Malaysia 1971 State Definitive Series #2 Butterflies : Printer Difference

The 1971 Malaysia State Definitive Butterfly series features two distinct production eras that are highly studied by philatelists :
1.      The initial complete sets released on February 1, 1971, were produced by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co. (BW) using lithography.   
2.      Later, between 1977 and 1978, Harrison & Sons was contracted to print a series of high-demand replacements using photogravure.
 

The Main Differences Between the Printers
The differences between the two printer runs come down to technology, ink details, and historical updates to the state emblems:

1.      Printing Method : Lithography vs Photogravure
The choice of printing method marks the fundamental technical divide between the two versions of this series. Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co. utilized lithography, a planographic process that transfers ink directly from a flat plate, resulting in uniform ink distribution and crisp, well-defined design contours.
Harrison & Sons employed five-colour photogravure, an intaglio-based process where the image is chemically etched into tiny cells on a cylinder. This photogravure method relies on a fine screen to break the design into a matrix of minuscule ink wells, which intentionally gives the final image a softer appearance and a subtly textured ink surface.
 
2.      Line Crispness
Under a magnifying glass, the most definitive test of line crispness comes down to the print technology used. The 1971 Bradbury Wilkinson originals feature incredibly sharp, smooth, and solid lines on all text, frames, and numbers because they were produced via lithography.
In contrast, the 1977–1978 Harrison reprints were produced using a photogravure screen, which breaks solid lines down into tiny dots, leaving all text and borders with visibly fuzzy, pixelated, or "zigzag" edges.
 
3.      The 10-sen Wing Vein
On the original 1971 Bradbury Wilkinson lithographed stamps, the delicate veins running through the butterfly's wings are printed in a pale blue ink, blending softly into the background.
 
 
However, on the 1977–1978 Harrison & Sons photogravure reprints, these exact wing veins were updated to a stark, solid black ink, making the anatomical details of the butterfly stand out with much higher contrast.
 
4.      Change of Sarawak Crest
The update to the Sarawak state definitive stamp marks a significant political and heraldic milestone within the series. On the original 1971 Bradbury Wilkinson printing, the stamp features the older colonial-era Sarawak state emblem, which displays a stylized shield design.
However, following the official adoption of a new state symbol on August 31, 1973, Harrison & Sons updated the 1977–1978 reprints to feature the "Sarawak Kenyalang Crest". This updated design prominently displays a majestic rhinoceros hornbill with its wings fully spread, making it immediately distinguishable from the earlier version.
 
5.      Change of Pahang Sultan
The original 1971 Bradbury Wilkinson printing depicts the older portrait of Sultan Abu Bakar ( Reigned : 22 Jun 1932 - 5 Mei 1974 ) , whereas the later 1977–1978 Harrison & Sons reprints updated the design to feature the new ruler, Sultan Ahmad Shah               ( Reigned : 26 April 1979 – 25 April 1984 ) .
  
 
6.      Denomination
The original series consisted of seven low-value denominations for each of the 13 states: 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 15c, 20c, and 50c. 
The 1977–1978 Harrison & Sons reprints of the 1971 Butterfly series are notorious among philatelists because they did not reprint every value for every state. Instead, they only supplied specific denominations as post office stocks ran low.
The 50c value was never reprinted by Harrison & Sons for any of the 13 states.

Johor	1c   2c   5c        10c   15c   20c
Kedah	1c   2c   5c        10c   15c   20c
Kelantan	1c          5c        10c   15c
Melaka	1c          5c        10c   15c   20c
Negeri Sembilan	2c   5c        10c   15c   20c
Pahang	2c   5c        10c   15c   20c
Perak	1c          5c        10c   15c   20c
Perlis	1c          5c        10c   15c   20c
Pulau Pinang	1c          5c        10c   15c   20c
Sabah	1c   2c   5c        10c   15c   20c
Sarawak	1c   2c   5c        10c   15c   20c
Selangor	1c          5c        10c   15c   20c
Terengganu	5c        10c   15c

 
7.      Watermarked
The original stamps are entirely unwatermarked. When held up to a light source or dipped in watermark fluid, the paper remains completely solid and featureless.
Harrison & Sons (1977/78): These reprints feature a distinct "Multiple SPM" watermark (with a crescent and star design representing Security Printers Malaysia) or a "Multiple Crown" style pattern embedded into the paper structure.
 
8.      Peper Types & Gum
The Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co. version were printed on a white, highly fluorescent coated paper. Under a shortwave ultraviolet (UV) lamp, the paper glows a brilliant, sharp white. The gum on the back is smooth, clear, and has a slightly glossy finish.
Harrison & Sons (1977/78) stamps were printed on a duller, non-fluorescent (or weakly fluorescent) paper. Some print variations even feature a specialized "varnish-like" top barrier coating that actively dampens any reaction under UV light. The gum applied by Harrison typically appears matte, slightly cream-tinted, or less reflective.

9.      Perforations & Margin
HolesBradbury, Wilkinson & Co. standard comb perforation measurement is 13.5 x 13 (alternatively cataloged by some specialized metrics as 13.1 × 13.6).
Bradbury sheets feature a two-pin extension hole system trailing out into the side margins.Harrison & Sons (1977/78): The gauge of the comb perforation changed slightly to a tighter matrix. Most importantly, the sheet margins feature only a single-pin extension hole punching through the outer white selvage border