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 1981-1988

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 1960 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.

In the 1980's production of imperforates was fully underway until 1987 when suddenly, it appears it stopped. Deluxe sheetlets were produced until 1982. Then Deluxe souvenir sheet sets were produced for certain issues up until 1987.
The majority of uncut press sheets and other archival material for Liberia found in the Format Printers Archive were from this time era also. I present quite a bit on this page.

1981 ESPANA '82 WORLD CUP SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP
Scott #886-92, SG #1464-9, MS1470

The stamps and souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets or more. The imperfs for this set are commonly sold! Beware of sellers who ask large sums for these.
Deluxe sheetlet sets around 2-3,000 sets and possibly more. They too are being sold by many. A very popular set.
There are two types of Deluxe Sheetlet sets. The sets with white background seem less common.



Spanish Soccer Team


Deluxe Sheetlet Set


Deluxe Sheetlet Set with White Background


1981 ROYAL WEDDING OF PRINCE CHARLES AND PRINCESS DIANA
Scott #897-900, SG #1490-2, MS1493

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

Uncut Press sheets were found in the archive for this set. Intact pieces are very rare. Horizontal gutters are extremely rare. Vertical gutters are rare. Vertical gutter blocks (2 gutter pairs attached) are extremely rare according to Bileski documentation!
Uncut Press Sheets of the souvenir sheet were also found. All were cut into souvenir sheet pairs imperforate between. There are varieties where a souvenir sheet is paired with a blank where the souvenir sheet would be but only the perforations are there. According to Bileski documentation 30 pairs mint and 30 pairs used exist. 20 pairs mint with blank and 20 pairs used with blanks exist.



The Royal Couple


Deluxe Sheetlet Set


Gutters from the uncut press sheets


Souvenir Sheet Pairs from the uncut press sheets


1981-2 PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES SERIES
Scott #901-43, SG #1479/MS1543

The following series was issued between 1981 and 1982 in four parts. The stamps were all issued in sheetlets of 8.

Example of Sheetlets of 8


The stamps and souvenir sheets exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets or more. The imperfs for these sets are commonly sold! Deluxe sheetlet sets around 2-3,000 sets and possibly more. They too are being sold by many. At this time it appears the 3rd series and 4th series sets as deluxe sheetlets are not so common whereas the 1st and 2nd series are quite common.

Around 3-7 uncut press sheets mint and CTO were found in the archive for these sets and the souvenir sheets. Intact pieces are very rare.

1ST SERIES ISSUED JULY 4, 1981

Scott #901-11, SG #1479-88, MS1489



George Washington Crossing the Delaware


Deluxe Sheetlet Set

2ND SERIES ISSUED NOVEMBER 26, 1981

Scott #912-22, SG #1494-1503, MS1504



George Washington at Valley Forge


Deluxe Sheetlet Set

3RD SERIES ISSUED APRIL 7, 1982

Scott #923-32, SG #1519-27, MS1528



Signing of the Constitution


Deluxe Sheetlet Set

4TH SERIES ISSUED JULY 15, 1982

Scott #933-43, SG #1533-42, MS1543



The Battle of Yorktown


Deluxe Sheetlet Set


Cross gutters Mint and CTO from the uncut press sheets


1981-83 DEFINITIVE SERIES
Scott #945-53, SG #1505-11 and unknown

Perf 14.5 x 13.5
I could not even find but a few stamps from this set. They are hard to find! No imperfs nor deluxe sheetlets found.

Several uncut press sheets were found in the archive for this set. Intact pieces are very rare.



Cross gutter from the uncut press sheets


1982 INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE DISABLED
Scott #954-5, SG #1515-16

No imperfs nor deluxe sheetlets seem to exist for this set.

For the following two sets several uncut press sheets were found in the archive for this set. Intact pieces are very rare.



Cross gutter from the uncut press sheets


1982 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WEST AFRICAN EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL, W.A.E.C.
Scott #956-7, SG #1517-18

Imperforates do exist for this set. They are not being commonly sold. I could not even find a set of the perforated issue available.
Deluxe sheetlets appear not to exist for this set.



1982 21ST BIRTHDAY OF PRINCESS DIANA
Scott #958-61, SG #1529-31, MS1532

The stamps and souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets or more. The imperfs for this set are commonly sold! Deluxe sheetlet sets do not appear to exist.

Uncut Press sheets were found in the archive for this set. Intact pieces are very rare. Horizontal gutters are extremely rare. Vertical gutters are rare. Vertical gutter blocks (2 gutter pairs attached) are extremely rare according to Bileski documentation!
Uncut Press Sheets of the souvenir sheet were also found. All were cut into souvenir sheet pairs imperforate between. According to Bileski documentation only 10 vertical pairs and 10 horizontal pairs mint exist.



The Royal Wedding


Gutters from the uncut press sheets


Souvenir Sheet Pairs from the uncut press sheets


1982 BIRTH OF PRINCE WILLIAM
Scott #962-5, SG #1544-6, MS1547

The stamps and souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets or more. The imperfs for this set are commonly sold! Deluxe sheetlet sets do not appear to exist.

Uncut Press sheets were found in the archive for this set. Intact pieces are very rare. Horizontal gutters are extremely rare. Vertical gutters are rare. Vertical gutter blocks (2 gutter pairs attached) are extremely rare according to Bileski documentation!
Uncut Press Sheets of the souvenir sheet were also found. All were cut into souvenir sheet pairs imperforate between. According to Bileski documentation again only 10 vertical pairs and 10 horizontal pairs mint exist for this souvenir sheet.



The Royal Wedding Souvenir Sheet Overprinted in Silver


Gutters from the uncut press sheets


Souvenir Sheet Pairs from the uncut press sheets


1983 3RD NATIONAL REDEMPTION DAY
Scott #966-72, SG #1548-53, MS1554

No imperfs nor deluxe sheetlets seem to exist for this set.



Samuel Kanyon Doe


1983 OPENING OF THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Scott #973-4, SG #1555-6

Imperforates exist but are not commonly sold. No deluxe sheetlets found.



1983 500TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF RAPHAEL, PAINTINGS
Scott #975-81, SG #1557-62, MS1563

The stamps exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets or more. I could not find the souvenir sheet imperforate but it is probable it exists as such.
Deluxe sheetlet sets do not exist for this set because Deluxe Souvenir Sheet sets exist instead. Approximately 2-3,000 sets were produced. They are noted to exist in Scott Catalog.

One deluxe souvenir sheet that some dealers and sellers appear to be having a problem with in their descriptions is of the Madonna of Foligno $1.25 value. I notice many are describing it as Scott 981, the normal souvenir sheet. It is not and belongs with the deluxe souvenir sheet set, not the normal set.

Around 5-10 uncut press sheets both mint and CTO were found in the archive for this set. Intact pieces are rare. Cross gutters are very rare. Gutters and other pieces are rare.
A couple uncut press sheets of the souvenir sheet were also found.



Madonna of Foligno


Deluxe Souvenir Sheet Set


Deluxe Souvenir Sheet for the $1.25 Souvenir Sheet Stamp


Cross gutters Mint and CTO from the uncut press sheets


1984 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MANO RIVER UNION
Scott #982-6, SG #1564-7, MS1568

Imperforates do exist for this set. They are not being commonly sold.
Deluxe sheetlets appear not to exist for this set.



Guinea's Accession


1984 4TH NATIONAL REDEMPTION DAY
Scott #987-91, SG #1569-73

Imperforates do exist for this set. They are not being commonly sold.
Deluxe sheetlets appear not to exist for this set.

Several uncut press sheets were found in the archive for this set. Intact pieces are very rare.



Cross gutter from the uncut press sheets


1984 RUBENS PAINTINGS
Scott #992-8, SG #1574-9, MS1580

The stamps exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets or more. I could not find the souvenir sheet imperforate but it is probable it exists as such.
Deluxe sheetlet sets do not exist for this set because Deluxe Souvenir Sheet sets exist instead. Approximately 2-3,000 sets were produced. They are noted to exist in Scott Catalog.

One deluxe souvenir sheet that some dealers and sellers appear to be having a problem with in their descriptions is of the Madonna Adored by Saints $1.25 value. I notice a few are describing it as Scott 998, the normal souvenir sheet. It is not and belongs with the deluxe souvenir sheet set, not the normal set.

Around 5-10 uncut press sheets both mint and CTO were found in the archive for this set. Intact pieces are rare. Cross gutters are very rare. Gutters and other pieces are rare.
A couple uncut press sheets of the souvenir sheet were also found.



Madonna Adored by Saints


Deluxe Souvenir Sheet Set


Deluxe Souvenir Sheet for the $1.25 Souvenir Sheet Stamp


Cross gutters from the uncut press sheets


1984 SUMMER OLYMPICS
Scott #999-1004, SG #1581-5, MS1586

Imperforates do exist for this set. They are available on the market. 5,000 sets were the standard produced.
Deluxe sheetlets appear not to exist for this set.

Around 5 uncut press sheets were found in the archive for this set. Intact pieces are rare. Cross gutters are very rare. Gutters and other pieces are rare.
A couple uncut press sheets of the souvenir sheet were also found.



Guinea's Accession


Cross gutters from the uncut press sheets


1984 LOUISIANA WORLD EXPOSITION
Scott #1005-8, SG #1587-90

Imperforates do exist for this set. They are available on the market. 5,000 sets were the standard produced.
Deluxe sheetlets appear not to exist for this set.

An uncut press sheet was found in the archive for this set. Intact pieces are extremely rare.



1984 PYGMY HIPPOPOTAMUS (WWF)
Scott #1009-12, SG #1591-4

Imperforates do not seem to exist for this set.
Deluxe sheetlets appear not to exist for this set.



1984 INDIGENT CHILDREN'S HOME
Scott #1013-14, SG #1595-6

Imperforates do exist for this set. They are available on the market. 5,000 sets were the standard produced.
Deluxe sheetlets appear not to exist for this set.



1985 5TH NATIONAL REDEMPTION DAY
Scott #1015-16, SG #1597-8

Imperforates do exist for this set. They are available on the market. 5,000 sets were the standard produced.
Deluxe sheetlets appear not to exist for this set.



1985 BIRTH BICENTENARY OF JOHN J. AUDUBON, BIRDS
Scott #1017-22, SG #1599-1604

Imperforates do exist for this set. They are available on the market. 5,000 sets were the standard produced.
Deluxe sheetlets appear not to exist for this set.



1985 RUBENS NUDE PAINTINGS
Scott #1023-9, SG #1612-17, MS1618

The stamps exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets or more. I could not find the souvenir sheet imperforate but it is probable it exists as such.
Deluxe sheetlet sets do not exist for this set because Deluxe Souvenir Sheet sets exist instead. Approximately 2-3,000 sets were produced perforated and imperforate. They are noted to exist in Scott Catalog.

It appears no deluxe souvenir sheet was made for the $1.25 The Judgment of Paris souvenir sheet issue.
Around 5-10 uncut press sheets both mint and CTO were found in the archive for this set. Intact pieces are rare. Cross gutters are very rare. Gutters and other pieces are rare.
A couple uncut press sheets of the souvenir sheet were also found.



The Judgment of Paris


Deluxe Souvenir Sheet Set


Cross gutters from the uncut press sheets


1985 WORLD CUP SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP, MEXICO (1986)
Scott #1030-6, SG #1605-10, MS1611

The stamps and souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets or more.
Deluxe sheetlet sets do not exist for this set because Deluxe Souvenir Sheet sets featuring Pele exist instead. Approximately 2-3,000 sets were produced perforated and imperforate. They are not noted to exist in Scott Catalog.

It appears no deluxe souvenir sheet was made for the $1.25 Liberia-Nigeria souvenir sheet issue.
Around 5-10 uncut press sheets both mint and CTO were found in the archive for this set. Intact pieces are rare. Cross gutters are very rare. Gutters and other pieces are rare.
At present it appears only one uncut press sheet of the souvenir sheet was also found. Kasamir Bileski cut it into unique pairs.



Liberia-Nigeria


Imperforate Deluxe Souvenir Sheet Set Featuring Pele


Cross gutter from the uncut press sheets


Unique Souvenir Sheet Pair Featuring Pele from the uncut press sheet


1985 85TH BIRTHDAY OF QUEEN ELIZABETH, THE QUEEN MOTHER
Scott #1037-40, SG #1621-3, MS1624

The stamps and souvenir sheet exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets or more. The imperfs for this set are commonly sold! Deluxe sheetlet sets do not appear to exist.

Uncut Press sheets were found in the archive for this set. Intact pieces are very rare.
According to the Bileski documentation The uncut press sheets contained 5 panes of stamps which were for this issue and the World Food Day issue below. Where the sixth pane would be was a pair of the souvenir sheet (Scott# 1040).
There were 10 uncut press sheets found and of those 3 had perforation errors. Therefore only 10 horizontal pairs imperforate between of the souvenir sheet exist!



The Queen Mother Wearing Diadem


Gutters from the uncut press sheets


Souvenir Sheet Pair from the uncut press sheets


1985 WORLD FOOD DAY
Scott #1041-2, SG #1619-20

The stamps exist imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 5,000 sets or more. The imperfs for this set are commonly sold! Deluxe sheetlet sets do not appear to exist.

Uncut Press sheets were found in the archive for this set. Intact pieces are very rare.
According to the Bileski documentation The uncut press sheets contained 5 panes of stamps which were for this issue and the 85th Birthday of the Queen issue above.
There were 10 uncut press sheets found and of those 3 had perforation errors. To find all combinations of the gutter is an achievement!



Gutters from the uncut press sheets


1986 AMERIPEX STAMP EXHIBITION
Scott #1043-5, SG #1625-7

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

Uncut Press sheets were found in the archive for this set. Intact pieces are very rare.
According to the Bileski documentation The uncut press sheets contained 6 panes of stamps which were for this issue and the Statue of Liberty issue below.
There were 2 uncut press sheets found of which one was badly damaged. It appears there were more than 2 press sheets though because I found another source selling a set of the cross gutter blocks and they were not damaged. Accordingly it stands to reason the standard 5-10 press sheets were saved for this popular set.



Gutters from the uncut press sheets


Cross gutters from the uncut press sheets


1986 CENTENNIAL OF THE STATUE OF LIBERTY
Scott #1046-8, SG #1628-30

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

Uncut Press sheets were found in the archive for this set. Intact pieces are very rare.
See the AMERIPEX set above for more details.



1987 WINTER OLYMPICS 1984 GOLD MEDAL WINNERS
Scott #1049-54, SG #1631-5, MS1636

The souvenir sheet exists imperforate. I could not find the stamp set imperforate but it is probable it exists as such.
Deluxe souvenir sheet sets exist. Approximately 2-3,000 sets were produced. They are not noted to exist in Scott Catalog.



2-man Luge


Deluxe Souvenir Sheet Set


1987 750TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CITY OF BERLIN
Scott #1055-9, SG #1637-40, MS1641

Imperforates do not seem to exist for this set.
Deluxe sheetlets appear not to exist for this set.



MIRAK Rocket Development, Spaceship Society Airfield, Reinickendorf, 1930


1987 SHAKESPEAREAN PLAYS
Scott #1060, SG #1642-9

Issued in sheetlets of 8 stamps.
Imperforates do not seem to exist for this set.
Deluxe sheetlets appear not to exist for this set.



1987 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMATEUR RADIO ASSOCIATION
Scott #1061-4, SG #1650-3

Imperforates do not seem to exist for this set.
Deluxe sheetlets appear not to exist for this set.



1987 CENTENNIAL OF THE STATUE OF LIBERTY
Scott #1065-8, SG #1654-1673

Produced in sheetlets of 5 plus label.
Imperforates do not seem to exist for this set.
Deluxe sheetlets appear not to exist for this set.
This is an interesting set in that it is said the set was never issued. Try to find these in used condition. I cannot. Try to find first day covers. Imperforates? Color Proofs? Specimen overprints? Why are there none with such a popular topic?

A comparison of a similar situation are the Statue of Liberty stamps from Tuvalu. I note they are very similar in fashion. The Tuvalu set was never issued either. The Tuvalu set made it all the way to being placed on a Postal Commemorative Society collector panel in their Statue of Liberty 100th Anniversary Commemorative Panel Book.

Other sets with this problem that are listed in both Scott and Stanley Gibbons are for instance the 1990 Birds issue of Guyana. It has come to the attention of me and others that it appears these sets are just thrown into the major catalogs after the fact. I challenge them to prove validity of postal usage by showing examples of it. At this point I think they cannot and never will be able to.
This issue was released during the liquidation of the printer and found in the unissued section of the archive. Sold to dealers and societies who had influence with the catalogs and got them listed as issued stamps. If you have evidence to prove otherwise...then show it and this will be changed with credit going to whoever can prove me wrong.



1988 2ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE SECOND REPUBLIC
Scott #1069-70, SG #1674-5

Imperforates do not seem to exist for this set.
Deluxe sheetlets appear not to exist for this set.



1988 U.N. CHILD SURVIVAL CAMPAIGN (UNICEF)
Scott #1071-4, SG #1676-9

Imperforates do not seem to exist for this set.
Deluxe sheetlets appear not to exist for this set.



1988 INAUGURATION OF THE SECOND REPUBLIC (1986)
Scott #1075, SG #1680

Imperforates do not seem to exist for this stamp.
Deluxe sheetlets appear not to exist for this stamp.



1988 OPENING OF THE SAMUEL KANYON DOE SPORTS COMPLEX (1986)
Scott #1076, SG #1681

Imperforates do not seem to exist for this stamp.
Deluxe sheetlets appear not to exist for this stamp.



1988 GREEN (AGRICULTURAL) REVOLUTION
Scott #1077-8, SG #1684-5

Imperforates do not seem to exist for this stamp.
Deluxe sheetlets appear not to exist for this stamp.



1988 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PEACE CORPS
Scott #1079-80, SG #1682-3

Imperforates do not seem to exist for this stamp.
Deluxe sheetlets appear not to exist for this stamp.



1988 SUMMER OLYMPICS, SEOUL AND VARIOUS STAMP EXHIBITIONS
Scott #1081, SG #MS1686

The souvenir sheet exists imperforate. The imperforates exist in quantities of around 3-5,000.



1988 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN UNITY
Scott #1082-4, SG #1687-9

Imperforates do not seem to exist for this set.
Deluxe sheetlets appear not to exist for this set.



1988 TRAINS AND LOCOMOTIVES
Scott #1085-90, SG #1690-1, MS1692

Imperforates do not seem to exist for this set.



Souvenir Sheet Set


This set was overprinted in 1993 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the last steam train to run on British Rails. It was not overprinted by the Format Printers.

Overprinted Souvenir Sheet Set


1988 SUMMER OLYMPICS, SEOUL AND 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INTERNATIONAL TENNIS FEDERATION STAMP SET
Scott #1091-6, SG #1697-1701, MS1702

Imperforates do not seem to exist for this set.
Deluxe sheetlets appear not to exist for this set.



Tennis


1988 SASA PLAYERS, SNAKE DANCERS AND MONKEY BRIDGE
Scott #1105-7, SG #1703-5

Imperforates do not seem to exist for this set.
Deluxe sheetlets appear not to exist for this set.



What is not known by many is there is a variety of this set. It is date stamped on the bottom margin. The date stamp is 1989!
I have seen this on stamp issues for other countries as well that Format produced stamps for. St. Lucia Soldiers, Sierra Leone Birds and so on.
It appears that the date stamped set is rarer than sets with no date stamp.



1988 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT (IFAD)
Scott #1108-9, SG #1706-7

Imperforates do not seem to exist for this set.
Deluxe sheetlets appear not to exist for this set.



1989 PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES SERIES (1982) GEORGE BUSH
Scott #1113, SG #1715

Issued in Sheetlets of 8, the same as the series in 1982.
Imperforates do not seem to exist for this stamp.



This appears to be the last stamp issue made for Liberia by the Format International Security Printers Ltd. Sadly the company went bankrupt. The House of Questa became the main producer of stamps for Liberia as they did with many countries that Format was producing stamps for at this time.

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

Stamps Printed for LIBERIA 1976-1980 by The Format International Security Printers (14megs)

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

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