held at 41, Devonshire Place, London, W.1. 6th to 18th June, 1955
Captions of items covering the British West Indies continued from Bulletin No. 10 p. 40
TOBAGO. On June 29, 1880, the Crown Agents ordered ½d.. 1d., 4d 6d. and l/- stamps bearing the words "Tobago Postage," requesting that a distinction in colour should be made where the values are the same as the revenue stamps, already supplied. The £1 denomination of the initial issue of August 1, 1879, shown, was therefore altered by hand, and submitted with the De La Rue tablets for colour on June 30th. The essay was approved, as were the colour submissions for the other values, on July 2, 1880. Essay submitted on September 3, at the request of the Crown Agents, showing a key-plate blank duty die proof, with the duty drawn by hand. On September 7 the Crown Agents approved the design, requesting the Company to use the overprint plate of the similar design for Dominica, which was done.
TRINIDAD. A sheet abstracted from an old register of stamp specimens circa 1860 1d. lake perf. 10½ x 11 with " specimen " in MS., 4d. perf. 12½ with "specimen" in MS., 6d. and l/- mauve, perf. 13, overprinted "specimen" and 1/- bluish slate, perf. 12 with "specimen" in MS. Three specimens cut from the Company's Private Dav Book dated April 28, 1863. (1d.) 4d., and 6d. with "specimen" in MS. 1882. Essay and colour scheme submitted for printing by the letter-press process, similar to the 5/- value produced by this method and issued in 1869. These were approved by the Colonial Secretary on June 26, 1882. The specimens for the scheme of colours are Barbados stamps with blank value tablets. All are overprinted "specimen". July 29, 1895. Initial essays for proposed new issue based on instructions of the P.M.G. and two photographic essays of finished vignette with the approved frames drawn in black and white submitted to the Crown Agents on October 28th. March 1905. A trial strip of twelve of the 6d. of the 1904-5 issue printed on Multiple Crown CA paper to test the possibility of removing the written cancellations by means of neutral potassium oxalate.
TURKS ISLANDS. September 25, 1883. New scheme of colours proposed to the Crown Agents on September 25, 1883, to conform with Postal Union requirements. Also new key-plates suggested to replace the 1d., 6d. and 1/- denominations printed by recess to obtain security from forgery. The colours were approved by the Commissioner on January 23, 1884, but the change of design was rejected. Following a complaint from the Colony that the colour of the 1d. copper-plate stamps was not fast, the Company submitted the appendix shown suggesting that letterpress would overcome this defect if adopted for the 1d., 6d. and 1/-. The Crown Agents wrote on January 3, 1894, that they would refer the matter to the Colony, but nothing eventuated. The specimens shown have the name arid value hand painted.
TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS. 1928 issue. Complete set of colour proofs on Multiple Script paper proved from the ½d. die.
VIRGIN ISLANDS. 1880. Following the receipt of an order dated May 28, 1880, for fifty sheets each of 1d. and 2½d. values, it was pointed out on June 7th that the 1d. was lithographed from a stone, and that the use of the Leeward Islands "key" plate would not only be much cheaper but would result in a stamp far superior in quality. The two specimens shown accompanied the Company's letter to emphasise this difference, and the suggestion was approved by the Crown Agents on June 8, 1880. January 31, 1883. Appendix submitted to the Crown Agents on February 28th showing the existing colours of the 1d. and 2½d., also proofs of March 12th submitted in the colours suggested by the Crown Agents of which they chose the yellow for an initial order for 5,000 ½d. stamps ordered on January 31, 1883. Colour proofs of the 1/- value in yellow, red and brown submitted on December 4, 1888. The brown shade was approved on December 10th. July 1898. Re-engraved blank duty die proof with the following note in MS.: "Die re-engraved, previous one cracked after hardening." Approved colour proofs of George V issue of the following values; 1d. rose-carmine. 1d. bright violet, 1½d. rose-carmine and 1½d. light brown. April 15, 1952 issue. The original rough and final sketch of the frame, twice the actual size.
WINDWARD ISLANDS. April 10, 1890. Appendix submitted with fourteen specimens with duties drawn by hand. (Values ½d.-£l).
COLOUR SCHEMES
ANTIGUA. September 26, 1883. Colour scheme proposed on September 26, 1883, to accord with the International Postal Convention colours, and as a fitting opportunity for discarding the old 1d. and 6d. plates and employing the improved system of surface-printing them as the other values. The letterpress 1d. and 6d. and the copperplate 1d. brown specimens are of perf. 12. and the others perf. 14,
BAHAMAS. November 20, 1883. On January 19, 1884 the Colonial Secretary approved the scheme. The Crown Agents confirmed that the Colonial Government approves the 1d., 4d. and 6d. to be printed by the surface system in one fugitive ink, not double as inadvertently stated by them in a letter dated April 5, 1884. All are perf. 12 except 1d. lake and 1/- green.
BRITISH GUIANA. July 25, 1883. Existing and proposed scheme of colours submitted to the Crown Agents on July 25, 1883, to bring them into line with those established by the International Postal Convention. Whilst the perforation of the existing colour specimen is 14, except the 12 cents, which is imperf., that of the proposed colours from blank duty dies is in each case perf. 12.
BRITISH HONDURAS. July 25, 1883. Colour scheme proposed and submitted on July 25. 1883 to align with the alteration in the colour of the 1d. in conformity with the requirements of the International Postal Convention. The proofs of the proposed colours are all perf. 12.
DOMINICA. July 31, 1883. On July 31, 1883, this scheme of proposed colours, to conform with the requirements of the International Postal Convention, was submitted to the Crown Agents and approved in the following October, subject to stocks of existing colours first being exhausted. All perf. 14, except the 1d., 6d. and 1/- of the existing colours which are perf. 121/2.
MONTSERRAT. September 26, 1883. When submitting the proposed scheme of colours shown to the Crown Agents on September 26, 1883, necessitated by the change of colour of the 2½d. established by the International Postal Convention, the Company pointed out that as the 1d. could not be brought nearer the agreed shade by copper-plate printing, it was an opportune time to change to surface printing by the key-plate system for the 1d. and 6d. copperplate stamps. Proofs of perf. 12 are the two 6d. proposed for colour and the blank duty 4d. mauve.
ST. VINCENT. September 21, 1883. Scheme of colours proposed to the Crown Agents on September 21, 1883, to align with the change necessary for the 1/2d.. 1d. and 21/2d. stamp colours in accordance with requirements of the International Postal Convention. It met with the approval of the Crown Agents on November 29, 1883, but the 3d. value was never used in this colour, the THREE PENCE being overprinted in black on the 1d. value printed in mauve. Most of these specimens are perf. 12, including 1d. drab, 6d. green, 1/- orange and the 5/- carmine-lake.
TOBAGO. August 1, 1883. Proposed scheme of colours submitted on August 1, 1883, to meet the requirements of the International Postal Convention at the request of the Crown Agents.