Richardson Prints
on White Paper
After the Blue paper, Richardson was supplied by the Government Agent with white no watermark paper of various types with which to print postage stamps. Unlike the blue paper which Richardson had used earlier, no examples of the stamps printed on this paper have been found with portions of the paper manufacturers name as a watermark.
​
Generally, the papers are classified broadly into two types: A hard thinnish grade, and soft more porous grade. Both papers are quite white in colour although they can vary considerably from a much whiter stock to in some cases, examples where the paper is rather greyish.
​
Little or no confusion should be experienced in classifying these stamps as the only other example of no watermark white paper printing is a special printing of the 2d value made in 1863 after Richardson had ceased printing stamps. By 1863 the 2d stamp plate was showing signs of wear that showed up to the right of the Queen’s head. All other imperforate stamps from the 1d to 1/- values printed on no watermark paper are either Richardson printings or the quite different pelure paper printings.
The result of Richardson’s printing on white no watermark paper has resulted in some first-class productions, however, the lack of margins and the large number of copies that have been rendered less desirable by careless separation or by heavy cancellation, have made fine examples of these stamps rather rarer than most Chalon issues.
Richardson Prints
1855 - 1862
1858 1d Dull Orange
​
The colour of this stamp varied in shade from dull orange to orange – vermilion, the latter containing a greater percentage of red. Dr. M. Button in The London Philatelist suggested that there was only one shade and that the dull orange is ‘no more than faded degenerate’. The shades appear on both types of paper.
1d dull orange unused - SG 8
1d dull orange used - SG 8
1d dull orange used - SG 8
Back showing white paper
Mint examples of the 1d value are rare and even fine used examples are not easy to acquire; multiples greater than pairs are extremely rare.The number of this stamp value printed on the white no watermark paper was again a remarkably large number when considering the postal rates to which it was applicable.
-
1858 – 41,659
-
1859 – 17,800
-
1860 – 50,340
-
1861 – 90,580•1862 – (part of) 148,080*
​​
*In 1862 the contract for Richardson was terminated. The figure for this year of 148,080 could include a large proportion of the Davies printing on Star Watermark paper.
The earliest recorded use of 1d Richardson stamps printed on white no watermark paper is a pair obliterated ‘11’ at Ahuriri on piece back stamped with what is believed to be the Ahuriri back stamp, plus an Auckland receiving date stamp 11 December 1858.
Richardson Prints
1855 - 1862
1858 2d Blue
​
The 2d value on white no watermark paper provides quite a challenge to the inexperienced collector because of the listed shade varieties. Printings were made on both thin and thick papers, and it should be noted that the same shade of ink can look different when printed on a different grade of paper.
Initially three shades were identified: Blue, pale blue and deep blue. However, Ultramarine was added later bringing the total major shades to four.
*2d ultramarine used SG 8a*
2d blue used
SG 10
2d pale blue used
SG 9
2d deep blue used
SG 11
The ultramarine stamp is listed as SG 8a, which is an oddity of the SG numbering system when it is considered that SG 8 is a 1d. value! The quantities of printings in this shade appear to be small and the Richardson printings in deep blue don’t have the violet tinge of this rarer stamp.
​
It would appear that the majority of the ultramarine printing was sent to Wellington as most of the used examples are found with Perkins, Bacon obliterator 10 of Wellington in bars, although the one shown above is ‘16’ Port Victoria (Lyttleton).
​
It is interesting that for a reasonably rare stamp a number of strips of three have been reported, but that is understandable when considering that the postage required for the rate to the United Kingdom introduced in early 1857 was 6d. The deep ultramarine shade in mint condition is a major rarity.
​
The closeness of the earliest recorded usage dates of the first two shades (SG 8a and SG 10) means the order of the printings cannot be stated with any certainty. The printing took place in Auckland and with the first recorded use of the ultramarine shade SG 8a being in Wellington, the stamps could have been dispatched prior to the SG 10 printing.
​
Nonetheless SG 10 2d Blue was the most common of the four main shades, and within SG 10 there are other recorded shades, mainly a Bright Blue. However, much of the shade discrepancy is in fact the variation in paper types used. Different papers had variations in colour and ink absorption properties leading to shade variation. It wasn’t always the mixing of the ink that led to shade variation.
2d blue used
SG 10
2d bright blue used on thin hard paper - SG 10
2d blue pair used on thick, soft paper
SG 10
2d blue multiple of four used on thin, hard, buff coloured paper - SG 10. The last stamp on right shows the re-entry Row 8 No. 11 with outline of hairline coloured spots within both NEW ZEALAND and TWO PENCE.
The third shade category is pale blue SG 9. Depending on the paper it can be bright or dull pale blue. The earliest date of use recorded is 2 August 1858 reported by the Hamilton Stamp Dealer Alan Craig, in April 2001, from the estate of K.J.McNaught. It is on piece, without the stamp being tied.
2d pale blue unused
SG 9
2d pale blue used on thin hard paper
SG 9
2d pale blue used on thick, soft paper
SG 9
The fourth and last major blue shade is Deep Blue - SG 11. Having said that it is worth noting that Campbell Patterson, the go-to catalogue for NZ stamps identifies 8 colour/shade varieties.
2d deep blue used on thick, soft paper
SG 11
2d deep blue used on thick, soft paper
SG 11
Whilst it became compulsory to pre-pay all mail from 27 March 1857, it was not compulsory to use stamps until 1862 when the use of postage stamps then became obligatory.
​
The below letter was sent from Wellington date stamped ‘JA 16 1860’ to Wanganui (Petre receipt stamp) receipt stamped ‘JA 18 1860’. This letter could have used a Richardson white paper 2d stamp.
Richardson Prints
1855 - 1862
1858 6d Brown
As mentioned on an earlier page, on 27 March 1857 the Colonial Secretary’s Office published the postal rates via Suez. Prior to that time only the Colonial rate of 2d per ½ oz for letters to the United Kingdom could be prepaid, leaving charges to be paid by the recipient at the other end.
By the new rule, postage could be completely prepaid, and a rate of 6d for the first ½ oz was established for letters via Southampton or a long sea route.
​
Since there had been no specific need for 6d stamps when the first supply of postage stamps was ordered in 1854, no plate had been prepared. For more than two years, from March 1857 to August 1859, New Zealand needed but did not have a 6d stamp. The required postage for the new rate could most simply be made up by using three 2d stamps, and strips of three Richardson 2d stamps are often seen on or off cover.
As we have seen, the creativity of the Otago Post Office also saw the use of bisect 1/- green stamps.
​
But it was prudent for a new plate to be ordered. In May 1858 an approach was made to Perkins, Bacon by Edward Barnard, Agent-General for Crown Colonies and thus New Zealand’s agent in London, but it was 21 January 1859 before the new plate was despatched, and the first 6d stamps were issued on 8 August 1859.
1858 6d Black Plate Proof from Perkins, Bacon (1)
*1858 6d Black Plate Proof* from Perkins, Bacon (2), this proof showing the 'constant flaw on D'
The 6d stamp value is considered by many to be the finest of the steel engravings of the ‘Chalon Portrait’. The expression of the eyes is pleasing. The portrait certainly ‘came alive’ in the stamp. This 6d made its first appearance on 8 August 1859 when Richardson produced some remarkably beautiful stamps on both thin, hard and soft, thick no watermark white paper. The 6d printings provided real evidence that both papers were used indiscriminately. In virtually every instance shades that closely resemble each other can be found on both types of paper.
​
The first printings were in ‘bistre brown’. There were tremendous variations in the bistre browns, from a pale bistre brown through to a deep shade of deep intensity.
6d Bistre Brown on thin, hard paper
SG 12
6d Bistre Brown on thick, soft paper
SG 12
6d bistre brown (SG 12) used on mourning cover from Auckland to England
The next shade of colours to be issued were the browns and once again there are various shades which are listed from deep brown to pale brown, and one best described as tan. Some of these shades have a slight reddish tinge.
6d Brown on thin, hard paper
SG 13
6d Brown on thick, soft paper
SG 13
6d Pale Brown on thin, hard paper
SG 14. Note the reentry from row 17 no. 10 of upper framelines dropped down and running through W ZE
*6d Brown multiple of four on thin, hard paper
SG 14
Ex Hackmey Collection
6d Brown no watermark SG 13tied by obliterator ‘15’ of Nelson. To Edinburgh backstamped JY 11 1861 Nelson and SP 20 61 Edinburgh.
6d Pale Brown Unwatermarked SG 14 tied by light ‘10’ Wellington cancel to England. Backstamped Wellington AU 14 1865 & London NE OC 23 1865 in red cancels. Fine & Scarce. Late usage.
The rarest shade is the SG 15 variant of chestnut. The telling reddish orange tinge is obvious to the experienced eye, but many are fooled by non-chestnut variants that they would swear are chestnut – even experienced dealers. The chestnut colour variation is only found on the hard thin paper – not the soft thick paper.
The only examples of the chestnut colour on cover are dated between 10 February and 8 March 1861 indicating a smaller print run in the later period of Richardson’s tenure as the printer.
6d chestnut used
on hard paper (SG 15)
6d chestnut used
on hard paper (SG 15)
Comparing the Shades
Let's now put all four shades next to each other so that you can compare them. One of the hardest jobs can be selecting what shade your stamps are, especially if you don't have a copy of the others. The best approach is to compare your stamp to another stamp with the shade confirmed - maybe even certified. There is real difficulty in comparing your stamps to scns online and even printed books as the colours never quite seem to be the same. Campbell Patterson is the 'Bible' of NZ Chalons and their shades, and records a lot more shades than is being shown here.
​
6d chestnut used
on hard paper
(SG 15)
6d Brown on thick, soft paper
SG 13
6d Pale Brown on thin, hard paper
SG 14
6d Bistre Brown on thin, hard paper
SG 12
The total of 6d stamps printed by Richardson are recorded as:
-
1859 – 43,616
-
1860 – 105,289
-
1861 – 148,782
-
1862 – 663,840 – although it is thought that Davies printed most of this number after Richardson’s contract was terminated.
Usage of 6d in Combination
When the new rates were communicated on 27 March 1857 they included a new rate for the faster route to London via Marseille. This rate was 9d. for up to ¼ oz and 1/- for up to ½ oz. This new rate increased the use of 1d stamps as well as ensuring the 6d had multiple uses.
1861 1d dull orange (SG 8), 2d blue (SG 9) & 6d brown (SG 13) used as 9d rate from NZ to London via Marseilles. Perkins, Bacon ‘6/9’ of New Plymouth date stamped JA 12 1861 and received stamp dated MR 16 61 in red for London and in black for Romford.
Richardson Prints
1855 - 1862
1858 1/- Dull Emerald Green
The new Australian packet Service via Suez of 1857 introduced the rate of 1 oz at 1/- plus 1/- per additional oz or part thereof, this increased the demand for the 1/- stamps considerably, and used pairs became more common.
​
Records show that Richardson carried out four printings of the 1/- value between 1858 and 1861.
-
1858 – 7,590
-
1859 – 4,645
-
1860 – 7,020
-
1861 – 7,730
The printings were made on both the thin hard grade of paper, but more commonly found on the thick, soft paper. ​ Superb used copies are a great rarity and mint condition copies of these stamps are considered one of the fine items of New Zealand Full Face Chalon stamps. The earliest recorded use of this stamp is 7 April 1858.
1/- dull emerald-green used on soft paper
SG 16
1/- dull emerald-green used on soft paper
SG 16
1/- Dull emerald-green back showing paper fibres
Richardson Prints
1855 - 1862
1858 1/- Blue Green
​
It was thought that the 1/- Blue Green is always printed on thick, soft paper, but copies have now been expertised on thin hard paper and are more rare. It is a very hard stamp to find unused. The copy below has been repaired and looks almost perfect from the front but a view of the back reveals its secrets. None-the-less it is a beautiful copy to look at and a worthy addition to any collection.
​
Even good used copies of this stamp are hard to find. One of the resons is that the individual stamp images were spaced unevenly in the sheet meaning their separation was difficult for Post Office staff, who were often in a hurry to complete their tasks.
Both the 1/- stamps are very hard to find used on piece or on cover. Certainly the pair of Richardson 1/- stamps are some of the most alluring of all the Chalons.
1/- bluish green unused on thick soft paper (SG 17)
An interesting item with a *1/- blue green and a 2d blue on a registered letter from Lyttleton showing clear ‘16’ obliterator of Port Victoria and date stamp sent under name of ‘KAIA POI’ (JU 20 1862) and received same day at Christchurch (JU 20 1862). Very rare franking and usage – a lovely piece ex Kaye, Diamond and Yeroc.
​
The certificate for the above item is shown below. The date of 1948 and the name of the submitter is historic in itself - H. Gordon Kaye Esq. As time goes by the certificates for many items in collections become collector's items themselves!
