This guide assists in identifying where a particular stamp was located on the printed sheet.

Two guides are provided:

  1. a map on the stamp indicating where flaws are located;
  2. a sequenced list of steps to help to identify flaws unique to a particular stamp from which the stamps location can be identified. It is then possible, by clicking on a hyperlink, to consult the full diagram to confirm your identification and to obtain other flaws characteristic of that stamp.

1. The stamp map.

The map included below whows the stamp number in a sheet where a flaw exists. Examine your 1d (1/-) NSW Charity stamp to determine possible flaws. Compare your findings with the map and select the stamp number you consider to be appropriate. Then look for the full details for that stamp number by clicking on the relevant number in the table which follows the map.

 

  Position with Sheet Columns
Sheet Row 1 1 2 3 4 5 6
Sheet Row 2 7 8 9 10 11 12
Sheet Row 3 13 14 15 16 17 18
Sheet Row 4 19 20 21 22 23 24
Sheet Row 5 25 26 27 28 29 30

 

Note that some flaws might appear on some stamps but not on others. There are two possible reasons for this:

  1. the problem identified could be an emerging one and a stamp being analysed came from a plate used later in the printing process.
    This could be ther case when a plate became worn and the frames cracked.

  2. the problem is not really a flaw but a temporary issue with some dirt on the plate during the printing of some sheets.
    The problem was then probably removed by the Stamp Printer wiping the plate clean during the printing process.
    Some "flaws" also appear when too much ink has been applied by the printer or the plate had been used too long before being reinked.