Two imperforate sheets – Monsterrat 1984 $1 Kingfisher and St Lucia 1984 $10 Cunard QE2 – have been discovered by Rushstamps in an accumulation of thematic material purchased from a retired dealer. Both sheets comprise 25 stamps. The $1 Kingfisher was printed by Walsall while the $10 Cunard was printed by Harrison. Further details from Rushstamps.

visit http://www.rushstamps.co.uk

An extraordinary range of rare and visual QEII errors – including a 1967 British Paintings 1s 6d missing gold, 1970 Literary Anniversaries 1s 6d missing gold, and 1973 Explorers 5p traffic light strip of three missing grey-black and phosphor – are to be offered at Grosvenor's 17 June 2009 Specialised Great Britain auction. Other items include:

1962 NPY 1s 3d pair missing light blue from one and partially from other
1966 Birds 4d block missing black, blue, bistre and reddish brown
1967 Flowers 4d set of four singles missing agate
1967 Christmas 1s 6d missing gold
1973 British Trees 9p traffic light block of four missing brownish black
1990 RSPCA 34p plate block of four missing silver

visit http://www.grosvenorauctions.com

Among the 100 lots of QEII errors and varieties in the Stanley Gibbons public auction of 17 June 2009 is a previously unrecorded error – an imperforate pane of 100 stamps of the 1992 Christmas 18p featuring a stained glass scene of the angel Gabriel from a window by Karl Parsons. The Christmas pane (cylinder 1A–2B–1C–1D–1E) estimated at £8,000 would yield 50 imperforate pairs if split. However, creases in various areas and a horizontal fold affecting row seven would reduce the number of perfect pairs. There are presently no details regarding where or when discovered.

visit catalogue entry
visit http://www.stanleygibbons.com/auctions

A grossly misperforated double-pane – resulting in one stamp completely lacking the Queen’s head and 1st denomination – from the commemorative Endangered Plants issue of 19 May 2009 has been discovered by Tracey Spratley of Buckingham Covers while preparing first day covers. The find came from stock sent by Royal Mail to Buckingham several weeks before the official release to enable production of covers to coincide with the first day of issue.

The error occurred due to a skewed sheet entering the perforator. The shift in perforations leaves the majority of stamps in the top pane with the Queen’s head and denomination on the left side (rather than right) or bisecting the perforations. Just the top left stamp, featuring the Round-Headed Leek, is completely missing the Queen’s head and denomination while those below show traces.

visit http://www.buckinghamcovers.com

POS Malaysia has withdrawn the Unique Birds of Malaysia miniature sheet issued 21 January 2009 after it was discovered the RM5 stamp lacked the country name and date. The error occurred when last minute changes were made to the black plate to correct a spelling mistake in the bird's scientific name, Aceros subruficollis. During the editing process the country name and year were knocked out. The mistake wasn't spotted until several days after the miniature sheet had been placed on sale. There has been no official statement from POS Malaysia regarding the quantity of incorrect miniature sheets in circulation, but unofficial sources suggest up to 10,000 may have been sold (which includes standing order and first day cover customers).

Posters and other pre-release material carry images of the miniature sheet with 'Malaysia 2009' on the stamp and the erroneous spelling of the bird's name.

To date, there has been no indication when or if a corrected miniature sheet will be available. However, an overprinted version of the miniature sheet (which includes re-inserted country name and date) will be available to highlight the China 2009 World Stamp Exhibition (from 10-16 April in Luoyang).

visit POS Malaysia