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Auction: 9020 - Stamps & Covers of the World
Lot: 3037

Uganda 1896 (Nov.) Type-set Stamps The Rev. Frank Rowling, C.M.S., designed the type-set stamps and supervised the printing of them by a Muganda lad, Tomasi Lwabidongo, on the Albion press at the C.M.S. Station at Luba´s in Busoga Province. The first printing, issued on 7th November 1896, consisted of 29,000 stamps with a total value of some 12,000 rupees. The four low values were printed on white paper, off-cuts from paper used for publications, of a size which allowed the form of type to be used twice on each sheet, the sheet being turned between each pressing. The higher values were printed on yellowish paper, Rowling´s own writing paper from the Army and Navy Stores, to make forgery difficult, one pressing only on each sheet of writing paper. Rowling was short of thick "1"s - hence the slender numerals of some 1 anna stamps from the first printing. There was also a shortage of capital "O"s; this resulted in the small "o" in "postage" variety found in stamp number 9 on each pane. A further printing of 30,000 stamps, issued on July 2nd 1897, omitted the 5r. value. The four low values were printed with panes tête-bêche side by side in the second printing; they had been printed one over the other, panes tête-bêche, in the first printing. Covers and Cancellations A selection of British Vice-Consul cachets on blocks of four of 2a. (thin at top; one with small "o" in "postage"), 4a. and 8a., 1r. pairs (2, one on small piece), 8a. and 1r. (2) on piece, and 8a. (creased) on piece; generally fine Estimate £ 350-450

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