IAN KIMMERLY STAMPS
WEEKLY FEATURES

Weekly Feature #233

For the week of January 15th - January 22nd, 2005

HEAVY HAIRLINES

Like every other industry, printing has undergone a technological revolution. However, before computers the changes and improvements were more gradual. When applying ink to paper by the intaglio or engraved method the old-fashioned printing "plate" was flat for centuries before printers realized that a curved plate meant that it was not necessary to apply great pressure to a large area of a printing plate, but only to a smaller area of that part of the curved plate in contact with the paper.
This innovation which took place around the turn of the last century dramatically sped up production and increased productivity.
In stamp collecting the USA Washington-Franklin issue is replete with examples of differences in stamp types as a result of the use of flat or rotary printings. In Canada some of the better known and listed varieties occur with the Admiral issue through the Medallion issue of 1932.
Another result of the rotary press was that especially in the early experimental stamps the steel plates would sometimes develop cracks after use. When these cracks area inked the result can be a series of fine lines printed on a stamp. These fine lines are known as "hairlines". Sometimes they are so faint as to be barely discernable with a high powered magnifying glass. Occasionally they are very easily seen. That is the case with this partial plate no. 2 block of the One cent value from the 1908 Edward Issue. There are faint hairlines in the 4 stamps and dramatic heavy hairlines in the top selvedge. The block is fresh with deep colour and although never hinged has gum disturbance ranging from minor to trivial gum loss.

WF233
CDN$95

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