A Short Introduction To The Philately Of Palestine

Easy Sorting Guide to the Palestine Mandate Overprints

SG Nos. 16–29 (Jerusalem I)

SG Nos. 30–43 (Jerusalem II)

SG Nos. 44–46 (Narrow Setting)

SG Nos. 47–59 (Jerusalem III)

SG Nos. 60–70 (London I)

SG Nos. 71–89 (London II)
Plate I

SG Nos. 71–89 (London II)
Plate II



Step 1: Differentiation by Overprint
	No overprint		SG Nos. 5-15 (Typos)
	Arabic only overprint (various types)		Transjordan SG Nos. 1–88, 98–111, 143–158, D159–170 Mi.Nr. 1–60, 70-80, 104-118, P11-22
	Overprint "O.P.D.A" or "Court Fees" or "H.J.Z." or similar		Palestine Fiscals
	with other overprint		Go to Step 2

Step 2: Differentiation by Typeface
	Trilingual overprint "PALESTINE" with serifs (Roman typeface)		Go to Step 3
	Trilingual overprint "PALESTINE" without serifs (Helvetica or block typeface)		Go to Step 6

Step 3: Differentiation by Length
	Length of Arabic first line: 8mm		SG Nos. 16–29 (Jerusalem I)
	Length of Arabic first line: 10mm		Go to Step 4

Step 4: Differentiation by Distance
	Distance between second (English) and third line (Hebrew): 6mm		SG Nos. 44–46 (Narrow Setting)
	Distance between second (English) and third line (Hebrew): 7mm or more		Go to Step 5

Step 5: Differentiation by Overprint
	Inverted commas (dashes) in the third line are slightly elevated in relation to the top line of the other characters		SG Nos. 30–43 (Jerusalem II)
	Inverted commas (dashes) in the third line are hanging straight or step like from the top line		SG Nos. 47–59 (Jerusalem III)

Step 6: Differentiation by Watermark
	Watermark 1 Britain Type W100: "Royal Cypher (simple in column)"		SG Nos. 60–70 (London I)
	Watermark 2 Crown Agents Type W9: "Multiple Crown Script CA"		SG Nos. 71–89 (London II)
	Watermark unclear		Go to Step 7 (Colours) or Step 8 (Perforation) or Step 9 (Overprint)

Step 7: Differentiation by Colour
	2m green, 3m brown, 4m scarlet (red), 1p blue, 10p ultramarine, 20p grey		SG Nos. 60–70 (London I)
	2m yellow, 3m blue, 4m pink, 6m green, 7m bown, 8m scarlet (red), 1p grey, 2p ochre, 13m blue, 10p blue, 20p violet		SG Nos. 71–89 (London II)
	other values (1m, 5m, 2p, 5p, 9p)		Go to Step 8 (Perforation) or Step 6 (Watermark) or Step 9 (Overprint)

Step 8: Differentiation by Perforation
	Perforation K14 (all values)	14 Teeth 15 Teeth	SG Nos. 71–89 (London II)
	Perforation K15:14 (values 1m–2p)	14 Teeth 15 Teeth	SG Nos. 60–70 (London I)
	Perforation K15:14 (values 5p–20p)		Go to Step 7 (Colours) or Step 9 (Overprint)

Step 9: Differentiation by Overprint
	Inverted commas (dashes) in the third line are long and (often) clear Length of "PALESTINE": 14.0mm		SG Nos. 60–70 (London I)
	Inverted commas (dashes) in the third line are short and (often) blurred Length of "PALESTINE": 14.3mm		SG Nos. 71–89 (London II)

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