Introduction

In this article, we will first supply known data about the various printings made on TD6 presses for the stamp 0,50F Marianne de Béquet, in particular in the form of a summary table. We will then show the two characteristic lines, and then the electronic mark of every used cylinder. Finally we will conclude this article by supplying some statistics on the various editions made on TD6 presses from the known number of printing days.

Global description of the printings

During the manufacturing period of the stamp 0,50F Marianne de Béquet, TD6 presses printed

• Stamps without phosphor band
  • with normal gum (20 printings on the presses TD6-1, TD6-2, TD6-3, TD6-4, TD6-5 and TD6-7)
  • with tropical gum (2 printings on the presses TD6-2 and TD6-4);
     

    

    sheet of 100 stamps without phosphor band

     

• Stamps without phosphor band overprinted 25F CFA on a flatbed printing press
  • with normal gum (2 printings on the press TD6-1)
  • with tropical gum (2 printings on the presses TD6-1 and TD6-4);
     

    

    sheet of 100 stamps 0,50F Marianne de Béquet overprinted 25F CFA

     

• Stamps with 3 phosphor bands, with normal gum: 18 printings
  • on the press TD6-1, with type A or type D phosphor bands;
  • on the press TD6-2, with type D phosphor bands;
  • on the press TD6-4, with type A or type D phosphor bands;
  • on the press TD6-5, with type D phosphor bands;
  • on the press TD6-6, with type B phosphor bands;
  • on the press TD6-7, with type B phosphor bands)

• Stamps with 3 phosphor bands, with tropical gum (1 printing on the press TD6-4, with type D phosphor bands and 1 printing on the press TD6-7, with type B phosphor bands).
   

  

  imprimatur sheet of the stamp 0,50F Marianne de Béquet with 3 phosphor bands (Source : Copyright Coll. L’Adresse Musée de La Poste, Paris / La Poste)

   

Overall, there were 38 printings on TD6 presses, obtained using 36 gravure printing cylinders called A to AO. We will now illustrate all these printings, by showing, when possible, the electronic mark and the characteristic red lines of each gravure printing cylinder. But first, we will sum up all the printings in table format:

We will now show the two red characteristic lines of each cylinder, then the electronic mark associated to each cylinder. It may be noted that all the information supplied in this section is due to the SOCOCODAMI association and its members.

Characteristic lines of the used cylinders

Here is, in tabular form, the two lines that characterize the cylinders used on TD6 presses to produce the stamp 0,50F Marianne de Béquet (except for three cylinders for which these two lines were not engraved).

Electronic marks of the used cylinders

 
 
 
 
Using the image on the left, the electronic mark (E.M.) of a sheet cylinder may be characterized as follows :

• the length L of the E.M.;

• the height H of the E.M.;

• the distance D between the right edge of the E.M. and the left edge of the effigy of the stamp on the right;

• the distance B (which may be negative) between the lower edge of the R.E. and the lower edge of the effigy of the stamp on the right

can be measured in millimeters.
 
 
 
 
 
Here is, always in tabular form, the electronic marks of the cylinders used on the TD6 presses to produce stamps 0,50F Marianne de Béquet (except the mark of the cylinder AE which I do not possess), with their parameters.
 

Some statistics as a conclusion

On the basis of the number of printing days of sheet stamps 0,50F Marianne de Béquet (and by considering known worked Saturdays as normal days, what is not completely right), it is possible to establish statistics on the printings made for this stamp. So

• 2 % of sheet stamps come from TD3 presses and thus 98 % from TD6 presses;
   
• among the stamps produced on TD6 presses, 2/3 are without phosphorescent band and 1/3 with 3 phosphorescent bands;
   
• among stamps with 3 phosphorescent bands
   
  • 70% have type D phosphorescent bands;
     
  • 20% have type A phosphorescent bands;
     
  • 10% have type B phosphorescent bands.
     

With more anecdotal evidence
 

• among stamps without phosphorescent band
   
  • 30% have been produced on the presse TD6-7;
     
  • 27% on the press TD6-4;
     
  • 25% on the press TD6-2;
     
  • 8% on the press TD6-1;
     
  • 5% on the press TD6-3;
     
  • 4% on the press TD6-5;
     
• among stamps with 3 phosphorescent bands
   
  • 65% have been produced on the press TD6-4;
     
  • 14% on the press TD6-1;
     
  • 12% on the press TD6-5;
     
  • 7% on the press TD6-6;
     
  • 3% on the press TD6-7;
     
  • 1% on the press TD6-2;
     

Finally, the press TD6-1 first printed stamps with type A phosphorescent bands, then stamps with type D phosphorescent bands (from 30.7.74). The press TD6-2 only printed stamps with type D phosphorescent bands. The press TD6-4 first printed type A phosphorescent bands, then type D phosphorescent bands (from 16.1.73). The press TD6-5 only printed stamps with type D phosphorescent bands, the press TD6-6 only stamps with type B phosphorescent bands and the press TD6-7 only stamps with type B phosphorescent bands.