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

20 It was a general, though not invariable practice of the Post Office, to cut up sheets of the plate-impressions vertically, and then to remove all the 1 anna stamps. This was probably done in order to avoid confusion of the denominations, and to facilitate supply to customers. The practice was also adopted with the following printing in orange. SG 64 and 65 (1872, ½ anna and 1 anna orange in watercolour on native paper) This is a wall-defined printing, used, for some three months, from August, 1872. The 1 anna is exceedingly rare: only two used copies are known, and there appears to be no record of one unused. The colour, to the case of printings from an over-charged plate, occasionally approaches orange-red, but is, as a rule, very distinctive. SG 66 to 69b (1874 to 1876 Special Printings in Watercolour on Native Paper) SG 67 (Lot 10099) SG 68 (Lot 10100) SG 66 and 67 (1876 Special Printings, ½ anna and 1 anna bright blue in Watercolour on Native paper) These stamps, unlike the circulars printed in the same colour are, though somewhat rare, fully authentic in having done legitimate postal duty. The ½ anna, indeed, would seem to be only known used. The 1 anna, on the other hand, is rather more common in unused condition, A possible explanation of this may be that, owing to the smaller demand for the higher value, some of these formed part of the few genuine old Rectangulars which ultimately passed, as remainder stock, into the hands of Father Simons. Evans, who condemned most unsparingly the following oil-printed issues of 1877-78, nevertheless proved to his satisfaction by various arguments that, whatever the reason for the production of these “special printings” of 1874-76, it could not possibly have been for sale to collectors; and this opinion was published four years after the full details of the Simone Controversy had been made public in India. The disclosures then made, undoubtedly show that the question of sale to collectors had been a factor of influence, but Evans, appreciated that the Jammu “Special Printings” inwatercolour had not, in fact, been so sold, but had been applied solely for legitimate purposes. SG 68 and 69 (April 1876 Special Printings, ½ anna and 1 anna emerald green in Watercolour on Native Paper) Both denominations have always held a high place among Jammu rarities, and as with the bright-blue stamps, the 1 anna unused, is more common than the ½ anna in like condition. When genuinely used it is by far the rarer of the two. The stamps are only known used in 1876, the earliest dates being April 19th and 21st, and they appear to have been withdrawn before the commencement of oil printing. They were probably superseded by further printings in watercolour red, which are known used up to, and even some three months after, June 1877, at which date oil-printing commenced. SG 69a and 69b (1874-76 Special Printings, ½ anna and 1 anna deep(jet) black in watercolour on native paper) Used copies, which must show the square black obliterator, are rare; unused ½ anna stamps are common, by comparison, though still much undervalued (in 1937). Both denominations are known used, but we have not yet seen the 1 anna unused. There are, however, reasons for believing that it exists. We have never seen any dated example and therefore simply retain the date given by Masson which, it will be noticed, is that of the “Special Printings”. The rarity of the stamps makes it certain, however, that only a single printing took place, and that this was even smaller than that of the emerald-green stamps. SG 70 to 77 (June 1877 to 1878 in oil colour on native paper) Attempts to print in oil colour as distinct from stable printing ink were made from June 1877. As they were made from both the rectangular plate and the circular dies on both local and European papers (including several varieties of the latter) in a whole range of colours, it could be considered that most of these attempts were of an experimental character, which would account for their rarity. The only stamps which are reasonably common are those in red shades on native paper. It should be pointed out, however, that there is every evidence that once printing in oil colour had commenced there was no further water colour printing at Jammu.