THE FORMAT INTERNATIONAL SECURITY PRINTERS LTD. ARCHIVE

Information and Reference of What was Found in the Archive

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

LIBERIA 1976-1980

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

Noting for Liberia that Stanley Gibbons nor any other catalog seems to note who the printers were during the time that Format printed stamps for Liberia. By scanning thousands of images looking for clues like the color guides and logo's and analyzing archival material I am able to present this page.

I stated on the 1969-1975 page that it is not noted in Scott Catalog, from 1950 onward the majority of sets were produced in limited numbers as imperforates, on deluxe sheetlets etc. Not only did Format have orders to produce them but E.A. Wright Banknote Company also had the same orders long before Format ever made stamps for Liberia. The evidence is the stamps themselves. Again I state that many other printing companies of the time were producing imperforates, deluxe sheetlets, specimen's, color proofs etc. in limited quantities exactly as the Format printers were. The quantities they produced were just never exposed because they were never put on trial. Therefore valuation of these varieties should be equal no matter who printed them.

For Liberia the popularity of imperforates becomes quite evident starting in 1971. I note that deluxe sheetlet sets are produced quite sparingly in the early 70's. Mainly being produced for Olympic game stamp issues and several Space topical issues.
This changed in 1976. It became standard to produce imperforates for virtually all sets and deluxe sheetlet sets for all sets containing popular topics.

1976 12TH WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES, AUSTRALIA
Scott #727-32, C210, SG #1260-5, MS1266

The stamps and souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets or more. Once again they are quite common! Deluxe sheetlet set around 2-3,000 sets and possibly more. They too are being sold by many. A very popular set.
Color proofs do exist. Printing standards were 2-3,000 sets.



Downhill Skiing and Olympic Games Emblem


Deluxe Sheetlet Set


1976 INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT TOLBERT
Scott #733-5, SG #1267-9

The stamps exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets. No deluxe sheetlets found.



Here again we have unauthorized overprints on this issue. Said to be made by L.U.R.D. but I contend that they were made by a stamp dealer for profits. World Cup Soccer in 1994? Boy Scouts? Another exist with SPUTNIK and space vehicles. Come on! The Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy did not have interest in stamps nor any of these subjects that were overprinted on this issue.

unauthorized overprints for L.U.R.D. made in 2000 and 2002.


1976 21ST OLYMPIC GAMES, MONTREAL
Scott #736-41, C211, SG #1270-5, MS1276

The stamps and souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets or more. Once again they are quite common! Deluxe sheetlet set around 2-3,000 sets and possibly more. They too are being sold by many. A very popular set.
Color proofs do exist. Printing standards were 2-3,000 sets.



Dressage and Jumping


Deluxe Sheetlet Set


Here again is the unauthorized overprint on this issues souvenir sheet. I have not seen them but probably the stamps have it as well.

Dressage and Jumping Souvenir Sheet with Unauthorized Overprint


1976 CENTENARY OF THE FIRST TELEPHONE CALL
Scott #742-7, C212, SG #1277-82, MS1283

The stamps and souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets or more. Once again they are quite common! Deluxe sheetlet set around 2-3,000 sets and possibly more. They too are being sold by many. A very popular set.
A few color proofs do exist. Printing standards were 2-3,000 sets. Possibly many are lost or destroyed.



Alexander Graham Bell Making Telephone Call, UPU and ITU Emblems


Deluxe Sheetlet Set


Here again is the unauthorized overprint in two versions on this issues souvenir sheet. I have not seen them but probably the stamps have it as well. Again I would say this is a dealers attempt to profit from unknowing collectors. Again I stress that unless proof is shown that the profits from these were retained by the L.U.R.D. to help in their cause it stands that these are bogus overprints to be only considered as novelty items.

Alexander Graham Bell Making Telephone Call, UPU and ITU Emblems Souvenir Sheet with Black Unauthorized Overprint


Alexander Graham Bell Making Telephone Call, UPU and ITU Emblems Souvenir Sheet with Red Unauthorized Overprint


1976-81 DEFINITIVE SERIES
Scott #749-60, SG #1284-9 and unknown

The stamps exist imperforate. The imperforates were produced in quantities of around 5,000 sets. They are hard to find! No deluxe sheetlets found.
Noting that it appears that Stanley Gibbons does not list some of the perf 14.5 probably in error.



1976 AFRICAN ANIMALS
Scott #763-8, C213, SG #1290-5, MS1296

The stamps exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets or more. Once again they are quite common!
I could not find the souvenir sheet imperforate. It is possible it is in storage somewhere.
No deluxe sheetlet sets seem to exist for this issue. Color proofs do exist. Printing standards were 2-3,000 sets.



African Elephant


1976 AMERICAN BICENTENNIAL
Scott #769-70, C214, SG #1297-8, MS1299

The stamps and souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets or more. Once again they are quite common! Deluxe sheetlet set around 2-3,000 sets and possibly more. They too are being sold by many. A very popular set.



American Bicentennial Souvenir Sheet


Deluxe Sheetlet Set


Here again is the unauthorized overprint in five versions on this issue. Somebody must have been making profits on these to go to such extent.

The 1976 American Bicentennial Stamps with Unauthorized Overprints


The 1976 American Bicentennial Souvenir Sheets with Unauthorized Overprints


1977 AFRICAN TRIBAL MASKS, FESTAC '77
Scott #771-6, C215, SG #1300-5, MS1306

The stamps and souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets or more. Once again they are quite common!
I could not find the souvenir sheet imperforate. It is possible it is in storage somewhere.
No deluxe sheetlet sets seem to exist for this issue. Color proofs do exist. Printing standards were 2-3,000 sets.



Ibo Mask and Festival Emblem


Here again is the unauthorized overprint in seven versions on this issue. Starting to look a bit funny yes?
The souvenir sheets are with gold overprint on one and silver overprint on the other.
I note here that it is quite noticeable that the sets with these overprints are common sets that a dealer can buy for pennies and thus basically destroy them with such overprints without losing much should they not sell. A similar example would be Saint Vincent 1986 Boy Scouts souvenir sheets overprinted with unauthorized overprints for CAPEX and the Australian Jamboree and so forth.

The 1977 African Tribal Masks Stamps with Unauthorized Overprints


The 1977 African Tribal Masks Souvenir Sheets with Unauthorized Overprints


1977 BIRDS OF LIBERIA
Scott #777-83, SG #1307-12, MS1313

The stamps exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets or more. Once again they are quite common!
I could not find the souvenir sheet imperforate. It is possible it is in storage somewhere.
No deluxe sheetlet sets seem to exist for this issue nor does it seem that color proofs exist either.



Gold Coast Touraco


1977 OLYMPIC GAMES EQUESTRIAN GOLD MEDAL WINNERS
Scott #784-7, C216-C217, SG #1314-18, MS1319

The stamps and souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets or more. Once again they are quite common! Deluxe sheetlet set around 2-3,000 sets and possibly more. They too are being sold by many. A very popular set.



Winners receiving Medals


Deluxe Sheetlet Set


Here again is the unauthorized overprint in four versions on the souvenir sheet of this issue. I have not seen the stamps with overprints but it is possible they exist too.

The 1977 Olympic Games Equestrian Gold Medal Winners Souvenir Sheets with Unauthorized Overprints


1977 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REIGN OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II
Scott #788-90, C218, SG #1320-2, MS1323

The stamps and souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets or more. Once again they are quite common! Deluxe sheetlet set around 2-3,000 sets and possibly more. They too are being sold by many. A very popular set.



Queen Elizabeth II, Laurels and Crowns


Deluxe Sheetlet Set


Here again is the unauthorized overprint in two versions on the stamps of this issue. I have not seen the souvenir sheet with overprints but it is possible they exist too.
One who defaces the Queen's image could get into a lot of hot water if that person is located in Great Britain.

The 1977 25th Anniversary of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth II Stamps with Unauthorized Overprints


1977 CHRISTMAS
Scott #791-3, SG #1324-6

The stamps seem not to exist imperforate. They do not appear to exist on deluxe sheetlets either.



Here again is the unauthorized overprint in two versions on the stamps of this issue.
There are two other types in red for SPUTNIK and Space Vehicles.

The 1977 Christmas Stamps with Unauthorized Overprints


1978 PROGRESS OF AVIATION
Scott #794-800, SG #1327-32, MS1333

The stamps and souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets or more. Once again they are quite common! Deluxe sheetlet set around 2-3,000 sets and possibly more. They too are being sold by many. A very popular set.



Concorde Landing at Night at Dulles Airport, Washington D.C.


Deluxe Sheetlet Set


1978 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ZEPPELIN
Scott #801-6, C219, SG #1334-9, MS1340

The stamps and souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets or more. Once again they are quite common! Deluxe sheetlet set around 2-3,000 sets and possibly more. They too are being sold by many. Another very popular set.



Futuristic Goodyear Aerospace Airship


Deluxe Sheetlet Set


Here again is the unauthorized overprint on the stamps of this issue.
It appears the souvenir sheet does not exist with the overprint

The 1978 75th Anniversary of the Zeppelin Stamps with Unauthorized Overprints


1978 11TH WORLD CUP SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP
Scott #807-12, C220, SG #1341-6, MS1347

The stamps and souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets or more. Once again they are quite common! Deluxe sheetlet set around 2-3,000 sets and possibly more. They too are being sold by many. Another very popular set.



Soccer Game Between Netherlands and Uruguay


Deluxe Sheetlet Set


Here again is the unauthorized overprint on the stamps and the souvenir sheet of this issue.

The 1978 11th World Cup Soccer Championship Stamps with Unauthorized Overprints


The 1978 11th World Cup Soccer Championship Souvenir Sheet with Unauthorized Overprint


1978 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CORONATION OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II
Scott #813-15, C221, SG #1348-50, MS1351

The stamps and souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets or more. Once again they are quite common! Deluxe sheetlet set around 2-3,000 sets and possibly more. They too are being sold by many.



Coronation Coach


Deluxe Sheetlet Set


1978 PRESIDENT CARTER'S VISIT TO LIBERIA
Scott #817-19, SG #1353-5

The stamps exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets or more. Deluxe sheetlet sets appear not to exist for this issue.



1978 11TH WORLD CUP SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS
Scott #820-5, C222, SG #1356-61, MS1362

The stamps and souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets or more. Once again they are quite common! Deluxe sheetlet set around 2-3,000 sets and possibly more. They too are being sold by many.



Argentine Team


Deluxe Sheetlet Set


Here again is the unauthorized overprint on the stamps and the souvenir sheet of this issue.

The 1978 11th World Cup Soccer Championship Winners Stamps with Unauthorized Overprints


The 1978 11th World Cup Soccer Championship Winners Souvenir Sheet with Unauthorized Overprint


1978 8TH WORLD FORESTRY CONGRESS
Scott #826-9, SG #1363-6

The stamps exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets or more. Deluxe sheetlet sets appear not to exist for this issue.



1979 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF RADIO (ELWA)
Scott #830-1, SG #1369-70

The stamps exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets or more. Deluxe sheetlet sets appear not to exist for this issue.



1979 INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE CHILD
Scott #832-5, SG #1371-4

The stamps exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets or more. Deluxe sheetlet sets appear not to exist for this issue.



1979 CENTENARY OF LIBERIA JOINING THE U.P.U.
Scott #836-7, SG #1367-8

The stamps exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets or more. Deluxe sheetlet sets appear not to exist for this issue.



1979 16TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR AFRICAN UNITY (OAU)
Scott #838-41, SG #1375-8

The stamps exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets or more. Deluxe sheetlet sets appear not to exist for this issue.



1979 DEATH CENTENARY OF SIR ROWLAND HILL
Scott #842-8, SG #1379-84, MS1385

The stamps and souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets or more. Once again they are quite common! Deluxe sheetlet set around 2-3,000 sets and possibly more. They too are being sold by many.



Rowland Hill and Curtiss Jenny Bi-plane


Deluxe Sheetlet Set


1979 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RED CROSS
Scott #849-50, SG #1386-7

The stamps exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets or more. Deluxe sheetlet sets appear not to exist for this issue.



1979 2ND WORLD MARITIME DAY
Scott #851-2, SG #1388-9

The stamps exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets or more. Deluxe sheetlet sets appear not to exist for this issue.



1979 NORMAN ROCKWELL SCOUTS
Scott #853-7, SG #1390-1439

Issued in Strips of 10 for each value.
The stamps exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets or more. Deluxe sheetlet sets appear not to exist for this issue.



1979 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF ROTARY INTERNATIONAL
Scott #860-6, SG #1442-7, MS1448

The stamps and souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets or more. Once again they are quite common! Deluxe sheetlet set around 2-3,000 sets and possibly more. They too are being sold by many.



Gift of Life


Deluxe Sheetlet Set


1980 13TH WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES, LAKE PLACID
Scott #867-73, SG #1449-54, MS1455

The stamps and souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets or more. Once again they are quite common! Deluxe sheetlet set around 2-3,000 sets and possibly more. They too are being sold by many.



Slalom


Deluxe Sheetlet Set


Here again virtually every set has imperforates that were made as do most sets made by other printers during the same time era. This is proof that the printers were under contracts that allowed them to be made for promotional reasons and for sale to collectors. Therefore any discrepancy with pricing them for less because they were made by the Format Printers and more because they were made by another company should be disregarded because the quantities that exist are equal no matter who made the stamps.

Stamps Printed for LIBERIA 1969-1975 by The Format International Security Printers (13megs)

Stamps Printed for LIBERIA 1981-1988 by The Format International Security Printers (14megs)

References taken from:
Scott Catalog
Inventory list for the Format Archive by Robson Lowe
Internet Research

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