Paper Heritage - Newfoundland Printings

This article deals with railway thematic stamps of Newfoundland that are the work of more than one printer, there being clear detail differences between the printings.
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1. Steam Train at Grand Falls Paper Mills, 1910/11:

Newfoundland Grand Falls Paper mills 1910 Litho 1911 Recess 10c Newfoundland Grand Falls Paper mills 1910 Litho 1911 Recess 10c

Left : 1910 - Lithographed - Perf 12 - Slate : SG 103 Mi.76 Sct.95 Domfil 910.9
Right : 1911 - Recess-engraved - Perf 14 - Grey-black : SG 114 Mi.82 Sct.86 Domfil 911.4

There is a small steam train exiting the mill as indicated in the detail scan.

Very few images of this paper mill that show the railway seem to exist. Real photo postcards, like the one shown below, are only suited commercially to small print-runs and we could find no other example of this view online at the time of the article. The card has a note in German on the back in pen, giving a date of 1911, much the same as the stamps. The date may refer to the photograph or the date of acquisition by the first owner. The view suggests that the engraver applied some artistic licence in the design of the stamp.

Newfoundland Grand Falls Paper Mills Real Photo postcard stated to be 1911-picture side
Newfoundland Grand Falls Paper Mills Real Photo postcard stated to be 1911-message side

1910 : 10c Paper Mills & Steam Train : Lithographed [ . ]

1911 : 10c Paper Mills & Steam Train : Engraved [ . ]

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2. Newfoundland Railway steamer, the S.S.Caribou. (Source for inclusion: Eriksson & Lindstrom's railway catalogue, where it is reported as being a steamer owned by a railway company)

Newfoundland Stamps 2c SS Caribou De La Rue printing Newfoundland Stamps 2c SS Caribou De La Rue printing Newfoundland Stamps 2c SS Caribou De La Rue printing

Newfoundland Stamps 2c SS Caribou Perkins Bacon printing Newfoundland Stamps 2c SS Caribou Perkins Bacon printing Newfoundland Stamps 2c SS Caribou Perkins Bacon printing

Top : 1928 - De la Rue ptg - Comb Perf 13½x13 - Carmine : SG 165 Mi.130
Bottom : 1929 - Perkins Bacon ptg - Perf 13½ comb - Scarlet : SG 180 Mi.146

Designs of the two printings: There are numerous differences including:
De la Rue Printing: The inverted commas before the 'C' of 'CARIBOU' do not touch the frame line above; there is an extra rope to the top of the rear mast.
Perkins Bacon Ptgs: The inverted commas before the 'C' of 'CARIBOU' almost touch the frame line above; there is no extra rope to the rear mast.

1928 : 2c S.S. Caribou : De la Rue Printing (no wmk) [ . ]

1929 : 2c S.S. Caribou : Perkins Bacon Printing (no wmk) [ . ]
- ditto - Imperf (pair) [ . ]
The Perkins Bacon printing also exists Line Perf. 14-13½

1931 : 2c S.S. Caribou : Perkins Bacon Printing (with wmk) [ . ]
This stamp also exists with watermark inverted.

This appears to be the same S.S.Caribou that was sunk by a German submarine off the coast of Newfoundland on October 14th, 1942. Details of this sinking may be found here (opens in a new tab)

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3. Steam Express Train crossing Newfoundland:

Newfoundland Stamps 5c Steam Express Train De La Rue printing Newfoundland Stamps 5c Steam Express Train De La Rue printing Newfoundland Stamps 5c Steam Express Train De La Rue printing

Newfoundland Stamps 5c Steam Express Train Perkins Bacon printing Newfoundland Stamps 5c Steam Express Train Perkins Bacon printing Newfoundland Stamps 5c Steam Express Train Perkins Bacon printing

Top : 1928 - De la Rue ptg - Perf 13½x13 comb - Slate-Green : SG 168 Mi.133 Domfil 928.5
Bottom : 1929 - Perkins Bacon ptg - Perf 13½x14 - Slate-Green : SG 183 Mi.149 Domfil 926.9

Designs of the two printings: There are several differences including:
De la Rue Printing: Coping stone on top of the pillar adorned at left with a leaf; White 'spot' on locomotive cylinder head is to the right of centre.
Perkins Bacon Printing: Coping stone on top of the pillar unadorned at left (no leaf); White 'spot' on locomotive cylinder head is slightly left of centre.

1928 : 5c Steam Express Train : De la Rue Printing : Comb Perf 13½ x 13 [ . ]
This stamp also exists Line Perf 14-13½

1929 : 5c Steam Express Train : Perkins Bacon Printing : No Watermark [ . ]

1931 : 5c Steam Express Train : Perkins Bacon Printing : With Watermark [ . ]
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