SG 759: 2/6d. black-brown Definitive: Carrickfergus Castle, no wmk.

Condition: used (ʘ).

Issued: 1st July 1968.

Catalogue Reference: Stanley Gibbons Great Britain Concise Stamp Catalogue (2019 Edition).

Catalogue number(s): SG 759.

Seller's Reference: SB/(ʘ)/025.

Additional descriptive notes (if applicable): the stamp depicts Carrickfergus Castle.

There were two different printings of this postage stamp.  From September 1955 to 31st December 1957 the contract was held by Waterlow.  On 1st January 1958 it passed to De La Rue and Co. Ltd.  The two printings can be distinguished by the following characteristics:

1) The individual lines of the De La Rue impression are cleaner and devoid of the whiskers of colour of the Waterlow printing;
2) The whole impression of the De La Rue priniting is lighter and softer that the Waterlow printing;
3) Owing to the closer setting of the of the horizontal rows of postage stamps, the strokes of the perforating comb used by De La Rue were closer.  This resulted in the topmost tooth on each side of the De La Rue postage stamps being narrower than the corresponding teeth in the Waterlow printings, which were more than normally broad;
4) The colour of the 2/6d. postage stamp printed by De La Rue is a warmer, more chocolate shade than the blackish-brown used by Waterlow, and;
5) The paper used by De La Rue was uniformly white.  This was identical to the paper used by Waterlow from February 1957 onwards, but prior to that a paper was used that was creamy by comparison to the white paper.

The postage stamps offered in this sale are from the Waterlow printing.

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.

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.