Lot 279 Bahamas (C) #149d, 154a, 152c, 154b 1/2d-3d Myrtle Green - Scarlet King George VI, 1938-1952 King George VI Definitive Issue, 4 VF Used Singles 1946, 1950, 1951 & 1952 Printings On Opaque Paper& Translucent Paper With Visible Wmk

4 VF used singles of the 1/2d-3d myrtle green - scarlet King George VI from the 1938-1952 King George VI Defiitive Issue 1946, 1950, 1951 & 1952 printings on opaque paper& translucent paper with visible wmk. This set was printed by both De La Rue, Bradbury Wilkinson and Waterlow. De La Rue printed the keyplate designs, while Waterlow printed the engraved low value designs, and Bradbury printed the 2/- and 3/- values. The initial 1938 De La Rue Printings can be identified by the plate-glazed paper, that appears completely smooth under magnification. The gum on these printings is usually yellowish and has a somewhat random crazing pattern. This crazing pattern is also common to all 1938 Waterlow printings, which can also be identified by the opaque paper. The initial Bradbury printings show the centres in a slate purple colour. Subsequent printings have this in what Gibbons calls brownish black, but in reality is a brownish grey that lacks the violet tone. The clarity of the watermark can be a guide to identifying the 1944 versus the 1942 printings, with the later having a less clear watermark.

Stanley Gibbons 2019 values this at GBP18.3. Our estimate of the value, in the condition offered is $15. The stamps offered here grade 75-84 as follows:

Centering/Margins: 35/60, 40/60, 44/60

Paper Freshness: 5/5

Colour: 5/5

Impression: 5/5

Absence of Visible Paper Flaws: 5/5

Perforations: 10/10

Cancellation: 8/10, 10/10

The 1946 and 1950 printings are on opaque paper that shows the watermark only slightly, while the 1951 and 1952 printings are on translucet paper with clear watermark.