Indian Princely States - Jammu & Kashmir A Selection from the Dan Walker Collection June 12, 2018

18 identification of these stamps presents no particular problems. The only complication in this series consists in the existence of a few unrecorded varieties, which have to be added to the catalogues or classified as reprints, in which case reprints of circulars on European laid paper have to be admitted. We find as before that the unused varieties are much more common than the used ones, which is again the reversal of the situation found in the case of the Jammu old rectangulars. The colours are the same as in the oil series on native paper, but a yellow shade has to be added for the ½ anna value. Though the latter stamp is unique in used condition, it is not as scarce in unused condition as one might expect. The major rarity already referred to is the ¼ rupee (4 annas) in sage green. of which less than a dozen copies are known. The unrecorded varieties which belonged to Dr. Wolf consist of a ½ anna in sage green and a 1 anna in yellow. Since the present whereabouts of these two stamps is unknown, they are placed between parentheses in the next table Jammu Oils on Laid Paper. 1877-1878. ½ anna 1 anna ¼ rupee (4 annas) unused used unused used unused used (hmwiii41) red * * * * (greyish) black * * slate blue * * * * * sage green ( * ) * yellow * * ( * ) The black and slate blue varieties are not always easy to distinguish; in some cases, the pigments almost merge into each other. The composition of this table suggests that there may have been other varieties of oil circulars on European laid paper. SG 52 to 86 (Jammu Old Rectangulars, composite plate of 4) The Jammu Old Rectangular Composite Plate In 1867, Jammu had been provided with a single and very small plate which, from that date until superseded by the New Rectangulars of 1878, continued to do the bulk of the production of Jammu stamps; also that, owing to the inadequate size of the Plate, this had to be supplemented, as occasion arose, by further printings from all three circular dies, printings from both plate and dies proceeding side-by-side in the same colours; and, finally, that, in the latter respect, Jammu differed entirely from Kashmir which, having from 1866-7 onwards been provided with a comprehensive series of plates and dies, had no need to supplement them in any way. Capable of printing but four stamps at an operation, and of a total value of 2½ Annas, it can scarcely be a matter for surprise that its feeble resources of production were supplemented by printings from the old circular dies, particularly since one of the latter was a 4 annas—a denomination which was not included on the plate. Old Rectangular Stamps