Riverside Stamps
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Suspect Scott #659 Unused Single Double Overprint (10/15/17).
This is a suspect double overprint that I bought on Ebay that was described as having a genuine overprint (lower black overprint) with a faint fake overprint added. The Scott catalog does not mention any double overprint variety for the #659 or any other Kans./Nebr. overprint stamp.
What is the perforation gauge of the two sides?
- The suspect gauges out to the correct 11 X 10 1/2.
If used are any gum breakers present?
- There is a gum breaker present, it is Type II showing a single gum breaker at the top.
- The gum shows vertical striations.
Compare the suspect’s primary overprint with a known genuine overprint:
As can be seen the suspect’s primary overprint matches well with a known genuine overprint.
Next the lightly printed secondary overprint is compared with a known genuine overprint:
As can be seen the suspect’s faint secondary overprint matches well with the genuine overprint.
The heavy black primary overprint shows all the signs of being genuine – black outline around the letters with less ink in the interior, they are parallel with the frame, there are “icicles” hanging on the bottom of the printed letters. It is impossible to tell which overprint was printed first.
Conclusion: In my opinion the heavily inked primary overprint is genuine as well as the faintly printed secondary overprint. I sent the suspect to APEX for an opinion on 10/16/17.
Near the end of January I got the certificate back from APEX, I was right, maybe. here is a copy of the original certificate that was sent to me.
I was confused by the opinion on the certificate and sent an email to APEX to get a clarification:
Mon 2/5/2018 4:02 PM
Hi Krystal, I just got back the above patient of mine and I was wondering if it would be possible for the examiners (names not needed) to give me their take on what the likely explanation is for the faint second Kans.? I’m not looking to second guess anyone (sic) opinion just looking for clarity. From reading the opinion I assume they think it is a cleaver fake which would be fine by me. If I’m asking too much please let me know and I’ll let it go.
Thanks, Mike Girard.”
I got a phone message on 2/6/18 from Tom Horn who runs the APEX department, what follows is a transcript of Tom’s phone message:
Hi Mike, this is Tom Horn at the American Philatelic Society Expertizing, you had a question about the Scott 659 Kansas overprint as to how that second impression or second Kansas would have gotten on there. I didn’t put it in the description but the experts said there was an apparent kiss print doubling. It’s kind of a, the Kansas leaves an impression but you can’t see it in the back but it leaves somewhat of an impression where that the extra Kansas was just kind of a ghost from the printing process according to the experts but it is not an actual print so it doesn’t count as a double print and apparently a, you can’t do it, a double print is not possible on rotary press. I personally don’t know how that, how a kiss works on that but it’s, that’s what he said, it’s kind of a variety. Other than that I don’t have any other information for you on that.
Got in touch with Tom on 2/8/18 and told him I was happy with the explanation and was hoping that the certificate could be changed to say that the ghost kiss print is also genuine. The originally issued certificate, as it reads now, leaves the impression that the ghost kiss print may not be genuine. Tom agreed and sent a new certificate in the mail. Here is an image of the reissued certificate.
As always comments and suggestions are always welcome.
To Contact Riverside Stamps:
Email:
Mike Girard - Owner / Operator / Web Master:
g1rardmn1099@comcast.net
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I am a member of the American Philatelic Society
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I am a member of the United States Stamp Society  USSS #: 16733 Visit the United States Stamp Society Website at www.usstamps.org |
I am a member of the Perfins Club
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