door In 1926, an unusual philatelic event took place in Buitenzorg, West Java, a region in what was then the Dutch East Indies. The discovery, now a rare entry in philatelic history, involved a peculiar variation in a 20-cent overprint on a Queen Wilhelmina stamp (NVPH catalog number 144). This variation, known as the “Blue Line,” has intrigued collectors for nearly a century and remains a fascinating story of persistence, discovery, and rarity in the philatelic world.
The story began when a passionate collector visited the Buitenzorg post office in June 1926. He purchased a batch of the 20-cent Queen Wilhelmina stamps, unaware of the surprise that awaited him. Upon close examination, he noticed an unexpected blue line beneath the 20-cent overprint on one of the stamps. This peculiar blue line was unlike anything he had seen before. Sensing the importance of this anomaly, the collector decided to investigate further. He took a bold step by requesting an audience with the post office director.
In an era when such requests were often dismissed, especially in the Netherlands, it was remarkable that the post office director not only listened to the collector but also agreed to assist him in a thorough inspection of the available stock. Accompanied by a post office employee, the director and the collector examined the entire stock of stamps stored in the office vault. This meticulous inspection revealed that the blue line misprint occurred exclusively in certain sheets from the B plate, specifically in row 10-11, stamp number 98. A total of thirteen sheets were found with this rare misprint, and the collector was quick to purchase as many of these rare copies as possible.
The significance of this discovery cannot be overstated. The rarity of the blue line misprint became even more apparent as subsequent auctions provided only a few additional specimens. The collector’s effort to acquire more of these stamps led him to bid on lots containing the same catalog number at a later auction in Bandoeng. Out of the approximately 2,000 copies he obtained through this auction, only one flawless and one damaged example featured the elusive blue line. This scarcity underscores just how rare and valuable this variation truly is.
The passage of time has only increased the rarity of these stamps. Due to the stamps’ susceptibility to water damage—a common issue in the humid climate of the Dutch East Indies—many of these copies were lost. Those that survived are now considered highly valuable treasures by collectors. The blue line variation stands as one of the rarest printing errors in Dutch East Indies philatelic history, a testament to the unpredictable nature of early 20th-century stamp production and the dedication of collectors who sought out these anomalies.
The story of the blue line discovery also highlights the collaboration between collectors and postal officials. It is a rare instance where a collector’s passion was met with cooperation from postal authorities, resulting in the preservation of a unique piece of philatelic history. The willingness of the post office director to support the collector’s inquiry allowed for the identification and documentation of a printing error that might otherwise have gone unnoticed and been lost to history.
Today, collectors worldwide are encouraged to check their collections for this rare misprint. The blue line variation has become a prized artifact among those with a deep interest in colonial-era stamps, and any discovery of additional examples would be a remarkable contribution to philatelic history. For those fortunate enough to possess a copy, the blue line misprint is not just a rare stamp—it is a symbol of the passion and dedication that drives the philatelic community.
The 1926 Buitenzorg discovery serves as a reminder of the value of persistence and attention to detail in the world of stamp collecting. Even the smallest anomaly can lead to a significant historical find, and the story of the blue line misprint is a testament to the thrill of discovery that continues to inspire philatelists today.
