Minisheet

Minisheet

29^th Oct 1928

3d Kooka Minisheet Horizontal mesh.

Line Perf 11, No Watermark

Designer: R.A. Harrison (son)

Engraver: T.S. Harrison (father)

Layout: Flat Recess. Single pane 12 x 10

Quantity: 1,206,000 (20,100 printsheets)

This is the only pre-decimal Minisheet ever issued. It was specifically prepared for the 4^th international philatelic exhibition (Melbourne). The two Minisheet plates and press were set up in the exhibition hall and printed thereon.

The father / son team of T.S. Harrison (engraver), R.A. Harrison (design), which produced the original Kgv recess issues, created the 3d Blue Kooka. The design was a modification of the popular 6d Kooka from the 1^st series.

2 plates, 3 rows x 5 groups of 2x2.

The plates were printed in a standard vertical pair like their KGV cousins, using the same machinery. Plate 2 can be distinguished by a scratch alongside the upper right stamp of minisheet 15 (lower right corner).

There was much, much more at stake here, than even a prestigious philatelic event. Harrison deliberately set out to prove the demand, and ease, in which recess commemoratives could be produced.

3dMiniPair.jpg (13312 bytes) wpe18.jpg (68232 bytes) red blue or green exhibition cancels.

Upper left of sheet

Stamps are slightly taller and narrower due to drying after hand gumming.