thanksforlooking@danmagpie'sstamps
A VERY SCARCE FINE USED (QUEENSLAND) 1d RED DIE II KANGAROO: "WATERMARK SIDEWAYS" (CROWN POINTING TO THE LEFT) AS VIEWED FROM BACK - STANLEY GIBBONS 2da 2022 CV £325 MINOR PERFORATION FAULT AT BOTTOM RIGHT - ACSC 2025 CV $500
The Australian Kangaroo stamp was first issued in JANUARY 1913 and printed by J.B. COOKE in late 1912 and early 1913. Kangaroo stamps continued to be issued through to 1948 (the REDRAWN 2/- MAROON and the £2 Small-Multi Watermark). These marsupials represent one of the most fascinating fields of philatelic study in the world. The early printings were made from a number of Plates - each with their own ‘idiosyncrasies' (varieties) and of course, human error was always a potential factor when printing such large volumes in a relatively short period of time (especially in early production). “WATERMARK SIDEWAYS” is such an error. Quite simply, through 'human error' and only very occasionally, some watermarked sheets were inadvertently fed into the printing process upside-down (OR MUCH RARER - SIDEWAYS). More often than not, the early Kangaroos which were considered 'defective' by nature of a printing error, for example, off-center or poorly inked etc, were set aside for government departments and instrumentalities for potential OFFICIAL SERVICE ("OS") use. The "INVERTED WATERMARK" and the scarcer "SIDEWAYS WATERMARK" were considered of sufficient standard for sale to the general public as the design and the utility was not compromised by the error.
THE AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH SPECIALISTS' CATALOGUE “KANGAROOS” (ACSC 2025) LISTS THE DIE II "WATERMARK SIDEWAYS" @ $500 (FOR EITHER 'CROWN POINTING TO THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT'). THE 2022 STANLEY GIBBONS LISTS "CROWN POINTED TO LEFT" AS VIEWED FROM THE BACK AS SG: 2da "WATERMARK SIDEWAYS". The 2025 ACSC adds:
"Watermark sideways was created because the uncut sheets of 480 watermarks were practically square, and were occasionally turned 90° prior to feeding into the press during four-plate printings. One CA monogram block of 6 is recorded (price, $45,000). A no monogram mint block of 24 once existed, now reduced to a block of 6 (price, $45,000). The relative proportions of the two directions of sideways watermarks is uncertain. The previous listing included this variety punctured Large and Small OS, but there is no evidence for the existence of these."
Seldom offered on eBay in such lovely condition as this (minor perforation faults at bottom right), but quite scarce.
BUY WITH CONFIDENCE. MONEY BACK GUARANTEE (See Policy).
Successful Bidder to pay within seven days please unless bidding on upcoming items. GOOD LUCK.
