Updated - February, 2015
The Irish St. Patrick issues were produced initially in 1937 and continued into the late 1960's. Identifying these issues is primarily a matter of determining the watermark, then finding the difference between the papers, and finally comparing the colors. Look at your stamps against black paper with a good light as you make your determination.
The catalog numbers are from the 2008 Commonwealth Catalogue (CW), 2013 Stanley Gibbons Stamp Catalogue (SG) and the 2011 Scott catalog (ST). The description is primarily from the Stanley Gibbons Catalogue.
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used from 1922 thru 1937 issues
used beginning in 1940
The example shown is the normal watermark as seen from the back of the stamp.
found on the earlier issues
found on issues about 1967
You will see a range of shades. Notice how bright the white gum is compared to the cream gum.
The gum will help you determine the time period the stamp was produced.
All of the earlier issues, including the SE watermark were printed on paper with cream gum.
2/6 Green
Watermark Gaelic SE
Cream Gum
2/6 Emerald Green
Watermark Gaelic E
Cream Gum
2/6 Pale Emerald
Watermark Gaelic E
Cream Gum
2/6 Emerald Green
Watermark Gaelic E
Chalk Paper - White Gum
5/ Maroon
Watermark Gaelic SE
Cream Gum
5/ Ruby
Watermark Gaelic E
Cream Gum
5/ Deep Ruby
Watermark Gaelic E
Cream Gum
5/ Maroon
Watermark Gaelic E
Chalk Paper - White Gum
5/ Purple
Watermark Gaelic E
White Gum
10/ Deep Blue
Watermark Gaelic SE
Cream Gum
10/ Deep Blue
Watermark Gaelic E
Cream Gum
10/ Deep Blue
Watermark Gaelic E
Chalk Paper - White Gum
10/ Pale Blue
Watermark Gaelic E
White Gum
This article was written to help you identify your stamps. Please feel free to ask a question, or include a correction.