The Chapman Sands & Yacht stamp was issued by the
Canvey Island Local Post (CILP) on 29th April 2015.
The design was of a circa 1928 period postcard line
drawing in black and light yellow clouds and sea, measuring 30x43mm in vertical
format. Total production was 250 stamps (CLP290415S).
Full Yellow
CLP290415S
The stamp has been used for island ‘Bicycle’ (express)
post and on mainland and international mail since its release and has been
popular with topical and local post collectors worldwide.
During a recent mail franking of several letters bearing
the Chapman Lighthouse and Yacht stamp, I noticed that one stamp was missing
its yellow colouring on the sea and sky. Following a check of remaining stocks,
I confirmed that a number of sheets also appear to be missing the yellow colour
of the original design. These ‘missing yellow’ sheets were positioned at the
back of the stamp order when originally received from the printer and not
checked prior to release.
In most cases the yellow is missing completely, but on
some stamps there is a very feint impression of the colour. CILP stock storage of
mint stamp sheets ensures exclusion of all light sources, so sun and artificial
light damage can be ruled out.
It is possible the yellow ink fades over time, but this
is unlikely given the quality and reputation of our printer and our experience
of their work since 2010. Therefore, we can only conclude that this is a
printing error caused by low ink level at the time of production, rather than
colour fade.
Missing Yellow
CLP290415S(V)
Identification of a ‘missing yellow’ stamp is not
difficult as the colour omission is distinct in the sky and foreground sea
around the lighthouse. This varies from a hint of very light yellow to complete
white and is very obvious when viewed alongside a correctly printed stamp.
Given this issue has been in circulation since April
2015, I am unable to put a precise figure on how many ‘missing yellow’ stamps
are in private collections in mint condition or have been used on mail. However,
I have identified from remaining stocks and sheet margins, that around three
full stamp sheets have been affected by the missing colour. This means a
potential of 75 ‘missing yellow’ stamps were produced.
Based on our investigation the CILP will officially list
the ‘missing yellow’ Chapman Sands & Yacht stamp as a variant in our
catalogue from mid-2018. The remaining copies of this variant will be available
to collectors at no extra cost subject to stock from our agent Alpha-Thematics
at https://alpha-thematics.ebid.net
(under menu section ‘Cinderella’).
17 May 2018
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