Somaliland Protectorate-1953-Queen Elizabeth the 2nd-A Partial Set of Definitve Postage Stamps

Shown below are nine of the stamp values issued in 1953 for the Somaliland Protectorate. The set consisted of eleven values from 5 Cents to 10 Shillings. Originally values of stamps issued for Somaliland were in Annas and Rupees as in India. However in 1951 the currency was changed to Cents and Shillings, with 100 Cents equaling 1 Shilling. This gives the curious 1 Shilling and 30 Cent stamp illustrated here. The two values not shown are the 5 Shilling (brown and green) and 10 Shilling (brown and violet) issues. The 5 Shilling was illustrated with the Martial Eagle (as in the 50 Cent value) and the 10 Shilling with Taleh Fort. The watermark for the set was multiple crowns. (shown below are details of the 1 Shilling value, the 10 Cent value (Askari = a native soldier) and the watermark for the set.

British Somaliland-1903-Edward the 7th-2 Postage Stamps of India-Overprinted-Illustrated

Illustrated below are the Half Anna and 1 Anna stamps issued for British Somaliland in 1902. At this time stamps were not issued specifically for Somaliland and the stamps issued for India were used with the overprinted legend British Somaliland. These two examples were also issued for official use. The watermark was a large star. (shown below the illustration of the stamps).

Antigua-1977-3 Christmas Postage Stamps-Illustrated

Shown below are the 1/2 Cent, 1 Cent and 2 Cent values from the Christmas stamp set issued for Antigua in 1977. The stamps have no watermark. The paintings, (left to right), are by Tuta, Bernado Crivelli and Lorenzo Lotto.

Antigua-1975-3 Christmas Postage Stamps-Illustrated

Shown below are the 1/2 Cent, 1 Cent and 2 Cent values of the Christmas stamp set issued for Antigua in 1975.The stamps have no watermark. The paintings are (left to right) by Correggio, El Greco and Albrecht Durer.

Antigua-1974-4 Christmas Postage Stamps-Illustrated

Shown below are the 1/2 Cent, 1 Cent, 2 Cent and 3 Cent values of the Christmas stamp set issued for Antigua in 1974. The stamps have no watermark. The paintings are (top left to bottom right) by Bellini, Raphael, Van De Weyden and Giogione.

Brunei-1968-A Commemorative Postage Stamp-The Sultan's Birthday-Illustrated

In 1967 Sultan Omar Ai Saifudden of Brunei abdicated and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah assumed the throne. The next year in 1968 a set of three postage stamps were issued to commemorate Sultan Hassanal's birthday. The set had three values of 4, 12 and 25 Cents, all of the same multicoloured design with only values in the bottom right corner differentiating the stamps. The stamps bore a painted portrait of the new sultan.

Brunei-1958-A Commemorative Postage Stamp-Opening of the Brunei Mosque-Illustrated

Below is the 1958 15 Cent (black and red) value from a set of three postage stamps issued in Brunei to commemorate the opening of the Brunei Mosque. The set consisted of three values an 8 Cent (black and green) the 15 Cent value illustrated here and a 35 Cent (black and lilac). All the designs were the same with only colour and value differentiating the stamps. The stamp shows the mosque with a portrait of Sultan Omar Ali Saifudden in the top right corner of the stamp.

Brunei-1952-A Partial Set of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Definitives-Illustrated

Shown below is a partial set of the stamps issued for Brunei in 1952. The stamps are part of a set with values from 1 Cent to 5 Dollars. The stamps bore a portrait of the then Sultan of Brunei, Ali Omar Saifudden, in the values from 1 Cent to 50 Cents. The values of 1 to 5 Dollars had an older design first used in 1924 of native houses of a water village, here slightly modified to include the Coat of Arms of Brunei. The colours of the dollar values were 1 Dollar (black and green), 2 Dollars (black and red), and 5 Dollars (black and purple). Below the set are details of the 2 Cent and 1 Dollar values.

Degas-Spartan Girls Provoking Spartan Boys-An Analysis-Illustrated

In Degas "Spartan Girls provoking Spartan Boys" we can find many of the elements of the mature Degas. Drama, movement, youthful physique are all present in many of his mature works.


This particular painting is also perhaps significant in that while it was obviously "historical" and painted for submission to the Paris Salon its subject is of an "everyday" nature. The fashion of the time was for historical/mythological subjects treated as high drama, or idealised recreations of an ancient golden age. Here Degas imagines and "recreates" ancient Sparta but the subject has an immediacy and "realism" that makes one think that Degas was already influenced by the ideas that would shape Impressionism.

The painting is perhaps also significant for the way in which Degas approaches the subject. Unlike Monet and others, who tried as far as possible to work directly from nature (hence the importance of landscape as a subject ), Degas worked from studies carefully worked up until he was ready to produce a finished painting. One of his compositional methods for producing a sense of immediacy in a painting was to overlap or pose figures making spontaneous gestures . As in "real life" there is a sense that figures are in a more random relationship to one another. (compare a Degas ballet scene to say Louis-David's "Oath of the Horatii").
 

Loius-David-"Oath of the Horatii"

In fact it is rare to see a complete figure in a work by Degas. Take practically any ballet scene, figures overlap each other, are posed in such a way that a part of the figure is not shown or are cut off by the painting edge.  This is exactly the compositional device used in "Spartan Girls Provoking Saprtan Boys". The only figure in the work not overlapped is the bearded older man in the middle ground. This compositional device  is used throughout Degas mature works. "Saprtan Girls Provoking Spartan Boys" is perhaps is a seminal work by Degas that prefigured many of the themes, approaches and techniques he would use throughout his life.

Although linked with the Impressionists Degas was never comfortable with the label and by analysing his background and painterly preferences we can perhaps see why. Degas particular individuality, his middle class background, draughtsmanship, study in Italy, and lack of success in the Paris Salon all play their part in his approach to his art. It could perhaps be said that Degas evolution as a painter is a product of his acceptance or rejection of the aesthetic currents of his time.

From the dominant aesthetic of time, the carefully composed dramas from mythological/historical literary sources, he retains a sense of drama and respect for careful composition while rejecting its literary basis. From the Impressionist aesthetic he retains the the subject drawn from life while rejecting its spontaneity and more prosaic elements. (Here perhaps we could contrast Degas with Cezanne. Cezanne accepted the Impressionist aesthetic but ulitmately rejects its methods, with the result that today Cezanne is more highly regarded as an artist than Degas.)

When Degas does paint an outdoor scene the subject is a "gentlemans" subject, the racetrack. Landscape is a backdrop for the drama and movement of horses and jockeys. It is this unwillingness to lose a sense of drama in painting that leads him to the footlights of the stage, circus performers, cafes, ballet classes, in short all the subjects he favours.

Newfoundland-1919-5 Cent (Ultramarine)-Trail of the Caribou-Postage Stamp-Illustrated

Shown below is the 1919 5 Cent issue of the Newfoundland stamp. The stamp bears the legend "Royal Naval Reserve" with "Ubique" below the legend. Most of the stamps in this issue bore the legend "Trail of the Caribou" with the name of a battle below that, however the 2 Cent, 5 Cent, 8 Cent and 12 Cent issues bore the legend as shown below.The stamps with values from 1 Cent to 36 Cents were issued to commemorate the the Newfoundland Contingent who fought in the First World War. Each issue had the name of a battle in which the contingent fought during the war. This particular example has been hand-cancelled. (See other values of this stamp issue this blog)

Newfoundland-1919-4 Cent (Mauve)-Trail of the Caribou-Postage Stamp-Illustrated

Shown below is the 1919 4 Cent issue of the Newfoundland stamp. The stamp bears the legend "Trail of the Caribou" with "Beaumont Hamel" below the legend. The stamps with values from 1 Cent to 36 Cents were issued to commemorate the the Newfoundland Contingent of soldiers who fought in the First World War. Each issue had the name of a battle in which the contingent fought during the war. There are two known shades of this particular issue the mauve shown below and a purple shade. The purple shade is the more highly valued of the two.

Newfoundland-1919-3 Cent (Brown)-Trail of the Caribou-Postage Stamp-Illustrated

Shown below is the 1919 3 Cent issue of the Newfoundland stamp. The stamp bears the legend "Trail of the Caribou" with "Gueudecourt" below the legend. The stamps with values from 1 Cent to 36 Cents were issued to commemorate the the Newfoundland Contingent of soldiers who fought in the First World War. Each issue had the name of a battle in which the contingent fought during the war. There are two known shades of the 3 Cent issue a brown as shown here and a red-brown. The red-brown shade is considered of slightly higher value.

Newfoundland-1919-2 Cent (Scarlet)-Trail of the Caribou-Postage Stamp-Illustrated

Shown below is the 1919 2 Cent issue of the Newfoundland stamp. The stamp bears the legend "Royal Naval Reserve" with "Ubique" below the legend. Most of the set carried the legend "Trail of the Caribou", however the 2 Cent,5 Cents, 8 Cents and 12 Cents had the legend as illustrated below.The stamps with values from 1 Cent to 36 Cents were issued to commemorate the the Newfoundland Contingent who fought in the First World War. Each issue had the name of a battle in which Newfoundlanders fought during the war. There are two known shades of the 2 Cent value. A scarlet as shown here and a carmine-red. The carmine-red is considerably higher in value.

Newfoundland-1919-1 Cent (Green)-Trail of the Caribou-Postage Stamp-Illustrated

Shown below is the 1919 1 Cent issue of the Newfoundland stamp. The stamp bears the legend "Trail of the Caribou" with "Suvla Bay" below the legend. The stamps with values from 1 Cent to 36 Cents were issued to commemorate the the Newfoundland Contingent of soldiers who fought in the First World War. Each issue had the name of a battle in which the contingent fought during the war.

Straits Settlements-1920-George the 5th-1 Cent coin-Specs-Illustrated

Illustrated below are the obverse and reverse of the 1920 George the 5th 1 Cent coin issue for the Straits Settlements. (For a fuller history of the Straits Settlements see 1874 Queen Victoria 1 Cent coin this blog).
The specifications for this coin are listed below the illustrations. The design for the coin issued for George the 5th was changed considerably from prevoius issues. With changes to the legend, smaller, lighter in weight, square and made from bronze not copper as previous issues.

Obverse


Crowned bust left of George V
Lettering: GEORGE V KING AND EMPEROR OF INDIA

Reverse
Value within beaded circle

Lettering:
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS

1 CENT 1920
Edge Plain


Features
Country

Straits Settlements
Year 1920
Value m1 Cent (0.01)
Metal Bronze
Weight 5.8 g
Diameter 21 mm
Engraver Edgar Bertram Mackennal (obverse)
Shape Square
Orientation Medal alignment ↑↑

Straits Settlements-1895-Queen Victoria-1 Cent coin-Specs-Illustrated

Illustrated below is the obverse and reverse of the 1895 Queen Victoria 1 Cent coin issue for the Straits Settlements. (For a fuller history of the Straits Settlements see 1874 Queen Victoria 1 Cent coin this blog).
The spcifications for this coin are listed below the illustrations.

1895 4,466,000 were minted


Obverse


Lettering: VICTORIA QUEEN

Reverse

Lettering:

STRAITS SETTLEMENTS
1· ONE CENT 1895 ·
Edge Reeded


Features


Country
Straits Settlements

Year 1895
Value 1 Cent (0.01)
Metal Bronze
Weight 9.33 g
Diameter 29 mm
Engraver Leonard Charles Wyon (obverse)
Shape Round
Orientation Medal alignment ↑↑

Straits Settlements-1891-Queen Victoria-1 Cent coin-Specs-Illustrated

Illustrated below are the obverse and reverse of the 1891 Queen Victoria 1 Cent coin issued for the Straits Settlements. (See 1874 Queen Victoria Straits Settlements 1 Cent coin this blog for fuller coin history).The specifications for the coin are listed below the illustrations. This coin differs in some minor respects from the 1874 issue, slightly bigger with a reeded edge.

1891-6,004,000 1 cent coins were minted.
Obverse

Lettering: VICTORIA QUEEN



Reverse

Lettering:
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS
1-ONE CENT 1891 ·
Edge Reeded

Features




Country

Straits Settlements



Year

1901

Value

1 Cent (0.01)
MetalmBronze
Weightm9.33 g
Diameterm29 mm
Engraver Leonard Charles Wyon (obverse)
ShapemRound
Orientation Medal alignment ↑↑

Straits Settlements-1874-Queen Victoria-1 Cent coin-Illustrated

Illustrated below is the obverse and reverse of the 1874 1 Cent coin  issued for the Straits Settlements.
In 1826, the three Settlements of Penang, Malacca and Singapore were amalgamated to form the Straits Settlements. The capital was Penang until 1836, when it was transferred to Singapore. Later, the Cocos – Keeling Island, the Christmas Islands and Labuan were placed under the Government of the Straits Settlements. At this time, the main currencies used as the local medium of exchange were the Spanish Dollar, Dutch Doits and the Singapore merchant tokens.


In 1858, the British Government took over the Straits Settlements. During this period, the Straits Settlements was under the control of the Government of British India. In 1862, a new issue of one cent, half cent and quarter cent coins was made for use in the Straits Settlements, bearing in inscription “India Straits”. In 1867, the Straits Settlements were transferred to the Imperial Government in London, and on April 1, 1867, the Straits Settlements became a Crown Colony. The first series of coins bearing the inscription “Straits Settlement”, were issued in 1871with the last issue in 1935. Straits Settlements coins include those issued under the reigns if Queen Victoria (1837-1901), King Edward VII (1901-1910) and King George V (1910-1936).

Obverse


Lettering: VICTORIA QUEEN

Reverse

Lettering:

STRAITS SETTLEMENTS ·
1-ONE CENT 1883






1874  10,000,000 1 Cent coins were minted
Country Straits Settlements
Year 1874

Value
1 Cent (0.01)
Metal Copper
Weight 9.3 g
Diameter 28.8 mm
Engraver Leonard Charles Wyon (obverse)
Shape Round
Alignment  obverse and reverse in reverse alignment
Edge Smooth


 
 

Australia-1943-George the 6th-1 Penny-Indian and Perth Varieties-Specs-Illustrated

Shown below are the obverse and reverse of the 1943 Penny issued for Australia. The 1943 penny was minted in Perth, Western Australia and in Bombay, India. The specifications (with their different identifying features) and mintages appear below the illustrations. The Indian mintage appears on the left in obverse and right in reverse.

Indian Mintage

Obverse:

King GEORGE VI - Design by Thomas Humphrey Paget.
Legend: GEORGIVS VI D: G: BR: OMN: REX F: D: IND: IMP.

 Reverse:

Kangaroo - Design by George Kruger Gray.
Legend: AUSTRALIA - PENNY - 1943

Edge: Plain Edge.
Weight: 9.45 grams (145.8 grains).
Size: 30.8 mm (diameter).
Composition: Bronze - 97% Copper, 2.5% Zinc, 0.5% Tin
Mintage:- 9,000,000.

Bombay, India: Proofs- 40 proofs were made in India for this issue
 Mintmarks: I under head on obverse.
Dot before & after PENNY on reverse.


Perth Mintage

Obverse:

King GEORGE VI - Design by Thomas Humphrey Paget.
Legend: GEORGIVS VI D: G: BR: OMN: REX F: D: IND: IMP.

 Reverse:

Kangaroo - Design by George Kruger Gray.
Legend: AUSTRALIA - PENNY - 1943

Edge: Plain Edge.
Weight: 9.45 grams (145.8 grains).
Size: 30.8 mm (diameter).
Composition: Bronze - 97% Copper, 2.5% Zinc, 0.5% Tin
Mintage: Perth: Circulation - 33,086,400.
Proofs- 12. Proofs were made for this issue
Mintmarks: Dot afer Y of PENNY on reverse.

Australia-1936-George the 5th-1 Penny & Halfpenny-Specs-Illustrated

Illustrated below is the obverse and reverse of the George the 5th 1 Penny and Halfpenny issued for Australia in 1936. Below the illustrations are the spcifications and mintages.

HALFPENNY


 Obverse:

King GEORGE V - Design by Sir Edgar Bertram Mackennal.
Legend: GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP.

Reverse:

Design by W. H. J. Blakemore.
Legend: ONE HALF PENNY - COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA - 1936

Edge: Plain Edge.
Weight: 5.67 grams (87.5 grains).
Size: 25.5 mm (diameter).
Composition: Bronze - 97% Copper, 2.5% Zinc, 0.5% Tin
Mintage: Disputed - 2,562,200 to 5,577,600 - Melbourne.
Mintmarks: None.


PENNY

 Obverse:

King GEORGE V - Design by Sir Edgar Bertram Mackennal.
Legend: GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP.

 Reverse:

Design by W. H. J. Blakemore.
Legend: ONE PENNY - COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA - 1936

Edge: Plain Edge.
Weight: 9.45 grams (145.8 grains).
Size: 30.8 mm (diameter).
Composition: Bronze - 97% Copper, 2.5% Zinc, 0.5% Tin
Mintage: 9,890,400 - Melbourne.
Mintmarks: None.

Australia-1935-George the 5th-1 Penny & Halfpenny-Specs-Illustrated

Illustrated below is the obverse and reverse of the 1935 Penny and Halfpenny issued for Australia in 1935.
Below the illustrations are the specifications and mintages.

HALFPENNY

Obverse:

King GEORGE V - Design by Sir Edgar Bertram Mackennal.
Legend: GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP.

 Reverse:

Design by W. H. J. Blakemore.
Legend: ONE HALF PENNY - COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA - 1935

Edge: Plain Edge.
Weight: 5.67 grams (87.5 grains).
Size: 25.5 mm (diameter).
Composition: Bronze - 97% Copper, 2.5% Zinc, 0.5% Tin
Mintage: Melbourne: Circulation - 2,916,000.
Proofs - 100 proof coins were struck for this issue
Mintmarks: None.


PENNY

 Obverse:

King GEORGE V - Design by Sir Edgar Bertram Mackennal.
Legend: GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP.

 Reverse:

Design by W. H. J. Blakemore.
Legend: ONE PENNY - COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA - 1935

Edge: Plain Edge.
Weight: 9.45 grams (145.8 grains).
Size: 30.8 mm (diameter).
Composition: Bronze - 97% Copper, 2.5% Zinc, 0.5% Tin
Mintage: Melbourne: Circulation - 3,724,800.
Proofs - 100 proof coins were struck for this issue
Mintmarks: None.

Australia-1934-George the 5th-1 Penny & Halfpenny-Specs-Illustrated

Illustrated below is the obverse and reverse of the 1 Penny and Halfpenny issued for Australia in 1934.
Below the illustrations are the specifications and mintages.

HALFPENNY

 Obverse:

King GEORGE V - Design by Sir Edgar Bertram Mackennal.
Legend: GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP.

 Reverse:

Design by W. H. J. Blakemore.
Legend: ONE HALF PENNY - COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA - 1934

Edge: Plain Edge.
Weight: 5.67 grams (87.5 grains).
Size: 25.5 mm (diameter).
Composition: Bronze - 97% Copper, 2.5% Zinc, 0.5% Tin
Mintage: Melbourne: Circulation - 3,816,000.
Proofs - 100 proofs were made for this issue
Mintmarks: None.

PENNY

 Obverse:

King GEORGE V - Design by Sir Edgar Bertram Mackennal.
Legend: GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP.

 Reverse:

Design by W. H. J. Blakemore.
Legend: ONE PENNY - COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA - 1934

Edge: Plain Edge.
Weight: 9.45 grams (145.8 grains).
Size: 30.8 mm (diameter).
Composition: Bronze - 97% Copper, 2.5% Zinc, 0.5% Tin
Mintage: Melbourne. Circulation - 5,808,000.
Proofs -There were 100 proof coins struck for this issue
Mintmarks: None.

Australia-1933-George the 5th-1 Penny & Halfpenny-Specs-Illustrated

Illustrated below are the obverse and reverse of the 1933 Halfpenny and Penny issued for Australia in 1933.
Below the illustrations are the specifications and mintages.

HALFPENNY

 Obverse:

King GEORGE V - Design by Sir Edgar Bertram Mackennal.
Legend: GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP.

 Reverse:

Design by W. H. J. Blakemore.
Legend: ONE HALF PENNY - COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA - 1933

Edge: Plain Edge.
Weight: 5.67 grams (87.5 grains).
Size: 25.5 mm (diameter).
Composition: Bronze - 97% Copper, 2.5% Zinc, 0.5% Tin
Mintage: 4,608,000 - Melbourne.
Mintmarks: None.



PENNY

 Obverse:

King GEORGE V - Design by Sir Edgar Bertram Mackennal.
Legend: GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP.

 Reverse:

Design by W. H. J. Blakemore.
Legend: ONE PENNY - COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA - 1933

Edge: Plain Edge.
Weight: 9.45 grams (145.8 grains).
Size: 30.8 mm (diameter).
Composition: Bronze - 97% Copper, 2.5% Zinc, 0.5% Tin
Mintage: 5,817,600 - Melbourne.
Mintmarks: None.

Australia-1927-George the 5th-1 Penny & Halfpenny-Specs-Illustrated

Illustrated below is the obverse and reverse of the 1921 Halfpenny and Penny issued for Australia in 1921.
Below the illustration are the specifications and mintage of the coin.

Halfpenny
 Obverse:

King GEORGE V - Design by Sir Edgar Bertram Mackennal.
Legend: GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP.

 Reverse: Design by W. H. J. Blakemore.
Legend: ONE HALF PENNY - COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA - 1927
Edge: Plain Edge.
Weight: 5.67 grams (87.5 grains).
Size: 25.5 mm (diameter).
Composition: Bronze - 97% Copper, 2.5% Zinc, 0.5% Tin
Mintage: 3,072,000 - Melbourne.
Mintmarks: None.


Penny

 Obverse

King GEORGE V - Design by Sir Edgar Bertram Mackennal.
Legend: GEORGIVS V D. G. BRITT: OMN: REX F. D. IND: IMP.

Reverse:  Design by W. H. J. Blakemore.
Legend: ONE PENNY - COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA - 1927
Edge: Plain Edge.
Weight: 9.45 grams (145.8 grains).
Size: 30.8 mm (diameter).
Composition: Bronze - 97% Copper, 2.5% Zinc, 0.5% Tin
Mintage: 4,920,000 - Melbourne.
Mintmarks: None.