(Scott Number B1 and B2)
However
The literature and research on this issue is scattered, contradictory and disorganized.
The Bosnia Study Group has attempted to review the existing literature and the existing research on this issue and to resolve the contradictions and ambiguities that exist, even after 80 years of study.
The Study Group is requesting knowledge and input from any and all collectors regarding the results of this study project.
THE 1914 FIRST WAR CHARITY ISSUE
Background:
On November 1, 1914, Bosnia joined other countries in the issuance of surcharged stamps to raise charitable funds for a nation at war. These two Bosnia stamps (Scott B1 and B2) are overprinted versions of the 5h and 10h value of the 1906 Pictorial Issue, that impose a 2h surcharge. The overprint consists of two lines, printed in red, wherein the top line contains the year date and the bottom line contains the surcharge value. Two thousand sheets (100,000 stamps) of the 7h and five thousand sheets (250,000 stamps) of the 12h were printed, with the 7h having been printed first.
Varieties of the overprint existed immediately due to the setting of the type, and these varieties continued to evolve during the production run due to wear and replacement of the type. The 7h value contains fewer varieties than the 12h since it was produced first, in a smaller quantity. Also the 12h contains an additional "1" (in the second line) which is the numeral with the most variation of type.
1. There are four major references that chart the plate positions of the constant varieties and two of them appear to be in error. These references are:
|
Adolph Passer, "Die Postwertzeichen von B & H", 1930, page 85. Michel, "Osterreich Spezialkatalog". Karl Brownell, "Overprint Varieties
of the First Semi-Postal Issue of B & H", The American Philatelist,
Aug. 1984. An unpublished chart by Waste and Conner that is referenced in the papers of E.C. Coleman. |
2. In the Passer chart, the "b" and "c" references to the numeral "1" are reversed.
3. In the Michel chart, positions 8 and 16 appear to be misidentified.
4. Since the Brownell chart appears to be accurate, and since the Waste/Conner chart contains additional details we have used these two references as the baseline for our conclusions to date.
Bosnia Study Group - 2000
(updated 2004)
Constant Varieties.
These constant varieties occur on all printings.
1.) There are three different types of “4” in the overprint of “1914” in the first line.
Type I is a “narrow” base style 4. It occurs 42 times in each pane of 50.
Type II is a “wide” base style 4. It occurs 7 times in each pane of 50.
Type III is an “open” style 4. It occurs 1 time in each pane of 50.
2.) There are also three different types of “1” in the overprint.
These different types of “1”occur twice in the “1914” of the first line on both stamps, and on the 12 Heller overprint also occur in the “12” of the second line.
Type A is a “1” with a long sloping serif at the top and little or no base at the bottom.
Type B is a “1” with a wide base at the bottom.
Type C is a “1” with a short blunt serif at he top and little or no base at the bottom.
3.) There are two different types of “H” in the overprint “Heller”.
The high crossbar H has the crossbar near the top of the letter. It occurs 49 times in each pane of 50.
The middle crossbar H has the crossbar in the middle of the letter. It occurs once in each pane of 50 stamps on stamp #35.
Other Varieties
In addition to the constant varieties above, there are many other variations that occur on a regular basis but not on all printings. These other varieties are listed below for both the 7H and the 12H printings. Also below, are tables that show their positions on the 50 stamp sheet. In the tables, the constant varieties defined above are shown on the sheet in UPPER CASE while the other varieties defined below, are shown on the sheet in LOWER CASE. These other varieties are attributed to broken type, damaged type, worn type and replaced type.
Printing Flaws
Printing flaws also exist on many stamps due to foreign matter, movement of the quadrat, poor inking etc. A quadrat is a block of type metal used for printing spaces and blank lines that is set lower than the letter and numeral type. If the quadrat works up higher, out of place, it receives ink and thus leaves an impression on the paper in the form of blurs, dashes and other miscellaneous lines.
Some of these printing flaws may prove to be recurring varieties, but are unproven by this study.
THE 7-HELLER OVERPRINT
Constant
Variety Type
of “4” Type
of “1” Type
of “H” Qty
in sheet
V1 I A A High crossbar 25
V2 I A A Middle crossbar 1
V3 I A B High crossbar 1
V4 I A C High crossbar 6
V5 I B C High crossbar 1
V6 I C A High crossbar 6
V7 I C B High crossbar 1
V8 I C C High crossbar 1
V9 II A A High crossbar 6
V10 II A B High crossbar 1
V11 III A A High crossbar 1
---
50
Other varieties of the 7H printing are as follows. (listed by stamp position in the sheet)
Stamp 6 - There is a worn spot or indentation in the stem of the "1" in (1)914 on stamp 6.
The worn spot or indentation may occur on either side of the stem.
Stamp 7 - There is a broken vertical line in the lower left square.
Stamp 10 - The bottom of the "7" is cut off.
Stamp 14 - The "1" in 19(1)4 is set lower.
Stamp 16 - There is a raised “r” in Heller. (this variety is believed to be constant)
Stamp 17 - There is a broken period.
Stamp 21 - There is a broken left foot on "1" in (1)914 and a faint or weak-colored "r" in Heller.
Stamp 23 - The left "l" in He(l)ler is thin.
Stamp 24 - The right "l" in Hel(l)er is thin.
Stamp 30 - The period is missing or very minute.
Stamp 31 - Passer identified the second 1 in 19(1)4 as a type C, not type A.
This may be due to a broken or worn serif on the numeral or to a replacement of the type during the production run or to an error on his part.
Stamp 32 - There is a thick "1" in (1)914.
Stamp 33 - There is a broken horn on the "r" in Heller.
Stamp 42 - The left "l" in He(l)ler is thin.
7 Heller Sheet Arrangement
Stamps 1-50
|
A A
II |
A A
I |
A A
I |
A B
I |
C A
I |
|
A A
I notch in one |
A C
I broken vert. line |
A C
I |
A A
I |
A A
I 7 bottom cut off |
|
A A
I |
A C
I |
A A
I |
A A
I one set lower |
C A
I |
|
A A
I raised r |
A B
II broken period |
A C
I |
C B
I |
A A
I |
|
B C
I broken foot on one |
A A
II |
A A
I thin left l |
A A
I thin right l |
A A
I |
|
A A
II |
A A
II |
C A
I |
A A
III |
A A
I small or no period |
|
A A (or c) I |
A A
I thick one |
A A
I r horn broken |
A A
II |
A A
I MIDDLE H |
|
A A
II |
A A
I |
A A
I |
C A
I |
A A
I |
|
A C
I |
A A
I thin left l |
A A
I |
A A
I |
C A
I |
|
A A
I |
A A
I |
A C
I |
A A
I |
C C
I |
THE 12-HELLER OVERPRINT
Constant Variety Type of “4” Type of “1” Type of “H” Qty in sheet
V1 I AA A High crossbar 22
V2 I AA A Middle crossbar 1
V3 I AA C High crossbar 3
V4 I AB A High crossbar 1
V5 I AC A High crossbar 5
V6 I AC C High crossbar 1
V7 I BC C High crossbar 1
V8 I CA A High crossbar 6
V9 I CB A High crossbar 1
V10 I CC A High crossbar 1
V11 II AA A High crossbar 5
V12 II AA C High crossbar 1
V13 II AB A High crossbar 1
V14 III AA A High crossbar 1
---
50
Other varieties of the 12H printing are as follows. (listed by stamp position in the sheet)
Stamp 3 - The 1 in (1)2 has also been noted as a type C, not type A.
This may be due to a broken or worn serif on the numeral or to a replacement
of the type during the production run.
Stamp 6 - There is a worn spot or indentation in the stem of the "1" in (1)914.
The worn spot or indentation may occur on either side of the stem.
The 1 in (1)2 has also been noted as a type C, not type A.
Stamp 7 - There is a broken right vertical line in the lower left square.
Stamp 8 - The 1 in (1)2 has also been noted as a type C, not type A.
Stamp 11 - The top is cut off of the upper left square.
Stamp 14 - The "1" in 19(1)4 is set lower.
There is a wide spacing of about 2.75 mm, between the lines.
The normal spacing of 1.5 mm also exists.
The 1 in (1)2 has also been noted as a type C, not type A.
Stamp 15 - The 1 in (1)2 has also been noted as a type C, not type A.
Stamp 16 - The squares are shifted down, below 1914.
Stamp 17 - There is a broken period.
Stamp 18 - The 1 in (1)914 is tilted.
The 1 in 19(1)4 has also been noted as a type A, not type C.
Stamp 21 - There is a broken left foot on "1" in (1)914.
The 1 in 19(1)4 has also been noted as a type A, not type C.
The 1 in (1)2 has also been noted as a type A, not type C.
Stamp 22 - The 1 in (1)2 has also been noted as a type A, not type C.
Stamp 25 - There is an oversized "2".
Stamp 26 - There is a wide spacing of about 2.75 mm, between the lines.
The normal spacing of 1.5 mm also exists.
Stamp 31 - The 1 in 19(1)4 has also been noted as a type A, not type C.
Stamp 32 - There is a thick "1" in (1)914.
Stamp 36 - The 1 in (1)2 has also been noted as a type C, not type A.
Stamp 39 - The 1 in (1)914 is elevated .
Stamps 41 - There is a wide spacing of about 2.75 mm, between the lines.
The normal spacing of 1.5 mm also exists.
Stamp 42 - The right "l" in Hel(l)er is large.
Stamp 43 - The 1 in (1)2 has also been noted as a type C, not type A.
Stamp 45 - The top of the entire upper line is cut off.
Stamp 47 - The 1 in 19(1)4 has also been noted as a type C, not type A.
12 Heller Sheet Arrangement
Stamps 1-50
|
A A II A |
A A I A |
A A I A (or c) |
A B I A |
C A I A |
|
A A I A (or c) |