The General Issue of the Malayan Federation: Interesting finds on Varieties.

The general issue of the Malayan Federation are four denominations: 6c, 12c, 25c and 30c that are all multicolored issued on 5th May 1957. 

General Issue of Malayan Federation

Clockwise from the top left, they are listed as ISC 1-4. In the same catalogue, varieties are majorly colors with the exception for 12c, which I have yet to come across. 

Known varieties and shades of the 1957 General Issue. 

On the first row are three known shades of the 6c: i. Deep-blue, red, yellow, & grey-blue (ISC1); ii. Indigo, red, yellow, & grey-blue (ISC1b); and iii. Indigo, red, yellow, & slate-blue (ISC1c). On the second row, somewhat interesting, yet unconfirmed is what I believe to be an offset of the red dye on the gum. 

Nothing peculiar on the 12c of the third row, that is just a normal piece. Next to it is an irregularity of the 25c, in which it should have appear in shades of maroon just like the three stamps arranged on the fourth row. It seems to be a shade of mauve to violet (?). 

On the last row, are two varieties of the 30c: i. Orange-red & lake (ISC4); and ii. Orange-red & deep lake (ISC4a). Luckily, it has been made easier to differentiate between shades because they have specific perforations. P. 13 x 12.5 on the former, and P. 12.5 on the latter variety. 

To what extent are these variations recognized? For it to be recognized, and taken into account as a real variety, it has to occur more than several times or perhaps once every stamp sheet is printed. With regards to this, I surely have no authority to proclaim that the varieties I simply stumble across are real, or as many would blatantly say 'rare' - this is an annoying word. 

Hence, long rant cut short, I hope ISC would look into this in its future catalogue releases. 


Note on stamps:

1. Malayan Federation 1957 ISC1 6 cents multicolored (deep-blue, red, yellow, & grey blue) 'Rubber Tapping'.
Wmk. Multi. Crown CA
P. 13

2. Malayan Federation 1957 ISC2 12 cents multicolored (red, yellow, blue, black & scarlet) 'Coat of Arms'
Wmk. Multi. Crown CA
P. 13 

3. Malayan Federation 1957 ISC3 25 cents multicolored (maroon, red, yellow, & dull greenish blue) 'Tin Dredge'
Wmk. Multi Crown CA
P. 13

4. Malayan Federation 1957 ISC4 30 cents multicolored (orange-red & lake) 'Map of the Malayan Federation' 
Wmk. Multi Crown CA
P. 13 x 12.5

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