Intro
Introduction to Stamp Varieties Pages
On these pages are scans of varieties found on stamps of Ireland. When you first view the pages you will see pictures of the stamps that have varieties on them. If you are using Netscape 2.0 or higher, or a similar compatible browser, to view these pages, you can click on the graphic with your left mouse button and a larger graphic will be loaded that shows the variety more clearly. Clicking with the right mouse button brings up a menu that allows you to save the graphic. Update note here: I am changing the format so that the varieties are listed under a single picture of basic stamp. You will click on the description of the variety to see the closeup scan. The earlier issues have been changed to this format, but the later issues are still in the first format (end of update note). Other browsers may use a different procedure, but any graphics browser should be able to view the pages, though the layout may appear slightly different.
Currently all the graphics are scanned from stamps in my personal collection. However, I don't have all the varieties that exist, though I would like to get them some day. Therefore, if you see a spot where I have put a label that says "No graphic available", I don't have an example of that variety to scan. Or if I haven't mentioned the variety that may indicate that I don't have it ( I haven't put everything in yet so I may just not have gotten to it yet). In any case, if I expect to reach my goal of displaying, if not all the varieties, at least the greatest majority of the varieties (both catalogued and uncatalogued) I will need your help. If you have a variety I don't have and would be willing to loan it to me or sell it to me at a reasonable price (I'm just a Registered Nurse with a limited income) please contact me.
Another purpose of this site is to act as a tool in verifying uncatalogued varieties. I have found several uncatalogued varieties that I am sure are constant varieties ( I have several copies, the same variety occurs on all 2 or 3 stamps in the set, etc). Sometimes I know the position because have them in marginal pieces that locates them for me. More often I am sure they are constant, but I can't position them. Other times I am unsure if they are constant because I have only seen one example. In all these cases you can help by letting me know if you have similar stamps that can help in the verification process. Likewise, if you have found stamps you're not sure of I can put a picture of it here to let a wider audience help with it.
I am dividing the stamps by definitive, commemorative, and back of the book. They are then arranged by Scott # within those categories. If you select the definitives from the menu on the main page you will start with the first page of definitives. If you keep selecting "Go to next variety page" at the bottom of each page you will be taken through all the definitives (that I've put in so far), then all the commemoratives, then the back of the book issues. Alternatively, you can go to the index page which lists all the stamps currently on the site and go directly to the page of a variety you are looking for.
If a variety occurs on several stamps in the set I only show one stamp in order to save space. So if you are looking for a specific variety, look also for other stamps that may have the same variety. Sometimes there are several varieties associated with one stamp. On these I will sometimes display all the varieties on the page and at other times I will only display one example and then below list the different varieties that I have examples of you can view. If you click on the listed you will be shown that particular variety. This makes the pages a little faster to view and saves a little disk space (which is important because what I am charged for having this site on my server depends upon how much hard drive space I use).
Also, if you collect Irish stamps and don't belong to the Eire Philatelic Association (EPA), why not? If you would like to know more about the EPA, and/or become a member, e-mail me and I would be glad to help you.
I hope you enjoy these pages, and that they are of some informational use to you.
David Laraway
P.S. I am looking for large multiples of Scott #120 (panes or sheets ,even). I am studying that issue.
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