Identifying the King
George V Stamps
Bermuda 2/6 MSCA Issues
as described by Dr. Miles Glazer
Updated - December, 2009
Black & Carmine
Pale Blue Paper
September, 1926 and November, 1928
Black & Red
Blue to Deep Blue Paper
June, 1929 and October, 1929
Grey-Black & Pale Orange-Vermilion
Grey-Blue Paper
February, 1930
SG 89I - ST 95
Black & Carmine-Red
Deep Grey-Blue Paper
August, 1930
SG 89J - ST 95b
Black & Scarlet-Vermilion
Deep Blue Paper
May, 1931 and September, 1931
Black & Bright Orange-Vermilion
Deep Blue Paper
July, 1932
Dr. Myles Glazer's book - "The King George V High
Value Stamps of Bermuda, 1917-1938" was published in 1994, and is
still one of the best references to the King George V Keyplate stamps
of Bermuda. Printing and descriptions on this article are all quoted from
this book. The observations are those of the author based on the descriptions
in the book.
Dr. Glazer lists 9 printings, but some are fairly close to each other;
and there is some variation in each of the printings. In order to make
this less complex, this article will attempt to tie the printings back
to the Stanley Gibbons (SG) and Scott (ST) catalog listings. Please note
that the date listed by Dr. Glazer is the date of receipt in Bermuda,
while Gibbons lists the first known use date.
Identifying the KGV 2/6 Issues is mostly a matter of comparing the paper colors, then the frame plate colors, and finally the head plate colors. All statements are made based on comparisons with multiple stamps. This is much more difficult with only one stamp.
Paper Colors - Compare the paper by looking at the back of the stamp. I typically use black and then white paper with two spot lamps to compare colors. SG 89 is on the palest blue paper. SG 89H is on a grey-blue paper, SG 89J and SG 89G are on deeper blue papers than the other issues. SG 89I is between the pale blue and the deep blue papers.
Frame Plate Colors - SG 89K is the most distinctive from the other printings with the orangey-red color. SG 89G has the deepest frame color compared to the other printings. SG 89J is also a deep frame color, but is more vermilion (which has a faint orangey color to it).
Head Plate Colors - You will be comparing shades of grey-black and black. The two rare printings (SG 89H and SG 89K) tend to be more of a grey-black shade. The others are some variation of black.
If you are interested in this issue, Dr. Glazer's book will be an invaluable source of information. It includes details on the printing methods, chemical composition of the inks, and a great many other topics.