Antigua KGVI Issues

Identifying the Antigua KGVI Issues
Updated - March, 2013

The Antigua KGVI Issues were printed between 1938 and 1952. This article is intended to show a collector how to sort these stamps using one of the three major catalogues. Please note that there are numerous color shades of the stamps shown. We are not planning to illustrate every listed catalogue shade, but rather to identify how to sort the stamps into the primary catalogue numbers.

The catalog numbers are from the 2008 Commonwealth Catalogue (CW), the 2011 Stanley Gibbons Stamp Catalogue (SG) and the 2011 Scott catalog (ST). The descriptions are from the Commonwealth Catalogue. Please order a Commonwealth Catalogue from Murray Payne if you want to see more details on prices, or flaws from these and other KGVI issues.

Although there were as many as 10 different printings of some of these values, the catalogs list only the obvious differences. So expect to see a range of colors because the technology for color matching in the 1930's and 1940's was not that exact when the printer mixed up the ink. My opinion is that the first printing is the one that is listed in the catalog, and then any major deviation is also listed. For this illustration, I did copy the stamps from the first printing (they have the yellowish gum as shown below). Don't be surprised if your copies don't match exactly.

The stamps were printed by Waterlow and Sons. The Waterlow printings tend to be pretty consistent in the perforations used (from about 12.4 to 12.8), but will range in colors and in the paper and gum that was used. Some experts claim you can tell the printing from the perforation, but when I have compared them, it appeared to be inconclusive.

The images were saved in a larger size and at a higher resolution so you can more easily see the details used in sorting them. Please be patient if it takes a few minutes for this page to load.

Paper and Gum used for Antigua KGVI Issues
The paper and gum can be used to help you determine the relative time period that the stamp was printed. Notice the differences in the color and apparent thickness of the stamps shown below when you view them against black paper.

1938-1942 Printings Yellowish or Creamy Gum Thicker Appearing Paper You might see ridges in the gum under a strong light.	1943-1947 Printings Off-White Gum Thinner Appearing Paper The watermark is most visible on this paper. The gum color tends to fall between the yellowish early paper and the whiter later papers.	1948-1952 Printings White Gum Thinner Appearing Paper The bright white color is very obvious when viewed against black paper.

CW 1 - SG 98 - ST 84
1/2d Yellow-Green

CW 1a - SG 98 - ST 84
1/2d Green

CW 2 - SG 99 - ST 85
1d Deep Scarlet

CW 2a - SG 99a - ST 85
1d Red

Found on the early printings.
Expect to see the yellowish gum.

This color comprises a number of printings.
Expect to see some variation in color.

This color is found on most of the printings.
You will see a range of gum types.

This color is typically found on white paper.


CW 3 - SG 100 - ST 86 1-1/2d Chocolate-Brown	CW 3a - SG 100b - ST 86 1-1/2d Lake-Brown	CW 3b - SG 100a - ST 86 1-1/2d Red-Brown
Most of the printings fall under this description. Expect a range of papers.	Expect to see white paper. Notice the purplish tinge to the color.	This is found on both off-white and white paper. The color is deeper than CW 3.