PISC Discussion Forums

I bought lot 137 from the Bill Holland 2 auction.

The lot description reads: An airmail cover to U.S.A. bearing S.G.F. 110 & 121 tied unclear d.r.c.

The drc are, as the description states, not easy to read. However, they are legible enough to see that they are dated March 1972.

When I've compared the 5c stamps with my copies of SG98 and 98a the globes in the stamps on the cover look a lot more like SG98a than they do SG98 (which would mean that they were SGF110a rather than SGF110).

The globe on the 5c stamp I have on fdc matches the globe on SG98 (as would be expected).

I don't know much about these stamps and wondered if anyone has any thoughts or could enlighten me on matters relating to this variety.

I will have to try again to load scans - I'm getting an error message at the moment:- NEW HEBRIDES 001.jpg exceeds the maximum upload file size for this server (check php.ini settings).

Adding pictures.

I've noticed on the 5c stamps on the 1972 cover and also on my copy of SG98a that the printing colour of the globe in the upper right corner tends to bleed upwards toward the top margin significantly more than it does on SG98 or SGF110.

The pictures show a cut and paste with SGF110 (ex FDC)and a pair of suspected SGF110a (ex 1972 cover), the 1972 cover, the fdc and mint examples of SG98 / SG98a.

The stamps are as you rightly say are SG98 and F110 together with their A numbers (issued 25.2.72) I find the best way to place them is the colour of the globe and especially the ship it seems lighter in the" a"issue. From your FDC this seems to verify the theory.

Sorry should have said the 72 issue is lighter, having had a second opinion in pure day light, also most of my copies are on cover with clear dates. BUT I must admit it is very difficult with stamps of cover.

Sorry Gremlins in my computer, should have stated "lighter in 65 issue".... If you wish I could send you E Mails with my examples.