Identifying the Kenya, Uganda & Tanganyika
10/
King George VI Stamps
Identifying the KUT 10/ King George VI stamps is a matter of comparing these components:
1. Perforation - there are three options - Perf 13.25 and 13.25 x 13.75
which are comb perfs, and Perf 14 which is a line perf. You will need
a perf gauge that is capable of measuring a complete perforation range
(it should be a series of lines) rather than just showing dots.Comb perfs
are created by perforating row and all the columns at once. Line perfs
are done one at a time. The result tends to show at the corners. The comb
perf stamps will have smoother corners, and the line perf stamps will
have some ragged corners.
2. Color - the variation in the center (head) color and frame colors helps
determine some of the printings. Please be aware that there is a range
to the colors on individual issues, so don't expect them to match exactly.
Also, a computer monitor is not considered an accurate method of reproduction.
So you may not see the colors accurately. I generally use a piece of black
paper under two spotlights to compare my colors. The black seems to help
most colors stand out better.
3. A Willingness to be Wrong. Since these stamps were not time and date stamped, you can only hope to be close to right in sorting these printings - especially with the Perf 13.25 x 13.75 issues. So do the best you can and compare any new finds as you obtain them. Be prepared to sort things again when you find something that seems to fit better than your previous estimate. See my notes below each listing to show how I made some of my guesses.
Please see our StampID page for additional details on using some of the tools described above.
The dispatch dates and color descriptions are per "The Printings of King George VI Colonial Stamps" by W.J.W. Potter in collaboration with Lt. Col. R.C.M. Shelton. This is a must for any George VI Collectors which was published in 1952. This reference is out of print, so you will have to look for it as a used item. Two additional listings from the Commonwealth Catalogue were included to enhance the listings.
The catalog numbers are from the 2008 versions of the Commonwealth (CW) Catalogue, and the Stanley Gibbons (SG) Catalogue. Please be aware that the catalogues only list a few of the dispatches, so you will note that most printings are not listed.
CW 7, SG 149
Mauve-Purple & Bright Ultramarine
Comb Perf 13.25
CW 7a, SG 149
Lake & Blue
(Commonwealth Description)
Comb Perf 13.25
and has a paler set of colors than the 1940 printing.
and has a deeper set of colors than the 1938 printing.
CW 21, SG 149a
Deep Purple & Deep Ultramarine
Line Perf 14
CW 32, SG 149b
Purple & Ultramarine
Comb Perf 13.25 x 13.75
compared to the paler colors of the 1949 printing.
Notice the head color is less reddish than the 1945-1948 printings.
The paper color is a little more off-white than the later printings.
CW 32, SG 149b
Red-Purple & Ultramarine
Comb Perf 13.25 x 13.75
CW 32, SG 149b
Red-Purple & Ultramarine
Comb Perf 13.25 x 13.75
It is likely that you may not be able to sort these properly.
I used the paper and gum color to make a decision.
The 1945 printing might be identified by an off-white paper & gum.
It is likely that you may not be able to sort these properly.
I used the paper and gum color to make a decision.
The 1947 printing might be identified by a thin white paper & gum.
CW 32, SG 149b
Red-Purple & Ultramarine
Comb Perf 13.25 x 13.75
CW 21a, SG 149a
Red-Purple & Bright Ultramarine
Line Perf 14
It is likely that you may not be able to sort these properly.
I used the paper and gum color to make a decision.
The 1948 printing might be identified by a whiter paper & gum.
compared to the deep colors of the 1941 printing.
CW 32, SG 149b
Claret & Deep Blue
Comb Perf 13.25 x 13.75
CW 32, SG 149b
Paler Claret & Blue
Comb Perf 13.25 x 13.75
Notice the paler color compared to the purple and red-purple issues.
Of the two claret issues, this on is a little deeper in color.
Notice the paler color compared to the purple and red-purple issues.
Of the two claret issues, this on is a little paler in color.
CW 32, SG 149b
Bright Red-Purple & Ultramarine
Comb Perf 13.25 x 13.75
New Head Plate
CW 32a, SG 149b
Purple & Steel Blue
(Commonwealth Description)
Comb Perf 13.25 x 13.75
New Head Plate
It is described by the Commonwealth Catalogue as Steel Blue in color.
Notice the deeper shade of blue compared to the 1952 printing.
Notice how the plate wore between 1938 and 1950.
Compared to the 1952 and 1954 plates, the King's forehead and nose
is shaded less on the right site. The cross-hatching in the background is
less pronounced on the 1938-1950 issues.
Notice the stronger shading on the forehead and nose area.
The ears seem more detailed also compared to the earlier plate.
Suggested steps in sorting these stamps. We assume you have a number of copies to compare, or this can be very difficult.
1. Measure the perforations. Separate into the Perf 13.25, 14, and 13.25 x 13.75 issues.
2. Eliminate the two printings of the Perf 13.25 and Perf 14 issues based on paper & gum, and colors.
3. Among the Perf 13.25 x 13.75 issues:
a. Sort the printings based on the old and new head plate.
b. Find the claret head plates and compare them to determine the 1949 and 1950 printings.
c. The remaining issues will include the 1944, 1945, 1947, and 1948 printings. Other than the 1944 printing, the remaining three will look pretty much the same. If you have one that does not match because it is a deeper color, it is likely the 1944 printing.
d. Sort between the 1945, 1947 and 1949 printings based on the degree of whiteness in the paper and gum.
KGVI NH - KGVI Mint - KGVI Used