2d Lithograph Pictorial research request 

From US TPS member Jerry Weirich

Lithographed 2d Pictorial of Tasmania Request for Information!

Your help welcomed! It's been over 20 years since Lancaster's reference (1) on the pictorial stamps of Tasmania was published. Since then steady progress has been made on plating the pictorials. My primary focus over this time has been on plating the lithographed 2d pictorial.

There were a total of 28 printing plates for the lithographed 2d stamps--22 for the V over Crown watermarked issues (Plates 1-22) and 6 for the Crown over A watermarked issues (Plates 23-28). The plating for Plate 1 has been completed. Significant portions of Plates 2, 5, 6, 9, 27, and 28 also have been accomplished. Unfortunately, I've exhausted my material and blocks, strips, pairs, and other multiples are becoming increasingly difficult to acquire. In order to make further progress on plating these stamps, I would like to request everyone's assistance to share their information.

Most immediately, I would very much like to complete Plate 2. Only 7 positions are needed to be examined and all the positions are within rows 3, 4, and 5 (between positions 15 and 24). Two flaws known to exist on the unexamined locations are shown below. The first stamp is described in Lancaster's book as unpositioned flaw vii (page 37) and it has a small white flaw on the mountainside above the frigate. The second stamp is not described in Lancaster's book but it has a white protrusion atop the sixth spoke from the right. This stamp is probably position 24 but needs to be confirmed in a multiple with an examined position. To find this flaw, you may like to zoom in on the top right of the Plate 2, Position 24 stamp image below.

Anyone with copies of these flaws in multiples could hold the keys to identifying their plate position. In addition, anyone with multiples that include any portion of rows 3, 4, or 5 from Plate 2 could hold the keys to completing Plate 2. Please send all scans (at least 600 dpi) and information to pictorial-research@cox.net. When Plate 2 is completed, it is my intent to publish all findings and position descriptions for Plates 1 and 2 in The Courier. Acknowledgement will be made to all that contribute information.

More long term, I would like to correspond with any collector or researcher that would like to help research all the 2d lithographed printings. I'm convinced that the information is out there to complete the plating of all 28 plates. It will take perseverance but I believe the material exists. If you have multiples that you're willing to share, please send scans (at least 600 dpi) to pictorial-research@cox.net.

Thanks in advance and looking forward to hearing from you.

Reference:
(1) Lancaster, K. E., The Pictorial Stamps of Tasmania, 1899-1912. The Royal Philatelic Society of Australia, Melbourne, 1986.