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Post by jimwentzell on Jan 3, 2019 14:10:50 GMT
 At first I thought this was on cardstock or a postcard cutout, but after examining a hi-resolution scan I believe possibly the stamp (Scott #13 under Sicily) has been put on paper to hide defects. Should I soak it and find out? The upper right corner especially looks suspect--the paper it's on might be darker in that corner. It also seems to have had some poorly attempted repairs made which in the early stages of philately were rather common and almost considered an accepted practice at the time. The catalogue value 2017 is $120 and I likely won't find another example without spending a bit for it. Should I soak it and find out? Leave it as is? FWIW (For what it's worth) I found it in a nice European mounted collection circa 1940 bought at auction from Kelleher. Thanks in advance for your opinions! --Jim |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2019 16:03:02 GMT
It is genuine and probably a light blue Plate III and the most common colour of 5 distinct types & papers
The cancel looks genuine and is a very good legible sample
These stamps tend to be somewhat delicate and the backing may have a very good adhesive. There are obvious areas that are thin and there may be an inside tear near the top right. Given the cut into top and some other issues including the outer frame being only visible partially on the bottom, the overall value is greatly depreciated. - I know - no one likes that news Personally I would leave it as is, it is still a decent sample of an uncommon stamp but very limited in value.
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Post by jimwentzell on Jan 3, 2019 19:06:03 GMT
Thank you nl1947 I was inclined NOT to soak it...
I would not choose this stamp for my collection unless it was in a dealer's ten-cent box (OK maybe I would have spent a bit more, LOL) but as it was in an album with many other more pleasing stamps, I am happy overall with the lot I won. There were many Swiss and French classic-era stamps there, and I'm just now getting around to sorting and identifying them.
Couldn't do without this great forum!!
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Beryllium Guy
Moderator 
Posts: 5,654 
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps 1840-1930
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Post by Beryllium Guy on Jan 4, 2019 15:43:42 GMT
Jim ( jimwentzell), I am glad that you have decided not to soak this one. I have a number of these "paste-up" space-fillers that I have also acquired in collection lots. I have soaked a couple of them without realizing the extent to which they were repaired, and there was at least one which actually fell apart. So, I have learned my lesson. I try to inspect carefully, and consider each one on a case-by-case basis. These days, most of the time I just leave them as is, just as you have done. Thanks to Nelson (@falshung) for a very informative, illustrated response, too! |
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