On some of the sheets of the ½d. value stamp 2 shews a slightly elongated left stroke of the letter m in Gambia; No. 5 on the same sheet shews a similar defect in the right stroke of the letter. (See [plate III.], which reproduction, however, only shews the variety on stamp 2.) Stamps Nos. 1, 12, 13 on the same sheet illustrated shew a peculiarity in the form of a broken nose. We have not been able to trace other copies shewing a similar defect, so possibly it is simply due to over-inking or faulty inking of the colour plate.
The plate of the 3d. was altered in the final printing, two additional printers' guide dots being added in the left margin, and the top and bottom dot on the right being removed ([plate VIII.]). This was printed in pearl-grey only.
The early printings of the 6d. value shew the sloping labels; they also shew the slight enlargement of the stamps in the top row. These varieties occur in the olive-green, bronze-green, and grey-green shades. Later a new plate was made without the defect in the top row, and this was printed in grey-green only. (Cp. plates [XI.] and [XIV.])
It may be noted that there are two varieties of the overprint on the specimen stamps of this series, one having the letters sloping upwards from left to right, the other being horizontal.
