If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
1898 U.S. Specimen Stamp
Five or six years ago, I purchased in auction a specimen of the 1898
U.S. $2.00 Trans-Mississippi Exposition stamp (Scott 293S). Sam Houston Philatelics described the stamp as "XF unusued with 'Specimen' ovpt in violet." The centering is near-perfect, and the word "Specimen" is in tiny letters at the far right of the vignette. To view the stamp, go to: www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/scott293S.jpg I assume that because it is a specimen, you cannot described it as "mint." The stamp does not appear to have gum. I can't imagine why they would need to apply gum to a specimen, but thought I would ask if the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in 1898 applied gum to specimens? Additionally, I would also be interested in finding out more about the role of specimens. During which time period were specimens produced and what was their purpose? Ed Jackson |
Ads |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
On Mon, 07 Jul 2003 22:41:04 -0400, Ed Jackson
wrote: Five or six years ago, I purchased in auction a specimen of the 1898 U.S. $2.00 Trans-Mississippi Exposition stamp (Scott 293S). Sam Houston Philatelics described the stamp as "XF unusued with 'Specimen' ovpt in violet." The centering is near-perfect, and the word "Specimen" is in tiny letters at the far right of the vignette. To view the stamp, go to: www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/scott293S.jpg I assume that because it is a specimen, you cannot described it as "mint." The stamp does not appear to have gum. I can't imagine why they would need to apply gum to a specimen, but thought I would ask if the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in 1898 applied gum to specimens? Additionally, I would also be interested in finding out more about the role of specimens. During which time period were specimens produced and what was their purpose? If not mistaken, specimens were sent to UPU? I have foreign specimens both with and without gum, both postal and revenue. As per the gum thing, more than likely a prt of one run was handstamped or passed through another press and put specimen on it. Maybe yours was soaked of the gum to keep it looking nice. BTW, it does like quite nice. Tracy Barber |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
"Ed Jackson" wrote in message ... Five or six years ago, I purchased in auction a specimen of the 1898 U.S. $2.00 Trans-Mississippi Exposition stamp (Scott 293S). Sam Houston Philatelics described the stamp as "XF unusued with 'Specimen' ovpt in violet." The centering is near-perfect, and the word "Specimen" is in tiny letters at the far right of the vignette. To view the stamp, go to: www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/scott293S.jpg I assume that because it is a specimen, you cannot described it as "mint." The stamp does not appear to have gum. I can't imagine why they would need to apply gum to a specimen, but thought I would ask if the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in 1898 applied gum to specimens? Additionally, I would also be interested in finding out more about the role of specimens. During which time period were specimens produced and what was their purpose? Ed Jackson Based on my 1999 Scott catalog reference to values in the specimen section as being for "a grade of fine-very fine, with at least part original gum," I would guess that most if not all specimen stamps were issued with gum. I also found reference on a prior auction to a Trans-Mississippi set with full original gum, which also notes that most of these stamps are either without gum or faulty. http://216.239.53.104/search?q=cache...hl=en&ie=UTF-8 It appears U.S. specimens were issued beginning with Scott #7 and continuing through #327, along with a variety of BOB items as well. The most recent would be a couple of savings stamps issued in 1917-18. Mike |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Stamps, Trains, Slotcars, Paintings & Models | Stamp Master Album | US Stamps | 0 | August 28th 04 12:25 PM |
Canada Issues New Olympic Stamps | Stamp Master Album | US Stamps | 0 | July 31st 04 12:46 PM |
New Finland Stamp Issue | Stamp Master Album | US Stamps | 0 | May 29th 04 11:38 AM |
Poggiali World Champion 250cc Stamp Pane | Stamp Master Album | US Stamps | 0 | April 24th 04 11:42 AM |
South Africa "100 Years of Flight" Stamp Issue | Stamp Master Album | US Stamps | 0 | February 28th 04 12:42 PM |