Exhibits

This exhibit is the Philatelic evidence of Original Research into the Printing and Plate varieties of the 2-value of the October 1919 Poland Postage Due issue. The stamp was issued with just the value “2” – in Blue with value in halerzy for Southern Poland and Red in fennigow for Northern Poland. The same plates were used for both colours as the Constant Flaws appear in both. The exhibit commences with a discussion on Electro Flaws then covers the Constant Flaws by Position identified by Constant Flaw and if possible by Electro flaws to an individual cliche. The Substitutions are discussed in detail.

Examination using a digital microscope on a sheet [of 100 in blue] and 2 large blocks of the issue [90 stamps [blue] and 80 [red]] showed that Constant Flaws were present on stamps in the same position on alternative rows. To make up the sheet of 100 impressions 5 blocks of 2 rows of 10 were used in the manufacturing processes of the printing plate. The only reference [Colonel Larkit;1g 1932] recorded no constant flaws for the 2-value 1919 postage due.

A steel die was engraved [in relief] and hardened and used to create a mould of 20 in 2 rows of 10. This mould was then used to create 5 Electros [A-E] which were backed and fixed to make a solid printing plate for typography. It was during these processes [before any printing] that the Constant Flaws were created by minor imperfections in the transfer of the die impression to the mould or in the Electro process or initial plate construction. Each Constant Flaw would be repeated 5 times. These are described and illustrated in the exhibit.

During my research I discovered that the Constant Flaws on positions 11 & 15 and 12 & 16 were identical. The explanation is of a Substituted in the Mould production. Further, I demonstrate that in Electro Ethe Positions 11 & 12 were substituted by new cliches from E Positions 14 & 15 – an example of Substituted Cliches.

Electro Flaws or plate flaws are as a result of subsequent plate damage and wear and tear and accumulate over time during the life of the plate. These electro flaws are unique to each cliche and are documented for eventual publication. They are described but not illustrated. The Electro flaws are critical to be able to plate blocks of the issue.