Wilding

The booklets of Queen Elizabeth II continued on from the 2s6d and 5s series of King George VI. The front covers of both were unchanged and, for the first time, composite booklets were issued containing stamps from both reigns. These booklets (F1 and H1) were issued in May 1953. Part of the first 2s6d edition contained only King George VI stamps and is listed as BD20. Part contained stamps from both reigns and is listed as F1.

Four styles of the GPO Cypher were used on the front covers. The first was the same circular design from 1938 and was only used on 2s6d and 5s booklets.

• Type A 1938: Circular GPO Cypher
• Type B 1953: Outlined Oval GPO Cypher
• Type C 1959: Filled Oval GPO Cypher (15mm)
• Type D 1960: Filled Oval GPO Cypher (17mm)

With the return of commercial advertising in Sept 1953, advertiser voucher copies (AVCs) were again required. Initially, issued booklets were supplied as AVCs with the stamps torn out, but from Nov 1953 most AVCs were made up without stamps. Printed se-tenant labels were included in 2s6d AVC booklets from Jan 1954 to Jan 1955.

Booklets containing stamps with graphite lines were introduced in 1959. There were two lines per stamp (the single line 2d value was not issued in booklets). The lines were 1/32″ (0.8 mm) wide and applied to the back of the paper before applying gum.

Booklets containing stamps with phosphor bands were introduced in 1960. The lines were initially 5/16″ (8 mm) wide, later widened to 3/8″ (9.5 mm), and applied to the front of the stamps. Three types of phosphor were used, known as green, blue, and violet.

Booklets containing stamps printed on whiter paper were introduced in 1962. This was primarily a result of filtering the brackish water used at the paper mill near Dartmoor, but also because of whitening agents used in the paper pulp (from detergents in rag, and directly added). The resulting change from cream to whiter paper was gradual, and it is sometimes difficult to tell one from the other. Depending on the water quality, whiter paper can be found during the cream period, and vice versa.

Wilding wrapper bands flattened to display the top surface plus one side.

2s6d Booklet Series 7: F1-6

Composite booklets, containing stamps from two reigns, cover Type A.

Date: May 1953
Printer: Harrison
Watermark: GviR / Tudor Crown
Makeup: FC, int, SB80, SB59, QB18/19, QB7, int, BC

Booklet F1 is known miscut:


F1a: “May 195” for “May 1953”
F1b: “May 19” for “May 1953”

2s6d Booklet Series 7: F7-14

Same as F1-6 but with cover Type B.

Date: Oct 1953
Printer: Harrison
Watermark: GviR / Tudor Crown
Makeup: FC, int, SB80, SB59, QB18/19/20, QB7, int, BC

Booklet F10 is known miscut:


Booklet F12 AVC with printed labels on thin buff paper:


Booklet F12 AVC comes in three varieties: labels on medium cream paper, labels on thin buff paper, and without labels. Booklet F13-F25 AVCs have printed labels on perforated, gummed, “Harrison & Sons” watermarked paper.

2s6d Booklet Series 7: F15-52

Same as F7-14 but with stamps of the new reign only.

Date: May 1954
Printer: Harrison
Watermark: Tudor Crown / St. Edward’s Crown
Makeup (T): FC, int, SB80, SB59, SB23/24/25, SB1, int, BC
Makeup (E): FC, int, SB81, int, SB62, int, SB29, int, SB4, int, BC

Mixed watermarks, all PAP:

F33	Aug 1955	TTTT	(a) TTET	(b) TEET
F34	Sept 1955	TTTT	(a) TTET	(b) TEET	(c) TEEE
			(d) ETET	(e) EEET	(f) EEEE
F35	Oct 1955	TTTT	(a) TEET	(b) EEET	(c) TEEE
			(d) EEEE
F36	Nov 1955	TTTT	(a) TEEE	(b) EEET	(c) EEEE
F37	Dec 1955	EEEE	(a) TEET	(b) EEET
F38	Jan 1956	EEEE	(a) EEET
F39	Feb 1956	EEEE
F40	Mar 1956	EEEE
F41	Apr 1956	EEEE
F42	May 1956	EEEE	(a) EEET	(b) TEEE
F43	June 1956	EEEE	(a) EEET	(b) TEEE

Booklet F21 AVC with printed labels on “Harrison & Sons” watermarked paper:

2s6d Booklet Series 7: F53-61

Composition changed.

Date: Apr 1957
Printer: Harrison
Watermark: St. Edward’s Crown
Makeup: FC, int, SB81, int, SB78, int, SB4, int, BC

2s6d booklets were withdrawn from sale on 27 July 1958.

3s Booklet Series 7: M1-14

3s booklets replaced 2s6d booklets when the letter rate increased from 2½d to 3d.

Date: Jan 1958
Printer: Harrison
Watermark: St. Edward’s Crown / Crowns
Makeup (E): FC, int, SB90, int, SB62, int, SB26, int, SB4, int, BC
Makeup (C): FC, int, SB92, int, SB65, int, SB30, int, SB7, int, BC
Graphite: FC, int, SB97, int, SB70, int, SB39, int, SB14, int, BC

Mixed watermarks:

M9	Nov 1958	EEEE	(a) EEEC	(b) EECE	(c) EECC
			(d) CECE	(e) CCCE
M10	Dec 1958	CCCC	(a) ECEC	(b) CEEE	(c) CECE
			(d) CEEC	(e) CECC
M11	Jan 1959	CCCC	(a) CECC

3s Booklet Series 7: M15-28

Cover Type C.

Date: Oct 1959
Printer: Harrison
Watermark: Crowns
Makeup: FC, int, SB92, int, SB65, int, SB30, int, SB7, int, BC
Graphite: FC, int, SB97, int, SB70, int, SB39, int, SB14, int, BC
Phosphor: FC, int, SB98, int, SB71, int, SB40, int, SB15, int, BC

3s Booklet Series 7: M29-74

Cover Type D, cream or whiter paper.

Date: Dec 1960
Printer: Harrison
Watermark: Crowns
Makeup: FC, int, SB92/93, int, SB65/66, int, SB30/31, int, SB7/8, int, BC
Phos (gp): FC, int, SB98, int, SB71, int, SB40, int, SB15, int, BC
Phos (bp): FC, int, SB99/100, int, SB72/73, int, SB41/42, int, SB16/17, int, BC

3s booklets were withdrawn from sale on 31 Aug 1965.

3s9d Booklet Series 9: G1-21

Series 9 booklets contained 18 stamps at the current letter rate.

Date: Nov 1953
Printer: Harrison
Watermark: Tudor Crown / St. Edward’s Crown
Makeup (T): FC, int, SB80, SB80, SB80, int, BC
Makeup (E): FC, int, SB81, int, SB81, int, SB81, int, BC

Mixed watermarks:

G9	Oct 1955	TTT	(a) TET	(b) EET	(c) EEE
G10	Dec 1955	TTT	(a) TET	(b) EEE

Booklet G9 is known with an extra pane: TEET
Booklet G11 was originally Dec 1955 back when few watermark combinations were known. G9 and G10 were later expanded to cover all watermark combinations, leaving G11 unallocated.

Booklet G15 is known miscut (incomplete):


3s9d booklets were withdrawn from sale on 30 Sept 1957.

4s6d Booklet Series 9: L1-8

4s6d booklets replaced 3s9d booklets when the letter rate increased from 2½d to 3d.

Purple Covers



Date: Oct 1957
Printer: Harrison
Watermark: St. Edward’s Crown / Crowns
Makeup (E): FC, int, SB90, int, SB90, int, SB90, int, BC
Makeup (C): FC, int, SB92, int, SB92, int, SB92, int, BC

4s6d Booklet Series 9: L9-13

Cover Type C.

Date: Feb 1959
Printer: Harrison
Watermark: Crowns
Makeup: FC, int, SB92, int, SB92, int, SB92, int, BC
Graphite: FC, int, SB97, int, SB97, int, SB97, int, BC

Booklet L12 has two settings of the “/” which occur equally.
The usual wedge shape and a thin stroke:

4s6d Booklet Series 9: L14-22

Violet Covers



Date: Feb 1959
Printer: Harrison
Watermark: Crowns
Makeup: FC, int, SB92, int, SB92, int, SB92, int, BC
Graphite: FC, int, SB97, int, SB97, int, SB97, int, BC
Phosphor: FC, int, SB98, int, SB98, int, SB98, int, BC

4s6d Booklet Series 9: L23-58

Cover Type D, cream or whiter paper.

Date: Dec 1960
Printer: Harrison
Watermark: Crowns
Makeup: FC, int, SB92/93, int, SB92/93, int, SB92/93, int, BC
Phos (gp): FC, int, SB98, int, SB98, int, SB98, int, BC
Phos (bp): FC, int, SB99/100, int, SB99/100, int, SB99/100, int, BC

A booklet dated May 1965 was printed but destroyed because of an increase in the letter rate, causing Series 9 to be changed from 4s6d to 6s booklets. Some AVCs survived:

4s6d Booklet Series 7: L59-71

4s6d booklets replaced 3s booklets when the letter rate increased from 3d to 4d.

Date: July 1965
Printer: Harrison
Watermark: Crowns
Makeup: FC, int, SB105, int, SB105, int, SB31, int, int, int, BC
Phos (bp): FC, int, SB107, int, SB107, int, SB42, int, int, int, BC
Phos (v8p): FC, int, int, SB109, int, SB109, int, SB49, int, int, BC
Phos (v9p): FC, int, int, SB111, int, SB111, int, SB54, int, BC

Booklet L59: has one interleaf at front, and three at back.
Booklets L60-61: have two interleaves at front, and two at back.
Booklets L62-71: have two interleaves at front, and one at back.

Booklet L62 overprinted “SCHOOL SPECIMEN”:


A few genuine Wilding school specimen booklets are known.
Most school specimen overprints are forged.

5s Booklet Series 8: H1-3

Composite booklets, containing stamps from two reigns, cover Type A.

Date: May 1953
Printer: Harrison
Watermark: GviR / Tudor Crown
Makeup: FC, int, SB80, SB80, QB31, SB59, QB15, QB7, int, BC

5s Booklet Series 8: H4-7

Same as H1-3 but with cover Type B.

Date: Nov 1953
Printer: Harrison
Watermark: GviR / Tudor Crown
Makeup: FC, int, SB80, SB80, QB31, SB59, QB15, QB7, int, BC

H7a: additional 1½d pane SB59

5s Booklet Series 8: H8-31

Same as H4-7 but with stamps of the new reign only.

Mixed watermarks:

H17	Sept 1955	TTTTTT	(a) TTTETT	(b) TTTEET	(c) TTTETE
			(d) TTEETT	(e) TTEEET	(f) TTEEEE
			(g) TETETT	(h) TETEET	(i) TEEETT
			(j) TETETE	(k) TEEETE	(l) ETTETT
			(m) ETTEET	(n) ETEETT	(o) ETEEET
			(p) EETETT	(q) EETEET	(r) EETETE
			(s) EETEEE	(t) EEETTT	(u) EEETET
			(v) EEETEE	(w) EEEETT	(x) EEEEET
			(y) EEEEEE
H18	Nov 1955	EEEEEE	(a) TTEEEE	(b) EETEEE	(c) TEEEEE
			(d) EEEETE	(e) EEEEET	(f) ETEEEE
H19	Jan 1956	EEEEEE	(a) TTTEET	(b) EETETT	(c) EEEEET
H20	Mar 1956	EEEEEE
H21	May 1956	EEEEEE	(a) EETETT	(b) EEEEET

Booklet H8 is known miscut (1½d pane folded):


Booklet H30 is known miscut (additional 2d stamps):

5s Booklet Series 8: H32-36

Composition changed when the letter rate increased from 2½d to 3d.

Mixed watermarks:

H35	July 1958	EEEEE	(a) EEEEC	(b) EEECE	(c) EEECC
H36	Nov 1958	EEEEE	(a) EEECE	(b) EECEE	(c) ECCEE
			(d) CCEEE	(e) CCCEE

5s Booklet Series 8: H37-47

Cover Type C, colour changed but contents the same.

Mixed watermarks:

H37	Jan 1959	CCCCC	(a) CCCCE	(b) CCCEC	(c) CCCEE
			(d) CCECC

5s Booklet Series 8: H48-54

Cover Type D.

H50a: phosphor 2½d pane SB87 instead of SB82

5s Booklet Series 8: H55-74

2½d pane SB87 (two bands) replaced by SB88/89 (one band), cream or whiter paper.

6s Booklet Series 9: Q1-27

6s booklets replaced 4s6d booklets when the letter rate increased from 3d to 4d.

Date: June 1965
Printer: Harrison
Watermark: Crowns
Makeup: FC, int, SB105, int, SB105, int, SB105, int, BC
Phos (bp): FC, int, SB107, int, SB107, int, SB107, int, BC
Phos (v8p): FC, int, int, SB109, int, SB109, int, SB109, int, BC
Phos (v9p): FC, int, int, SB111, int, SB111, int, SB111, int, BC

Booklets Q1-Q3: have one interleaf at front.
Booklets Q4-Q27: have two interleaves at front.

10s Booklet Series 10: X1-2

10s Booklet Series 10: X3-9

10s Booklet Series 10: X10-17

Composition changed when the letter rate increased from 3d to 4d.

Booklets X10-X11: have one interleaf at front, and three at back.
Booklets X12-X17: have two interleaves at front, and one at back.

Booklet X10 is known as a trial containing imperforate gummed plain paper panes.

Booklet Panes

Booklet panes of six were printed in photogravure on unsurfaced paper using double cylinders (no-dot and dot sheets), each sheet having 240 stamps arranged as 20 upright booklet panes, and 20 inverted.

Cylinders with 21 rows were introduced in 1957. The continuously printed reel was guillotined into sheets of 20 rows before assembly into booklets, resulting in the cylinder number advancing one row on each successive sheet. Cylinder numbers may be found next to the top or bottom row in finished booklets from these cylinders.

Sheets were initially perforated using the three-row comb machine introduced in 1943 which perforated in the web. This produced B3(I) and B6(Ie). A four-row comb was used after the change to 21-row cylinders, also
producing B3(I) and B6(Ie). Thus, all Wilding panes of six have perforation Type I or Ie.

Cylinder panes from dot sheets of 20-row cylinders have an extended perforation hole at the bottom edge of the pane (except cylinders F5, F6, F9, K8 – top edge, and K15 phosphor – middle). Those from 21-row cylinders have the perforation hole at either the top or bottom edge.

Graphite lines, two per stamp (the single line 2d was not used in booklets).
Phosphor bands, two per stamp (single band on some 2½d and 3d panes, shown below).

Variety SB7c, SB8b, SB16c, SB17c: Dot on left fraction bar (R1/1 or R2/1)
Variety SB7d, SB8c, SB16b, SB17b: Extended right fraction bar (R1/1 or R2/1)
Variety SB4c, SB7e, SB14b: White flaw in Queen’s hair (R1/3 or R2/3)

Variety SB20b, SB26d: Hair flaw (R1/1)
Variety SB20ab, SB26ad: Extended leaf on shamrock (R1/1 or R2/1)
Variety SB26b: Dot in serif (R2/3)
Variety SB26c: Dew drop (R1/1 or R2/1)
Variety SB26ab: Spot on “d” (R1/1 or R2/1)
Variety SB26ac: White flaw by rose (R1/1 or R2/1)
Variety SB26ae: Rose flaw (R1/1 or R2/1)

Labels “PPR” 15mm high, printed separately by letterpress.

Variety SB23b: PPR 16mm (R2/3 cylinder panes only)
Variety SB23c: Dot in serif (R1/3)

Labels “Post Early”, printed separately by letterpress.

Variety SB24b, SB24ab: Close setting (R2/1-3)
Variety SB24ba: Dot in serif, close setting (R1/3)
Variety SB24c: Dot in serif, wide setting (R1/3)

Labels “PAP”, included on the stamp cylinder, printed by photogravure.

Variety SB25b, SB29b: Dot in serif (R1/3)
Variety SB25c, SB29c: Daffodil flaw (R1/1)

Variety SB59b: Extra jewel (R1/1)
Variety SB59c: Extra bud on daffodil stem (R2/1)
Variety SB62b: Rabbit’s ears (R2/2)
Variety SB62c: Extra jewel (R-/1)
Variety SB62d: Large dot by daffodil (R1/1)

Phosphor bands on 2½d panes SB88 and SB89.

Variety SB80b: Jewels flaw (R2/2)
Variety SB80ab, SB81ad: “R” flaw (R1/1)

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