Positions of Stars on Scott 1456 and 1456a
Although Scott catalogue shows the stamps as separate issues they are in fact from the same sheet. Each sheet was originally printed in the usual format of 5 rows X 10 columns. The obliterating overprint consists of a row of oval characters alternating with 'stars'.[pic] The position of the surcharge and obliterating overprint varies in position horizontally across the sheet so there is a variation in positions of the 'stars' which results in some stars appearing on the right of the overprint, some on the left, and indeed a few stamps with the actual 'oval' at each end of the obliteration so no stars on left or right!! Examples are row 1-1 and row 1-2 from the sheet.[pic]
The rows are not consistent as this illustration of the top left corner block of 6 stamps shows. [pic]
Picture of right hand side of the sheet [Pic]
The sheet used as an example has 11 stamps with 'stars' on the right, 26 with stars on left, and 13 with no stars on left or right ('ovals' at both ends of obliteration).

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