd • Boxed round colour indicators, imperforate margin #

• Type SN3a sheet number reading down

2d Chromo/brown 3rd • Boxed round colour indicators, imperforate margin #

• Type SN3 sheet number reading down, margin

perforated

3d JH4/clear 1st • Boxed round colour indicators #

• Type SN2 (large) sheet numbers reading up

3d JH4/clear Interim • Boxed round colour indicators. #

• Type SN2 (large) sheet number, reading up, imperforate

margin

3d JH4/clear ?? • Type SN3 sheet number, reading up

3d Chromo/brown 2nd • Boxed round colour indicators

• Type SN3 sheet numbers reading down

# - may not be possible to distinguish from other printings

~ 34 ~

Four pence (Emeralds)

Harrison printing

Mardon printing


400 Emerald, bistre-brown and drab

654 1st printing (white clear gum) Deep emerald, pale sepia and drab

668 2nd printing (brown gum) Emerald, bistre-brown and drab

Technical details




Printing plates: “Initially this stamp (emerald, sepia and drab) was printed from two cylinders but

a large number of the sheets of the B cylinder proved unsatisfactory and were

destroyed. The B plate was then discarded and the printing was resumed with the

A cylinder only. This had two results; the number of B sheets was much smaller

than the A sheets and the colour of the stamps from the second run of the A plate

was much lighter (emerald, sepia and pale drab).” 3

From this description within the Mashonaland Guide, it would appear that the 1A

and 1B sheets were printed separately, each from a set of three printing plates, one

for each of the colours.

The second printing was produced with a new set of three plates, which is clear with

the change in the marginal position and type of traffic lights, sheet values and sheet

numbers.

1st printing 2nd printing

RSC654 RSC670

Issue date 21/9/1966 10/2/196922

Paper JH4 Chromo

Gum Clear white Brown

Imprint type PI 4 PI 4

Imprint position Below R20/C6 & 7 Below R20/C6 & 7

Imprint ink colour Brown Brown

~ 35 ~


RSC654 RSC670

Cylinder No 1A & 1B 1A

Cylinder No type CN 4 CN 4

Cylinder No position 1A below R20/C1

1B below R20/C2

1A below R20/C1

Cylinder No colours (from left) Brown

Drab

Emerald

Brown

Drab

Emerald

Traffic lights type TL 3 (unboxed) TL 4 (boxed)

Traffic lights placement Opp R1 & 2/ C1 Opp R19 & 20/ C1

Traffic light colour order from

top

Brown

Drab

Emerald

Brown

Drab

Emerald

Sheet Value position Above R1/C11 &12 Below 20/C11 &12

Sheet Value colour Brown Brown

Sheet Number type SN 2 (reading

down)

SN 3 (reading

down)

Sheet Number position Opp R1/C12 Opp R20 &

19/C12

Perforating direction 1A Left to right

1B Right to left

Right to left

Top margin 1A & 1B one perf Perf through

Left margin 1A Imperf

1B Perf through

1A Imperf

Right margin 1A perf through

1B Imperf

Perf through

Bottom margin 1A & 1B one perf Perf through


MINT: 1st printing - white clear gum; 2nd printing - brown gum.

USED (Back of stamps): 1st printing paper — white; 2nd printing paper — cream.

Varieties

Below are the varieties documented in the Mashonaland Guide, third supplement.3 There are no varieties

listed in either the Stanley Gibbons catalogue or the Rhodesia Stamp Catalogue2. The Mashonaland

Guide only lists the varieties found for the first printing, no attempt was made to list the varieties for the

second printing.

Multipositive Small white wedge intruding into the lower part of the upright of R in Rhodesia.

1/5, 1/10, 6/5, 6/10, 11/5, 11/10, 16/5, 16/10

Sheet 1A 3/7 Dot on Queen's forehead above left eye

~ 36 ~

4/12 Spot on Queen's neck. Th D7

8/3 Spot on Queen's neck. Th D7

11/7 Spot to the left of the lower emerald. Th E1

14/3 Green mark between top emerald and oval. Th B5

14/11 Green mark under EM of Emeralds. Th F6

15/3 Cluster of small dots between Oval and D in Emeralds. Th E7

17/7 Dot in Oval at 1 o'clock

18/2 Spot on left side of stamp at 10 o'clock from lower emerald

19/4 Dot above D in Rhodesia. Th E6

19/12 Spot at 2 o'clock from S in Emeralds. Th E8

20/1 "Apostrophe" at top of A in Postage

20/12 Spot above A in Postage. Th A4

Sheet 1B 1/7 Top of T of Postage has failed to print

4/6 Green mark to the right of the top emerald. Th B5

13/6 White mark next to right leg of A in Rhodesia

Unlisted varieties

1st printing, sheet no 6583. Shift of emerald plate

upwards, together with a shift of the perforations

upwards (all examples seen of this variety have both

shifts)

(Source: rhodesia.co.za)

Also probably from sheet 6583, with shift of

emerald plate and perforations. Cylinder 1A,

showing shift of emerald cylinder number up.


~ 37 ~

1st printing, sheet no 7471. Shift of emerald plate

down.


1st printing. Shift of emerald plate to the left.

(Source Dave Trathen)

Perforated through front. Perforated through back

1st printing

This is the only instance of

examples found where the

sheet of stamps was laid face

down and perforated.

Normally stamps are placed

face up. The confetti from

the perforating can be seen

attached to the front of the

stamps.

1st printing. Cyl 1B sheet, with perforating

going from right to left.

1st and 3rd columns, comb strikes slightly

late, resulting in the top pin of the ‘tooth’

being too close to the next strike (circled

red). With the strike of the 2nd column also

being late, this has meant that there is a

slightly wide gap between the top ‘tooth’

pin and the next strike (circled blue)

~ 38 ~

Six Pence (Flame Lily)

Harrison printing

Mardon printing


401 Carmine-red, yellow and olive-grey

655 1st printing (white clear gum) Carmine-red, yellow and dull grey-green

671 Trial printing (White chromo

paper brown gum)

671a Trial printing (Supreme

chromo paper, brown gum)

671b Trial printing (White Esparto,

cream gum)

Technical details




Printing plates: The printing of this value was run off at the same time in order to test the different

papers on the same printing press using the same plates. In all, there are three sets

of four plates (1A, 1B and 1C), one each for each colour. The marginal notations

and perforation were the same for all paper types.2 It is probable that each set of

plates were printed separately, if the three cylinders were printed at the same time

there should be equal numbers of sheets for the trial printings.

Issue date. All papers 1/11/1966

Paper & gum 655 – JH4, clear white gum

671 – White chromo, brown gum

671a – Supreme chromo, brown gum

671b – White Esparto, cream gum

Imprint type PI 4

Imprint position Below R6/C6 & &

Imprint ink colour Dark grey-green

Cylinder No 1A, 1B & 1C

(1C not used for 671 and 671b)

Cylinder No type C4

~ 39 ~


1B below R6/C2

1C below R6/C3

Cylinder No colours (from

left)

Dark grey-green

Light grey-green

Yellow

Carmine-red

Traffic lights type CN4

Traffic lights placement Opp R1/C1


top

Dark grey-green

Light grey-green

Yellow

Carmine-red

Sheet Value position Above R1/C9 & 10

Sheet Value colour Dark grey-green

Sheet Number type 655 - Type SN 2 reading down

671 - see below

Sheet Number position Opp R1/C10

Perforating direction Top to bottom

Top margin Imperf

Left margin Perf through

Right margin Perf through

Bottom margin Perf through

Trial print

numbers:

671 – White chromo

35 sheets printed

Cylinder 1A – 9 sheets (540

stamps)

Cylinder 1B – 26 sheets (1,540

stamps)

Cylinder 1C – none

Sheet numbers 1-001 to 1-035


671a – Supreme chromo

55 sheets printed

Cylinder 1A – 6 sheets (360

stamps)

Cylinder 1B – 11 sheets (660

stamps)

Cylinder 1C – 38 sheets (2,280

stamps)



~ 40 ~

671b – White Esparto

155 sheets printed

Cylinder 1A – 79 sheets (4,740

stamps)

Cylinder 1B – 76 sheets (4,560

stamps)

Cylinder 1C – none




MINT: In mint condition the various printings can be distinguished from each other from the back with

ease, with the exception of the 6d white chromo and 6d. Supreme chromo and in this particular case the

best positive guide is the U.V. lamp; the White chromo is non-fluorescent and the Supreme chromo is

fluorescent from back or front.

Back of stamps: White clear gum: The gum is clear white.

Cream gum (white esparto): Very pale cream-tinted gum.

Brown gum: White chromo and supreme chromo: The gum is a deep cream with

a brownish tint.

USED: (Back of stamps): White clear gum - Paper - white. The other three are all off-white paper, more

or less similar in colour. Here, the best method of identification is examination under the U.V. lamp.

This shows:

• White clear gum: back and front. White and highly fluorescent.

• Cream gum (white esparto): Back of stamp - This is the only one where the paper shows a

smooth reddish-purple colour.

• Brown gums: Front of stamp - They are distinguishable from one another by the differing

degree of fluorescence, the White chromo being dull and the Supreme chromo by

comparison fluorescent.

Papers

The white chromo and the supreme chromo papers are wood based papers with a white coated surface,

the supreme chromo being of a finer quality. The white Esparto paper is made from Esparto grass found

in Spain and North Africa, a long fibred grass paper which is not subject to curl. No information available

as to its source.19

Varieties

The Mashonaland Guide lists a number of varieties that were found in the “regular printing” of this value,

ie RSC 655. If these are constant varieties they should also be seen on the trial printings.

~ 41 ~

Common to sheets 1A, 1B and 1C (Regular Printing)

Multipositive Small white flaw at 5 o'clock from Oval (Th D9). 2/1, 2/6, 5/1, 5/6

4/4 Grey-green dot in Oval opposite Queen's throat. Th D7

6/6 White mark near right edge of design opposite Lily

Sheet 1A 3/7 Small white mark on frame of portrait at 12 o'clock

4/7 Grey-green dot on Queen's forehead above left eye

5/2 White stroke between ‘A’ and ‘M’ of Flame

5/4 White dot in side ‘O’ of Rhodesia at 11 o clock

Sheet 1B 1/1 Sloping dash at tip of centre flower petal. Th B3 2/ 7

2/7 Black mark touching top of centre petal. Th A3 4/ 7

4/7 White spot under ‘I’ in Rhodesia

5/7 Yellow spot at 5 o'clock from tip of centre petal. Th B3

6/5 Two dotted lines crossing frame of portrait between 11 o'clock and 1 o'clock.

Th A7-A9

Sheet 1C 5/7 Screen flaw on edge of design at 10 o'clock from centre petal. Th A2

6/8 • Prominent screen flaw at 10 o'clock from centre petal

• Prominent flaw touching and to the right of ‘Y’ in Lily

Unlisted varieties

Fine white lines through bottom left corner of

design, including ‘PO’ of Postage. Appears to be

some fine ‘fluff’ on the green printing plate.

~ 42 ~

Nine Pence (Tobacco)

Harrison printing

Mardon printing


402 Yellow and light violet

656 Yellow-orange and bright violet

Technical details




Printing plates: The Mashonaland Guide 3, 4 and Rhodesia Stamp Catalogue2 indicate that here were

two printings of this value, although neither suggest there are any differences

between the two printings. Both were printed on Chromo brown gummed paper,

the first being printed with 1A, 1B & 1C panes, whilst the second printing was only

printed with a 1A cylinder. Therefore, four sets of two plates were produced, one

plate for each of the two colours. The first printing comprised three sets of plate,

one each for 1A, 1B and 1C cylinders. The second printing used a single set of

plates (1A only).

The second printing can be differentiated from the first printing of plates 1A by the

placement of the cylinder numbers under stamp R6/C1, which are further left than

the first printing. Whilst the placement of the sheet value below R6/10 is slightly

different, see differences below.

In addition, the sheet number is different, with the first printing reading up (type

SN 2) and the second down (type SN 3). The 2nd printing stamps are generally a

darker/deeper shade of violet; the Queen's portrait is darker and the tobacco leaf has

more definition.

However, two blocks of four from the bottom right sheet corner have been found

with the sheet number as type SN3 reading upwards, which is contrary to the two

listed printings. Closer examination shows that the printing of these blocks is using

the first printing plates (see below). The two blocks have sheet numbers 35987 &

38265, indicating that could be at least 2,800 sheets.

~ 43 ~

Adrian de Bourbon has queried the existence of a third printing on the basis of these two blocks, which are

clearly been printed using the first sets of plates. What is not known is whether all three first printing plates

were used (1A, 1B & 1C).

During the period that Mardon were printing the 1966

definitive stamps, no “official” first day covers were printed by

the post office, and it was left up to philatelists to produce these

covers on plain envelopes. Many of the covers produced as

“First Day of Issue” postmarks, but not all. Adrian de Bourbon

has three overs for the 9d value purporting to be first day

covers. Two covers were for the release dates of the first and

second printing, namely 21st November 1967 and 21st July 1969

respectively. The third cover has the postmark date of 13th July

1968, it is therefore possible that there is an interim printing of

the 9d, using the printing plates of the first printing but with

SN3 sheet numbers reading upwards.

Adrian, in his analysis, queried the number of sheets printed, with a sheet number of “No 97617” in his

possession, there is an obvious query as to whether this value, for all printings” required almost 100,000

sheets or 6 million stamps. The primary use of this stamp for the period they were in use was the airmail

rate for postcards and aerogrammes for the UK, Europe and Asia. To add to the confusion a sheet number

for the second print of “No 029” & “No 067” have also been identified. The number of sheets/stamps printed

for the Mardon printings of the 1966 definitive issue is sketchy at best, and in the case of the 9d non-

existent. It has also been noted that, for some values, the sheet numbers for reprints can be lower than the

previous printings. None of the references or their authors appear to have collected, if it was available, the

number of sheets printed for each value or the sheet numbers for each of the printings

1st printing Interim printing 2nd printing

RSC656 RSC656

Issue date 21/11/1967

(Mashonaland Guide

states 20/11/1967,

incorrect)3

? 13/7/1968 21/7/1969




Imprint position Below R6/C6-7 Below R6/C6-7 Below R6/C6-7

Imprint ink colour Violet Violet Violet

Cylinder No 1A, 1B & 1C unknown 1A

Cylinder No type CN 4 CN4 CN 4


1B below R6/C2

1C below R6/C3

Unknown if all used 1A below R6/C1

Cylinder numbers further to

left

~ 44 ~

Cylinder No colours

(from left)

Violet

Orange

Violet

Orange

Violet

Orange

Traffic lights type TL 4 # TL 4 TL 4

Traffic lights placement Opp. R6/C1 Opp. R6/C1 Opp R6/C1

Traffic light colour order

from top

Violet

Orange

Violet

Orange

Violet

Orange

Sheet Value position Below R6/10 Below R6/10 Below R6/10

Sheet Value colour Violet Violet Violet

Left edge of value in line

with left edge of ‘A’ of

Rhodesia


with left edge of ‘A’ of

Rhodesia


with left edge of stamp

design

Sheet Number type SN 2 (reading up) SN3 (reading up) SN 3 (reading down)


Opp R6/C10

Opp R6/C10

Perforating direction Bottom to top Bottom to top Bottom to top

Top margin Perf through Perf through Perf through


Right margin Perf through Perf through Perf through

Bottom margin Imperf Imperf Imperf

Notes: # - the box containing the traffic lights opposite R6/1 normally would have a double line non the

left and right sides of the box. However with the first set of printing plates, the box for cylinder 1B only

has a single line on the right side.

Varieties

Below are listed the varieties listed in the Mashonaland Guide, third supplement3, these varieties refer

only to the first printing. With the likelihood of new plates for the second printing these varieties may not

be present.

Sheet 1A 3/8 White mark close to the hand of tobacco in line with ‘A’ in Tobacco.

5/10 Fuzzy margin under ‘E’ of Rhodesia

Sheet 1B 5/1 Small vertical white mark above ‘R’ in Rhodesia

5/3 Dark spot over "9" of the value and to the left of the first leaf tip (not constant)

5/6 Large white disc in middle of ‘O’ of Rhodesia (not constant)

5/10 Blemish over ‘B’ in Tobacco (not constant)

6/1 White spot between ‘G’ and ‘E’ of Postage

~ 45 ~

Sheet 1C 1/1 A narrow white flaw in outline under ‘D’ of 9d

5/5 Fuzzy leg to ‘P’ of Postage

5/10 Light mark at 10 o'clock from ‘R’ of Rhodesia with irregular border under the letters ‘DE’

6/8 Small white flaw at 7 o'clock from ‘T’ of Postage

One Shilling Three Pence (Lake Kyle)

Harrison printing

Mardon printing


403 Blue and ochre

657 Main printing (white clear

gum) Yellow-ochre and blue

672 Trial printing (German paper

brown gum)

672a Trial printing (German paper,

cream gum)

Technical details




Printing plates: The printing of this value was run off at the same time in order to test the different

papers on the same printing press using the same plates. In all, there are three sets

of four plates (1A, 1B and 1C), one each for each colour. The marginal notations

and perforation were the same for all paper types.2 It is probable that each set of

plates were printed separately, if the three cylinders were printed at the same time

there should be equal numbers of sheets for the trial printings.

The Mashonaland Guide3 gives the date of release of these stamps as 9th November

1966, whilst the Rhodesia Stamp Catalogue2 states the date as 1st November 1966.

Plain covers are known with the 9th November date with the Salisbury First Day of

Issue postmark. Still to identify a cover with the earlier date. The trial printing block

of four below, clearly has a “Salisbury First Day of Issue” cancellation for -9 NOV

1966.

~ 46 ~

(Courtesy Brian

Zlotnick)

Issue date: all papers 1/11/1966

Paper and gum 657 – JH 4 (white clear gum)

672 – German (brown gum)

672a – German (cream gum)

Imprint type P1 4

Imprint position Below R6/C6 & 7

Imprint ink colour Dark blue

Cylinder No 1A, 1B & 1C

Cylinder No type CN4


1B below R6/C2

1C below R6/C3

Cylinder No colours (from left) Dark blue

Light blue

Yellow-ochre

Traffic lights type TL4



top

Dark blue

Light blue

Yellow-ochre

Sheet Value position Above R1/C10

Sheet Value colour Dark blue

Sheet Number type SN2


Perforating direction Top to Bottom

Top margin Imperf




~ 47 ~

Trial print

numbers:

672 – German, brown gum

104 sheets printed

Cylinder 1A – 27 sheets (1,620 stamps)

Cylinder 1B – 44 sheets (2,640 stamps)

Cylinder 1C – 33 sheets (1,980 stamps)



672 – German, brown gum

(error in reference to digit – 1 in place of

2 -3 known)2

(Courtesy Jefferson Ritson)

672a – German, cream gum

200 sheets printed

Cylinder 1A – 65 sheets (3,900 stamps)

Cylinder 1B – 69 sheets (4,140 stamps)

Cylinder 1C – 66 sheets (3,960 stamps)



672a – German, cream gum

(error in reference to digit – 2 in place of

1 -3 known)2

(Courtesy Jefferson Ritson)


White clear gum (657); brown gum (672); cream gum (672a).

657. White clear gum (Back of stamp): Mint - the gum is clear white. Used - the paper is white.

672 Cream gum (Back of stamp): Mint - the gum is pale cream. Used - the paper is off-white.

672a. Brown gum (Back of stamp): Mint - the gum is a deep cream with a brownish tint. Used - the

paper is a deep cream colour.

~ 48 ~

Varieties

The Mashonaland Guide lists a number of varieties that were found in the “regular printing” of this value,

ie RSC 657. If these are constant they should also be seen on the trial printings.

Common to sheets 1A, 1B, 1C and trial printing 1A

Multipositives

Two deep blue spots on the Queen's face. 2/5, 2/10, 5/5, 5/10

Blue dot in margin of stamp under ‘ES’ of Rhodesia. Rows

3/6 Columns 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 &10

3/7 Short slanting stroke on the water off the land on the left side of the stamp. Th Dl.

Common to sheet 1A, trial and regular.

5/4 Dark blue dot behind the Queen's neck. Th C9

Sheet 1B None

Sheet 1C 1 /2 "Anthill" on yellow ground in left background. Th C2

2/2 Dark blue dot behind the Crown at 3 o'clock

2/5 In addition to the multi-positive flaw there is a round cloud-free mark below ‘O’ in

Postage. Th B3

~ 49 ~

Non - listed varieties

Shift of dark blue upwards in centre stamp, leaving a light blue “shadow” below the cameo.

The Queen’s face looks extended as a result.

Also note gap above the cameo now touches the stamp’s border

Reported by Dave Cooper, from an example on German brown gummed paper (RSC 672)

Two Shillings (Aloe)

Harrison printing

Mardon printing


404 Dull red, violet and sage green

658 Rose scarlet, dull violet and olive-green

Technical details




Printing plates: There was only one printing of the 2s, which had three cylinders 1A, 1B and 1C, so

creating a total of nine printing plates. It is likely that, as with the 6d and 1s3d

stamps the plates were printed separately.

~ 50 ~


Paper JH4

Gum White clear

Imprint type PI 3


Imprint ink colour Violet

Cylinder No 1A, 1B and 1C

Cylinder No type CN 2


1B below R6/C10

1C below R6/C8

Cylinder No colours (from left) Red

Violet

Sage green

Traffic lights type TL 2 (unboxed square)


Traffic light colour order from top Sage green

Violet

Red


Sheet Value colour Violet

Sheet Number type SN2 (reading down)



Top margin Imperf




Varieties

The Mashonaland Guide lists a number of varieties:3

Common to sheets 1A, 1B and 1C

Multipositives White mark close to the top of R in Rhodesia. Th G3. 2/3, 2/8, 5/3, 5/8.

White mark on the left side of the fourth poker. Th D4. 3/4, 3/9, 6/4, 6/9

Sheet 1A 1 /4 White mark in top right corner of design. Th A9.

2/4 Small circular mark on right side of fourth poker from left

3/6 White mark at 11 o'clock from top of right-hand poker. Th B5

4/1 Small white mark on left side of ‘E’ in Rhodesia

4/2 White mark in left bottom corner of design. Th H1

4/5 White mark at foot of ‘P’ in Postage

4/10 Top bar of ‘E’ in Postage slants upwards

~ 51 ~

Sheet 1B 1 /2 White spot on frame of portrait between 3 and 4 o’clock.

2/5 White horizontal line through the Queen's right eye.

2/6 Mauve dot in oval between 9 and 10 o'clock. Th B7

4/6 Faint white mark between ‘A’ in Rhodesia and edge of design

5/7 White spot between top of left poker and left edge of design

Sheet 1C 2/8 White spot at top of the tallest poker. Th A4

Five Shillings (Cattle)

Harrison printing

Mardon printing


405 Yellow-brown, deep bistre-yellow and light blue

659 JH 4 paper (white clear gum) Yellow-brown, ochre, green and light blue

673 JH 3 paper Brown, pale ochre, dark green and blue

Technical details



Perforations: Comb perforated: 14½ x 14 (SG) 14¼ x 14 (RSC)

Printing plates: A number of trial sheets in both cylinders were run through in the usual way. A

large imprint was used, running beneath four stamps. The paper used was JH3

(not JH4 as used for the normal run). A full printing of the 5s value (on JH4 paper

RC 659) followed, using the same plates and, of course, having the same large

imprint.


Paper and gum 659 – JH 4 clear gum

673 – JH 3 clear gum

Imprint type PI 2

Imprint position Below R6/C5 to 8

Imprint ink colour Light blue

Cylinder No 1A and 1B

~ 52 ~


Cylinder No position 1A below R6 C9

1B below R6/C8

Cylinder No colours (from left) Dark blue

Brown

Light blue

Ochre

Traffic lights type TL 2 (square)


Traffic light colour order from top Light blue

Ochre

Brown

Dark blue


Sheet Value colour Light blue

Sheet Number type SN 2 (reading up)



Top margin Imperf

Left margin 659 – one perf

673 - perf through



Trial print numbers 182 sheets divided between 1A and 1B in unknown numbers2


The normal printing was on JH4 paper, and the trials were on JH3 paper. Looking at the back of the

stamps when placed on a flat surface, the trials are slightly more transparent than the normal printing. The

brown cow is darker in the trial printing than in the normal. The trees in the trial printing appear a deeper

green than in the normal.

Varieties

The Mashonaland Guide lists a vast range of varieties on both the regular and trial printings as follows:3

Common to sheets 1A and 1B, trial and regular printings

Multipositive • Coloured mark under the left tree of the two small trees in the centre of the design

(Th D6).

• White dot at Th B6. 3/4, 3/9, 6/4, 6/9

As above, without the white dot at Th B6. 1/4, 1/9, 2/1, 2/6. 2/3, 2/8, 3/2, 3/7. 3/3, 3/8,

4/4, 4/9, 5/1, 5/6, 5/3, 5/8, 6/2, 6/7, 6/3, 6/8.

Coloured mark under the left tree of the two small trees in the centre of the design now

appears as a very short horizontal line. 2/2, 2/7, 5/2, 5/7.

Portrait, portrait frame and value doubled. Th B8. 2/5, 3/5, 5/5

1/5 White spot in sky at 11 o'clock from Oval.

Common to sheets 1A, trial and regular printings

~ 53 ~

1/7 Two small dots at 12 o'clock in Oval

2/2 Dark blue spot at 2 o'clock from the tree on the left side of the stamp. Th C2

2/10 Slight doubling of Portrait, Portrait Frame and Value

3/6 Small vertical mark in Oval at 2'clock

3/8 Blue spot on rump of middle animal. Th E4

4/2 Blue dot in apex of ‘A’ in Rhodesia

4/3 Blue dot in Oval at 12 o'clock

4/6 Blue spots at 1 o'clock from head of right animal. Th E6

4/8 Dark mark on bridge of Queen's nose

4/10 Like 2/5 but less prominent

5/2 Large blue spot in Oval at 3 o'clock

Common to sheet 1B, trial and regular printings

1 /4 Blue spot on neck of centre animal. Th E 6

4/1 Sloping coloured mark on left side of value. Th H1

6/2 Brown dot on the hindquarter of the centre animal. Th E3

6/8 Large brown mark on flank of centre

animal. Th E4

(Excluding flaws already listed)

Trial 1A 1 /2 Blue dot under G in Postage




2/3 Blue dot in base of left leg of ‘H’ in Rhodesia



4/2 Blue mark above the shoulder of the centre animal. Th D 6

4/5 Two blue dots between crown and oval at 12 o'clock

4/7 Faint white ring on ‘5’ of value

5/7 Long vertical white mark at 9 o'clock from Oval. Th B7

6/6 Like 6/5 but at top of design

Trial 1B 1/3 Blue and brown spots on flank of centre animal. Th E5 1/ 4

1/ 4 • Large white patch above queen's left eye.

• Blue mark on cheek of animal on the right

1/5 White patch above Queen's left eye (not so marked as on 1/4) White spot above and to

left of tall tree on left. Th A3

1/7 Faint lunar flaw on ‘A’ in Rhodesia

1/8 White flaw above tall tree on left of design. Th A4

1/9 Large patch above Queen's left eye

1/10 Like 1/ 9

2/1 Blue spot on body of centre animal. Th E5

2/3 Blue dot at base of left leg of ‘H’ in Rhodesia

~ 54 ~

2/6 Small ring flaw in top right corner of design

3/6 Blue dot on hip of centre animal. Th E 5

4/7 Blue spot on rump of centre animal. Th E 3

4/8 Blue dot on forehead of left animal

4/10 Like 2/5 and 3/5 but not so marked

5/2 Short accent mark on ‘E’ in Postage. Short horizontal dash between shoulder of centre

animal and the left of the two small trees above. Th D 8

6/2 Blue spot on the body of the brown animal. Th F 9

6/3 Blue spot behind the shoulder of the brown animal. Th E 9

6/6 Slight shift to the left of the portrait and value

6/7 Yellow mark on the curve of ‘R’ in Rhodesia.

Sheet 1A 1/5 Large round blue mark on hindquarter of centre animal. Th E3 (batch flaw or freak)

4/2 Blue mark above shoulder of centre animal. Th D6

Sheet 1B 1/3 Brown dot on flank of centre animal. Th E 4

Non-listed varieties

Imperforate strip of 4 above printer’s imprint.

Within Spink’s April/May 2014 auction. Provenance – R C Smith collection

Cyl 1B R6/7,

“double cameo”

variety. It would

appear that this

stamp, was caused

during the

production of the

blue cylinder plate,

as it is constant

which would not be

the case for a double

print

Normal

Double cameo

~ 55 ~

Shift of ochre plate

to the left, see both

left and right

margins.

Shift of ochre plate

down, see blue line of

trees on horizon and

ochre strip on back of

cattle.

Shit of dark blue

plate to left. Trees in

left margin and

distortion of the

cameo

Ten Shillings (Guineafowl)

Harrison printing

Mardon printing


406 Black, buff, light blue and carmine red

660 JH 4 paper (white clear gum) Black, scarlet, blue, orange-yellow

a. Red blob in “D” of Rhodesia

Cyl 1A R2/4

b. Retouch Cyl 1A R4/4, see note

below

674 JH 3 paper Black, scarlet, blue, brownish-yellow and pale olive-

brown

a. Red blob in “D” of Rhodesia

Cyl 1A R2/4

b. Large brownish blot Cyl 1A

R4/4, see note below

~ 56 ~

Notes – 674b. (Cyl. 1 A, Row 4/4). Prominent large blot at top left corner of stamp. 660b is 674b with blot

touched out for the normal run, leaving top left corner very pale.

Technical details






(not JH4 as used for the normal run), the trial having large lettering for the

printer’s imprint. Subsequently, it was decided that an imprint in smaller lettering

running beneath two stamps was more suitable, and the 10s and £1 plates were

renewed; the full printing (on JH 4 paper - RC660 & 661) of the 10s and £1 were

printed using this small imprint, but other marginal notations were left exactly

the same as for the trial run.2

Due to the change in the printer’s imprint, only the black plate was destroyed and

a second plate made for the normal print run. This is evidenced by the red blob

flaw in R4/2 which occurs in both printings. In addition, R4/4 of the trial had a

large “brownish” blot to the left of the smaller guinea fowl. Before reusing the

orange plate this error was re-touched, and the area is much lighter than would

be normal. (see scans below) Both of these varieties indicate that the scarlet and

orange plates were reused, and probably also the blue

The Mashonaland Guide indicates that the 10s value was printed on the two-

colour press, where the first run had black on the 1st roller and yellow on the

second. With the second run the 1st roller contained red and the 2nd roller blue.

(Colours are as stated in the Guide). This may go some way to explaining the

varieties of this issue where there is movement around the heads of the

guineafowl of the red and blue inks.


Paper 660 JH 4

674 JH 3

Gum White clear

Imprint type 660 PI 3

674 PI 2

Imprint position 660 below R6/C5 & 6

674 below R6/C4 to 7

Imprint ink colour Black




1B below R6/C8

Cylinder No colours (from left) Scarlet

Blue

Black

Orange

~ 57 ~

Traffic lights type TL 2


Traffic light colour order from top Orange

Black

Blue

Scarlet


Sheet Value colour Black

Sheet Number type Opp R1/C10

Sheet Number position SN 2 (reading down)


Top margin Imperf




Trial printing numbers: 129 sheets divided between 1A and 1B in unknown proportions.2




yellow colour in the trial printing has a brownish tint and in the normal an orange tint. This stamp should

be judged mainly by colour as it is known with the lesser transparency of the normal run.

Varieties

The Mashonaland Guide lists a vast range of varieties on both the regular and trial printings as follows:3

Common to sheets 1A and 1B, trial and regular printings

Multipositives Small white spot on the right leg of large guineafowl. 1 /2, 1/7, 4/2, 4/7

Round yellow spot above A in Rhodesia. Th G 11. 3/2, 3/7, 6/2, 6/7

Trial 1A 2/4 Red blob in ‘D’ in Rhodesia RSC674a See Sheet 1A below

4/4 Large brownish blot (this flaw was removed for the

normal printing – RSC 674b

Courtesy Dave Trathen

Sheet 1A 2/1 Yellow U-shape mark between large guineafowl’s tail and ‘O’ of value. Th F3

~ 58 ~

2/4 Red blob in ‘D’ in Rhodesia RSC 660a

4/3 Slight bulge on frame of portrait between 8 and 9 o'clock

4/4

Background of the top left corner of stamp, including area behind the small bird's

head, is almost white (where a flaw has been touched out.) RSC 660b

This pair of stamps shows that the retouch on stamp R4/4, also affected the top right corner

of R4/3. Compare the corners of the other stamp


Trial 1B 1/1 Yellow screen flaw under left leg of ‘A’ in Rhodesia.

1/5 Screen flaw at four o'clock from Oval. Th D 11.

2/8 Screen flaw on ‘R’ in Rhodesia

2/10 Blue dot opposite Queen's right cheek. Th C9

3/2 Screen flaw on wing of small guineafowl. Th B2

3/3 Blue spot opposite Queen's right cheek. Th C9

3/10 Yellow dot on right leg of ‘H’ in Rhodesia

4/4 Vertical white flaw on Queen's throat.

4/9 White ring high up on large guineafowl's right leg.

5/1 Screen flaw at the bottom of left leg of ‘H’ in Rhodesia

5/5 Black mark on the Queen's jaw. Th D 10

Sheet 1B 1/8 Black dot on edge of design between 11 and 12 o'clock from Oval

2/3 Flaw on Queen's forehead above the left eye and just below the hair line

5/10 Yellow spot in the centre of ‘O’ in Rhodesia

Unlisted varieties

Shifts in the red and

blue plates. Top

downward shift.

Bottom to left and

up. Sheets printed

on two part press

with red and blue on

second print due to

slight shift in paper

Offset of both the

red and blue inks

~ 59 ~

Shift of red only to

the left.

(Source eBay)

One Pound (Rhodesian Coat of Arms)

Harrison printing

Mardon printing


407 Pale brown, yellow-green, brown-ochre and salmon

659 JH 4 paper (white clear gum) Brown, yellow-ochre, yellow-green and red

674 JH 3 paper Deep brown, yellow-ochre, red-orange and yellow-

green

Technical details






(not JH4 as used for the normal run), the trial having large lettering for the

printer’s imprint. Subsequently, it was decided that an imprint in smaller lettering

running beneath two stamps was more suitable, and the 10s and £1 plates were

renewed; the full printing (on JH 4 paper - RC660 & 661) of the 10s and £1 were

printed using this small imprint, but other marginal notations were left exactly

the same as for the trial run.2

Due to the change in the printer’s imprint, it is probable that only the brown plate

was destroyed and a second plate made for the normal print run. All other plates

were reused for the normal print run.

~ 60 ~

The Mashonaland Guide indicates that the £1 values was printed on the two-

colour press, where the first run had brown on the 1st roller and green on the

second. With the second run the 1st roller contained gold and the 2nd roller red

(note colours are as stated in the Guide).


Paper 661 JH 4

675 JH 3

Gum White clear

Imprint type 661 PI 3

675 PI 2

Imprint position Below R6/C5 to 8

Imprint ink colour Brown




1B below R6/C8

Cylinder No colours (from left) Yellow-orange

Green

Brown

Salmon

Traffic lights type TL4

Traffic lights placement Left margin opp Row 1

Traffic light colour order from top Salmon

Brown

Yellow-orange

Green


Sheet Value colour Brown

Sheet Number type Opp R1/C10

Sheet Number position SN 2 (reading down)


Top margin Imperf




Trial printing numbers: 135 sheets divided between 1A and 1B in unknown proportions.2




yellow colour in the trial printing has a brownish tint and in the normal an orange tint. This stamp should

be judged mainly by colour as it is known with the lesser transparency of the normal run.

~ 61 ~

Varieties

The Mashonaland Guide lists a range of varieties it has recorded on both the regular and trial printings as

follows:3

Common to trial sheet 1B and sheets 1A and 1B regular printings

Multipositive Yellow dot on left side of shield at 8 o clock from tip of pickaxe. Th F4. 1/3, 1/8, 4/3,

4/8

Sheet 1A 1/1 Brown dot in margin under D in Rhodesia

1/8 Retouch on left side and near bottom of pick handle

5/4 Flaw on frame of portrait between 10 and 11 o clock. Th A8

Trial 1B 5/1 Black dot slightly above and to right of A in Postage

6/7 "Q" error (heavy brown slanting mark

cutting Oval at 3 o'clock)

Courtesy Dave Trathen

Sheet 1B 2/3 Damaged A in Postage

2/10 Lining of helmet broken, forming a brown ring. Th D4

Unlisted varieties

Shift of yellow-

orange and salmon

plates down. With

printing undertaken

on a two unit press,

these two colours

could move with a

slight movement of

the paper

Brown mark at

7:30 on oval

~ 62 ~

DUAL CURRENCY STAMPS

Three pence/Two & half cents (Kudu)


408 Chocolate-brown and pale greenish blue

662 JH 4 paper (white clear gum) Chocolate and pale blue

a. Offset

Technical details

Stamp size: Stamp size: 26 x 22 mm



Printing plates: There was only one printing of this value, on both cylinders 1A and 1B, each

having two printing plates. Theo Rudman provided a figure of 19,920,000 stamps

printed (166,000 sheets)20


(Note Mashonaland Guide states

date as 15 March 1967, incorrect)3

Paper JH 4

Gum White clear

Imprint type PI 4


Imprint ink colour Chocolate

Cylinder No 1A & 1B



1B below R20/C2

Cylinder No colours (from left) Chocolate

Pale blue

Traffic lights type TL 3 (round unboxed)

Traffic lights placement Opp R1/C1 & 2

Traffic light colour order from top Light blue

Chocolate


Sheet Value colour Chocolate

~ 63 ~

Sheet Number type SN 2 (reading down)


Perforating direction Left to right

Top margin One perf

Left margin Imperf


Bottom margin One perf

Varieties

The 3rd supplement of the Mashonaland Guide lists various varieties

Common to Sheets 1A & 1B

6/4 White upright mark inside kudu's left horn. Th C3/4

19/5 White spot above ‘S’ in Postage. Th E5

19/6 Circular white spot between kudu’s horns. TH B3

Sheet 1A 1/3 Horizontal white mark on Kudu's rump. Th E2

1/5 Blue spot on Kudu's neck. Th E3

1/12 Small white spot on Kudu's left horn. Th A4

2/12 Dark spot above ‘D’ in Rhodesia. Th F5

4/11 Circular white mark on right side of Kudu's neck. Th E4

5/1 Black dot between Queen's right cheek and Oval. Th C6

5/7 White mark on Queen's mouth

9/7 Horizontal mark under Kudu's chin. Th E3

11/2 Coloured spot in branches at top of design. Th A3/4

12/7 White mark above ‘DU’ in Kudu. Th F2

18/5 White spot to right of 3d, above ‘A’ in Rhodesia. Th F8

Sheet 1B 1/10 White mark between ‘C’ of value and Kudu's ear. Th D2

2/2 Black dot in top branches between Kudu s horns. Th A3

3/ 4 Almost vertical white line in Queen's hair. Th B8

3/11 Small horizontal spur at foot of right leg of ‘R’ in Rhodesia

5/5 White spot above Queen's right eyebrow. Th B6

8/7 White mark on Kudu's rump. Th F2

8/9 Black dot under Kudu's right horn in top left corner. ThA1

9/4 White mark under Oval between 6 and 7 o'clock. Th D7

11/5 ‘Full Stop' after the word Kudu. Th G2

12/4 White horizontal scratch above ‘R’ in Rhodesia. Th E4

12/9 White flaw on right side of stamp opposite 3d. Th E8

12/10 Dark spot above ‘P’ in Postage. Th E5

14/3 Spot in top border above Oval

14/8 Small white dots on ‘H’ and ‘O’ in Rhodesia

18/8 White mark at top left side of design. Th B1

~ 64 ~

Unlisted varieties

Sometimes referred

to as the “cloud”

flaw, a number of

batch flaws where

water has got onto

the blue plate

leaving white

patches in the blue

background

R2C12

R5C12

R?C12

Pair imperforate, fresh without gum, ex the printer’s

archive.

Sprink’s April/May 2014 auction.

One shilling/Ten cents (Maize)


409 Yellow, green and greenish blue

663 Chromo, brown gum Yellow, green and blue

a. Offset

Technical details




Printing plates: For the production of this stamp, there were four sets of printing plates, each set

having four plates for the individual colours. The first printing would have used

three set of plates, one each for the 1A, 1B and 1C cylinders. As with the other

values of this size it would appear that each cylinder was printed separately

~ 65 ~

Separate plates were produced for the second printing, as evidenced by the

printing colours being in different positions in the traffic lights and cylinder

numbers. The sheets were in addition perforated differently.


RSC663 RSC663

Issue date 1/11/1967 10/2/196922

Paper Chromo Chromo

Gum Brown Brown

Imprint type PI 4 PI 5

Imprint position Below R6/C6 &7 Below R6/C6 & 7

Imprint ink colour Light blue

Light blue

Smaller font

Cylinder No 1A, 1B & 1C 1A only

Cylinder No type CN 4 CN 4


1B below R6/C2

1C below R6/C3

1A below R6/C1

Cylinder No colours (from

left)

Yellow

Light blue

Orange

Dark blue

Dark blue

Light blue

Yellow

Orange

Traffic lights type TL 4

Traffic lights placement Opp R5 & 6/C1 Opp R5 & 6/C1

Traffic light colour order

from top

Yellow

Light blue

Orange

Dark blue

Dark Blue

Light blue

Yellow

Orange

Sheet Value position Below R6/C9 & 10 Below R6/C9 & 10

Sheet Value colour Light blue Light Blue

Sheet Number type SN 2 (reading up) SN 3 (reading down)


Opp R6/C9 & 10

~ 66 ~

Perforating direction Top to bottom Bottom to top

Top margin Imperf Perf through

Left margin Perf through Perf through

Right margin Perf through Perf through

Bottom margin Perf through Imperf

Varieties

The 3rd supplement of the Mashonaland Guide lists various varieties for the first printing only. No attempt

was made to list varieties for the second printing.

Common to sheets 1A, 1B and 1C

Multipositive

1/5, 1/10, 4/5, 4/10 Short vertical blue line in top border above the maize cob. ThA5

2/3, 2/8, 5/3, 5/8 Small white nick on the inside of the Oval at 1 o'clock

Common to sheets 1B and 1C

2/ 9 Blue ring in the top border at 1 o'clock from E of Postage (above Th A4-5)

Sheet 1A 3/9 Screen flaw at top of G in Postage

Sheet 1B 2/1 Screen flaw above E of Postage

2/7 White exclamation mark between value and top left corner of stamp

Sheet 1C None

~ 67 ~

One shilling and sixpence/Fifteen cents (Ansellia Orchid)

Two shillings/Twenty cents (Aloe)

Two shillings and sixpence/Twenty-five cents (Tiger Fish)

SG RSC Value Description Catalogue colours

410 1s6d/15c Ansellia Orchid Red-brown, yellow and yellow-green

411 1s/20c Aloe Dull red, violet and sage green

412 2s6d/25c Tiger Fish Ultramarine-blue, vermillion and bright

turquoise-blue

664 1s6d/15c Ansellia Orchid Red-brown, greenish-yellow and green

665 1s/20c Aloe Rose-scarlet, violet and olive-green

666 2s6d/25c Tiger Fish Blue, vermilion and bright turquoise blue

Technical details




Printing plates: 1s6d/15c 2s/20c 2s6d/25c

RSC664 RSC665 RSC666

Issue date 11/3/1968 11/3/1968 9/12/1968




Imprint position Below R6/C6 & 7 Below R6/C6 & 7 Below R6/C6 & 7

Imprint ink colour Deep green Violet Ultramarine

Cylinder No 1A 1A 1A

Cylinder No type CN 4 CN 4 CN 4

Cylinder No position Below R6/C1 Below R6/C1 Below R6/C1 & 2

Cylinder No colours (from left) Deep green

Sage green

Vermilion

Yellow

Violet

Vermilion

Dull green

Ultramarine

Turquoise blue

Vermilion

Dull blue

Traffic lights type TL 4 TL 4 TL 4

~ 68 ~

Traffic lights placement Opp R5 & 6/C1 Opp R5 & 6/C1 Opp R5 & 6/C1

Traffic light colour order from top Deep green

Sage green

Vermilion

Yellow

Violet

Vermilion

Dull green

Ultramarine

Turquoise blue

Vermilion

Dull blue

Sheet Value position Below R6/C10 Below R6/C10 Below R6/C10

Sheet Value colour Green Violet Ultramarine

Sheet Number type SN 3 (reading up) SN 3 (reading up) SN 3 (reading down)

Sheet Number position Opp R6/C10 Opp R6/C10 Opp R6/C10

Perforating direction Bottom to top Bottom to top Bottom to top

Top margin Perf through Perf through Perf through


Right margin Perf through Perf through Perf through

Bottom margin Imperf Imperf Imperf

Varieties

The 4th supplement of the Mashonaland Guide lists various varieties.

Varieties: 1s6d:15c

Multipositives 1/1, 1/6,

4/1, 4/6

Dot on Queen's nose.

1/2, 1/7,

4/2, 4/7

Dot on Queen's cheek

3/5, 3/10,

6/5, 6/10

Dot on Queen's temple

Varieties: 2s: 20c 1/5 Blotch on 2 of 20 and red dot under ‘C’.

1/10 Red spot on nose.

3/3 Purple dot above ‘S’ of postage

4/9 3 purple dots at top edge.

Varieties: 2s6d: 25c None noted

~ 69 ~

The Mardon proofs and imperforates

When the collection of the late R C Smith appeared on the market through Bridger & Kay, there were a

surprising number of proofs and Mardon presentation cards. Otto Peetoom was able to examine the

collection, make notes and copy the material. The majority of the Smith material was acquired by Kevin

Ashworth. It has subsequently been sold on as a complete collection.

What follows below is largely taken from the Otto’s report in The Rhodesian Philatelist (No 12, February

1997)7

R.C. Smith was the Deputy Postmaster General and in this official capacity had occasion to visit Mardon

during periods of stamp production. His collection consisted of a variety of progressive proofs mounted on

various cards printed by Mardon. He also possessed imperforate multiples of progressive proofs and of

completed designs. Probably due to his senior position it appears that Mardon permitted Smith to remove

a whole range of material that would be the envy of any philatelist. It is Otto’s belief that much of this

material was effectively printer’s waste that should have been destroyed. It is also possible that his

imperforates of completed designs may have originated from the residue of sheets used for making up the

official presentation cards.

“Smith's collection included an array of imperforate progressive and completed proofs in singles, strips and

large imprint blocks. Some of the blocks and the majority of the singles had been mounted on headed

Mardon presentation cards or on plain covers with corrugated silver edges. All the values, except the 2d

and 9d were included in the collection. This definitive issue represents the most interesting period of stamp

production at Mardon. R.C. Smith in his book 'Rhodesia, A Postal History' published his account of the

story on pages 424 to 429, I recommend its reading. Given R.C. Smith's extensive holding of proofs (Otto

believes) he could have enhanced his book considerably using illustrations of the material in his possession.

Had he done so, Smith risked enquiry into the source of these proofs which may have created a storm of

public protest and official questions. It appears that it was Smith's wish to avoid any outside knowledge of

his holdings. A further indication of the secret nature of his collection was its absence from the displays

presented at philatelic exhibitions such as 'Rhopex' in 1966 and 'Rhophil 72'.”7 (It is unlikely that the proofs

for the 1966 definitive could have been shown at Rhopex as the exhibition was held before the release of

any of these stamps)

The following is an analysis based on Otto Peetoom’s articles, it has been illustrated with scans of the

Smith/Ashworth material. Additional material has been added where supplemented with material found

from other sources.

~ 70 ~

Proofs on presentation cards, both plain and printed.

1d Buffalo, 1st printing, issued 2nd June 1966

Plain card with three proofs, two

progressive, violet vignette and

yellow orange frame plus the

completed design.

Plain Card with two proofs,

violet only vignette plus

completed design.

(Source: Victoria Stamp

Company Auction June 10, 2006)

Printed card with completed

design only

(no illustration)

2d Oranges 1st printing, issued 1st November 1967

(no material found)

3d Kudu, 1st printing, issued 29th January 1968

Printed card with 3d proofs,

vignette in pale brown plus

completed design with four guide

marks. Two strips of colour used

between proofs.

Plain card with two proofs, blue

frame only and the completed

design.

(Source: Victoria Stamp

Company Auction June 10, 2006)

Not in RC Smith collection.

Mardon proof card with

completed design only

(Source: Zeboose.com)

Printed card with imprint block of eight (4x2) of

completed design, imperforate.

Peetroom refers to z block of 8 where the blue is

very deep and there is a note accompanying the

block stated “Rejected for poor definition for the

insertion of the decimal value”. Uncertain if this is

the same block being referred to.

~ 71 ~

4d, Emeralds, 1st printing issued

21st September 1966

Printed card with single

completed design with guide

marks and strips of the colours

used

Plain card with progressive

proofs of drab; bistre-brown; and

full colour.

6d Flame Lily, issued 1st November, 1966

9d Tobacco, 1st printing issued

21st November 1967

Printed card with two proofs,

frame in red only with yellow

impression of flame lily

alongside plus the completed

design. Three of the four colours

in strips between proofs

Plain card with three proofs, two

progressive dull green only and

frame in dull green and myrtle

green plus the completed design.

Not in R C Smith Collection.

Printed card with completed

design.

(Source: zeboose.com)

1sh 3d Lake Kyle, issued 1st November 1966

Printed card with two proofs,

frame in pale orange plus

completed design with guide

marks. Strips of the three colours

used

Plain card with three proofs,

orange only and orange and light

blue plus completed design.

Printed card with the completed

design only, imperforate

~ 72 ~

2sh Aloe, 18th July 1966

Plain card with three proofs, two progressive, violet only, violet

and green plus the completed

design

5sh Cattle, issued 25th June 1966

Plain card with four proofs, three progressive plus

traffic light copy of completed design.

Printed card with a single completed design

10s Guineafowl, issued 10th August 1966

Plain card with four proofs, three progressive, plus

completed design

Printed card with single completed design

~ 73 ~

£1, Coat of Arms, issued 10th August 1966

Plain card with four proofs, three progressive, plus

completed design

(Courtesy Keith Harrop – RSCJ 255)8

Plain card with three progressive proofs, frame

only in vermilion, vermilion and green, vermilion,

green & brown (no yellow-ochre)

(no illustration)

Printed card with completed design.

(Courtesy Keith Harrop –

RSCJ 255)8

Dual currency – No material on the dual currency stamps appeared in RC Smith collection. Printed cards

with completed designs have been noted, to date no 2sh6d/25c card has been identified. Cards can be

found unsigned or signed by the Postmaster General, C R Dickenson.

3d/2½c

1sh/10c

~ 74 ~

1sh6d/15c

2sh/20c

Blocks of imperforate proofs

The following imperforate proofs were noted in the R C Smith collection.7

1d, Buffalo - Completed design, imprint block of

twelve, large imprint under four stamps proving

it to be from the first printing. This block has

since been reduced to an imprint block of eight

plus two horizontal pairs.

(Ex RC Smith collection)

(Courtesy Dave Cooper)

3d Kudu - The dual currency 2½c-3d was issued

in March 1967 whereas the first printing of the

Mardon 3d definitive only appeared in February

1968. A note with a 3d imprint block in Smith's

collection suggests that the 3d proofs relate to

the preparation of the dual currency value.

Working from Harrison’s original artwork, it

seems logical that Mardon's would first perfect

the printing of the original stamp before adding

the '2½c' value to the left side of the design.


~ 75 ~

In addition, there is the dual currency 2½c/3d

also from the Smith collection, which consisted

a block of 12, which was split into a block of 4,

2 horizontal pairs and 2 vertical pairs


5sh Cattle - Imprint block of eight of completed

design, trail printing. Possibly this block comes

from the trial printing.

Plus, pair of imperforate stamps

(Ex RC Smith collection)


~ 76 ~

£1 Coat of Arms - Imprint block of eight with

three of the four colours, no yellow ochre. This

block has been reduced to an imprint block of

four plus two vertical pairs


In addition, there is the 2sh - Lake Kyle.

Smith stated in his book on page 425 "All the 2s trial sheets were destroyed as none was considered suitable

for issue". On page 427 he stated "Trial Printings: Values 2s. Plates ABC (not issued but one sheet exhibited

at the Rhopex Exhibition)". This statement contradicts the one made on page 425. Considering the above

statements, it is evident that he had no intention of disclosing the survival of several cuttings taken from

the proof sheets of the 2/- trials in his possession.7

The following proofs were noted in R C Smith collection

• Plain card with three proofs, two

progressive, violet only, violet and green

plus the completed design.


~ 77 ~

• Imprint strip of four, violet only.

(Source RSCJ No 248)10

• Imprint block of twelve, violet & green.

Has now been reduced to an imprint block

of eight plus two horizontal pairs.


(Source RSCJ No 247)9

• Imprint strip of four of the completed

design No Illustration

• Imprint block of twelve of the completed

design. Has been reduced to an imprint

block of eight plus two horizontal pairs.


(Source Keith Harrop – RSCJ No 255)8

~ 78 ~

First Day Covers

No first day covers were produced by the Post Office for the Mardon printings, including the dual currency

stamps, as the stamps were not considered to be new releases. Apart from some 3d/2½c and 2s6d/25c covers, no printed first day covers were privately produced.

However, there are fair number of plain covers, mostly unaddressed, that purport to be first day covers.

These covers were mostly produced by R Pollard of the Salisbury Stamp Company.

Below are all the stamps, with the different printings, for the dates stated by the Rhodesia Stamp Catalogue2.

All the postmarks are for Salisbury, we have not been made aware of any first day of use postmarks from

elsewhere in the country. It is noticeable that only a few of these stamps have the Salisbury “First Day of

Issue” cancellation, which may indicate a degree of uncertainty on the dates with other Salisbury postmarks.

1d (651) 1st printing

2 June 1966

1d (667a) Dri gum)

25 July 1966

1d (667) 2nd printing

17 August 1966

(Dave Trathen)

1d (667b) 3rd printing

10 February 1969

1d (667c) 4th printing

9 May 1969


1 November 1967


9 May 1969


29 January 1968


11 December 1968

(Narendhra Morar)


21 September 1966

~ 79 ~


10 February 1969

6d (655)

1 November 1966

Trial Printings – no first

day covers known


21 November 1967


21 July 1969

(Adrian de Bourbon)

1sh3d (657)

1 November 1966

Trial Printings – no

first day covers known

No example seen to

date

2sh (658)

18 July 1966

5sh (659)

25 June 1966

5sh (673) Trial

25 June 1966

(Adrian de Bourbon)

10sh (660)

10 August 1966

Trial Printings – no

first day covers known

£1 (661)

10 August 1966

Trial Printings – no first

day covers known

3d~2½c (662)

14 March 1967

1sh~10c (663) 1st

printing

1 November 1967

1sh~10c (663) 2nd

printing

10 February 1969

1sh6d~15c (664)

11 March 1968

~ 80 ~

2sh~20c (665)

11 March 1968

2sh6d~25c (666)

9 December 1968

Varieties

There are, however, other plain covers, with different dates to those indicated in the Rhodesia Stamp

Catalogue. Of the six postmarks shown below, five of them have the “Salisbury First Day of Issue”

cancellation. The 9d cancellation for 13 July 1968, may be proof that there was an interim printing released

between the 1st and 2nd printings of this stamp.

The date of the postmark for the 1sh3d below matches the date of release stated by the Mashonaland Guide.3

1d with Salisbury First

Day of Issue strike for

1st June 1966 – day

early

(Keith Harrop)

9d Salisbury strike for

13 July 1968, possible

interim printing

(Adrian de Bourbon)

1s3d cover with

Salisbury First Day of

Issue of Issue strike for

9th November, 1966,

eight days later. Cover

addressed to Mr J

Friedmann, Bulawayo

(www.rhodesia.co.za)

2sh with a Salisbury

First Day of Issue strike

for 25 July 1966 =

seven days later.

(Narendhra Morar)

5sh (659) with


Issue cancel dated 23

June 1966, two days

early.

(Narendhra Morar)

5sh (673) with


Issue cancel dated 23

June 1966, two days

early.

With handwritten

“Trial” in pencil

~ 81 ~

Below are the only known printed first day covers. The cover numbering comes from the catalogue of

Rhodesian first day covers produced by Geoff Brakspear

Cover 31.1

Experimental dri-gum printing

Cover 34.1.1

“Stirling” incorrect spelling, in this

example with handwritten correction

Cover 34.1.2

Correct spelling of “Sterling”

No date of issue

Cover 34.1.3

Correct spelling of “Sterling”

With date of issue in bottom line

Cover 34.1.2

Cover 34.5.1

Cover 34.5.2

Related Material

The Post Office photographed stamps

that had been, or were about to be,

issued. The enlarged black and white

photographs were then sent to

philatelic publications, or the local

papers, for publicity purposes.

~ 82 ~

Above are four stamps that were used for training purposes at the Post Office Training School. The stamps have

a double parallel bars overprinted vertically. These stamps have all be postmarked with a hand canceller. More

detail can be seen on the 10s value, in the top left is the country’s name. However the rest of the canceller

appears to be devoid of a post office name as it is blank.

Unusual and probably rare

Bibliography

1. “Rhodesia – A Postal History”, by R C Smith, published in 1967, pages 424 to 429

2. “The Rhodesia Stamp Catalogue” last edition 1983/84, published by the Salisbury Stamp Co.

3. “A Guide to the Postage Stamps of Rhodesia” Supplement No 3 (31st August 1966 to 31st December 1967) produced

by the Mashonaland Philatelic Study Group

4. “A Guide to the Postage Stamps of Rhodesia” Supplement No 4 (1st January 1968 to 31st August 1972) produced by the

Mashonaland Philatelic Study Group

5. The Rhodesian Philatelist, No 2, February 1993, page 31

6. The Rhodesian Philatelist, No 12, October 1996, pages 182-85

7. The Rhodesian Philatelist, No 13, February 1997, pages 201-03

8. Rhodesian Study Circle Journal No 255 (Vol 65 No 2) June 2015 page 74

9. Rhodesian Study Circle Journal No 247 (Vol 63 No 2) June 2013 page 101

10. Rhodesian Study Circle Journal No 248 (Vol 63 No 3) September 2013 page 122-3

11. Stanley Gibbons Stamp Catalogue, Southern & Central Africa, 2nd Edition 2014

12. “Mardon Experimental ‘Dri-Gum’ Paper (RC667a”, Mike Amos, Magnify, December 1976 (Vol7 No 9)

13. “The differentiation of the Mardon Trials of 1966”, Richard Wright, Rhodesia Study Circle Journal No 116, December

1981, pages 158-61 (similar article in Magnify, December 1981, Vol12 No 9 (whole number 135)

14. “Differentiation of the Mardon Trial of 1966”, M J Kohn, Magnify, April 1982, Vol 13 No 1 (whole number 139)

15. “Mardon Printings ‘1d Dri-Gum’”, George Stewart, Magnify September 1983 Vol 13 No 12. (Similar article in the

Rhodesian Study Circle Journal March 1984 No 125 page 20)

16. “Experimental Stamp Gum”, Rhodesia Herald, 21st July 1966

17. “Dri Gum Paper”, advertisement of Salisbury Paper (Pvt) Ltd in Rhodesia Herald on 26th July 1966 (courtesy Dave

Trathen)

18. “The Penny Dri-Gum”, Richard Pollitt, Magnify April 1974, Vol5 No 1

19. “Rhodesia – Paper Trials 1966” D E C Dale, Magnify, March 1974, Vol 4 No 12

20. “The story of the 1966 Rhodesia Definitives Reprinted by Mardon Printers”, Theo Rudman, originally from S A

Philatelist November 1968

21. “Mardon Printings of Rhodesia’s Definitives”, D G Pollard, stamp collecting 17th February 1967

22. Philatelic News”, single sheet releases of the Philatelic Bureau, two seen related to relaases of Mardon definitive

printings on 10th February and 9th May 1969

Other reading

1. “Paper Trials “ D E C Dale, Magnify, October 1976, Vol 7 No 7

2. “Trials and Subsequent Printings” D A Mitchell – Magnify, January 1981, Vol 11 No 10 (whole number 126)

3. “Mardon Definitives 1966/69 First Day of Issues – Dave Trathen, Rhodesian Study Journal No 234, March 2010 page

15

4. “Gums, Papers and Stamps in Rhodesia after UDI, 1966” John Woolford, Gibbons Stamp Monthly November 1990

pages 29-32

5. “Rhodesia First Definitive Issue. The Mardon Printings of the 1d Value” M J Amos, Magnify June 1977, pages 50 to54

Documents

1966 RHODESIA DEFINITIVE ISSUE (MARDON) · 2021. 1. 26. · 1966 RHODESIA DEFINITIVE ISSUE (MARDON) With the imposition of economic sanctions against Rhodesia, the reprinting of the