6d Kooka

6d Kooka

Samples

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1st June 1932

Designer: F.D.Manley

Engraver: E. Broad

Comb Perf 13.5 x 12.5, CA watermark.

Layout: Dual Pane 10 x 6

Quantity: Unknown

The Kangaroo plates (and die) were wearing out. In 1931 a decision was taken to replace the then remaining Kangaroos with zoological themes rather than simply transfer them to equally stale KGV denominations. In February the following year, the little used 1/- value was re-created as a Lyre Bird. A design that proved so popular, it persisted to the end of the decimal era almost unchanged.

Similarly, in June 1932, the honourable 6d Roo plates were retired, and a new design, using the previously popular Kookaburra was introduced based on the earlier 6d Recess.

Unlike the 1/-, the 6d was a heavily used telegraph denomination (and double UK postage). As a result, it was made on surface printing plates, rather than recess. The image suffered as a result.

With the introduction of this issue, the stage was set, to produce a zoological theme in a definitive series.

Upper plate 1mm

Lower plate, 1.3mm

Two surface plates were produced and used as a vertical pair in printing.

The Jubilee line is thicker on the bottom plate.

An Ash Imprint predictably appears below the central gutter. There were no plate numbers associated with this design. Plate layout was in standard KGV format and the plates printed as a standard KGV vertical pair.

Although OS overprints were made, they were subsequently not issued. Perf OS varieties re NSW state punctures.