Double prints on any classic worldwide issue are rare and this is also the case with the 1866 Cifras issue of Uruguay . There have been three recorded double prints with one inverted on the 5c Cifras , all of which are shown here. Thankfully, these are in blocks which allows for closer examination and research.

Background

The imperforate 5c “ Cifras ” were printed in sheets of 200 stamps, composed of two panes of 100 types (left and right), so that each type exists twice in any given sheet (excluding substituted transfers, which we won't discuss here). Each of the 100 types are unique and contain features that can allow them to be “plated” or typed.

Block 1, Types 2-7, 12-17

Fig. 1

The first block shown in Figure 1 is a mint, imperforate block of 12 5c Cifras being Types 2-7, and 12- 17 in each row, respectively. If examined closely, one can see a partial double impression inverted and displaced on Type 2 and 12 with a portion of the adjacent column of stamps also showing on Types 3 and 13.

Block 2, Types 21-23, 31-33, 41-43

Fig. 2

The second block shown in Figure 2 is a mint, imperforate block of 9 of the 5c Cifras being Types 21-23, 31-33 and 41-43. As a sideline, this block depicts several sub-type varieties including #23A (corrected broken line in hat of numeral 5) and Type 33A (large white area diagonally through the scales). This block shows four partial inverted stamp impressions on Type 22, 32 and 42 and a smaller portion of the adjacent column on Types 23, 33 and 43.

Block 3, Types 81-83, 91-93

Fig. 3

The third block shown in Figure 3 is a mint, imperforate block of 6 of the 5c Cifras being Types 81-83 and 91-93. This block shows partial impressions on Types 82 and 92. In this case, there is no evidence of additional impressions from an adjacent column.

Inverted Impression

On all three blocks, the inverted impression is displaced 17.5 mm downwards relative to the strong full impression and upwards relative to the inverted, partial impression. There is a slight displacement of only a degree or so from vertical.

The inverted types were identified as Type 9 (on the “normal” Type 92) and so on to Type 99 (on the “normal” Type 2), in essence, the 9 th column is the inverted column. Inverted portions of the 8 th column appear on the top and middle blocks as well.

The shade of ink on the first full impression matches between blocks, as does the ink on the inverted print. Coupling this with the similar displacements, it seems logical that these blocks all originated from the same sheet.

But which Pane?

The 5c “ Cifras ” was printed in a sheet of 200 stamps composed of two panes of 100 types. As a result, these blocks could be from either the left or right pane. If from the left pane, from the left edge of the sheet, if from the right pane, just slightly right of center of the sheet.

Fig. 4

Figure 4. Full Invert Double Print (theoretical)

If one envisions a fully double printed sheet, with one impression inverted (See Figure 4), in both cases the inverted impression on the existing blocks is caused by the types in column #9. But which pane are these blocks from?

The answer lies in the inverted Type 9 on the lower margin block (T81-93). This inverted impression is largely in the lower margin and thus allows for careful examination.   The inverted impression exhibits two important features (See Figure 5):

•  a small line at the upper left corner of the inside frameline below the “R” of “REPUBLICA”

•  a small line in the left, outside vertical line of the large “ 5”

Type 9 Right Pane

Fig. 5

These features are not present on the complete proof sheet of all 100 types in my collection and are therefore printing varieties unique to that position on the sheet. But again, left pane or right pane?

The answer lies in a mint block of 70 5c “ Cifras ” in my collection. The block, with large right margins, is clearly from the right portion of the sheet, and close examination of the Type 9 example shows the same printing varieties as noted above. Therefore the Type 9 inverted is also from the right pane and this firmly places the three blocks as having originated from the LEFT PANE. See Figure 4 for graphic representation.

Conclusions

The evidence provided by these three blocks indicates that the inverted double print variety on the 5c Cifras is caused by the 9 th , and to a lesser extent 8 th column from the right pane, inverted and appearing in the 2 nd and 3 rd columns of the left pane. To date, only three examples of this variety have been reported, all shown here. It is hoped that this article will encourage other collectors to examine their 5c Cifras holdings so that we can further reconstruct this fascinating double printing.

Bill Longley
bill@longleyauctions.com
www.longleyauctions.com