In 1968, postage dues followed the postage stamp paper change (from Wilding issues on paper with Multiple Crowns watermark to Machin issues on chalk-surfaced paper without watermark). The gum was changed later in the year from Gum Arabic to PVA, and two values were printed in Photogravure.
| Gum Arabic | PVA Gum | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2d | Agate | 11 Apr 1968 | 26 Nov 1968 |
| 3d | Violet | — | 5 Sept 1968 |
| 4d | Blue | 25 Apr 1968 | † |
| 5d | Orange-brown | — | 3 Jan 1969 |
| 6d | Purple | — | 5 Sept 1968 |
| 1s | Ochre | — | 19 Nov 1968 |
† There is a 4d registation sheet in the Postal Museum with PVA gum dated 22 Apr 1968, but it was not approved. However, a single copy of the 4d with PVA gum has been recorded suggesting that some sheets were issued.
Varieties
S&T Joined
S&T Joined
S&T Joined
S&T JoinedClick the images to enlarge.
S&T Joined occurs in several positions, on different values.
The 4d is known bisected at: Northampton (1970).
The 6d is known bisected at: Kilburn, London NW (1968).
Photogravure
A new 8d stamp was issued in October 1968, just after the system of First-Class and Second-Class mail was introduced on 16 Sept 1968. This new stamp was printed in photogravure (the first postage due to be so printed) on chalk-surfaced paper, without watermark, and with PVA gum. A 4d stamp followed in photogravure the next year. The printed area of both stamps is noticeably smaller than that of the letterpress stamps.
| 4d | Blue | 12 June 1969 |
| 8d | Red | 3 Oct 1968 |
Cylinder Blocks
Covers
