Flaws in a field of 100 Sampans

Irrespective of country or theme, everything looks better in a full sheet (also known as a full pane). Though I do not collect Singapore, the 1955 issue is an exception - the design alone just looks amazing when arranged as a complete set.

In a field of 100 sampans (2 sampans per stamp, that is), the first thought is always: "look for plate flaws". This has already been studied in specialized groups; there are already records including respective positions. This is just an extension of the study, with individual flaws enlarged of plate 1B. I could not find a full pane of 1A, for now. 

I take a deep interest in finding plate flaws. It is the sense of achievement that gives great joy in collecting. The inconsistency in printing provides another excuse to detail every corner of a stamp, which I personally think is many times better than a world of perfection. Without the imperfections, half of the adventure would not even exist.


R2/2 Dot under A of MALAYA


R3/4 'Sea-snake'


R4/4 Rope on stern of sampan


R5/1 Smudges on upper left corner


R7/3 Deformed 'E' of CENT


R7/5 Nick on right frame


R9/1 Reflection on water. This is perhaps the most famous plate flaw of this denomination.


R10/1 White dot on stern of sampan

The scans are made at 1200dpi. If you have noticed, there are certain smudges or dots seen across the scans but they are either inconsistently and not found in other plates, or they are just specks of dust and dirt stuck to my scanner. In this case, if they are not marked with an arrow, they don't matter. 

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