Page 20 - BWISC 60th Anniversary Display at RPSL, November 2014
P. 20
Frame 15
BAHAMAS – DE LA RUE KEY AND DUTY PLATE ISSUES
from the collection of Peter Fernbank, FRPSL
In 1883 De La Rue persuaded the Bahamas authorities in future to have their stamps surface printed using the
firm’s economical key and duty plate system and six values were produced for their Victorian issue.
A bromide essay demonstrates an early version of the conch shell design, subsequently modified for the
Edwardian issue and an ‘AFTER HARDENING’ proof of the final design is provided. The benefit of the key
and duty plate system was amply demonstrated for the new design in 1902 when the original duty plates
could still be employed, and ½d and 1s values were added. Specimens additionally overprinted ‘ULTRAMAR’
and Plate No. copies of each value are shown.
The new King George V issue continued to use the same duty plates, with the addition of 1½d, 2d and 3d values
to the series. A Specimen set with plate numbers is shown together with plate blocks of the complete set.
Sheets were originally printed as 60-set size from Key Plate 1 but in 1918 a further 60-set plate (Key Plate 2)
was made and placed next to Plate 1 to print 120-set sheets. The sheet thus featured eight plate numbers, four
from Plate 1 and four from Plate 2, interpanneau pairs bearing both plate numbers, a most unusual format.
Interpanneau pair showing Plates Nos. 1 & 2.
Archive piece showing Key Plate Proof No. 2.
Because the same duty plates were used throughout the three reigns a number of constant duty plate flaws
appear on copies from the same position of the Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian issues. Examples are
displayed of such flaws on the 2½d, 4d and 6d values.
Sloping base of ‘2’ Dot in ‘E’ Short RH leg of ‘N’ Malformed ‘E’
Duty Plate Flaws.
BAHAMAS – DE LA RUE KEY AND DUTY PLATE ISSUES
from the collection of Peter Fernbank, FRPSL
In 1883 De La Rue persuaded the Bahamas authorities in future to have their stamps surface printed using the
firm’s economical key and duty plate system and six values were produced for their Victorian issue.
A bromide essay demonstrates an early version of the conch shell design, subsequently modified for the
Edwardian issue and an ‘AFTER HARDENING’ proof of the final design is provided. The benefit of the key
and duty plate system was amply demonstrated for the new design in 1902 when the original duty plates
could still be employed, and ½d and 1s values were added. Specimens additionally overprinted ‘ULTRAMAR’
and Plate No. copies of each value are shown.
The new King George V issue continued to use the same duty plates, with the addition of 1½d, 2d and 3d values
to the series. A Specimen set with plate numbers is shown together with plate blocks of the complete set.
Sheets were originally printed as 60-set size from Key Plate 1 but in 1918 a further 60-set plate (Key Plate 2)
was made and placed next to Plate 1 to print 120-set sheets. The sheet thus featured eight plate numbers, four
from Plate 1 and four from Plate 2, interpanneau pairs bearing both plate numbers, a most unusual format.
Interpanneau pair showing Plates Nos. 1 & 2.
Archive piece showing Key Plate Proof No. 2.
Because the same duty plates were used throughout the three reigns a number of constant duty plate flaws
appear on copies from the same position of the Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian issues. Examples are
displayed of such flaws on the 2½d, 4d and 6d values.
Sloping base of ‘2’ Dot in ‘E’ Short RH leg of ‘N’ Malformed ‘E’
Duty Plate Flaws.
