The fivepence second pictorial printed from plate 2 appeared in 1942. The first printing was by De La Rue, but due to Blitz damage to De La Rue's works, the sheets were sent to Waterlow where they were perforated 12½.
In November 1942, stamps from plate 2 appeared printed and perforated 14 x 13½ by De La Rue. Plate 2 was replaced by plate 3 in 1944.
Fivepence plate 2 flaws
The fivepence plate 2 is of special interest as the plate deteriorated during use and became pitted resulting in spots appearing on the issued stamps. In addition, various flaws progressively developed at certain positions in the plate.
Two examples are the impressions at positions Row 9/1 and 10/2. There are no flaws in the printings perforated 12½, but at R10/2, a flaw to the left of E of ZEALAND exists even in early printings perforated 14 x 13½.
During the printings perforated 14 x 13½, the T of POSTAGE at R9/1, became progressively more deformed. Later, at R10/2, a flaw developed on the A of POSTAGE.
As a plate block of 4, contains the stamps at positions 9/1, 9/2,
10/1 and 10/2,
positional blocks are readily available.
However, I have not found any reference to these flaws and
their different states in the literature.
I have blocks in each of the following states.
Perf 12½
In the issue perf 12½., there is no
flaw on the T at R9/1 or on either the E or
A at R10/2.
Trace of T flaw, but no A flaw
In this early printing perf 14 x 13½,
there is the beginning of the T flaw on R9/1,
while on R10/2, the flaw to the left of E is clear, but there is no A flaw.
T flaw pronounced, but still no A flaw
The next block has a much more developed
T flaw in POSTAGE on R9/1,
but the A flaw on R10/2 is still not present.
Spotted plate with both T and A flaws
Severe spotting developed on the plate.
The T flaw in POSTAGE on R9/1
became much more pronounced and the A flaw in POSTAGE
on R10/2 appeared.
Spots removed, but the flaws remain
The spotting on the plates was subsequently removed, but the flaws on E, T and A remained although the flaw to the left of E is smaller.
In addition, the impressions at R9/1 and R10/1 were re-entered. In the comparison of the bottom right corner of the original and the re-entered states of R9/1, note the doubling that has occurred.
One question remains; the impression at R9/1 has been re-entered, so why does
the flaw on the T remain?
Is it because the flaw is due to the surface of the plate being pitted
and re-entering the image has not changed that?
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Background information on the 5d is taken from The Postage Stamps of New Zealand Vol 2, published by the Royal Philatelic Society of New Zealand in 1950. All scans were made by the author.