Specialised QEII Definitive Issues

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Site last updated Tuesday 13 May 2008

Phosphor/fluor band stamp images shown on this web site are portrayed as they would be seen under ultra violet light or the afterglow seen after removing them from the light source. The stamp images are shown with the band layout to give a clear definition of the phosphor/fluor variety. The phosphor/fluor colour shades described are a guide only and will depend on the type of ultra violet lamp you use to view the stamps. If you do not own an ultra violet lamp you will not be able to view the phosphor/fluor bands at all and the stamp will appear plain (See images below).

Stamps over-printed with short wave phosphor bands

Phosphor bands (Short wave reaction)
Phosphor band stamp images are based on using a short wave lamp and described as you would see them after placing under the lamp for a few seconds and then turning the lamp off (known as phosphorescence - referred to by collectors as afterglow).

Stamps over-printed with fluor bands

Fluor bands (Short and long wave reaction)
Fluor band stamp images are based on using a long wave lamp and are described as you would see them under the lamp turned on (known as fluorescence) if you view the fluor bands under a short wave lamp you will get much duller shades than those depicted in my images.

To sum up
Stamps listed with phosphor bands (Portrayed with the afterglow effect) - Stamps listed with fluor bands (Portrayed under long wave light).

For an in depth analysis of Machin stamps you will need a copy of the Deegam Complete Machin Handbook or the Machin Collectors Club Machin Catalogue. These publications contain a mine of information on the subject and no serious collector can do without these publications.

Authors, printers and their respective numbers used on this web site and in my lists

Stanley Gibbons © Specialised Decimal Definitive Issues Catalogue.
Stanley Gibbons © Great Britain Concise Stamp Catalogue.
Machin Collectors Club Stoneham Catalogue.
D. G. A. Myall © The Complete Deegam Machin Handbook.
DP © numbers are the copyright of MBPC and are used with their permission.

With acknowledgement to all the above authors