John Collects Stamps - Episode 14 - GB Wildings Definitive Stamps

In this episode I discuss the first designs of definitive stamps from the Queen Elizabeth II era, The Wildings.
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[@jnagarya519]

Queen Elizabeth is my favorite queen (I'm in the US) -- and has been since seeing her on 1950's and early 1960's stamps. John is doing a wonderful explanation of these definitives. It would be a treasure to have complete sets of at least the Queen Elizabeth definitives. All of the stamps of her era -- that would take many years to compile.

[@watson946]

That's a happy coincidence that you spoke about these wilding QEII stamps John, I've been thinking I'd like to go all in collecting this group, including the castles. Looking forward to you covering the castles too👍

[@doughadley1929]

Wonderful channel, John! I’ve learned so much from your videos. I love the way you organize your stock books! You have inspired me to reorganize my Great Britain stock book.

[@johncollectsstamps]

Thanks Doug, I first organised my Machins using the method I do, as it was difficult to keep track of what I had. It just seemed to make sense to me. I've adopted the same approach to my other collections and am slowly updating them, and sorting like this with catalogue numbers helps me identify any missing stamps.

[@junesmith3205]

I just started collecting Great Britain stamps , so your channel is very informative also it shows me how to group my stamps in various categories Thank you 🙏 so much June smith.

[@kevincabbage5906]

Thank you John...great job. Been collecting GB stamp all my life and I keep learning things from your videos I either had issues with, did not know or did not understand. Keep up the great work!

[@johncollectsstamps]

Thanks for your kind words, and for watching!

[@GreatStampAdventure]

Again, very interesting. :) Thanks! I don't see myself specializing in collecting GB stamps, but I enjoy your accounts of them.

[@johncollectsstamps]

Thanks for watching!

[@ninotommy5313]

Hi John,always looking forward for your videos thanks so much,really appreciate your knowledge

[@johncollectsstamps]

Glad you like them!

[@jeffnewbery7376]

Another good one. I don’t really collect either Wildings or Machins but I prefer the look of the Wildings.

[@davidperkins3621]

I use a Signascope watermark viewer which does not involve any fluid and enables the watermark to be properly studied under a magnifier.

[@granthouston6770]

Hi John, another great and informative video. There is a brand of watermark detector called Clarity .it’s from the USA and was developed in conjunction with the American Philatelic Society and is perfectly safe. The downside is it costs £16 and you can add another £16 for postage.

[@johncollectsstamps]

Thanks for the info!

[@paulwright-kd7hy]

Lighter fluid works well on all gb stamps I’ve used it on qv in particular, no smell, no residue, but use in well ventilated spaces, the stamps dry quickly too.

[@johncollectsstamps]

In one of my follow-up episodes, I tested lighter fluid, and was impressed with the otcome. Thanks for commenting!

[@jrh2u]

Hi John, interesting video. I use lighter fluid and while it does stink I don't use it over long periods of time. It is cheaper and easier for me to access than dedicated watermark fluid. I was told that lighter fluid leaves a residue on stamps, but I have not noticed; they also don't seem to smell afterwards. I also recall reading on forums that dedicated watermark fluid does not always work. Well neither does lighter fluid. I often have difficulties identifying watermarks. I did notice that Prinz fluid is available online.

[@johncollectsstamps]

When I looked for the Prinz fluid, everywhere showed out of stock. I used to get it on Amazon, but they don't list it any more. I'll have another scout around, thanks.

[@daveycrockett64]

I have used Swan lighter fluid for watermarking. No problems so far.

[@Martycycleman]

Thanks for this I've just bought a can😊

[@dustinp161]

I’m just getting into the hobby and haven’t used any watermark fluid yet, but I’ve had relative success with shining a light from underneath the stamp to see the watermark.

[@johncollectsstamps]

Welcome to the great hobby, and thanks for watching and commenting.

[@alunpugh6301]

Interesting video on watermarks John. I specialise in G.B. and all my Queen Elizabeth are u/mint, or mint never hinged as they call it now. The problem i have is detecting the watermarks. I dont want to use fluid for obvious reasons so i invested in a Stanley Gibbons electronic detector and i am struggling to see any discernable marks at all!

[@johncollectsstamps]

I never had any issues with Watermark Fluid, but just can't find it stocked in the UK any more. I've heard both good and bad about the electronic detector, some swear by it, others having the same issue you are.

[@johnscamardo2145]

I acquired one of the detectors and have a hard time seeing anything. You have to have a darkened space or room to see anything like a wtrmrk

[@johnscamardo2145]

they do stock it in Canada and is easy to find there and order. I think it's manufactured there now

[@johnscamardo2145]

there are or have been some upside down wtrmrks as well as the graphite wildings

[@johncollectsstamps]

This video was just covering the basic simplified issues, not taking account of the various Watermark orientations (inverted, sideways,etc), but thanks for pointing out.

[@michaelanzelino5068]

High denomination refers to the value printed on the stamp. High value refers to the actual value of the stamp.

[@slowpawstevet3676]

i've used isopropyl alchohol on used stamps with some success but not on mint gummed stamps

[@timcutler4708]

CARBONA is available on eBay. Every old lady has a bottle in the back of her closet. Modern fluids will result in gum damage and ink degradation.

[@johncollectsstamps]

I'll have a look, thanks.

[@timcutler4708]

@@zubazub66 I vaguely remember that Carbona is carbon tetrachloride, a dry cleaning fluid.