The 1955 and 1960 globe and hintha type aerogrammes: some discoveries

1. A 1955 watermark error
 

The very first globe and hintha type aerogramme (RW-5) was issued in 1955. It was printed on the “IMPERIAL AIR MAIL” watermark paper produced by Wiggins Teape. In the production of paper, an English alphabet was inserted in the watermark to identify the year of production. Starting from 1948, the letter “A” was inserted in the watermark. At the beginning of every year, the letter was replaced with the new one while some letters are skipped. Burma’s 1955 globe and hintha type aerogramme is found printed on the paper with letters “A”, “B”, “I”, “K”, “L”.

Some copies of the “B” watermark are defective. The “B” instead becomes “5” due to missing lines. It is caused by a defect in the letter part of the dandy roll.

2. A 1960 watermark variety

In late 1960, the simulated perforation was added to the stamp imprint (RW-8). These are found printed on the paper with letters “M”, “O”, “P”, “V” and “Y”.  Watermark “P” has two versions. The normal height of the “IMPERIAL AIR MAIL” watermark with all letters is 48 mm, but some copies of watermark “P” are 55 mm in height.

3. Same design but different plate

After printing the sheets on type “P” watermark paper, the printing plates are recreated. The tablet and indicium are visibly different from previous types. The white folding line in the tablet is thinner compared to others. And level of fine details in the indicium is also more noticeable and some lines are longer in “V” and “Y” types. The differences are compared in the following figure:  

“V” and “Y” watermark papers were produced in 1964 and 1965. The earliest used copy of a “V” watermark aerogramme in my collection is 27 April 1966, commercially used to India. For the “Y” watermark aerogramme, I have an unsent copy, counter cancelled on 31 August 66. But the earliest commercial usage I have is 13 May 1967 to Honduras. The succeeding tractor and oxen aerogramme, “Y” watermarked, was issued on 2 Mar 1967. So we can say that these two varieties were probably issued in early 1966. 

Citation

Toe Kyaw Kyar, "The 1955 and 1960 globe and hintha type aerogrammes: some discoveries", The Burma Fantail, Vol. 16, No. 1, Whole Number 59, pp. 14-15, January 2019.