THE FORMAT INTERNATIONAL SECURITY PRINTERS LTD. ARCHIVE

Information and Reference of What was Found in the Archive

Stamp issues for Guyana printed by the Format International Security Printers Ltd. and items found in the Archive

GUYANA

Guyana stamps printed by Format International Security Printers Ltd.
Links to pages with information on items found in the archive

In 1966 British Guinea gained independence and was renamed Guyana.

1969 BIRTH CENTENARY OF MAHATMA GANDHI
Scott #100-1, SG #509-10



1971 FLOWERING PLANTS
Scott #143-7, SG #552-6

The Format Printers produced the high values whereas other printing companies produced all the lower values of this set.



1973 EASTER
Scott #176-9, SG #585-8



1980 CHRISTMAS, TREES AND FOLIAGE
Scott #325-8, SG #752-5



1983 PRESIDENT BURNHAM'S 60TH BIRTHDAY, AND 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF ELECTION TO PARLIAMENT
Scott #608-10, SG #1049-52

A number of these issues perforated, imperforate proofs came onto the market after the liquidation of the Format International Security Printers Ltd. in 1988. There are some varieties that are legitimately rare. Also full uncut press sheets of some issues have a rarity factor. More detail will be presented on these in another section of the study.



1983 RIVER BOATS
Scott #661-5, SG #1127-31

Tete-beches and inverted watermarks exist.


TETE-BECHE PAIRS


1983 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF USE OF GREAT BRITAIN STAMPS IN GUYANA
Scott #706-13, SG #1172-91



1984 CENTENARY OF GUYANA TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION
Scott #822-5, SG #1298-1301



1984 OLYMPIC GAMES, LOS ANGELES (3rd issue)
Scott #913, SG #1420

This issue perforated, and as imperforate proofs came onto the market after the liquidation of the Format International Security Printers Ltd. in 1988. There are some varieties that are legitimately rare. Also full uncut press sheets of some issues have a rarity factor. More detail will be presented on these in another section of the study.



1985 GEORGETOWN BUILDINGS
Scott #918-22, SG #1430-6



1985 REPUBLIC DAY OVERPRINT
Scott #924-6, SG #1438-41

A conflict exists with the listing. Stanley Gibbons states the overprint was done by Autoprint. If this is so then why was this issue with this overprint in possession of the Format Printers?
We believe the "Republic Day 1970-1985" overprint was done by Format whereas the surcharges on the $6 stamp were made by Autoprint.

This issue overprinted "1980-1985" in error came onto the market after the liquidation of the Format International Security Printers Ltd. in 1988. There are some varieties that are legitimately rare. Also full uncut press sheets of some issues have a rarity factor. More detail will be presented on these in another section of the study.



1985 WILDLIFE PROTECTION
Scott #927-32, SG #1444-6

The 25c inscribed "1986" and perf 14 and all issues perforated, and as imperforate proofs came onto the market after the liquidation of the Format International Security Printers Ltd. in 1988. There are some varieties that are legitimately rare. Also full uncut press sheets of some issues have a rarity factor. More detail will be presented on these in another section of the study.

The Reichenbachia Orchid Series 1 and 2 are all issues with images depicting the 192 famous orchid paintings by Dr. Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach of Hamburg, Germany and commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the publication of Frederick Sander's REICHENBACHIA. The series was produced and issued from July 9, 1985 to March 1, 1989. There were 35 issue sets produced in all for the basic stamps. This is just the tip of the iceberg so to speak as far as the Reichenbachia Orchid series are concerned.

There is an ENORMOUS number and range of overprints and varieties on the orchid issues, as well as other issues of Guyana of which the Format International Security Printers Ltd. only made a few of. At present it is not known exactly what issues were actually overprinted by the Format International Security Printers Ltd. except for a few listed as such in Stanley Gibbons. Research is ongoing by specialists in the field on all the varieties of these issues.
Hopefully more evidence will be found in their research clarifying some of the issues that WERE actually overprinted by the Format Printers.

This is the FIRST time a web page has ever been produced showing all the BASIC issues in crystal clarity for the public to view.

We thank Kai Detto (Specialist Collector/Researcher of the Guyana Orchid Issues) for his contribution of all the following crystal clear images of the basic issues.

1985 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA (1st issue)
Scott #1035,1022,1029,1033,1045,1061,1057,
1023,1028,1037,1044,1047,1055,1059,1060,1024,
SG #1518-33



1985 ARMS OF GUYANA
Scott #1337,1339,1341, SG #1534-35b



1985 85TH BIRTHDAY OF QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER (1st issue)
Scott #1342-5, SG #1536-8,MS1539




1985 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF ABOLITION OF SLAVERY (1984) (1st issue)
Scott #1355-8, SG #1547-50
The two high values as imperforate proofs came onto the market after the liquidation of the Format International Security Printers Ltd. in 1988. There are some varieties that are legitimately rare. Also full uncut press sheets of some issues have a rarity factor. More detail will be presented on these in another section of the study.



1985 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA (2nd issue)
Scott #1089,1032,1050,1085,1107,1078,1082,
1066,1041,1068,1062,1064,1065,1073,1083,1104,
SG #1551-66



1985 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA (3rd issue)
Scott #1030,1051,1088,1103,1105,1116,1119,
1021,1034,1058,1072,1075,1080,1038,1048,1077,
SG #1571-86



1985 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA (4th issue)
Scott #1095, SG #1597



1985 COLUMBUS DAY Scott #1372, SG #1598
Never issued without surcharge.



1985 CHRISTMAS Scott #1393, SG #MS1619



1985 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA (5th issue)
Scott #1100,1090,1098,1120,1123,1096,1109,1067,
1081,1097,1099,1111,1110,1056,1063,1053,
SG #1620-35
A number of these issues prepared but never issued came onto the market after the liquidation of the Format International Security Printers Ltd. in 1988. There are some varieties that are legitimately rare. Also full uncut press sheets of some issues have a rarity factor. More detail will be presented on these in another section of the study.



1985 CLIVE LLOYD'S TESTIMONIAL YEAR
Scott #1394-8, SG #1636-42



1986 CENTENARY OF THE APPEARANCE OF REICHENBACHIA VOLUME I
Scott #1402-3, SG #1657-8



1986 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA (6th issue)
Scott #1126,1092,1156,1162,1026,1141,
1129,1131,1139,1087,1143,
SG #1663-73



1986 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA (7th issue)
Scott #1117,1115,1147,1102,1161,
SG #1679-83



1986 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA (8th issue)
Scott #1144,1042,1158,1113,1155,1122,1070,1153,
SG #1731-8



1986 APPEARANCE OF HALLEY'S COMET
Scott #1461, SG #1744-5,MS1746
A number of these issues perforated, imperforate proofs came onto the market after the liquidation of the Format International Security Printers Ltd. in 1988. There are some varieties that are legitimately rare. Also full uncut press sheets of some issues have a rarity factor. More detail will be presented on these in another section of the study.



1986 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA (9th issue)
Scott #1164,1134,1151,1149,1125,1040,1137,1133,
SG #1747-54



1986-7 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA WITH WATERMARK (1st set)
Scott #1028a,1037a,1047a,1055a,
SG #1759-62



1986-7 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA WITH WATERMARK (2nd set)
Scott #1032a,1050a,1085a,1107a,
SG #1763-66



1986-7 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA WITH WATERMARK (3rd set)
Scott #1072a,1075a,1080a,1077a,
SG #1767-70



1986-7 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA WITH WATERMARK (4th set)
Scott #1090a,1096a,1109a,1053a,
SG #1771-4



1986-7 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA WITH WATERMARK (5th set) (1987)
Scott #1126a,1092a,1156a,1162a,1026a,1141a,
1129a,1131a,1139a,1087a,1143a,
SG #1775-85



1986-7 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA WITH WATERMARK (6th set) (1987)
Scott #1117a,1115a,1147a,1102a,1161a,
SG #1786-90



1986-7 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA WITH WATERMARK (7th set) (1987)
Scott #1144a,1042a,1158a,1113a,1155a,1122a,
1070a,1153a,
SG #1791-8



1986-7 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA WITH WATERMARK (8th set) (1987)
Scott #1164a,1134a,1151a,1149a,1125a,1040a,
1137a,1133a,
SG #1799-1806



1986 ARMS OF GUYANA BOOKLET AND COIL STAMPS
Scott UNLISTED, SG #1807-8b



1986 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA (10th issue)
Scott #1220,1205,1181,1240,1172,
1232,1175,1183,1188,1219,1227,
SG #1809-19



1986 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE (2nd issue)
Scott #1467-9, SG #1820-21a



1986 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA (11th issue)
Scott #1154, SG #1822



1986 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA (12th issue)
Scott #1145,1184, SG #1868-9

An interesting note on Plate No. 86 (Series 1):
The botanical name ODONTOGLOSSUM is noted in Stanley Gibbons as being misspelled on numerous issues as ONTOGLOSSUM.
There are over 20 different "versions" of this plate number (listed and unlisted)including watermarks, overprints and value changes. Numerous catalog numbers are noted as having this error. THIS particular value is not in the list showing that Stanley Gibbons captures some issues but not all which is the case on many other plate numbers as well.

The 40c Value with Error of Misspelling



1986 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA (13th issue)
Scott #1197,1224,1214,1263,1246,
1190,1244,1254,1185,1177,
SG #1872-81



1986 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA (14th issue)
Scott #1112,1043,1169,1210, SG #1884-7


1986 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA (15th issue)
Scott #1189, SG #1907



1986 PRESIDENT BURNHAM COMMEMORATION
Scott #1505-8, SG #1908-11



1986 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA (16th issue)
Scott #1084,1106,1209,1215, SG #1912-15

Scott Catalog does not list 1106 with watermark as SG does in this issue.
Scott Catalog DOES list 1108 as watermarked. Which catalog is in error?



1986 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA (17th issue)
Scott #1203,1179,1194,1171,
1192,1223,1207,1200,1217,
SG #1916-24



1987 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA (18th issue)
Scott #1245,1193,1094,1199,1168,
SG #1925-9



1987 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA (19th issue)
Scott #1239,1212,1310,1305,1314,1316,1258,1278,
SG #2066-73



1987 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA (20th issue)
Scott #1249,1235,1267,1231,1202,1261A,1256,1167,
SG #2171-8



1987 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA (21st issue)
Scott #1312,1318,1307, SG #2180-2



1987 ARMS OF GUYANA
Scott #1338,1340, SG #2183-4



1987 "CAPEX" INTERNATIONAL STAMP EXHIBITION, TORONTO
Scott #1822, SG #2185-6

A number of these issues perforated, imperforate proofs came onto the market after the liquidation of the Format International Security Printers Ltd. in 1988. There are some varieties that are legitimately rare. Also full uncut press sheets of some issues have a rarity factor. More detail will be presented on these in another section of the study.



1987 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA (22nd issue)
Scott #1302,1296,1325,1288, SG #2190-3



1987 GUYANA RAILWAYS
Scott #1826-31, SG #2194-2213



1987-8 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA
ADDITIONALLY INSCRIBED "EXPRESS"
Scott #E7-10, SG #E6-9



1987 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA (23rd issue)
Scott #1242,1250,1322, SG #2216-18



1987-8 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA
ADDITIONALLY INSCRIBED "OFFICIAL"
Scott #O40-56, SG #O53-69



1987 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA (24th issue)
Scott #1291A,1291B, SG #2219a,2220



1987 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA (25th issue)
Scott #1283,1326,1270, SG #2225-7



1987 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA (26th issue)
Scott #1271,1260,1328,1276,1252,1280,1300,1294, SG #2235-42

The 800c and 850c exist with face value omitted.


The 800c and SG#2183 with Face Value Omitted. SG#2183 not listed with this Error!

The 850c with Face Value Omitted.


1988 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA (27th issue)
Scott #1333-6, SG #MS2275



1988 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA (28th issue)
Scott #1237,1321, SG #2276-7

Both exist with face value omitted.


The $12.00 Value with Face Value Omitted.


1988 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA (29th issue)
Scott #1196,1290,1229,1284,1282, SG #2314-18



1988 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA (30th issue)
Scott #1273,1268,1221,1298, SG #2322-5



1988 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA (31st issue)
Scott #1291, SG #2328



1988 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA (32nd issue)
Scott #1289,1327,1195,1329-32, SG #2329-31,MS2332

Scott Catalog does not list 1289, 1327, 1195 with "1985-1988" inscription which is placed on them in this issue. Also Scott Catalog states the mini sheetlets were issued July 7, 1989 when actually they were issued July 7, 1988.



1988 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA (33rd issue)
Scott #1319,1308,1285,1286, SG #2468-71



1988 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA (34th issue)
Scott #1243,1241,1173,1253,1255,1186,
1208,1213,1292,1323,1299,1272,1274,1228,
SG #2498-2511



1988 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF ABOLITION OF SLAVERY (1984)
(2nd issue changed colors)
Scott #1994-7, SG #2552-5

All values as imperforate proofs came onto the market after the liquidation of the Format International Security Printers Ltd. in 1988. There are some varieties that are legitimately rare. Also full uncut press sheets of some issues have a rarity factor. More detail will be presented on these in another section of the study.



1989 CENTENARY OF PUBLICATION OF SANDERS' REICHENBACHIA (35th issue)
Scott #1251,1259,1269,1275, SG #2605-8



1990 BIRDS
Scott #2305-31, SG #2762-88
There is some dispute as to whether this set was actually issued or not. The catalogs say they are but the Format International Printing Company was not producing ANY stamps at this time and were under full liquidation. This set was produced in 1988-9 and I believe it is the LAST set ever made by the Format Printers. In a newswire sent in January of 1989 this set was cancelled according to Dr. E. A. Oud Kirik who represented the Guyana Post Office Corporation. There is only one value that I have seen cancelled and that may not be an authentic one. Try to find examples used and you will find none. FDC's are rare and the stamps are placed on a generic first day cover of which many other Guyana unissued stamps have been placed.
This set is found on a panel series called STAMPS OF THE WORLD which was produced by FLEETWOOD in the early 1990's. I believe there was a philatelic deal made to produce these either through the agent or the Guyana Post as it is possible that a quantity was shipped to Guyana at the time.
In the Format Archive Press sheets and panes of this set were found in the UNISSUED section of the archive. Robson Lowe and Kasimir Bileski both state this set was never issued. Because the set exists did the catalogs just throw in the set as issued to save face of their lack of knowledge on this set? More research is needed. Any information to enlighten collectors on this will be appreciated.

A conflict between catalogs

Stanley Gibbons lists this set as being perf 14 x 13.5. Scott Catalog lists it as Perf 14.
I have been informed that Scott catalog rounded 1/4 perfs until the year 2000. The actual perf size for this set is 14x13.75 thus Scott catalog rounded them to perf 14 all around. Because the sizes differ they really should have rounded it down instead of up for all stamps with this problem.
It has been stated through sources that Scott catalogs only resource to validity of postal issues is through the philatelic agents that have them produced. In regards to this set the philatelic agent was IGPC. Sources state that IGPC has not been fully on the up and up in the past with other questionable stamp issues for other countries that were produced through their agency. IGPC is a stamp dealer run agency.

This shows us that both catalogs have little knowledge if any on this set and shows us more evidence that the set may never have been issued but sold for profits to dealers at the time who in turn "said" they were issued because unissued stamps did not sell well at the time. Big name stamp dealers who basically rule stamp societies had and have a lot of influence as to what goes into major stamp catalogs and status of those stamps. The general rule is that if it is not listed....it won't sell. When one or several of these dealers gets stamps like these they are going to do everything in their power to get them listed including bribery and lying about it.

All values as perforated and imperforate proofs came onto the market after the liquidation of the Format International Security Printers Ltd. in 1988. There are some varieties that are legitimately rare. Also full uncut press sheets of some issues have a rarity factor. More detail will be presented on these in another section of the study.
These were the last stamps printed by the Format International Security Printers Ltd. for Guyana. The company had already went into bankruptcy.



References taken from:
Stanley Gibbons Belize, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago
Scott Catalog
Inventory list for the Format Archive by Robson Lowe

Acknowledgments:
To Kai Detto (Specialist Collector/Researcher of the Guyana Orchid Issues)

All Content Copyright © 2012 Golowe's Collector Stamps, All Rights Reserved

Return to Format International Security Printers Reference Homepage Here.