1895 Queensland 1d Burelé band postally used

Due to a paper shortage, stocks of the ordinary watermarked paper ran out and the 1d. had to be printed on thick beer duty paper, going on sale on 16 January 1895. By late January stocks of this emergency printing were running low and there was also widespread dissatisfaction with this printing as the stamps were falling off envelopes due to adherence problems.

A further emergency printing was therefore considered necessary, and owing to the problems associated with the original emergency printing it was decided that until the anticipated supplies of the of the usual paper were received from London, a further emergency printing, using plain wove paper with lithographed Burelé bands on the reverse as a security measure, would be issued. Meanwhile the supplies of ordinary watermarked paper had arrived in Brisbane in 1 February 1895.

The Burelé band printing went on sale at post offices on Tuesday 19 February 1895 and quickly attracted interest from collectors and speculators due to the Burelé band on the back. As the normal watermarked paper stocks had now arrived in the colony, the Burelé band printing were replaced on Friday 22 February 1895 (Scudder gives this date but I have been unable to corroborate it. Robson Lowe in the Empire in Australia p. 116 gives a date of 28 February 1895) by a new 1d. stamp, the so-called Cameo issue as the background shading around the Queen's head had been removed.

This meant that the Burelé band printing was only on sale for a handful of days before being replaced! Accordingly postally used examples are rare, while mint copies, blocks and sheets are relatively plentiful as they were snapped up for speculative purposes. Scudder writes that 420,000 stamps were issued. However in the London Philatelist vol 4, May 1895, p. 144, a remark made in connection with this printing was that "The quantity issued of these appears to have been very small". The following month (p. 172), a figure of 300,000 was given.

I have divided the postal usage into three periods:

• Postally used in February 1895, that is, during the period when these stamps were on sale at the post offices. This usage is extremely rare and only two examples have been seen that fall within the three day window when this issue was definitely on sale (19 - 21 February 1895). To date only examples have been seen from Brisbane, suggesting that this issue may only have been sold at the Brisbane GPO
• Postally used till the end of 1895. Some examples have been seen from this period used in towns other than Brisbane.
• Philatelic use after 1895. This includes blocks from a sheet from Hughenden posted in 1898 which presumably was originally a mint sheet purchased for speculative purposes. This period also includes the only example known on cover

Cancelled to order (CTO) examples also exist and an example is shown below

February 1895 postal usage

1d. Burelé band postally used in Brisbane in February 1895. The first two are date stamped 21 February 1895 and the other two are date stamped 26 and 27 February 1895 respectively

1d. Burelé band postally used in Brisbane on 26 February 1895. Seen in the Queensland Stamp Collecting Facebook Group

March 1895 postal usage

1d. Burelé band postally used in Brisbane on 1 and 12 March 1895. Seen in the Queensland Stamp Collecting Facebook Group

1d. Burelé band postally used in Brisbane on 4 March 1895. Seen in the Queensland Stamp Collecting Facebook Group 

2 x 1d. Burelé band postally used in Rockhampton on 10 March 1895. Seen in the Queensland Stamp Collecting Facebook Group 

April 1895 postal usage

1d. Burelé band postally used in Gympie in April 1895 and Ipswich on 21 March 1895

May 1895 postal usage

A mixed franking including a 1d. Burelé band postally used at South Brisbane on 10 May 1895

Philatelic usage

1898

1d. Burelé band dated Hughenden 21 September 1898. Positions 1-5, 11-15, 21-25, 31-35, 41-45 and 51-55

1d. Burelé band dated Hughenden 21 September 1898. Positions 6-10 and 16-20. Seen in the Queensland Stamp Collecting Facebook Group. Ex Griffiths

1899

1d. Burelé band dated Toowong 18 April 1899. Seen in the Queensland Stamp Collecting Facebook Group. Ex Griffiths

1902

1d. Burelé band dated Brisbane 24 February 1902, unknown post office dated 1902, Nelson (framed datestamp types were  issued 1914-15)

1910

1d. Burelé band dated Brisbane 24 February 1910

1934

1d. Burelé band dated Brisbane 1934

Cancelled to order (CTO)

1911

1d. Burelé band CTO with a Brisbane type 22 date stamp dated 12 July 1911. Positions 7-8 and 17-18

1895 1d Burelé band Frame Damage

The 1895 1d Burelé band issue, like many of the Sideface issues, has a number of frame flaws found on the outer edges of the various moulds. These flaws probably occurred when the copper shell was stripped from the mould.

Because frame flaws occurred before the printing process they are constant flaws and can be used to assist in plating this issue. To illustrate this I have analysed positions 15 and 97 in the sheet, using 4 examples from the 4 sheets in my possession

Position 15

Position 15 on the sheet showing extensive frame damage at bottom of stamp

Composite of 4 different copies of position 15 from sheets in my collection showing the same 4 instances of damage to the frame

Position 97

Position 97 on the sheet showing frame damage at bottom of stamp and especially pronounced on the left hand side

Composite of 4 different copies of position 97 from sheets in my collection showing the same 4 instances of damage to the frame

Queensland 1895 1d Burelé band article

An article from the London Philatelist vol. 5, 1896, p. 53 on the 1d Burelé band issue. The face value for this sheet was 10 shillings.

QUEENSLAND-We reproduce some interesting information from the M. J., about the late surfeit of varieties in paper, printing, etc.:

"A correspondent in this Colony sends us some interesting information as to the causes of some of the numerous varieties that have been issued of late. Two or three years ago, when the finances of the Colony were not in a satisfactory condition, orders were given for economies of all kinds, and that all stocks should be kept as low as possible, and this was the reason for the proper paper first running short. Various samples of paper obtained locally were tried, but were not found to answer, and recourse was then had to the large Crown & Q paper, previously used for the higher value postage and for the Beer Duty stamps. This paper is thick and soft, it was found to absorb the gum, and the public complained that the stamps would not stick! The paper with a Burelé band on the back was then taken into use for the 1d. value, but this formed so distinct a mark that the public bought up the stamps for speculative purposes, and after the new penny appeared, on the proper paper, the Burelé pennies were sold on the spot at 30 shillings to 40 shillings per sheet of 120.

The same thing then happened with the 1/2d. value, except that the Burelé paper was tried first, and when there was a run upon this variety the Beer Duty paper was employed. But the public had learned a little Philately by this time, and the second lot disappeared as fast as the first had done. Lastly, the plain paper, with invisible embossing, was brought into use, and this appears to have stopped the speculation, for, as our correspondent tells us, the public saw nothing in these, and did not buy except for legitimate use.

Just before the new supply of paper arrived, the 1s. stamps ran short, and in order to prevent these (the supply printed provisionally?) being bought up by collectors, the precaution was taken of sending them to small towns only, where they would be asked for in limited quantities."

We do not think the above is any excuse for what must necessarily appear to be a mere money-making scheme on the part of the postal authorities and official speculators. Had either extra large quantities of the Beer Duty paper, or the paper with Burelé band, been issued, speculation would have been stopped. Freaks like this, in the best of our Colonial Post-offices, bear a bad impression both to the perpetrators and Philately

1895 1d Burelé band Ink Squeezes

The 1895 1d Burelé band issue, like most of the Sideface issues, has a number of additional lines or ink marks outside the frame. These are known as reglet flaws or ink squeeze. They appear to have developed when, in setting up the plate with the 30 moulds, damage occurred when levering them into the correct position. 

Because ink squeezes occurred when creating the plate, they are constant flaws and can be used to assist in plating this issue. To illustrate this I have analysed positions 1 and 10 at the top of the sheet. I have used a control stamp from two blocks in my possession for both positions and then compared them with 4 other examples from 4 sheets in my possession

Position 1

Position 1 on the sheet showing 4 instances of ink squeeze:

1. Protruding squeeze above the frame at top LH corner

2. Protruding squeeze below the frame at bottom LH corner

3. Line of ink across the entire length of the LHS of the frame progressively showing a white space in-between as it descends the frame

4. A triangle of ink above and to the right of the top RHS corner

Composite of 4 different copies of position 1 from sheets in my collection showing the same 4 ink squeezes. Note that depending on the positioning of the perforation holes some ink squeeze characteristics can be obscured

Position 10

Position 10 on the sheet showing 1 instance of ink squeeze:
1. A triangle of ink protruding diagonally from the right of the  top RHS corner

Composite of 4 different copies of position 10 from sheets in my collection showing the same ink squeeze

Major Ink Squeezes on the sheet

There are only a handful of prominent ink squeezes to be found on this sheet (positions 1, 2, 11 and 21) as well as some minor ones

L-R, position 1, 2, 11 and 21

This table shows the various positions where ink squeezes are found on the sheet

(LT = Left Top of the stamp, LB = Left Bottom, TL = Top Left, TR = Top Right, RT = Right Top, RB = Right Bottom, BL = Bottom left and BR = Bottom Right of the stamp)

Description of the Individual stamp characteristics (Italics indicates a significant identifying characteristic). Position no: 

1 - Extensive ink squeeze on left hand side of frame joined at the top and separating towards the bottom 

2 - Ink triangle above and to the left of the top left-hand corner

Ink squeeze at the top right-hand corner and separate from it

Ink squeeze in the upper quadrant of the right-hand side of the frame and separate from it 

3 - Faint Ink squeeze dot above top right-hand corner

4 - Irregular Ink squeeze thickening of top frame most noticeable at the beginning of the left and at the end of the right

6 - Small excrescence of Ink squeeze protruding from the frame on the top right-hand corner 

7 - Small thickening of the outer frame line due to Ink squeeze on the top right-hand side

8 - Slight thickening of the outer frame line due to Ink squeeze and most pronounced on the top right-hand side

10 - Faint Ink squeeze dot above top left-hand corner

Ink squeeze elongation extending from the top right-hand corner

11 - Extensive ink squeeze on left hand side of frame separated and extending above the frame at the top and joining towards the bottom but ending just before

21 - Prominent ink squeeze on left hand side of frame close at the top and separating and becoming irregular and dashed before petering out in line with the bottom of the ornament

31 - Very faint Ink squeeze line above top left-hand corner

61 - Thin dashed ink squeeze line on left hand side of frame petering out in line with the bottom of the ornament

80 - Vertical thin ink squeeze line on the outside of the left-hand side frame towards the bottom

81 - Thin dashed ink squeeze line on left hand side of frame petering out in line with the bottom of the spandrel

91 - Thin vertical short ink squeeze line to the left and above the top left-hand side of the spandrel

101 - Slight thickening of the outer frame line due to Ink squeeze on the upper left-hand side

120 - Ink squeeze dot below and to the right of the bottom right-hand corner 

Top row; Positions 1-4, 6-8. Middle row: Positions 10, 11, 21, 31, 61, 80, 81. Bottom row: Positions 91, 101, 120

1895 1d Burelé band Electro Types

The second Sideface issues were based upon a single 2d. master die stamp known as the Ridgway head of Queen Victoria on a lined oval background, made by Bradbury Wilkinson in 1882. A mould was made using 4 clichés or copies taken from the die itself and soldered together. This mould was then repeated 30 times to make up the two pence plate.

By 1887 this plate was worn out and new plates were constructed. Stamps from the first plate of the new 1d design (lacking the stop after "PENNY") were placed on sale on 5 May 1887. It was replaced in October 1889 by Plate 2 and Plate 3 from 1892 onwards.

The moulds used in 1887 sustained damage or eventually wore down, leading to their gradual replacement. In all 4 different dies were used. By June 1894, the 3rd printing plate was made up of 9 die 4 and 21 die 1 units and it was this plate that was used for the final 1895 printing on on plain paper with a Burelé band on the back as a security measure.

Initial die sub-type

Top row L-R sub-types 1, 2. Bottom Row L-R sub-types 3 and 4. This block is from positions 1, 2, 11 and 12 on the sheet)

Sub-type 1

A - The 2nd dot from the bottom of the left frame breaks out of the frame
B - Dots 7 and 8 from the bottom in the right frame are joined
C - Leg of the "P" of "PENNY" is longer than other types

Sub-type 2

A - “LA” of “Queensland” joined

B - The 9^th dot from the bottom of the left frame is joined to the spandrel vertical line

Sub-type 3

A - Upward projection of the frame at top left corner

B - The dot above the ‘L’ of ‘Queensland” runs out of the frame
C - Leg of the "P" of "PENNY" is shorter than other types

Sub-type 4

A - A weak or broken shading line in front of the throat

Spandrel Flaw

The Spandrel flaw originated from a small indentation in the lead mould from which the die was formed. The white area surrounding the coloured triangle resulted from the lead being slightly raised around the edge of the indentation. It appears in Sub-type 4 in positions 12, 16, 20, 54, 56, 72, 80, 94 and 120. Positions 80 and 120 are intermediate, not always appearing fully formed.

Spandrel flaw in position 12

The 9 spandrel flaws. Top row left to right are positions 12, 16 and 20. Middle left to right are positions 54, 56 and 72 and the bottom row left to right are positions 80, 94 and 120

Dies 1 and 4

As mentioned above, 9 die 1 and 21 die 4 units were used. These can be distinguished by the following additional features.

Die 1

Type 1. The "A" of "QUEENSLAND" is well formed

Type 2. "LA" of "QUEENSLAND" joined and letters well formed
Type 3. The "A" of "QUEENSLAND" is well formed

Die 4

Type 1. A coloured dot in the shading lines just below the centre of the bust

Type 1. The "A" of "QUEENSLAND" is well formed

Type 1. The top curl of the right side ornament may be closed off by a fine line

Type 3. The "A" of "QUEENSLAND" is well formed

Type 4. A triangular flaw in the lower right spandrel

Position of sub-types in sheet

Sub-type 1: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 21, 23, 25 ,27, 29, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 81, 83, 85, 87, 89, 101, 103, 105, 107, 109

Sub-type 2: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30. 42, 44, 46, 48, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110

Sub-type 3: 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 91, 93, 95, 97, 99, 111, 113, 115, 117, 119

Sub-type 4: 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80. 92, 94, 96, 98, 100, 112, 114, 166, 118, 120

Position of dies 1 and 4 in sheet

Die 1: 3, 4, 7, 8, 13, 14, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 57, 58, 59, 60, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 81, 82, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 11, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118

Die 4: 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 19, 20, 43, 44, 45, 46, 53, 54, 55, 56, 61, 62, 69, 70, 71, 72, 79, 80, 83, 84, 93, 94, 109, 110, 119, 120

1895 1d Burelé band PE of Penny omitted (SG 206a)

This page seeks to show all the 1895 1d red-orange PE of Penny omitted (SG 206b and Scott 102a) examples I have seen

This variety appears on Plate 3 (1892 - 1895) of the 1d issued in 1887 and was printed in February 1895 on plain paper with the Burelé band on the back, perf 12.5 / 13 comb. It is a type 2 die and is in position no 2 (2nd stamp from the left on the 1st row) on the sheet

The "PE" of Penny is almost entirely obliterated. It is a transient flaw and is known on stamps of both red-orange and pale yellow-orange shades

It is believed that no more than 180 sheets were produced before the flaw was spotted and the defect corrected. Stanley Gibbons lists it as SG206b and prices it both mint and used. However, I have never seen a used example, which strongly suggests that the sheets containing this flaw never went on sale at post offices, and therefore any existing examples came from within the Queensland Post and Telegraph Department 

This is confirmed by Samuel Dalby, writing in the Philatelic Journal of Great Britain (Philatelic Fragments, 20 September 1914, p. 160), where he wrote that "the faulty sheets were not thrown out, but were included in the quantity sent to the Postal Department". They would have come from the Government Printing Office where they were printed

How did this flaw occur? Dalby suggests the following: "Soon after the printing of this emission was started, an unnoticed air bubble on the inking roller burst and the composition from the bubble clogged the letters PE on one of the stamps. In the earlier feedings the defect appeared as a large blot; as it became more consolidated by repeated pressure an even surface was formed which gave a clear impression, "ONE --NNY” until a few sheets had gone through the machine, when the fault was discovered and the electrotype was
cleaned."

Ken Scudder (Queensland Postage Stamps 1879 to 1912, p. 170), provides additional information. "Initially this bubble of ink sat upon the tops of the "PE" but soon worked down to obliterate these two letters. Curiously, this flaw is known on stamps of both Red-Orange and Pale Yellow-Orange. As the flaw was transient, it would seem that the changes in colour may have, to some extent, been random. It is believed the air bubble came about when a new inking roller was used for the first time." 

It is believed that at least 2 complete sheets containing this flaw have survived, one held by Ken Scudder and the other by Dr Andrew Mortlock.

A block of 15. Red-orange. In my collection 

Red-orange. In my collection 

A strip of three. Red-orange. In my collection 

A strip of three. Red-orange. In my collection 

A strip of three. Red-orange. In my collection 

A block of six. Red-orange. In my collection. Ex Butler

From the sheet held by Dr Andrew Mortlock

Millennium auction no 19 lot no 357

Seen in Prestige Philately auction no 146 lot no 1136 with this wonderful description: "NO WATERMARK BLUE BURELE BAND: 1d upper-left corner strip of 3 with an Early State (Black Cloud Descending) of the 'ONE NNY' Flaw, full unmounted o.g. ["The Australian Philatelist" of March 1895 at page 104 states: "After printing a few sheets, the fault was discovered...This error was corrected..." However the early state of the flaw goes unmentioned]". Ex Manning

Seen in Prestige Philately auction no 146 lot no 1137 and Spink auction no 20030 lot no 206. Ex Manning and Diffen

Seen on Ebay

Seen in an auction catalog somewhere on the Internet

Millennium auction no 17 lot no 159 

Spink auction no 12043 Lo no 1305. Ex Griffiths

Spink auction no 13011 Lo no 2291

Seen at Status auction in May 2017

From the collection of Dr Andrew Mortlock

Prestige Philately auction no 96 lot no 411. Ex Colonel Harries

Phoenix auction no 19

In the collection of Carl Burnett 

In the collection of Carl Burnett 

In the collection of Carl Burnett and uniquely cancelled to order for presentation to members of parliament and other dignitaries

Seen in the Queensland Stamp Collecting Facebook Group

Courtesy of Dave Elsmore

Stanley Gibbons sales. Ex Butler 

Stanley Gibbons sales. Ex Butler 

Ebay, June 2018, and then Gartner 49

Seen in Corinphila auctions, October 2017:1 d. vermilion-red, no wmk. with burelê in blue, a fine unused strip of three, central stamp (position 2 on sheet) showing the variety "PE" of PENCE missing. Unapparent diagonal bend but fresh and fine, large part og.

A strip of 3 for sale on Ebay in October 2020

A block of 6 seen in Status auctions in September 2022

A block of 6 seen on Ebay in November 2022

Seen on Ebay in March 2023

Seen in the collection of John Pearson

Seen in the Queensland Stamp Collecting Facebook Group