The Admiral Stamps of Canada

1Tc Brown

Introduction

August 1916 saw quite an amount of activity with the War Tax stamp, as complaints were being received about the unfortunate choice of colour of the 2+1c. stamp, and an instruction was given to change the colour from carmine to brown. The first printings were made with the new Die II, but subsequently some appeared in the Die I format. After the initial release in August of Die II stamps. the Die I subjects were noted in September. There is still some controversy surrounding this subject, with Marler for one believing that the Die I stamps may have appeared first. Plates 1 and 2 first used to print the carmine stamp were re-introduced for this purpose.

1Tc BROWN DIE I

Die I

 Numbers printed are difficult to estimate, with no clear distinction being listed between the two colours, and the total was further confused by the inclusion in 1917, of the three-cents Confederation issue. It is known that Plates 15 - 60 from Die II were used in the production of the 1Tc. Brown, and that the plates were laid down in the usual 400 subject format.

As with all War Tax stamps, the Wet method was used in printing, and Lathework Type A appeared on Plates 31 - 42, and Type B on Plates 43 - 60, with the exception of Plate 44.

As with the carmine stamp, the coil issuing policy continued with the brown replacement. 35,185,000 stamps were issued in all, but the division between Die I and Die II is not known. There has been a lot of research into this particular issue, with interesting conclusions, but all the deduced figures available of course cannot be confirmed. It is known that 400 subject plates numbered 3 to 8 were prepared for the coil issue, Plates 3 and 4 being made up with Die I, the remainder from Die II. No Lathework was used.
1Tc BROWN DIE II

Die II

Die I printings are noticeably lighter in colour than Die II, being described as Yellow brown and Deep brown respectively.

There are in existence some Imperforate and Part perforate stamps, but are not items that most collectors would expect to come across. The Imperforates are believed to have been produced as a favour, and possibly 30 sheets were printed from Plates 13 and 14 (Die I). Most were allegedly destroyed, and it is said that some 1,500 stamps survived.

Part perforates are known either perforated 12 vertically, or 12 horizontally, and originate from Plates 3 and 4, and 13 and 14. (Die I)

Example of 1Tc Brown on Cover

Updated: 5 Oct 97