Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
The only grading not illustrated is "Superb Mint Unhinged" where all four sides of the frame are of equal distance from the perforation; it is extremely difficult to obtain in pre-decimal and will command a premium price for scarcer and rarer stamps.
Of course there are other important conditions to consider; hinge marks, missing/pulled perforations, tears, thinning, repairs, and perforations cutting deeply into the design of the stamp, all of these will have an effect on the stamp
Please note that there are varieties and errors that exist that one may misinterpret as being damaged, if in doubt see a stamp dealer or upload it onto Stamporama for identification.
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Good stuff. Thanks Robert.
Eric
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Very nice examples Rob. I'm jealous of your £2 Roos. 
Regards ... Tim.
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"Good stuff. Thanks Robert.
Eric"
Thanks Eric, hope the info is useful.
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"Very nice examples Rob. I'm jealous of your £2 Roos. Applause
Regards ... Tim"
Thanks Tim, I'm glad I didn't show you this one
, it's what one would call "superb mint unhinged". It's the ultimate condition a stamp can be graded. 
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It's interesting to note how much the position of the roo varies in the 4 two pound stamps that are shown.
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"It's interesting to note how much the position of the roo varies in the 4 two pound stamps that are shown."
You're right, there are little differences in position, I can't explain why, interesting though, will research it on Monday.
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The variation of the roo position in the bi-coloured series (the values 5 shillings and above) is bread and butter stuff and should be known to any roo collector.
The high value bi-coloured stamps were printed from 2 plates - the Frame plate and the Vignette plate. The Vignette plate had only the kangaroo and grass on it. The Frame plate had all the other detail. One plate, usually the Frame plate, was printed first and then the other plate was applied in a separate printing. If the printers did not align the sheets correctly for the second print then of course the printings would show this misalignment in the form of a shifted kangaroo (the perforations would be aligned to the Frame plate so the map and other detail would not appear misaligned).
There were printings of the £1 value in monocolour and the above printing method was not used.
As I said this is really basic stuff and anyone giving advice on the Roo series should know this.
Regards
Frank
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Hi langtounlad.
First, thanks for the great information.
"The variation of the roo position in the bi-coloured series (the values 5 shillings and above) is bread and butter stuff and should be known to any roo collector."
It isn't bread and butter to everyone who collects stamps, and the stamps I used to identify what I am saying is not meant to just grade roo stamps, it is only an example as to the condition of any pre-decimal stamp. It is a basic but important identification of stamp conditions stamp dealers and specialists will look at. If the stamp has missing perforations, hinged, stained, shows foxing, is a changeling, heavily cancelled, thinned, repaired, altered etc., would of course have a resounding negative effect on the stamp; that information I will be posting soon.
As a strict rule I only collect stamps that are unused and well to superb centring and unhinged; yet I have just one hinged stamp (it is the only one of its type known and getting another better is out of the question), and there is another, unused and centered to the top and only 160 printed. The hinged stamp is rare and the latter very scarce.
The rare very early cracked plate with no perforation pip (only one known and with a very light hinge mark). Notice how the stamps are off-centered, it has no effect to the stamps value and rarity.
I know of people who only collect the 1938-1949 kangaroos (including blocks) and had no idea the rare very early cracked plate existed, although they are familiar with the early and late cracked plates of its type, I have all three.
The 1949 pale yellow-orange "mellow yellow" kangaroo, only 160 exist, it too is strongly centered to the top; and this is classified as a better example.
It is best to gradually introduce different areas of grading to the members of Stamporama as it will not become confusing. It gives the member time to understand and of course query, and when that is out of the way, there will be another posting of grading stamps which will explain stamps that are off-center and valuable, including shades, watermarks, changelings etc.
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As someone new to collecting Australia and Roos, I appreciate all the remedial "bread and butter" knowledge I can get my hands on. The catalogues are helpful, and I have recently acquired some ACSC (Australian Commonwealth Specialists Catalogue) to go along with SG, and Scott, but being the benefactor of other collectors experience is golden.
Appreciate Langtounlad for citing the names of the plates used for the bi-coulor stamps: Frame Plate and Vignette Plate. I figured two plates were used of course, but did not know the proper terminology.
And Robert's posts often fill in the gaps of my ignorance on Australia's stamps. I had no idea how much I didn't know. Not to mention learning of how many stamps I can't afford.
It is a bit droll that the cracked plate Robert depicts shows the (ironic) name of the printer -- W.C.G. McCracken.
All have a great day.
Eric
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Hi Eric 
You obtained a few ACSC catalogues, they will definitely help you a great deal.
"Appreciate Langtounlad for citing the names of the plates used for the bi-coulor stamps: Frame Plate and Vignette Plate. I figured two plates were used of course, but did not know the proper terminology. "
I totally agree with Langtounlad's contribution, I had no clue about the plates, though I'm well versed on a variety of KGV stamps, and very informed on KGVI and QEII stamps and their varieties and errors.
"It is a bit droll that the cracked plate Robert depicts shows the (ironic) name of the printer -- W.C.G. McCracken. "
I had to think for a few seconds to understand the sentence, then I realised it was a very good play of words.
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The grading I have listed is what stamp dealers look for, this will also help Australian stamp collectors to grade their pre-decimals more accurately.
The only grading not illustrated is "Superb Mint Unhinged" where all four sides of the frame are of equal distance from the perforation; it is extremely difficult to obtain in pre-decimal and will command a premium price for scarcer and rarer stamps.
Of course there are other important conditions to consider; hinge marks, missing/pulled perforations, tears, thinning, repairs, and perforations cutting deeply into the design of the stamp, all of these will have an effect on the stamp
Please note that there are varieties and errors that exist that one may misinterpret as being damaged, if in doubt see a stamp dealer or upload it onto Stamporama for identification.
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re: Australian Pre-Decimal Stamp Grading
Good stuff. Thanks Robert.
Eric
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re: Australian Pre-Decimal Stamp Grading
Very nice examples Rob. I'm jealous of your £2 Roos.
Regards ... Tim.
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re: Australian Pre-Decimal Stamp Grading
"Good stuff. Thanks Robert.
Eric"
Thanks Eric, hope the info is useful.
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re: Australian Pre-Decimal Stamp Grading
"Very nice examples Rob. I'm jealous of your £2 Roos. Applause
Regards ... Tim"
Thanks Tim, I'm glad I didn't show you this one
, it's what one would call "superb mint unhinged". It's the ultimate condition a stamp can be graded. Login to Like
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01:48:51am
re: Australian Pre-Decimal Stamp Grading
It's interesting to note how much the position of the roo varies in the 4 two pound stamps that are shown.
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re: Australian Pre-Decimal Stamp Grading
"It's interesting to note how much the position of the roo varies in the 4 two pound stamps that are shown."
You're right, there are little differences in position, I can't explain why, interesting though, will research it on Monday.
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11:17:04pm
re: Australian Pre-Decimal Stamp Grading
The variation of the roo position in the bi-coloured series (the values 5 shillings and above) is bread and butter stuff and should be known to any roo collector.
The high value bi-coloured stamps were printed from 2 plates - the Frame plate and the Vignette plate. The Vignette plate had only the kangaroo and grass on it. The Frame plate had all the other detail. One plate, usually the Frame plate, was printed first and then the other plate was applied in a separate printing. If the printers did not align the sheets correctly for the second print then of course the printings would show this misalignment in the form of a shifted kangaroo (the perforations would be aligned to the Frame plate so the map and other detail would not appear misaligned).
There were printings of the £1 value in monocolour and the above printing method was not used.
As I said this is really basic stuff and anyone giving advice on the Roo series should know this.
Regards
Frank
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re: Australian Pre-Decimal Stamp Grading
Hi langtounlad.
First, thanks for the great information.
"The variation of the roo position in the bi-coloured series (the values 5 shillings and above) is bread and butter stuff and should be known to any roo collector."
It isn't bread and butter to everyone who collects stamps, and the stamps I used to identify what I am saying is not meant to just grade roo stamps, it is only an example as to the condition of any pre-decimal stamp. It is a basic but important identification of stamp conditions stamp dealers and specialists will look at. If the stamp has missing perforations, hinged, stained, shows foxing, is a changeling, heavily cancelled, thinned, repaired, altered etc., would of course have a resounding negative effect on the stamp; that information I will be posting soon.
As a strict rule I only collect stamps that are unused and well to superb centring and unhinged; yet I have just one hinged stamp (it is the only one of its type known and getting another better is out of the question), and there is another, unused and centered to the top and only 160 printed. The hinged stamp is rare and the latter very scarce.
The rare very early cracked plate with no perforation pip (only one known and with a very light hinge mark). Notice how the stamps are off-centered, it has no effect to the stamps value and rarity.
I know of people who only collect the 1938-1949 kangaroos (including blocks) and had no idea the rare very early cracked plate existed, although they are familiar with the early and late cracked plates of its type, I have all three.
The 1949 pale yellow-orange "mellow yellow" kangaroo, only 160 exist, it too is strongly centered to the top; and this is classified as a better example.
It is best to gradually introduce different areas of grading to the members of Stamporama as it will not become confusing. It gives the member time to understand and of course query, and when that is out of the way, there will be another posting of grading stamps which will explain stamps that are off-center and valuable, including shades, watermarks, changelings etc.
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this post
re: Australian Pre-Decimal Stamp Grading
As someone new to collecting Australia and Roos, I appreciate all the remedial "bread and butter" knowledge I can get my hands on. The catalogues are helpful, and I have recently acquired some ACSC (Australian Commonwealth Specialists Catalogue) to go along with SG, and Scott, but being the benefactor of other collectors experience is golden.
Appreciate Langtounlad for citing the names of the plates used for the bi-coulor stamps: Frame Plate and Vignette Plate. I figured two plates were used of course, but did not know the proper terminology.
And Robert's posts often fill in the gaps of my ignorance on Australia's stamps. I had no idea how much I didn't know. Not to mention learning of how many stamps I can't afford.
It is a bit droll that the cracked plate Robert depicts shows the (ironic) name of the printer -- W.C.G. McCracken.
All have a great day.
Eric
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re: Australian Pre-Decimal Stamp Grading
Hi Eric
You obtained a few ACSC catalogues, they will definitely help you a great deal.
"Appreciate Langtounlad for citing the names of the plates used for the bi-coulor stamps: Frame Plate and Vignette Plate. I figured two plates were used of course, but did not know the proper terminology. "
I totally agree with Langtounlad's contribution, I had no clue about the plates, though I'm well versed on a variety of KGV stamps, and very informed on KGVI and QEII stamps and their varieties and errors.
"It is a bit droll that the cracked plate Robert depicts shows the (ironic) name of the printer -- W.C.G. McCracken. "
I had to think for a few seconds to understand the sentence, then I realised it was a very good play of words.
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