The Sio Stamp Surcharges
The Sio Surcharged 1 Att in August 1889
The 1 Sio stamp was overprinted in black Thai characters by the Post & Telegraph Department, Bangkok using metal hand stamp on stocks of the 1883 1 Sio. Type 1 was obtained from Dr. Dan Beach Bradley's Printing House, and 80,000 stamps were surcharged by the Post and Telegraph Department, whereas Type 2 used a Smith type hand stamp.
At the time, there were no 1 Att stamps available while since 1885, inland mail had been subject to a 1 Att rate for each two ticals weight (1 tical weight= 15 grammes). The need for a stamp of this denomination became urgent in 1889 and pending the preparation of one by De la Rue, the one Sio vermilion stamp of the 1883 issue was overprinted in black at the top with the new value 1 Att in Thai characters.
At the time, there were no 1 Att stamps available while since 1885, inland mail had been subject to a 1 Att rate for each two ticals weight (1 tical weight= 15 grammes). The need for a stamp of this denomination became urgent in 1889 and pending the preparation of one by De la Rue, the one Sio vermilion stamp of the 1883 issue was overprinted in black at the top with the new value 1 Att in Thai characters.
Identifying the Surcharge Varieties
Error of Overprint and Constant Varieties
The following have been identified by a variety of sources and collectors:
Type 1 subtype A: Double surcharge.
Type 1 subtype B: Double surcharge; inverted surcharge; one in pair without a surcharge; one surcharge in pair with a double surcharge.
Type 1 subtype C: Double surcharge; inverted surcharge.
Type 2 subtype A: Double surcharge; inverted surcharge; one in pair without a surcharge
Note that entire sheets have been found showing one entire horizontal row of stamps without a surcharge.
Type 1 subtype A: Double surcharge.
Type 1 subtype B: Double surcharge; inverted surcharge; one in pair without a surcharge; one surcharge in pair with a double surcharge.
Type 1 subtype C: Double surcharge; inverted surcharge.
Type 2 subtype A: Double surcharge; inverted surcharge; one in pair without a surcharge
Note that entire sheets have been found showing one entire horizontal row of stamps without a surcharge.