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Stamp Watermarks Master List

From Collectors Collecting Wiki

Image Orientation

Unless otherwise stated, all images shown in this master list are of the watermark when viewed from the back side of the stamp (when flipped horizontally). Please report any errors to the the Stamp Catalog Coordinator DJCMH if an image is illustrated incorrectly to show what it appears when viewed from the backside of the stamp.

Watermark Name Format

Due to limitations imposed by the length of the watermark field (a maximum of 70 characters) the following format has been decided for watermarks within Colnect :

<watermark name> (<type>) {<orientation>}

where

  • watermark name is the name of the watermark taken from this wiki page (a maximum of 54 characters)
  • type is one of the following :
P - denotes a papermaker's watermark
Sh - denotes a sheet watermark
  • orientation is one (or a combination) of the following :
Up - upright (NOTE - this is the orientation as shown on this wiki page)
Inv - inverted ie. watermark is rotated so that the top of the watermark points downwards (180 degrees).
S - sideways
SL - sideways to left, ie. watermark is rotated so that the top of the watermark points to the left (90 degrees).
SR - sideways to right, ie. watermark is rotated so that the top of the watermark points to the right (270 degrees, or 90 degrees to the right).
Rev - reversed, ie. watermark is flipped horizontally
Various - this is to be used where catalogs do not individually list all the possible watermark orientations. If this is used information about the possible orientations must be placed in the description.


Papermaker's Watermarks

In a lot of early stamp printings the paper used was not specifically designed for stamps. The paper used was produced by various paper makers and watermarked once per sheet with a watermark indicating the paper manufacturer. The watermark was usually printed once in the centre of the sheet. The majority of stamps from these printings will have no watermark and stamps from these printings that have part of the watermark will fetch a premium price.

Watermark Description Image
A. Cowan & Sons Extra Superfine 'A. COWAN & SONS EXTRA SUPERFINE' No image available
Alexr Pirie & Sons 'Alexr Pirie & Sons' in script letters diagonally. No image available
Artigas 'ARTIGAS' in block capital letters. No image available
Clyde First Quality 'CLYDE FIRST QUALITY' and triangle. No image available
Dennis 'DENNIS' in block capital letters.
Dolphin Bond 'DOLPHIN BOND'. No image availble
Dorling & Co., London 'DORLING & CO. LONDON'. No image available
E & G Bothwell, Clutha Mills 'E & G BOTHWELL CLUTHA MILLS' in two lines of large double-lined capitals. The image shows a typical watermark on a single stamp.
Hunkel and Son 'HAS' in doubled-lined capitals in the upper third of the sheet. The watermark covers a block of 8 stamps.
Jas Wrigley & Son Ltd. 'JAS WRIGLEY & SON LD / 219'.
JOHANNOT et Cie ANNONAY 'JOHANNOT ET CIE ANNONAY' in double-lined capital letters. The image shows a typical section of the watermark.
LACROIX Brothers The image shown is printed once per sheet.
Made in the USA No description available. No image available
National Printing House 'imprenta nacional' in script lower case letters.
National School 'ESCUELA NACIONAL LINEN' in two lines. No image available
O.B.M. 'O.B.M' in script capitals with 2 stars either side..
Overland Bank 'OVERLAND BANK'. No image available
Pergamenata P&C.-M. 'Pergamenata P&C.-M.'.
PAPEL SELLADO 'PAPEL SELLADO' in script letters once in sheet.
Perkins Bacon & Co. Ltd.' London 'PERKINS BACON & Co Ld LONDON'. No image available
R.P.S. 'R.P.S' in script capital letters. R.P.S. stands for "Renta Papel Sellado"
Special Postage Paper London 'SPECIAL POSTAGE PAPER / LONDON'. No image available
Spicer 'Spicer'
Stacey Wise 1858 'STACEY WISE 1858'. No image available
Stacey Wise, Rush Mills 'STACEY WISE/RUSH MILLS'. No image available
STEMPEL-MARKEN 'STEMPEL MARKEN'. This watermark has several variants; the letters can be 22, 24, 25, or 27mm high and 21-24mm wide.
STEMPEL-MARKEN 1 'STEMPEL-MARKEN' in upper case letters with lines inside; the letters can be 22, 24, 25 or 27 mm high spaced 10mm apart.
STEMPEL-MARKEN 2 'STEMPEL-MARKEN' in upper case letters with lines inside; the letters can be 22, 24, 25 or 27 mm high spaced 20mm apart.
STEMPEL-MARKEN 3 'STEMPEL-MARKEN' in upper case letters with no lines inside, the letters are 24mm high and the letter "M" is 27 to 30 mm wide
T. H. Saunders 'TH SAUNDERS 1862'. No image available
Turkey Mill 'ORIGINAL TURKEY MILL 1865' in sheet No image available
US-C 'US-C' in double-lined capitals Image shows the letter 'S' from the watermark
USIR Double-lined 'USIR' in double-lined capitals.
WESTERPOST INDUSTRIA CIP BRASILEIRA No image available
Whatman Paper Co. 'WHATMAN 1872'. No image available
Wheatly Bond & Co. 'WHEATLEY BOND W & A CO' in double-lined capital letters across the central 16 stamps in the sheet.
Wiggins Teape & Co. Type 1 Paper produced by Wiggins Teape & Co. watermarked 'W T & Co' in script letters in double-lined wavy border. No image available
Wiggins Teape & Co. Type 2 Paper produced by Wiggins Teape & Co. watermarked '1011' in double-lined figures. No image available
Wiggins Teape & Co. Type 3 Paper produced by Wiggins Teape & Co. watermarked 'WIGGINS TEAPE & CO LONDON' in double-lined block capitals. No image available
William Collins, Sons & Co. Type 1 Paper produced by William Collins, Sons & Co. watermarked with the firm's monogram and 'PURE LINEN WOVE BANK' in double-lined capitals. No image available
William Collins, Sons & Co. Type 2 Paper produced by William Collins, Sons & Co. watermarked with the firm's monogram and 'PURE LINEN WOVE BANK' in double-lined capitals with 'EXTRA STRONG' and '139' added. No image available
Winchester Security 'WINCHESTER SECURITY'. No image available




Sheet Watermarks

A sheet watermark is when a large watermark has been applied to an entire sheet of stamps, so parts of the design overlap onto some of the stamps on the sheet. Therefore only a small portion of the design is visible on individual stamps. It is also possible that stamps from a sheet containing a sheet watermark may have no watermark at all.

Watermark Description Image
A. Hoen & Co. Baltimore 'A HOEN & CO.' in 18mm double-lined capitals and 'BALTIMORE' in 11mm double-lined capitals. No image available
Brazil Federal Mail 'CORREIO FEDERAL REPUBLICA DOS ESTADOS UNIDOS DO BRAZIL' in capital letters. The image shows a typical extract from the watermark
BRIEF-MARKEN Type 1 'BRIEF-MARKEN.' in double-lined capitals 25mm high once in the sheet. There are lines within some of the individual letters of the watermark and the full stop is solid.
BRIEF-MARKEN Type 2 'BRIEF-MARKEN.' in double-lined capitals 25mm high once the sheet. There are no lines within the individual letters and the full stop is a hollow circle.
CASA DA MOEDA 'CASA DA MOEDA' multiple times in the sheet. Large letters with only one or two letters per stamp. The image shows a sample of the watermark.
CASA DA MOEDA and Stars 'CASA DA MOEDA' multiple times in the sheet separated by rows of large 5-pointed stars. The image shows a typical watermark on a single stamp.
CASA DA MOEDA DO BRASIL and Formee Crosses 'CASA DA MOEDA DO BRASIL' with words separated by Formee Crosses multiple times in sheet. Words in vertical columns. The image shows a typical watermark on a single stamp.
CASA+DA+MOEDA+DO+BRASIL Type 1 'CASA DA MOEDA DO BRASIL' with words separated by a '+' sign multiple times in sheet. Letters 8mm high. Words of each following line offset one character. The image shows a typical watermark on a single stamp.
CASA+DA+MOEDA+DO+BRASIL Type 2 'CASA DA MOEDA DO BRASIL' with words separated by a '+' sign multiple times in sheet. Letters 6mm high. Words of each following line offset one character. The image shows a typical watermark on a single stamp.
Coat of Arms Argentine Single Argentine Coat of Arms in sheet.
Coat of Arms Brazil Single Brazilian Coat of Arms in sheet.
Coat of Arms Bulgaria Single Bulgarian Coat of Arms in sheet.
Coat of Arms Cochin and Inscription Single Cochin Arms and inscription in sheet. No image available
Coat of Arms Colombia Single Columbian Coat of Arms in sheet. No image available
Coat of Arms East India Company Single East India Company Coat of Arms in sheet.
Coat of Arms East India Company No. 3 Single East India Company Coat of Arms in sheet with 'No. 3' in bottom right hand corner when viewed from the back of the stamp.
Coat of Arms East India Company No. 4 Single East India Company Coat of Arms in sheet with 'No. 4' in top right hand corner when viewed from the back of the stamp.
Coat of Arms Finland Single Finland Coat of Arms in sheet.
Coat of Arms Iran Multiple Iranian Arms in sheet. The image shows a single instance.
Coat of Arms Iran in Circle and Inscription Arms of Iran in a circle with an insciption in Persian. The image shows a typical extract from the watermark.
Coat of Arms Mexico Mexican coat of arms (54mm wide) multiple times in sheet. The image shows a single instance.
Coat of Arms Philippines and Inscription Philippines coat of arms between 'REPUBLOKA NG PILIPINAS' and 'KAWANIHAN NG KOREO' once per sheet.
Coat of Arms Romania Romanian Coat of Arms multiple times in aheet, each instance covers a block of 25 stamps (5 x 5). The image shows a single instance
Coat of Arms Uruguay Uruguay coat of arms in horizontal rows throughout the sheet. The image shows a typical section of the watermark.
Conch Shell and GOVERNMENT OF TRANCORE Conch shell with surmounted by 'GOVERNMENT' in large outline letters, in an arch with 'OF TRANCORE' at foot in a straight line. No image available
CORREIO 'CORREIO' diagonally multiple times in sheet.
CORREIO BRASIL and Circles 'CORREIO BRASIL' with words separated by a small circle multiple times in sheet. Words in vertical columns. The image shows a typical watermark on a single stamp.
CORREIO BRASIL and Stars Type 1 'CORREIO BRASIL' with words separated by a 5mm high star multiple times in sheet. Letters 5mm high. Words of each following line offset one character. The image shows a typical watermark on a single stamp.
CORREIO BRASIL and Stars Type 2 'CORREIO BRASIL' with words separated by a 7mm high star multiple times in sheet. Letters 7mm high. Words of each following line offset one character. The image shows a typical watermark on a single stamp.
CORREOS E U M 'CORREOS EUM' multiple times thoughout the sheet. Each instance spans a horizontal strip of 10 stamps. The image show a typical section of the watermark.
CORREOS MEXICO 'CORREOS MEXICO' in diagonal lines multiple times in sheet. The image shows a typical section of the watermark.
Crossed Keys in sheet Crossed keys once in sheet.
Crown Agents Standard Curved "CROWN" in double-lined capitals, straight "STANDARD" in block capitals, and curved "AGENTS" in double-lined capitals No image available
Crown and Lines Crown with 5 lines at bottom and single line at sides, multiple times. Image shows a typical extract from the watermark
Crown in Circle and Farsi Inscription Crown in a circle with inscription in Persian. The image shows the complete watermark instance
Cyrillic Letters and Wavy Lines Cyrillic letters and wavy lines multiple times in sheet. The image shows a single row of the watermark which is repeated several times in the sheet.
Cyrillic Letters and Wavy Lines Diagonal Cyrillic letters and wavy lines diagonally multiple times in sheet. The image shows a typical section.
Cyrillic Letters and Wavy Lines Double The image shows a typical section.
Eagle with shield and S.AE.F Type 2a Eagle (78x52 mm) with shield. To the right, twice the letters "S.AE.F." Letters 20 mm high with round ends.
Eagle with shield and S.AE.F Type 2b Eagle (71x55 mm) with shield. To the right, twice the letters "S.AE.F." Letters 20 mm high with a sharp end.
Ecuador National Treasury 'REPUBLICA DEL ECUADOR, MINISTERIO DE FINANZAS, TESORO DE LA NACION' in sheet. No image available.
Empire - Linen Bond - Made in Canada Coat of arms above 'EMPIRE — LINEN BOND — MADE IN CANADA' in sheet. No image available.
EUBRASIL Type 1 'EUBRASIL' multiple times in sheet. Letters 8mm high. Words in vertical columns. The image shows a typical watermark on a single stamp.
EUBRASIL Type 2 'EUBRASIL' multiple times in sheet. Words of each following line offset one character. The image shows a typical watermark on a single stamp.
ESTADOS UNIDOS DO BRASIL Type 1 'ESTADOS UNIDOS DO BRASIL' multiple times in the sheet. Large letters, only one or two letters per stamp. The image shows a typical watermark on a single stamp.
ESTADOS UNIDOS DO BRASIL Type 2 'ESTADOS UNIDOS DO BRASIL' multiple times in the sheet. Letters 6mm high. Words in vertical columns. The image shows a typical watermark on a single stamp.
FIJI POSTAGE 'FIJI POSTAGE' in small sans serif capitals across the middle row of stamps in the sheet.
Fleurs-de-Lis Type 1 Single Fleurs-de-Lis in sheet.
Fleurs-de-Lis Type 2 The image shows the watermark on a typical block of 4 stamps.
FORINT 'FORINT' in capital letters within a frame multiple times in the sheet. The image shows a typical section of the watermark
Frank The British Telegraph Company 'Frank' in script typeface, 'THE BRITISH' in double-lined seriffed capitals, 'TELEGRAPH' in double-lined sans-serif capitals, 'COMPANY' in double-lined seriffed capitals No image available
+ FREIE HANSESTADT BREMEN + In capital letters, one character per stamp in regular format. No image available
ft 'ft' in lower case letters within overlapping octagons multiple times in the sheet.
GOVERNMENT OF COCHIN See image.
Half Penny 'half penny' in joined-up script letters multiple time in sheet. Each 'half penny' instance covers 3 stamps. The image shows a single instance.
Harrison and Sons 'Harrison and Sons Ltd' in script letters multiple times in sheet.
Hungarian Royal Stamps Type 1 'MAGYA KIRALYI BELYEGJEGYEK Kr.' with a background of diamonds.
Hungarian Royal Stamps Type 2 'MAGYA KIRALYI BELYEGJEGYEK F.' with a background diagonal intersecting lines with a circle on each intersection.
HOUSANTONIC BOND-MADE IN USA-R 'HOUSANTONIC BOND-MADE IN USA-R' in sheet No image available
IMPOSTO DE CONSUMO REPUBLICA DOS ESTADOS UNIDOS DO BRAZIL No description available. The image shows a typical extract from the watermark
Islamic Republic of Iran in Persian 'Islamic Republic of Iran' in Persian multiple times in the sheet. The image shows a typical extract from the watermark.
JR No41a Type 1a Letters "JR" in oval 65x58 mm. On the right "No. 41a" - number 41 finished at the bottom with a sharp point.
JR No41a Type 1b Letters "JR" in oval 68x51 mm. On the right "No. 41a" - number 41 finished with a loop at the bottom.
K.K.H.M. No description available. No image available
kr in Circle Type 1 'kr' in circle multiple times in the sheet; each instance covers 4 stamps. In this type the upright strokes of the "k" and "r" measure 13 and 8mm respectively. The top diagonal leg of the k is longer than the bottom one. The image shows a single instance of the watermark.
kr in Circle Type 2 'kr' in circle multiple times in the sheet; each instance covers 4 stamps. In this type the upright strokes of the "k" and "r" measure 15 and 9mm respectively. Both diagonal legs of the k are the same length. The image shows a single instance of the watermark.
KRAJCZAR 'KRAJCZAR' in capital letters within a frame multiple times in the sheet.
KUNGL POSTVERKET 'KUNG POSTVERKET /KVT in sheet. The image shows a typical extract from the watermark.
Large Star and 'INDIA GOVT' Large Star and 'INDIA GOVT' multiple times in sheet. The image show one instance of the watermark
Philippines Crest and Inscription Philippines Crest and Inscription once in sheet
PIPS Double-lined 'PIPS' in double lined capitals multiple times in the sheet. The image shows the letter 'S' from the watermark.
PIPS Single-lined 'PIPS' in single lined capitals multiple times in the sheet. The image shows the letter 'P' from the watermark.
Queensland Type 1 'QUEENSLAND/POSTAGE' – 'POSTAGE/STAMPS' – 'STAMPS' in three lines in script capitals with double wavy lines above and below the complete text and single wavy lines with projecting sprays between each line of text. No image available
Queensland Type 2 Small Truncated Star watermark with the word 'QUEENSLAND' in single-lined Roman capitals four times in each sheet. No image available
Republic of Zambia 'REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA' multiple times in sheet with each instance covering several stamps.
REPUBLICA DE COLOMBIA 'REPUBLICA DE COLOMBIA' multiple times in sheet. The image shows a typical section of the watermark.
REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR in Horizontal Lines 'REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR' in horizontal lines multiple times in sheet. The image shows a typical section of the watermark.
REPUBLICA O. DEL URUGUAY 'REPUBLICA O. DEL URUGUAY' in 4 lines multiple times in sheet.
REPUBLICA O. DEL URUGUAY with Greek Border Greek border and 'REPUBLICA O. DEL URUGUAY' in alternate curved lines. The image shows a typical section of the watermark.
RP KK 'RP KK' multiple times in the sheet, in 19mm or 24mm high letters. The image show a single instance.
SECRETARIA DE HACIENDA MEXICO 'SECRETARIA DE HACIENDA MEXICO' diagonally, several times in the sheet. The image shows a typical section of the watermark.
SERVICIO POSTAL DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS 'SERVICIO POSTAL DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS' diagonally, multiple times in sheet. The image shows a typical section of the watermark.
Southern Cross 5 stars in circle with 'CORREIO BRASIL' in square around the circle multiple times in the sheet. The image shown spans a block of 4 stamps to show a single instance of the watermark.
State of New York Stock Transfer Tax Stamp 'State of New York Stock Transfer Tax Stamp' multiple times in sheet with each instance covering several stamps. No image available
Stephan's Crown in Circle Type 1 Each instance covers 4, or more, stamps. The image shows a single instance of the watermark.
Stephan's Crown in Circle Type 2 Each instance covers 4, or more, stamps. A four-pointed star and "IV" occur four times in the sheet adjacent to each other in the large spaces between the intersecting circles. The image shows a single instance of the watermark with four-pointed star and "IV".
U A R 'U A R' in Arabic and Latin multiple times in the sheet. The image shows a typical section of the watermark.
x100
x100
Umbrella in Sheet Single large unbrella in the sheet.
USPS Double-lined 'USPS' in double-lined capitals multiple time in the sheet. Image shows the letter 'S' from the watermark
USPS Single-lined 'USPS' in single-lined capitals multiple times in the sheet. Image shows the letter 'P' from the watermark.
W T & Co. 'W T & Co.' multiple times in sheet. Image shows a typical sample of the watermark.
ZEITUNGS-MARKEN Type 1 'ZEITUNGS-MARKEN.' in double-lined capitals 25mm high once in the sheet. There are lines within some of the individual letters of the watermark and the full stop is a hollow circle
ZEITUNGS-MARKEN Type 2 'ZEITUNGS-MARKEN.' in double-lined capitals 25mm high once in the sheet. There are no lines within some of the individual letters of the watermark and the full stop is solid




Simple Watermarks

A simple watermark is where the complete watermark design is visible on each stamp.




Multiple Watermarks

A multiple watermark is where the same watermark design (or parts of) appears multiple times on the same stamp.



Stamp