George VI Definitives 
1/2 d. - 3 d. Denominations 
Colours

(Post 23)

This post deals with the colours of the 1/2d. to 3d. George VI definitive stamps from 1937 to 1951.

1. Original Colour Period : 1937 - 1941

The stamps were originally printed in dark, rich colours.




2. Pale Colour Period : 1941 - 1951

War-time economy measures affected the printing of the 1/2d. to 3d. stamps. The stamps were printed in lighter colours to reduce the amount of ink used in their production.


Light Ultramarine (left) ; Ultramarine (right)


3. New Colour Period : From May 3, 1951

On May 3, 1951, the 1/2d. - 2 1/2d. denominations were issued in new colours.




The colours are summarized in the table below:





1/2 d.

a) Green (May 10, 1937)




b) Pale Green (September 1, 1941)




c) Orange (May 3, 1951)





1d.

a) Scarlet




b) Pale Scarlet




c) Ultramarine




1 1/2d.

a) Red-Brown (July 30, 1937)




b) Pale Red-Brown ( September 28, 1941)




c) Green (May 3, 1951)




2d.

a) Orange (January 31, 1938)




b) Pale Orange (October 6, 1941)




c) Red-Brown (May 3, 1951)




2 1/2d.

a) Ultramarine (May 10, 1937)




b) Light Ultramarine (July 31, 1941)




c) Scarlet (May 3, 1951)




3d.

a) Violet (January 31, 1938)




b) Pale Violet (November 3, 1941)



The 3d. was not printed in a new colour in 1951.