Decimal Wildings

Alternative GB: The Wilding Portrait in Decimal Format

The front and rear cover of A Post Office Counter Decimal Stamp Booklet

The picture above shows a booklet cover front & rear, the 10th in a series entitled " Postal History". This is depicting images of pre decimal Regional Wilding definitives. Wales ( 3d ), Northern Ireland (1/3d ) and Scotland ( 1/3d ). The booklet which contained a mixed pane of Machins cost at the time off issue £1.46p, sub titled " The Silver Jubilee of the Regional Stamp".

The release date for this booklet was 26 October 1983.

Below:

Printed by Harrison and Sons the booklet above contained a mixed pane of 10 Machin definitives. 4 x 12 ½p (light emerald) with side phosphor band either left or right and 6 x 16p (mushroom) with two side phosphor bands. The stamps in positions 1, 2, 3 and 4 had short bands bottom, either left or right depending on the layout. They were incorporated in this way so they did not encroach on to the 2nd class rate stamps below them.

This pane can be found with a plain selvedge or with several other cylinder numbers to the one shown below. It is also found with several different sheet markings in the selvedge such as half arrows, ( these can be placed top or bottom). Markings of total sheet value, cut lines and warrant numbers can also be found.

To add even more variety the booklets are also found with panes having the selvedge to the right. Together these form a interesting mini collection, in its own right.

Back to Dorothy Wilding

Much has been written about Dorothy Wilding , she was the society photographer of the time (1950s) and it was one of her portraits of HM the Queen that were used to design the GB Pre decimal stamps that bear her name. Many variations and values of the Wilding stamps were released over the years, including the Nationals and Regionals from Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland. You can also add Jersey, The Isle of Man and Guernsey to the list.

Wilding definatives were on sale for aprox fifteen years, they could be built up into a comprehensive specialized collection with the design consisting of many many varieties. They are a very specialized subject with many facets of interest, including none phosphor issues, early graphite’s, different watermarks and types of papers. One can add to this by including booklet panes, coils and early commemoratives.

It should be needless to say, that for any relatively new philatelist to build a collection of Wildings at this time it would on doubt cost them a small fortune to complete.

Introducing the Decimal Wilding

Using the The Alternative Method of collecting anyone can build an interesting GB portfolio of Wilding Stamps with newer decimal values. This can also be achieved with very little outlay.

In 1998 this design once again took the philatelic community by storm, it was in the form of the revival of several definitive values of the Wilding, with a difference, these were re- released in decimal values and a new type of format.

In March of 1998 the first on the scene were four panes. These were issued in the form of a Prestige booklet entitled "A Definitive Portrait" Printed by Wasall Security Printers in photogravure with computer technology.

Pane One ( Left: )

Nine stamps printed on OFNP chalk surfaced paper with PVA gum. The perforations are 14 x 14 with security ellipses incorporated into the perforations, noticeably is the fact these ellipses are one perforation hole lower than the modern day Machin definitives.

The value of each stamp is twenty six pence ( which was the first class rate up to 60g at the time of issue). The stamps have two 3 mm phosphor bands with a Blue fluor one each side of the stamp . Interestingly the phosphor bands are placed so that they are short of the perforations top, bottom , left and right. The colour of this stamp was based on the original issue pre decimal stamp with a five penny ( 5d ) value



	Pane Two ( right: ) Six stamps Perf 14 x 14 with security ellipse incorporated into the perforations and a value of each stamp of twenty pence ( second class rate up to 60g ). These have one side 3 mm phosphor band (the first row has a right band and the second row a left band, again with a blue fluor . The bands are also inset from the perforations as the pane above. The colour of this stamp was based on the original pre decimal stamp with a seven penny ( 7d) value.


			Pane Three (left: ) This a mixed pane of eight stamps consisting of three different values 20p, 26p and 37p. These are joined se-tenant around a central label which shows symbols of the 4 countries which make up the United Kingdom. England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Phosphor bands are laid out in a fashion that the 20p stamps have one side band and the others stamps have two. Again they are 3 mm in width and are clear of the perforations with a blue flour. The 37p stamps are a reprint of the original six penny ( 6d ) value.


	Pane 4 (Right: ) This is another mixed pane of six stamps consisting of two different values , 26p and 37p. These are joined se-tenant in alternative pairs. Phosphor bands are laid out in a fashion that they have two phosphor bands 3 mm in width and are clear of the perforations with a blue flour. The 26p and 37p stamps are again a reprint of the original five penny ( 5d ) value and six penny ( 6d ) pre decimal value.

		A return to watermarks

To mark the 50th anniversary of HM Queen Elizabeth’s reign on the 6 February 2002 a second Prestige Booklet was issued. This one was Printed by Enschedé, the stamps are on Optical Free Non Phosphorised ( OFNP ) screened paper with polyvinyl alcohol acetate gum ( PVA) . The ellipses on these panes revert back to the norm where they are placed three perforation holes from the bottom of the stamps. ( see below: )

The stamps on this pane are both non value indicated 1st and 2nd class values. These were reprints of the original pre decimal definitives of 1952. Green ( 1½d ) second class and red ( 2½d ) first class . They both have 2 Blue B2 phosphor bands reacting to short and long-wave light.


	A gracious Accession

To add to the authenticity of the 50th anniversary the paper had a watermark incorporated into it in the form of the number 50. The pane contained eight stamps which are joined se-tenant around a blank central label.

The wonkey Wilding (left: )

The immage shows, that where the central blank label is, it gives the impression that a stamp has been removed. This stamp has been placed on what looks like a piece to the left of the pane. It is in fact a fifth 2nd class NVI stamp.


	You will also notice that was placed on an angle. This stamp also has the 50 watermark, but the watermark, instead being horizontal projects at the angle of the stamp. This is affectionately known to collectors as the wonky Wilding and is one of a kind.

Wilding Miniature Sheet 01

( Below: ) On the 5th December 2002 we see an appearance of the First Wilding miniature sheet with nine new stamps. It has a similar label to the mixed pane in Definitive Portrait booklet. This pane is printed by De La Rue on screened ( OFNP optical free non phosphorised screened paper with polyvinyl alcohol acetate lay flat gum. It has blue fluor B ( no afterglow) phosphor bands which react under a long or short-wave lamp. This sheet also has the 50 watermark as above.

To add more interest to a decimal Wilding collection if you can obtain them. The Miniature Sheet left has been found with certain errors. The first to be reported was a phosphor shift down creating phosphor bands short at top. This affects the four stamps on the top row.

It has also been reported with normal alignment and a missing perforation hole.

Wilding Miniature Sheet 02

( Left: )

The second miniature sheet containing nine new values was issued on 2nd May 2003. Again Printed by De La Rue on optical free non phosphorised screened dot paper with (PVA ) polyvinyl alcohol acetate lay flat gum

As you can see these were different values to the first sheet. They had the same Blue B2 short and long-wave reacting fluor and the watermark 50.

The final pane / last piece in this Decimal Wilding jig - saw and this Alternative Decimal Wilding Collection comes from another Prestige Booklet.


	A Perfect Coronation

(Right :)

This pane shows four decimal Wilding definitives, arranged se-tenant with a reprint of the 1/3d pre decimal Coronation special issue. The colours of the definitive stamps corresponding with their pre decimal counter parts of 1/- ( one shilling ) and 10d ( ten old pence ). The commemorative in this printing now has a value of £1.00.

Again, as was the first booklet described at the begining of this series, This pane was printed by Walsall. The stamps are printed on optical free non phosphorised screened dot paper with polyvinyl alcohol acetate gum. All have Blue B2 short and long-wave reacting fluor. This is also the last in the series bearing the Watermark 50.

Adding to this Collection

Note: The £1.00 stamp described above was also available from a miniature sheet produced for the International Stamp Show 2000. It was laid out se-tenant with 4 x Millennium 1st class Non Value Indicated ( NVI ) Machin definitives. See Below (Left: )


	Although the £1.00 stamp is not officially a Wilding portrait, it can be added to the collection if one wishes to add further interest. The £1.00 value differs to the £1.00 value described in the Coronation pane , having Optical Free Phosphor Paper ( OFPP ) without phosphor tags, it is also printed on a non watermarked paper.

	Castles and Queens

	A third miniature sheet can also be obtained with reprints of four of the Castle high value stamps. These are printed in different colours ( 4 similar to the original pre decimal issues ) and have decimal values of 2 x 50p and 2 x £1.00. See ( Below: )


	All stamps that are described on this page are for sale subject to availability. Please contact me for the latest price on any item listed.


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