Great Britain King George V Seahorse High Values Thread

So I was wondering if I might post a few questions here to get some help in deciphering this issue. I've done a little reading of the various plate states, printers and varieties and have to say , it's a bit overwhelming.... Im hoping to start a little discussion and maybe have those that are more familiar with these issues share some of their knowledge.

It started with me, in that, I've been trying to get a majority of my GB issues organized and have been looking at surface printed when I stumbled into a few piles & dealer cards of the Seahorse issues, 2/6 Half Crown, 5/- Shillings & 10/- Shillings. Knowing nothing of them, I immediately thought of the piles , how disorganized ! So I seem to remember combining a handful of the brown 2/6 's before I thought , I'd better stop until I know what I've got here... But, the damage was done and I think I mixed a good bit of the brown ones up.

Anyway, to kick it off - 1st question - for the 1934 issue, the Recess Waterlow printing, is it the only one that has the Type B portrait background horizontal & diagonal lines? If so, that would be SG no.'s 450-452?

for example, the background behind the king's head:





Next question - I have a few different piles of the 2/6 Half Crown. The vertical height amongst the issues between the different printers is relatively close. Is there another way to tell which stamps are from Waterlow Brothers & Layton vs De La Rue?

You'll need an SG Empire & Commonwealth catalogue to help you along with these William

The colour of the stamps of the DLR printings tends to show through the back of the stamp.

So I have the SG empire & comm. Catalogue and The Kings, I think its the vol no. 2 in the series….

Anyway , I thought id at least try on the king's background and checking that at least I have that set right at SG 450-2 and that no others have that shading.

The DLR colour showing through the back, all denominations ?

How old is your SG Commonwealth catalogue William?

2021

The notes below SG417 should be adequate

Must not be in mine!?! What year catalog do you have? I dont see anyting about portrait background Type or SG450-52….

Mine's a 2022 William, but the notes are there in my 1957 edition!

So I do see notes, but I do not see the portrait Type backgrounds SG 440-52 question answered there.

In my 2015, the first background is illustrated immediately above SG399-41, and the second immediately above SG450-452.

So from my opening post, I know its 2 questions when I said 1, but , that would be a yes and a yes to this:

Indeed - that's the straightforward bit about these!

As far as just going by notes vs notes plus discourse here, I noticed mention of frame measurements. I've always been advised to be careful sticking to paper measurements as paper changes sizing due to shrinkage, etc…. I was hoping this would lead to morre discussuon of other factors others have used in sorting these and plating when applicable. As far as the perf corners , its hard for me with no experience in this area to have that be a reliable factor without guidance and input so I was hoping others would have something to say there. Then , there are colors …. Thats a final challenge…..

Thanks! first question answered! Errr, 1st two.

Apprecited.

trying this again - scanner boo boo... More for variety.... May have to scan 1 or 2 at a time for better resolution if anyone is interested.

So I am left with these 4 if anyone can offer any suggestions.... The top one I measure at 22.5mm height of frame. The rest are 22mm height. Seeing as the 22's are close to the "exactly 22.1mm for Waterlow & De La Rue" , could go either way. All used & no gum and I cannot make a discernible difference of the perf holes. I do not see any ink showing through to the back.