GREECE - Leonidas Sampanis Scarce withdrawn Olympic Games 2004 stamp

Leonidas Sampanis Scarce withdrawn Olympic Games 2004 stamp
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Leonidas Sampanis won the Olympic Bronze Medal in the 62kg
weightlifting category on the 16th of August 2004.

This Greek stamp was issued in his honour on the 17th of
August but was withdrawn on the 23rd August when Leonidas
was disqualified due to failing a drug test. So, this stamp
was only on sale for a few days.

The initial issue, which was issued on the day after he 'won'
the medal, was printed digitally by the regional main Post
Office of each City where Olympics events were held.

The main printing, by the offset method, was 3 or 4 days
later so stamps from this offset printing were on sale for
an even shorter period of time.

The stamps are produced in the format of two panes of 10
(total 20 stamps) on an A4 size sheet with a vertical
perforation down the middle dividing the sheet into two
A5 sheets containing 10 stamps each.

The offset printed sheets can be easily distinguished from
the digital printed sheets because the digitally printed
sheets have an emblem printed in the bottom right corner
of each sheet which uniquely identifies the location.
For example, Athens shows the Acropolis, Thessaloniki
shows the White Tower etc.

The offset printed sheets do not show an emblem. I
understand that there is clearer printing on the offset
sheets and a small variation in the colours between
offset and digital, so it should be possible to identify
the printing method used on individual stamps.

THE SHEETLET SHOWN HERE IS FROM THE OFFSET PRINTING.
http://i8.ebayimg.com/03/i/03/26/d9/aa_1_b.JPG


Blair (TC)

"TC Blair" wrote in message
om...
Leonidas Sampanis Scarce withdrawn Olympic Games 2004 stamp
-----------------------------------------------------------

Leonidas Sampanis won the Olympic Bronze Medal in the 62kg
weightlifting category on the 16th of August 2004.

This Greek stamp was issued in his honour on the 17th of
August but was withdrawn on the 23rd August when Leonidas
was disqualified due to failing a drug test. So, this stamp
was only on sale for a few days.

snip for brevity

THE SHEETLET SHOWN HERE IS FROM THE OFFSET PRINTING.
http://i8.ebayimg.com/03/i/03/26/d9/aa_1_b.JPG


Blair (TC)

Interesting.

To withdraw such stamps is the best method to make people speak about them,
their subjects and last but not least about philately.

BTW, I had liked an official stamp that had to be withdrawn after
MonicaGate. g I know, I know, something like this couldn't happen, for
excellent reasons.

--
Victor Manta

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