Tasmanian Devils 01: 1/2 Lake Marion errors e

In this post, I take a closer look at fields B5 and B6, the text field (TASM)ANIA.
Because of the many flaws that appear in these two fields, it is interesting to present them seperately.

Although there are less errors to discover then in the first part of the word, the last 4 letters have been subject to many possible dots and stripes.

To be sure of a certain position in a sheet, you might have to check the other quandrants which I will present later, or the post previous to this one.
Some flaws require the frame of the watermark, to be sure of the position, as similar spots appear on different stamps in a sheet.

to be continued ...

Tasmanian Devils 01: 1/2 Lake Marion errors d

In today's post, I present the second grid of 25 fields from the Laka Marion stamp of Tasmania.

Again, the 1.xx refers to the first plate, 2.xx refers to the second plate.

Grid II - fields A5 to E9

Because of the multiple flaws in the fields where we see (TASM)ANIA, these flaws will be discussed in a next post.
First a closer look at row A, where we find flaws in column 5 and 9:

top : flaw 2.22 and 2.06 - middle : flaw 1.60 - under : flaw 1.54

In the second frame, a white spot appears between the M and the A of Tasmania (2.22).
A bit further, a break in the top line, above the first leg of the N, indicates flaw 2.06.
In the right corner, the top line starts to be thinner on two places (position 60 and 54 on plate 1),
the longer the plate was used, the more clear the lack of ink is visible.
By the end of the usage of the plate, the top line is even completele gone.

Flaws 2.38 and 2.46 (only plate 2) exist in a white spot in the lower and the higher part of the mountain. (field E5 and D6).

3 fields in column 7 ask for our attention too.
Just above the upper ornament, a white spot refers to flaw 2.13 .
Left of the right ornament a white spot in the sky for flaw 2.45, and lower, right of the 1 in the value frame, another white spot indicates flaw 1.27

There are also 3 fields in row 9 that are worth having a closer look too.

The green triangle in the right ornament show white spots in stamp 31 of the first plate.
At the same hight, but now underneath the top white ornament in the right corner, position 42 of plate 2 has also a white spot.
Finally, in the "d" of the right value frame, stamp 2.18 has a small spot in the green middle.

For flaws within the text frame 'TASMANIA', I refer to my next post.

to be continued...

Tasmanian Devils 01: 1/2 Lake Marion errors c

In my previous post, I explained the first quadrant of 25 fields, taken from the 1/2d Lake Marion stamp of Tasmania.
Two fields (B3/B4) I left for this post, as there are too many flaws to be found in those two small areas.

Most of the flaws in and around the letters TASM of 'Tasmania', are white spots.
Plates 1 or 2 and the stamp position whitin the plate are mentionned.

A number of flaws (1.14 and 1.44) have additional marks, mentionned in my previous post.
Both marks need to be present to ensure you found the right stamp for that specific position.

Stamps positioned on the border of each sheet, might require a border frame watermark, to determine the correct position too.
Of course some of the mentionned stamps, also have flaws in the other parts of the stamp, and will be shown in following posts.

to be continued...

Tasmanian Devils 01: 1/2 Lake Marion errors b

After splitting the stamp in a grid of 99 boxes, I took one quarter of the stamp, resulting in 25 fields.
9 fields have no flaw, but the 14 have some flaws and 2 others are quite a challange...

Grid I - A0 to E4

Some flaws do not come as a single mark, but come in combination with flaws in other parts of the stamp - together they indicate the position in the sheet.
Some flaws might not appear clearly on the stamp as the flaw is not constantly present.
Some flaws occur on more stamps, and the border frame of the watermark is needed to determine the correct position.

First the 'easy' ones.
1.xx refers to plate 1 - 2.xx refers to plate 2

In field A2/B2 we find some marks
Underneath the black triangle in the same field B2, a white spot can be seen for stamp 1.23
A white spot above the ornament on the left, a white spot in the triangular shape. (see also field B3)

When a white spot, on top of the T is seen, it refers to flaw 1.26.

flaws 1.23          -      2.20               -           1.26    

In the top border, a white spot above the T indicates flaw 2.20 (together with previous spots),
A spot abouve the S for flaw 2.14 and flaw 1.06 shows a thicker frame line between the S and the M.

  flaws 2.20          -       2.14            -         1.06                         

In field B1, flaw 2.25 shows a spot in the armpit of the ornament, downwards, in field C1 a white spot under the ornament indicates flaw 1.32, for this last one, also a white line under the T (field C3) is needed.

flaws 2.25         -            1.32            -         1.32

In field C4, under the second leg of the M, a white spot can be detected on position 1.14.
The same stamp also has a white dot in the mountains (D3).
Position 1.28 shows several white spots in the sky in field C2

flaws 1.14             -        1.14            -         1.28               

Three more fields need a closer look:
D1, shows a black spot attached to the dark green decoration : flaw 1.44
in field D2 a white spot above the mountain - stamp 2.26 and finally in field E4 there is a white spot on stamp 1.16.

flaws 1.44             -       2.26            -         1.16       

Two fields are extremely filled with flaws, B3 and B4, this will be discussed in another post.
Other flaws may be present in the indicated fields, but are occasionaly, or not present as a constant flaw.

to be continued ...

Tasmanian Devils 01: 1/2 Lake Marion errors a

Between 1899 and 1910, Tasmania issued a set of 8 stamps, depicting Tasmanian landscapes.
This set can be devided in 3 periods:
1900 - perf. 14 - WM "multiple TAS" - engraved
1903 - perf. 11, 12 1/2 or 11x12 1/2 - WM "V over Crown" - litho- and/or typographed
1908 - perf. 11, 12, 12 1/2 and compound - WM "Crown over A" - litho- and/or typographed

Watermarks as used in Scott-catalogue (78 - 70 - 13)

           engraved            -           lithographed          -         (electro) typographed

In 1911 3 stamps were redrawn, a bit larger (2p), in slightly different colours (4p) and with more coloured lines in the waterfal (6p).

The third emission (from 1908 on) consists of 2 plates, each of 60 stamps.
There are many flaws and plate errors that can can be found and these can help to reconstruct a full sheet (or two).
Listing up 120 possible variations is not the most attractive way to start searching for varieties.
Therefore, a different approach...
First of all, I have devided the stamp into 99 smaller boxes.

All boxes have their own coordinates, going from A0 to J9.
This will be useful to find each flaw in a relative fast way.

I will go more into detail in my next post(s), but in the picture below, I have indicated the plate flaws in yellow (plate 1) and blue (plate 2):

plenty to looking forward to...

to be followed ...

0-euro notes : 1 d. Belgium : Brussels Koekelberg Basilica

When entering Brussels capital region from the western side, a large avenue runs from the exit of the highway towards the basilica of Koekelberg (Koekelberg is the name of the suburb where the church was built - although it is also on the territory of the suburb Ganshoren).

In 1905, Belgium celebrated the 75th birthday after it's independence. King Leopold II introduces the idea of building a sanctuary similar to the Sacré Coeur in Paris.
The idea was to build a huge church in neo gothic style, similar to lots of buildings in Bruges for example.

1905 design of Koekelberg Basilica

Under the rule of Leopold II, the building of the foundations of the church start. However, the death of the king in 1909 and the beginning of the first world war, brings the building to a stop.
After the war, there is not much money left and the whole project is stopped completely.
In 1926 a new architect, Albert Van Huffel, is asked to re-design the building, as the neo gothic style is considered to be old fashion. It takes till 1970 to complete the whole church in art deco style.
With a length of 164.5 m, it is the largest art deco building in the world, and the 5th longest church in the world.
In 1951 the curch was inaugurated and one year later 'upgraded' to 'basilica minor' by Pope Pius XII.

0 euro note Koekelberg Basilica - Brussels - 2018-1

Koekelberg Basilica Brussels

The note can be purchased inside the church, next to the elevator to the balcony.
From the balcony (52.8m), you have a superb view on Brussels and the surrounding area.

0-euro notes : 1 c. Belgium : Bruges

Next 0-euro note I present you, is dedicated to the most visited city in the world (compared to its inhabitants - not in absolute numbers).
Bruges has a history that dates back to the 9th century. The origine of the name has nothing to do with bridges, although there are lots of bridges in the city.
More likely it is a combination of two words : the Celtic name for the river : Roggia / Ryggia (holy water) and the old Nordic name Bryggja (quay / landing stage).

Bruges was at its best in the 15th century when the Dukes of Burgundy changed their residence from Dijon in France to the centre of Bruges.

hotel Dukes' Palace 5* - Bruges

Now, part of the former residence of the dukes is 5 -star hotel. The only 5-star hotel in Flanders (Dutch speaking part of Belgium).

A 0-euro note was issued in 2018, depicting the most photographed place in Bruges.

0-euro note "Historic centre of Bruges" 2018-1

Rozenhoedkaai Bruges - the most photographed spot

In the middle of the picture, we see house with two equal facades. This is the hotel 'relais Bourgondisch Cruyse'. It is the hotel where Colin Farrell stayed in the movie 'in Bruges'.
A dark comedy about 2 criminals hiding in the medieval city. In the movie, Collin jumps out of the window into a passing tourist boat.

Relais Bourgondisch Cruyse - Bruges

screenshot from the movie 'In Bruges'

On the front side of this hotel, in a street named 'Wollestraat', we find the Bruges' beer wall.
An amazing wall, displaying several hundreds of Belgian beers (bottle + glass).
This 'beer wall' issued a 0-euro note as well, with more or less the same image as the note above.
We see a bit more of the terrace of the beerwall (next to the hotel just mentionned), and an additional picture of a part of the beer wall.

0-euro beer wall note - 2019-1

Bruges' Beer Wall (part)

At the entrance of the Beer Wall, you'll find a vending machine for the beer wall note.
Meanwhile, enjoy a Belgian beer on the superb terrace too.

to be continued...

The world of Mujand (fantasy notes) - 03 e Amotekunia (Lothandizia)

In the heart of the Lothandizia continent, we find Amotekunia.

Amotekunia in Lothandizia

Although this is a large territory, only 2 notes were issued: 50 and 100 Nemaz.
The currency is the 'Nemaz', which happens to mean 'nothing at all' in Latvian.
The notes are dedicated to the birds (one side) and the bees (other side).

front side of 50 Nemaz

reverse side of 50 Nemaz

front side of 100 Nemaz

reverse side of 100 Nemaz

The notes have numbers 81 and 83 - which means they were issued in 2 separate moments.
Under the text 'Amotekunia Banka' we see : 'Naudas Zíme' (money note) and in the upper left corner on the front : 'Retáká valúta' (strange currency).

On the right side of the front, we find the text : "Latvijas valdiba augstu vérté so valútu, un tá tas ir".
This means that the Latvian Govermnent values this currency highly, and so it is.

Above the signatures, we read (in Latvian) : Galvenais kasieris (Chief Cashier) and Banka Prezidents (Bank's president).

more to follow...

The world of Mujand (fantasy notes) - 03 d Sima Senco (Lothandizia)

A new country on Lothandizia, which I present today is Sima Senco.
Although it doesn't mean anything, Sima Senco sounds Italian.
The currency on Sima Senco is 'Senza', which is Italian for 'without'

Sima Senco map

The 'country' of Sima Senco has dedicated its notes to Art and Science of Sima Senco.

Dedicated to the Art and Science of Sima Senco (it)

There are many Italian references on the notes :

detail 100 Senza

Pagabili a vista al portetore (it) : payable on demand to the bearer

Tessoreria dello stato autorita rilasciante (it) : state treasury issuing authority

There are - only - 4 notes in this set (nrs : 068 - 071) Serie K (2016).

20 and 50 Senza

20 and 50 Senza (front)

20 and 50 Senza (back)

100 and 500 Senza

100 and 500 Senza (front)

100 and 500 Senza (back)

Some details on the notes, dedicated to Art and Science :

microphone

the 'nerve weakner'

the Circandian stabilizer

the matter destabilisator

to be continued ...