This was a single-line machine of the rotary type, being operated by a wheel turned by hand or power. The machine gave large round holes, and as there were 48 holes in 100 mm., 96 holes in 200 mm., and 145 holes in 300 mm., the gauge works out at 9-6 and may be taken as 9½.
The D machine was obtained on 29th May, 1883 (Stanley Gibbons Monthly Journal, Vol. VI., page 157), and was installed in the Government Printing Office, as distinct from the lithographic office, for perforating the counterfoils of cheque books, etc.
This machine was only utilised when there was a stress of work on the C machine, and then only for the horizontal lines of perforation, possibly as a measure of control, as the sheets of stamps had to be taken outside the lithographic office for the purpose.
Mr. Dalby in the Philatelic Journal of Great Britain, Vol. XXIII, page 94, states that in 1884 a number of sheets of the 1d. were operated on by this machine. This date is confirmed by a fiscally-used copy, which has been seen, dated 30th August, 1884, but he makes no mention of the 2d. and 1s., which were also similarly treated.
At a later date a few sheets of the 2d. modified 1882 type received the horizontal perforation 9½, a copy of which has been seen, dated in September, 1887.
These are the only occasions of the official use of this machine for perforating postage stamps. The 1897 1d., figures in all four corners, was for some time listed with perforation 12 x 9½, but this perforation was entirely irregular.
It has frequently been stated that the D machine was sent to British New Guinea, but that this is incorrect was pointed out by Mr. Hausburg in the London Philatelist, Vol. XIV., page 252. The machine was actually sent to the bookbinding department about the same time (October, 1901) as the A machine was sent to British New Guinea, (Australian Journal of Philately, Vol. II., page 104, and the Australian Philatelist, Vol. VIII., page 102.)
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