The Winton M. Blount Postal History Symposia - Smithsonian ...

7 4 • s m i t h s o n i a n c o n t r i b u t i o n s t o h i s t o ry a n d t e c h n o l o g yFigure 6. Proof of sans serif overprint in black on plain paper.From the collection of Janet Klug.dark brown one penny and threepence stamps but could beused in black for the orange halfpenny stamp. The red andgold colors were not appropriate for any of the stamps.Figure 4. Proof of serif overprint in gray- black on plain paper.Thin numeral “4” at top left. From the collection of Janet Klug.Trial printings of sheets of halfpenny, one penny andthreepence stamps were thus overprinted with this type,using the same color formulations of gray- black, red and“gold” (Figure 5). Once seen on the stamps, it became apparentthat the thin, spidery type was not suitable for theSans Serif OverprintsIn a similar fashion, the Hiroshima Printing Companymade one sheet of heavy, black sans serif overprints. This,too, was co- signed by two military officers and the printingcompany’s manager. The proof sheet indicates this was adoptedfor the one penny and threepence stamps (Figure 6).Here Today—Gone TomorrowAn initial quantity of halfpenny, one penny and threepencestamps were overprinted and released withoutfanfare and without government authorization on October12, 1946; only to be withdrawn two days later untilthe proper authorizations were acquired. 10That took seven months. On May 8, 1947, a set ofseven stamps overprinted “B.C.O.F./ JAPAN/ 1946” wasfinally released.Stamp Collectors Take NoticeFigure 5. Unadopted essay of serif overprint in red on half- pennystamp. From the collection of Janet Klug.Contemporary reports in Australia’s philatelic pressconfirm that stamp collectors quickly became aware of theBCOF overprints released in October 1946.In its December 1946 issue Australian Stamp Monthlyreported, “We mildly suggested in an editorial note in the