This paper was used for the following
2nd sideface stamps: ½d. green, the 1d. red, the 2d. blue,
the 2½
carmine, the 3d brown, the 4d. yellow, the 6d. green, the 1-/ violet, lilac and
mauve, and the 2/- brown.
This paper was supplied by Messrs. De La Rue & Co., the
first consignment being received in Brisbane about the middle of October, 1879.
It is a medium white wove paper with a watermark Crown above a double-lined Q
(2nd type) to fit each impression on the electrotype plate. The 120 watermarks
(10 x 12) are enclosed in a single-lined frame 8¼ inches (20.95 cm) wide and 11¾
inches (29.85 cm) high. There are no marginal inscriptions, but crosses, 5/16
in. (0.8 cm) x 5/16 in. (0.8 cm), are situated in the centre of
the top and bottom margins, and in a position in the side margins in which the
horizontal limbs of the crosses are in line with the lower edges of the fifth
row of watermarks.
In this type the watermark is 19 to 19½
mm. high, measured from the top of the crown to the lower curve of the Q; the
central compartment of the crown has the sides nearly parallel, and both
outlines of the tail cross the body of the Q. In Nos. 64 and 65 in the sheet,
and a few others in lesser degree, the central compartment of the crown
somewhat resembles the first type, but in no case is it actually pointed. The height
of the watermark is always a sure guide in deciding which paper is in question.
The dandy roll for this paper gave an additional watermark
at the top of the sheet as follows:-
About 1¾ inches (4.5 cm) above the upper outline frame there is a
single line about 7⅜ inches (19 cm) long, with an ornamental arrow head at
each end and a lozenge, 5/16 in. (0.8 cm) x 5/16 in.
(0.8), in the centre above the cross already described. Above the line are the
words “QUEENSLAND STAMP DUTY" in double-lined capitals ⅜-inch
(0.95 cm) high, the inscription being 7⅜ inches (19 cm) long, the same length
as the line. There is no evidence of a paper with the inscription "QUEENSLAND
POSTAGE" or anything similar.
It would appear that all the sheets were manufactured thus,
and when utilised for postage stamps the top part was cut along this line, as
traces of the lower part of the lozenge show above the cross in the upper
margin, and sometimes the line itself is visible owing to the cut not being
made in the correct position.
Traces of this additional watermark have been seen on the De
La Rue Crown Q (2nd type) paper, and the complete watermark has been seen on a
sheet of paper manufactured by Messrs. Alexander Cowan & Son, who received
the dandy roll from Messrs. De La Rue & Co. on a change of contract about
May, 1896.
The De La Rue Crown Q (2nd type) paper was specially
designed to give the best results with electrotype printing, and seems to have
had a certain proportion of zinc white or white lead, probably the former, in
its composition, giving it a dead white, and sometimes a chalky appearance. It
is smoother and of firmer texture than the first Crown Q paper, but the paper
received in October, 1879, was of somewhat looser texture than in later
supplies. The paper sometimes shows a mesh, but usually little or no mesh is
visible.
The sheets, which measure about 9¾ inches (24.8 cm) wide by 13
inches (33 cm) high, are numbered in black, reading downwards in the side
margin at the right lower corner, the numerals being 6¾ mm. high. On one or more
occasions between 1890 and 1895, as shown by corner blocks of the ½d.,
3d., and 2s. (comb perforation), a supply of paper was in use which was
similarly numbered in the right upper corner. In all cases the numbers run from
1 to 500, corresponding to the number of sheets bound up in a book.
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