There are three types of Winged Wheel watermark as shown by the following illustration:
Measurements of the three types |
Type 2 is only used for certain recess printed stamps. Type 1 is oval in appearance and can be indistinct. Type 3 is usually much clearer and is more circular in appearance. When the watermark is displaced and you can only see the gap between two winged wheels, then Type 1 has an 8 mm gap while Type 3 has a 10 mm gap between them
They come in up to eight possible orientations, but it is rare for there to be more than four for an individual stamp, and often only one.
The orientations are as seen from the back of the stamp, and described using abbreviations as follows:
This is best understood by looking at the illustrations below.
If the sheet was not perfectly aligned then the letters of the marginal inscription would appear on the stamp rather than just the selvedge. Such stamps command a premium which varies according to how much of the letters show.
1ND |
1NS |
1CD |
1CS |
1DB |
1DA |
1SA |
1SB |
3ND |
3NS |
3CD |
3CS |
3DB |
3DA |
3SA |
3SB |
The stars watermarks were introduced to get round the orientation problem, and had no letters in the selvedge.
The stars are sharp and clear, and aligned horizontally or vertically.
Horizontal |
Vertical |
It is known for some examples to show lines indicating that the paper is laid.
The stars are slightly less sharp and clear, and aligned at an angle. This angle can either be 25° or 65°.
25°D |
25°S |
65°D |
65°S |
The stars are slightly less sharp and clear, and aligned at an angle. This angle can either be 25° or 65°. Alternative rows are not precisely aligned.
25°DA |
25°DB |
25°SA |
25°SB |
65°DA |
65°DB |
65°SA |
65°SB |
The stars are arranged as for Type I, but are very fuzzy and indistinct.
Watermarks
Copyright reserved by the author, Tony Clayton
v1 23rd April 2015
