A spin-off from the Elizabethan study is the interesting category of 'dies
found on stamps of all six monarchy'. The current total I have listed for
this group is 73 dies, although I would guess the 'final' figure will lie
somewhere between 75 and 100. Thus there is plenty of scope to find and collect
dies appearing on stamps from each of the six different reigns. Of these though,
just three have been found to extend from the Queen Victoria Id Red era (i.e.
pre 1880) all the way through to the Elizabethan Wilding/Machin issues. Brief
details are given here (standard codes used for issues), but full details
will be available in the published version of the 'Elizabethan' study.
| "D&C°.."(D0850.01) |
 |
In use: |
1875-1954. [Life of 79 years] |
| Dates: |
3 June 1884 - 18 Feb 1941. |
| Issues: |
1d (SG43)- 18 plates 148-221, B, D, E, F, H, I, M, 0, Q, R, T, U(TC) |
| Ident: |
Davies & Co, Advertising Agents, 1 Finch Lane, Comhill, London EC. Later
- 95 Bishopsgate, London EC2. |
| "de in G" (G1390.01) |
 |
In use: |
1876-1968. [Life of 92 years]. |
| Dates: |
20 May 1878 - 18 Nov 1960. |
| Issues: |
Id (SG43) - 21 plates 150-222 B, E, F, H, I, M, 0, Q, R, T, U, V, X,
Y |
| Ident: |
Abraham de Gruchy & Co Ltd, Drapers, St Helier, Jersey. |
| "H&/GS" (H2980.01) |
 |
In use: |
1878-1962. [Life of 84 years]. |
| Dates: |
14Aug 1886. |
| Issues: |
1d (SG43)-2 plates 207 & 218 D, E, F, I, L, M, 0, P, Q, R, T, U(MC),
X |
| Ident: |
H & G Simmonds Ltd, Brewers, Bridge St, Reading. |
The other category of perfin highlighted by the Elizabethan study is the
'longest lived die'. Although attempts have been made in the past to identify
these, I present a short list here of seven thought to have been used for
90 or more years.
| Letters |
Cat. No. |
Die In Use |
Life |
At Least |
| SC |
S1210.04M |
1890-1995 |
105 |
101 years |
| BC |
B1110.05M |
1895-1995 |
100 |
94 |
| P&O/Co. |
P3500.02 |
1885-1985 |
100 |
92 |
| M/C |
M1060.02M |
1890-1985 |
95 |
79 |
| de in G |
G1390.01 |
1876-1968 |
92 |
92 |
| GE/C |
G1540.01M |
1905-1995 |
90 |
85 |
| U.L |
U1170.01M |
1905-1995 |
90 |
?? |
With the exception of the previously listed de Gruchy's "de in G", the die
in use dates have been 'rounded' to increments of 5. This list will reduce
to just four as the article progresses.
105 Years
|
based on 'rounded' dates, but at least 1894 to 1995. |
| "SC" S1210.04M) |
 |
In use: |
1890-1995. [At least 101 years] |
| Dates: |
17 May 1894 - 3 Oct 1995. |
| Issues: |
B, E, F, H, I, M, N, 0, P. Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, W(ell), X
Note: Refurbished cl965? |
| Ident: |
Salford Corporation, Manchester. |
|
NOTE: This perfin has since been reported (October 2003 Bulletin) used on 15 June 1888. |
100 Years
|
based on 'rounded' dates, but at least 1899 to 1993. |
| "BC" (B1110.05M) |
 |
In use: |
1895-1995. [At least 94 years] |
| Dates: |
17 Oct 189?-26 Nov 1971. |
| Issues: |
B, E, F, H, I, M, 0, P, Q, R, U, V, W, W(ell), X
Note: Similar die used by Blackpool Corporation is now B1110.05a. |
| Ident: |
Burnley Corporation, Lancashire. |
100 Years
|
based on 'rounded' dates, but at least 1889 to 1981. |
| "P&O/C0." (P3500.02) |
 |
In use: |
1885-1985. [At least 92 years] |
| Dates: |
... May 1889 - 27 Aug 1948. |
| Issues: |
B, C, E, F, H, I, L, M, N, 0, P, Q, R, T, U, W |
| Ident: |
Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Co, 122 Leadenhall St, London
EC3. |
95 Years
|
based on 'rounded' dates, but at least 1895 to 1974. |
| "M/C"(M1060.02M) |
 |
In use: |
1890-1985. [At least 79 years]. |
| Dates: |
... April 1895 - ... Oct 1974. |
| Issues: |
B, D, E, F, H, I(RC/BC) [M, 0, Q low values - none!] Q, R, S, U, V,
W, X
Note: Multiheaded die - 10 impressions. |
| Ident: |
Manchester Corporation. |
This die does not appear to have been used 1925-1945.
The gap may well have been filled by "M/C" (M1060.03).
| "M/C" (M1060.03) |
 |
In use: |
1925-1945. |
| Dates: |
6 Aug 1935 - 16 Feb 1938. |
| Issues: |
I(BC), M, 0, Q, R |
| Ident: |
Manchester Corporation. |
For completion,
the 'old' die "M/C" (M1060.02M) was probably replaced c1975 by "M/C" (M1060.04),
known used only on early decimal Machins. Earliest and latest known dates
for this die are 29 Nov 1975 and ... 1978.
Thus, the anticipated life of 95 years for "M/C" (M1060.02M) has been reduced
greatly to at least 79 years, and even then with a period of around 20 years
in the middle when it wasn't used at all.
The de Gruchy die
|
"de in G" (G 1390.01) was made by Joseph Sloper (m/c N°. 5080, and completed
24th June 1876). It is known used on the 6d Machin (mint), introduced
5th February 1968, giving a life span of at least 92 years. |
90 Years
|
based on 'rounded' dates, but at least 1908 to 1993. |
| "GE/C"(G 1540.01) |
 |
In use: |
1905-1995. [At least 85 years] |
| Dates: |
26 Nov 1908-... 1989. |
| Issues: |
F, H, I, J, L, M, N, 0, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, W(ell), X |
| Ident: |
The General Electric Co Ltd :- Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Dublin,
Dundee, Edinburgh, Liverpool, London. |
 | There is one more
die that might creep into the 'nonagenarian' category - the University of
London's "U.L" (U1170.01M), known used 1905-1995 (90 years). However, I believe
more than one die is represented in the details recorded in the New Illustrated
Catalogue so this may take a while to resolve! |