WERT
Departed
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Posts: 1,062
What I collect: Canada and Provinces
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Post by WERT on Oct 25, 2019 19:57:51 GMT
Hi guys There are lots of stamp collectors out there starting this interesting hobby. Now imagine this, you, me the guy in another city collects stamps that are mint, well centered, etc. How boring would that be knowing you me and everyone else has the exact same collection.
People ask me what flyspecking is, and i tell them this... Flyspecking is the ability to...
1 - See what is there that should not be.
2 - See what is not there that should be.
Here is what i use while flyspecking below...
Below are a couple of examples what you will see if you start flyspecking.
CONSTANT VARIETY.
DONUT
ODDITY
ANOTHER ODDITY
WATER STAIN
RE-ENTRY
PRINTERS TAIL
VARIETY
ANOTHER VARIETY
ANOTHER VARIETY 2
PRINTER RETOUCH
ANOTHER ODDITY
THERE ARE TONS MORE..JUST LOOK FOR THEM
Robert
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kostia84
Member 
Posts: 192
What I collect: Pharmaceutics (thematic), WWII (thematic), Israel (chronologically)
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Post by kostia84 on Oct 25, 2019 20:56:34 GMT
Indeed, this field is fascinating.
What digital microscope are you using, or which one would you recommend?
I'll be happy to hear from other forum members as well.
Thanks
Kostia84
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WERT
Departed
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Posts: 1,062
What I collect: Canada and Provinces
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Post by WERT on Oct 25, 2019 21:06:52 GMT
kostia84
I use Celestron USB Microscope...There are lots of reasonably priced ones out there.
Robert
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renden
Member
Posts: 8,705 
What I collect: World W collector with ++ interests in BNA (Canada etc) and USA
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Post by renden on Oct 25, 2019 22:17:48 GMT
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Post by dgdecker on Oct 26, 2019 2:02:18 GMT
Robert,
Thanks for this introduction. I have been looking for a reason to justify buying a microscope. This might just be the tipping point.
Do you have any insight into the origin of term “ flyspecking” as it relates to stamps?
david
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stanley64
Member
Posts: 1,818
What I collect: Canada, USA, Netherlands, Portugal & Colonies, Antarctic Territories and anything that catches my eye...
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Post by stanley64 on Oct 26, 2019 7:13:33 GMT
I too recently purchased a microscope for my efforts in plating Canada's Map Stamp (Scott Nos. 85/86 & TSF thread link - Plate Varieties) and found this review of the "5 Best Microscopes" useful in my decision to purchase the Plugable USB 2.0 Digital Microscope - opticsandlab.com/best-microscope-for-coins/
Overall, I am pleased with the selection and enjoy the hands-free capability of projecting an image onto my computer screen when looking at a stamp for the first time. The magnification available is sufficient to note any differences from the expected and the built-in light source provided by the LEDs provides is welcomed. As a Linux user. the microscope needed to be supported by existed drivers or software and this one did; in fact, the Plugable microscope worked out of the box with software I had already installed i.e. Cheese.
One of the drawbacks I have noted is the spin-wheel focusing is more of an acquired knack than science, but I am learning. I think the purchase or building of an better stand that can be used to manipulate the focal point similar to that of a tradition microscope would helpful and I am investigating the possibilities further...
When all is said and done though, I still come back to the tried and true of my jewelers' loupe and think of the microscope as just another tool in my philately toolbox...
Happy plating!!!
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vikingeck
Member
Posts: 3,261
What I collect: Samoa, Tobacco theme, Mail in Wartime, anything odd and unusual!
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Post by vikingeck on Oct 26, 2019 9:17:03 GMT
...Do you have any insight into the origin of term “ flyspecking” as it relates to stamps? It has been around since the early 1900s. My understanding it is a rather unkind pejorative term used by some collectors (who consider themselves a bit superior) being dismissive of the often tiny flaws that only show up with minute scrutiny. Often hardly noticeable to the unaided naked eye, unless significant and consistent enough to gain catalogue status, they are either ignored by the general collector or fervently searched for by the enthusiast. I look at my Australian friends with admiration, and I have to confess some amusement, earnestly "flyspecking" all the George V heads and building up the picture of plating and printings, then I reflect on the hours I spent poring over the first issues of Denmark just doing the same "flyspecking" and what about the millions of hours of such scrutiny which has gone in over 160 years to allow plating of GB Penny reds.
The modern flyspecker like Robert WERT often ploughs a lonely furrow without the support of an army of like minded collectors pursuing the same stamp in detail, which is why he seeks support and confirmation here and on the internet...………..someone somewhere out there may be able to confirm a find.
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firstfrog2013
Member
Posts: 3,276
What I collect: BNA Liberia St Pierre U.S. Bolivia Turkey
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Post by firstfrog2013 on Oct 26, 2019 13:13:48 GMT
dgdecker My scope is a cheap Chinese(actually most are) model without a brand name in sight.Cost to me w/shipping was right around $25.I'm still learning to use it as my hands shake a bit making focus for pictures a little rough.Just now looking for a brand name I noticed there are other little "tuning" controls,so still a learning curve.
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WERT
Departed
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Posts: 1,062
What I collect: Canada and Provinces
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Post by WERT on Oct 26, 2019 13:27:54 GMT
vikingeck You are so correct....I worked a couple of months on 3 Newfoundland stamps, Scott 56...57...and 58 and with the conformation of a friend found a constant variety that is entered into the 2020 Unitrade Catalouge and the N.S.S.C. (Newfoundland Specialized Stamp Catalouge) also, It was unknown for approx. 132 years.,,Was happy to make that find.
stanley64
I also use Linux...You tried CHEESE, you may want to try what i use GUVCVIEW...The you can use GIMP to sharpen your pictures...See example below.
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WERT
Departed
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Posts: 1,062
What I collect: Canada and Provinces
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Post by WERT on Oct 26, 2019 14:36:59 GMT
There are more aspects of flyspecking than the average collector knows exists.. Here is another example of flyspecking..DESIGN MISTAKES.
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WERT
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Posts: 1,062
What I collect: Canada and Provinces
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Post by WERT on Oct 26, 2019 15:17:19 GMT
Here is another flyspecker DESIGN MISTAKE
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WERT
Departed
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Posts: 1,062
What I collect: Canada and Provinces
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Post by WERT on Oct 26, 2019 15:23:25 GMT
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WERT
Departed
Rest in Peace
Posts: 1,062
What I collect: Canada and Provinces
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Post by WERT on Oct 26, 2019 15:39:07 GMT
Another FLYSPECKING ODDITY
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WERT
Departed
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Posts: 1,062
What I collect: Canada and Provinces
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Post by WERT on Oct 26, 2019 15:42:43 GMT
And another FLYSPECKING ODDITY Could turn out to be a possible constant variety..?
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WERT
Departed
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Posts: 1,062
What I collect: Canada and Provinces
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Post by WERT on Oct 26, 2019 15:48:44 GMT
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renden
Member
Posts: 8,705
What I collect: World W collector with ++ interests in BNA (Canada etc) and USA
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Post by renden on Oct 26, 2019 16:18:47 GMT
And another FLYSPECKING ODDITY Could turn out to be a possible constant variety..?
Robert WERT.....do not like to quote with image as this takes a lot of space on our site - did this time to 1) looked at ten of these Unitrade 610 and did not find anything over the chimney 2) It would be easier for us if you could put a number (# Scott or Unitrade Canada Spec) on each stamp and we could respond withtout having to quote the images again - Thanks and nice work....did check some others but would prefer to speak in terms of stamp # ! René |
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WERT
Departed
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Posts: 1,062
What I collect: Canada and Provinces
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Post by WERT on Oct 26, 2019 16:22:12 GMT
OK..I will not post no more. Robert |
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renden
Member
Posts: 8,705
What I collect: World W collector with ++ interests in BNA (Canada etc) and USA
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Post by renden on Oct 26, 2019 17:38:47 GMT
OK..I will not post no more. Robert Robert - you know how much respect I have for your "posts" - please continue and even if you do not put numbers I will find them - This comment (on repeating images and some texts) comes directly from what I have received in the past from ADMIN ! - We love your work  René |
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WERT
Departed
Rest in Peace
Posts: 1,062
What I collect: Canada and Provinces
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Post by WERT on Oct 26, 2019 18:16:48 GMT
Rene...If i post again latter..I will apply a Scott number.
Robert
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renden
Member
Posts: 8,705
What I collect: World W collector with ++ interests in BNA (Canada etc) and USA
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Post by renden on Oct 26, 2019 18:55:58 GMT
Rene...If i post again latter..I will apply a Scott number. Robert I examined the following, Robert: CE1 - do not have ....ordered CE1-CE4 ! 442 - agree with the design mistake 490 - This designer does not know the Canadian sport of Curling - agree 593 - QEII 8 cents - no black found in 10 specimens (hair) 648 - UPU 8 cents - mine has different variation in color distribution as compared to yours Thanks! René |
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tomiseksj
Moderator 
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,262
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Oct 26, 2019 19:01:52 GMT
To be clear, quoting is allowed when it is necessary for understanding. Below is taken from the Forum's Newsletter, Volume 3, Issue 3: If members haven't yet read the article in that newsletter, I suggest they do so. |
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stanley64
Member
Posts: 1,818
What I collect: Canada, USA, Netherlands, Portugal & Colonies, Antarctic Territories and anything that catches my eye...
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Post by stanley64 on Oct 27, 2019 6:00:14 GMT
Indeed Robert ( WERT), GUVCVIEW is the better application and I like the ability to control the microscope from the software, it is just to bad we cannot adjust the focus from there as well ;-) I am a GIMP user also and between the two applications, I think that with some finessing, I should be able to master this... Thanks for the pointers, -Vince
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