UPU Specimen Postal Stationery

UPU SPECIMEN POSTAL STATIONERY
Classification of specimen types

Most specimen and equivalent markings were applied to postal stationery by the printer. The main exceptions are items that were overprinted and/or surcharged locally.

British Commonwealth

The majority of items were printed by the foremost London security printers: Bradbury, Wilkinson; De La Rue (by far the most numerous); Harrison & Sons; Waterlow & Co.; and McCorquodale (registered envelopes and air letters only).

Protective markings applied by London security printers

Note that the type numbers shown in curly brackets are tentative and are subject to change, and that the ranges of dates of usage may be extended.

Bradbury, Wilkinson

Very few items of postal stationery were printed for the British Colonies by Bradbury, Wilkinson.

type dates used image dimensions application usage
B{3} 1914 31 × 4
(excl. accent) overprinted diag BL to TR Turkey
B{6} 1934–41 perforated horiz across envelope Sarawak
B{7} 1937 50 × 6 overprinted diag BL to TR Kelantan
B{8} 1937 82 × 9 overprinted diag BL to TR Kelantan
B{10} 1938–51 75 × 8 overprinted diag BL to TR St Vincent
B{14} 1951 73 × 10˝ overprinted diag TL to BR Grenada

type	dates used	dimensions	application	usage
B{3}	1914	31 × 4 (excl. accent)	overprinted diag BL to TR	Turkey
B{6}	1934–41		perforated horiz across envelope	Sarawak
B{7}	1937	50 × 6	overprinted diag BL to TR	Kelantan
B{8}	1937	82 × 9	overprinted diag BL to TR	Kelantan
B{10}	1938–51	75 × 8	overprinted diag BL to TR	St Vincent
B{14}	1951	73 × 10˝	overprinted diag TL to BR	Grenada

De La Rue

De La Rue was the foremost printer of postal stationery for the majority of British Colonies.

type dates used image dimensions application
D{2} 1886–93 89– 90 × 8˝–9 overprinted diag BL to TR
D{2a} as above 89– 90 × 8˝–9 overprinted diag TL to BR
D{4} 1893–1928 91˝–93 × 8˝–9 overprinted diag BL to TR
D{4a} as above 91˝–93 × 8˝–9 overprinted diag TL to BR
D{4r} 1901–28 as above 91˝–93 × 8˝–9 overprinted diag BR to TL (inverted) on reverse
D{4ra} as above 91˝–93 × 8˝–9 overprinted diag TL to BR on reverse
D{4rb} as above 91˝–93 × 8˝–9 overprinted diag TR to BL (inverted) on reverse
D{4rc} as above 91˝–93 × 8˝–9 overprinted diag BL to TR on reverse
D{6} 1925 85 × 9˝ overprinted diag BL to TR
D{7} 1926–27 65 × 10 overprinted diag BL to TR
D{7a} as above 65 × 10 overprinted diag TL to BR
D{8} 1928–37 56˝ × 7˝ overprinted diag BL to TR
D{8a} as above 56˝ × 7˝ overprinted diag TL to BR
D{9} 1937–48 41 × 4 overprinted diag BL to TR
D{9a} as above 41 × 4 overprinted diag TL to BR
D{12} 1941 82˝ × 4 overprinted diag BL to TR
D{15} 1942–43 42 × 4 rubber h/s diag BL to TR in violet
D{18} 1946–47 41˝ × 5 overprinted diag BL to TR

Types D{2}, D{3}, D{4}, D{8} and D{9}, and their variants, were used consecutively during the periods shown above and are by far the most plentiful.

D{4r} BR to TL (inverted) D{4ra} TL to BR D{4rb} TR to BL (inverted) D{4rc} BL to TR

Type D{6} was used for Cyprus and Mauritius in 1925.
Types D{7} and D{7a} were used for Dominica, Federated Malay States, Fiji, Kedah, Leeward Islands, Straits Settlements, Tanganyika and Zanzibar in 1926 and 1927.
Type D{12} was used for Bermuda in 1941.
Type D{15} was used for Barbados and British Honduras in 1942 and for Swaziland in 1943.
Type D{18} was used on air letters for Cyprus in 1946 and Jamaica in 1947.

type	dates used	image	dimensions	application
D{2}	1886–93		89– 90 × 8˝–9	overprinted diag BL to TR
D{2a}		as above	89– 90 × 8˝–9	overprinted diag TL to BR
D{4}	1893–1928		91˝–93 × 8˝–9	overprinted diag BL to TR
D{4a}		as above	91˝–93 × 8˝–9	overprinted diag TL to BR
D{4r}	1901–28	as above	91˝–93 × 8˝–9	overprinted diag BR to TL (inverted) on reverse
D{4ra}		as above	91˝–93 × 8˝–9	overprinted diag TL to BR on reverse
D{4rb}		as above	91˝–93 × 8˝–9	overprinted diag TR to BL (inverted) on reverse
D{4rc}		as above	91˝–93 × 8˝–9	overprinted diag BL to TR on reverse
D{6}	1925		85 × 9˝	overprinted diag BL to TR
D{7}	1926–27		65 × 10	overprinted diag BL to TR
D{7a}		as above	65 × 10	overprinted diag TL to BR
D{8}	1928–37		56˝ × 7˝	overprinted diag BL to TR
D{8a}		as above	56˝ × 7˝	overprinted diag TL to BR
D{9}	1937–48		41 × 4	overprinted diag BL to TR
D{9a}		as above	41 × 4	overprinted diag TL to BR
D{12}	1941		82˝ × 4	overprinted diag BL to TR
D{15}	1942–43		42 × 4	rubber h/s diag BL to TR in violet
D{18}	1946–47		41˝ × 5	overprinted diag BL to TR

Harrison & Sons

The only postal stationery printed by Harrison & Sons for a British Colony are one post card and two envelopes issued by Gold Coast in 1928 and 1931. However, almost all Palestine postal stationery was printed by Harrison & Sons and overprinted or handstamped SPECIMEN by them.

type dates used image dimensions application usage
H{1} 1927–29 65 × 7˝ overprinted diag BL to TR Palestine
H{2} 1931 50 × 8 overprinted diag BL to TR Palestine
H{3} 1928–45 57 × 8 overprinted diag BL to TR Gold Coast (1928–31)
Palestine (1933–43)
H{4} 1941–42 55 × 7˝ rubber h/s diag BL to TR in blackish purple Palestine
H{4a} 1943 as above 55 × 7˝ rubber h/s diag BR to TL (inverted) in blackish purple Palestine
H{5} 1946 71 × 8 overprinted diag BL to TR Palestine

type	dates used	image	dimensions	application	usage
H{1}	1927–29		65 × 7˝	overprinted diag BL to TR	Palestine
H{2}	1931		50 × 8	overprinted diag BL to TR	Palestine
H{3}	1928–45		57 × 8	overprinted diag BL to TR	Gold Coast (1928–31) Palestine (1933–43)
H{4}	1941–42		55 × 7˝	rubber h/s diag BL to TR in blackish purple	Palestine
H{4a}	1943	as above	55 × 7˝	rubber h/s diag BR to TL (inverted) in blackish purple	Palestine
H{5}	1946		71 × 8	overprinted diag BL to TR	Palestine

Waterlow & Co.

Waterlow & Co used a different type of SPECIMEN overprint on almost every item of postal stationery that they printed. Items printed and overprinted SPECIMEN by them have been identified for seven British territories: Basutoland, Bechuanaland Protectorate, British Guiana, Malta, Northern Rhodesia, Sarawak and St Kitts-Nevis.

25 different types of SPECIMEN overprint have been identified. These were used on Basutoland and Bechuanaland (3 types), British Guiana (7 types), Malta (6 types), Northern Rhodesia (5 types), St Kitts-Nevis (1 type) and Sarawak (3 types).

These types are shown below in the same way as those for other printers: chronologically by date of first usage. As the types are specific to individual British Colonies they are shown again in a second table according to usage.

type dates used image dimensions application usage
W{61} 1924 22 × 3 printed horiz across stamp impression Northern Rhodesia
W{62} 1924–30 29 × 5˝ printed horiz across stamp impression Northern Rhodesia
W{41} 1927 33 × 3 overprinted diag BL to TR Malta
W{42} 1927 36 × 3˝ overprinted diag BL to TR Malta
W{63} 1930 66 × 5 overprinted diag BL to TR Northern Rhodesia
W{81} 1931 76 × 7˝ overprinted diag BL to TR Sarawak
W{82} 1931 51 × 5˝ overprinted diag BL to TR Sarawak
W{83} 1931 86 × 8˝ overprinted diag BL to TR Sarawak
W{64} 1932 98 × 7˝ overprinted diag BL to TR Northern Rhodesia

type	dates used	dimensions	application	usage
W{61}	1924	22 × 3	printed horiz across stamp impression	Northern Rhodesia
W{62}	1924–30	29 × 5˝	printed horiz across stamp impression	Northern Rhodesia
W{41}	1927	33 × 3	overprinted diag BL to TR	Malta
W{42}	1927	36 × 3˝	overprinted diag BL to TR	Malta
W{63}	1930	66 × 5	overprinted diag BL to TR	Northern Rhodesia
W{81}	1931	76 × 7˝	overprinted diag BL to TR	Sarawak
W{82}	1931	51 × 5˝	overprinted diag BL to TR	Sarawak
W{83}	1931	86 × 8˝	overprinted diag BL to TR	Sarawak
W{64}	1932	98 × 7˝	overprinted diag BL to TR	Northern Rhodesia

type usage dates used image dimensions application
W{11} Basutoland
Bechuanaland Prot 1933–35
1932–38 41˝ × 6 overprinted diag BL to TR
W{12} Basutoland 1937 56 × 6 overprinted diag BL to TR
W{13} Basutoland
Bechuanaland Prot 1937
1944 85 × 11 overprinted diag BL to TR
W{21} British Guiana 1935–38 68 × 8˝ overprinted diag BL to TR
W{22} do. 1935–38 76 × 7˝ overprinted diag BL to TR
W{23} do. 1938–39 88 × 7 overprinted diag BL to TR
W{24} do. 1939 41 × 5˝ overprinted diag BL to TR
W{25} do. 1940 98 × 9˝ overprinted diag BL to TR
W{26} do. 1944 85 × 9 overprinted diag BL to TR
W{27} do. 1945 59 × 6 overprinted diag BL to TR
W{41} Malta 1927 33 × 3 overprinted diag BL to TR
W{42} do. 1927 36 × 3˝ overprinted diag BL to TR
W{43} do. 1936 71˝ × 6 overprinted diag BL to TR
W{44} do. 1938 54 × 7 overprinted diag BL to TR
W{45} do. 1938 91 × 12 overprinted diag BL to TR
W{46} do. 1943 46˝ × 5˝ overprinted diag BL to TR
W{61} Northern Rhodesia 1924 22 × 3 printed horiz across stamp impression
W{62} do. 1924–30 29 × 5˝ printed horiz across stamp impression
W{63} do. 1930 66 × 5 overprinted diag BL to TR
W{64} do. 1932 98 × 7˝ overprinted diag BL to TR
W{65} do. 1938 94 × 8 overprinted diag BL to TR
W{71} St Kitts-Nevis 1952 46 × 5 overprinted diag BL to TR
W{81} Sarawak 1931 76 × 7˝ overprinted diag BL to TR
W{82} do. 1931 51 × 5˝ overprinted diag BL to TR
W{83} do. 1931 86 × 8˝ overprinted diag BL to TR

type	usage	dates used	dimensions	application
W{11}	Basutoland Bechuanaland Prot	1933–35 1932–38	41˝ × 6	overprinted diag BL to TR
W{12}	Basutoland	1937	56 × 6	overprinted diag BL to TR
W{13}	Basutoland Bechuanaland Prot	1937 1944	85 × 11	overprinted diag BL to TR
W{21}	British Guiana	1935–38	68 × 8˝	overprinted diag BL to TR
W{22}	do.	1935–38	76 × 7˝	overprinted diag BL to TR
W{23}	do.	1938–39	88 × 7	overprinted diag BL to TR
W{24}	do.	1939	41 × 5˝	overprinted diag BL to TR
W{25}	do.	1940	98 × 9˝	overprinted diag BL to TR
W{26}	do.	1944	85 × 9	overprinted diag BL to TR
W{27}	do.	1945	59 × 6	overprinted diag BL to TR
W{41}	Malta	1927	33 × 3	overprinted diag BL to TR
W{42}	do.	1927	36 × 3˝	overprinted diag BL to TR
W{43}	do.	1936	71˝ × 6	overprinted diag BL to TR
W{44}	do.	1938	54 × 7	overprinted diag BL to TR
W{45}	do.	1938	91 × 12	overprinted diag BL to TR
W{46}	do.	1943	46˝ × 5˝	overprinted diag BL to TR
W{61}	Northern Rhodesia	1924	22 × 3	printed horiz across stamp impression
W{62}	do.	1924–30	29 × 5˝	printed horiz across stamp impression
W{63}	do.	1930	66 × 5	overprinted diag BL to TR
W{64}	do.	1932	98 × 7˝	overprinted diag BL to TR
W{65}	do.	1938	94 × 8	overprinted diag BL to TR
W{71}	St Kitts-Nevis	1952	46 × 5	overprinted diag BL to TR
W{81}	Sarawak	1931	76 × 7˝	overprinted diag BL to TR
W{82}	do.	1931	51 × 5˝	overprinted diag BL to TR
W{83}	do.	1931	86 × 8˝	overprinted diag BL to TR

Protective markings applied by the Inland Revenue

The types listed below were applied by the Inland Revenue to postal stationery of Great Britain and to postal stationery of Great Britain overprinted for use abroad.

type dates used image dimensions application usage
GB9 1892–93 14ľ × 2 handstamped on stamp impression Niger Coast (1892–93)
GB16 1902–03 15˝ × 2ľ handstamped on stamp impression Bechuanaland Prot (1903)
Gold Coast (1902)
GB17 1907 16 × 2ľ printed on stamp impression Bechuanaland Prot (1907)
GB26 1903–04 12˝ × 2 handstamped on stamp impression Great Britain (1903–1904)


D{4r} BR to TL (inverted)	D{4ra} TL to BR	D{4rb} TR to BL (inverted)	D{4rc} BL to TR

type	dates used	dimensions	application	usage
GB9	1892–93	14ľ × 2	handstamped on stamp impression	Niger Coast (1892–93)
GB16	1902–03	15˝ × 2ľ	handstamped on stamp impression	Bechuanaland Prot (1903) Gold Coast (1902)
GB17	1907	16 × 2ľ	printed on stamp impression	Bechuanaland Prot (1907)
GB26	1903–04	12˝ × 2	handstamped on stamp impression	Great Britain (1903–1904)