Mi 100 Y: 1½ b. black Defin.: thin white paper, Wz 2a upright, line perf. 13½

Condition: used (ʘ).

Issued: 1893.

Catalogue Reference: Michel Europa-Katalog Band 4: Südostreuropa 2019/2020.

Catalogue number(s): Mi 100 Y.

Seller's Reference: SB/(ʘ)/028/SB/(ʘ)/029.

Additional descriptive notes (if applicable): the stamp depicts King Carol I (reigned 1866-1914 (from 1866-1881 as Prince, and from 1881 as King)).

There are two versions of the watermark 'PR.'  The first shows the P and the R without serifs and the R has a curved tail (Michel Wz. 1), whereas the second version shows the P and the R with serifs and the tale of the R is 's' shaped (Michel Wz. 2).  Over the period 1893 to 1899 this issue of postage stamps appeared on a variety of papers and with watermarks of varying sizes:

Michel Wz. 1 a: the letters 'PR' are 11.5 mm. high;
Michel Wz. 1 b: the letters 'PR' are 12.5 mm. high;
Michel Wz. 2 a: the letters 'PR' are 13.5 mm. high, and;
Michel Wz. 2 b: the letters 'PR' are 14.5 mm. high.

Unless an individual postage stamp bears a clear watermark showing a complete letter, it is not always possible to distinguish the sub-types of Wz. 1 and 2.  However, in the case of this particular postage stamp, it was only printed on paper with the third of the four versions of the watermark, so all copies bearing the second version are sub-type Wz. 2 a.

The watermark can be found in eight possible positions: upright, upright reversed, inverted, inverted reversed, sideways to the left, sideways to the left reversed, sideways to the right, and sideways to the right reversed.  Examples showing a sideways watermark are very rare.

Copies can also be found without a watermark: these come from the sheet margins.

The stamps offered in this sale bear the second version of the watermark (Wz. 2 a) and show the watermark upright (as viewed from the back of the stamp).

General notes:

1) Listing of used postage stamps: multiple copies: as my fine used material is of comparable quality, where I have more than one copy of a particular stamp for sale I list one generic sale for used singles and sets of postage stamps, showing one representative image of that particular item, but indicating how many copies/sets are for sale.

A purchaser who wishes to buy one copy/set will be sure that the item/set that they receive will be the one displayed in the image on the sales page. Once that stamp/set is sold, the image shown on the site will be updated with an image of a sale that I still have in stock.

If a potential purchaser wishes to buy more than one copy of a fine used postage stamp, and would like to see images of all copies available via eBid before they buy, or a purchaser would like to choose one copy from a range of possible purchases, I do retain an image library of all the material that I offer for sale. Images can be e-mailed upon request to assist in informing choice, so please do not hesitate to ask.

2) Shipping charges for multiple purchases: in addition to postage my shipping charges include a handling and packing charge. My basic charges for this item are shown on the sales page. However, postage, processing and packing charges for multiple purchases will be combined and will be based upon the actual cost of despatching a package containing all the items bought.

Purchasers who buy more than one item should ensure that they request an invoice, so that they benefit from the consolidated charge for postage and packing.