A Short Introduction To The Philately Of Palestine

At the start of December 1920 another new overprint block was created (T6). Originally it seems to have been intended as a trial only. As demand for a number of low values emerged at short notice, it was apparently decided to print some sheets at hand with this overprint type and sell them in a regular fashion from 6.12.1920. The existing values are 1, 3, and 5m. The print-run was extremely small, so that these stamps are considerably scarcer (and more valuable) than the September overprints. Of the 5m value only a dozen stamps are known to collectors.

This overprint discerns itself from others by the shortened gap between the second (English) and third (Hebrew) line: 6mm (instead of 7mm). The total vertical size of the clichée is now 19mm instead of 20mm.

In total six overprint types can be differentiated by errors in the second line (Latin types). Apart from a partly missing overprint (5m at K14 only) there are two outstanding varieties: In the word PALESTINE the last E appears as almost a B or as some ragged R (1m in K14, 3m in K15:14 and 5m in K15:14). The 3m value (in K15:14 only) also exists with a mixed perforation (ie. a missing tooth between the 19th and 20th row in a sheet).