Now On Ebay, A Type I Number 5 On Cover. Not Sold!

It's got the distinctive double transfer on ornament Z, it might really be the real deal. Bidding starts at $100, or it can be yours now for a cool $40,000, plus $5.55 shipping. This ought to be fun to watch

Is it just me or does the full cancel look off? The cancel on the stamp looks darker than that on the cover. Also, there are little gaps in the cancel where it meets the stamp. Is this normal?

Otto
When I first looked at this listing you can not believe how many red flags went up. First is the seller. Did you happen to check out his listings? I do not know about you but I like to buy stamps from someone that knows what they are talking about, this guy is selling gold, silver, dolls, and what look like cheep watches with turquoise bands. Second is; and I am in no way an expert on covers, but that stamp looks it has been added to the cover. Like bankruptcollector pointed out why is there such large gaps in the cancel where the edge of the stamp meets the paper?
You are correct..this will be interesting to watch.
Ron

awesome-- Im sure the reserve is 39,000

Hi Ron,

Nope, I haven't looked into it too closely. I just saw it on my iPhone while doing my daily "1c Franklin" search and said, "hmmm." My first reaction on the small screen was the lower left plume looks way too light and broken and the left ball looks light and broken too--like the 1b on the diagrams I've been studying. And how convenient the right ball is obliterated by the cancel. But when I got back to my desk I looked up the type 1 on PFs One Cent paper and saw the double transfer, I thought, "whaddya know" and posted it.

I have noooo intention on bidding on it, but thanks for the warning.

Not my expertise (not that I have one) but is it expected for doubling on this stamp? Complete right side frame lines , notice especially under cents. Not sure if normal but if I seen that on a canadian classic I'd be shouting major re-entry.

Otto, I think the stamp is a #5 based on the scan, but remember that 7R1L has the same DT and cats at $130.

Yep, I do believe you're right, Sinclair. I went to Siegel's and looked up a few 5s (I've never actually seen a picture of one, Richard Doporto doesn't have one) and it looks consistent. When the writers talked about "complete design" I assumed it meant every line clear and crisp like the diagram. I guess not.

Here's Siegel's lot 961 (fetched $32,000):

Not sold for $3800. Reserve not met. I have to say I just don't get it. Where's the cert, the fees top out at $800, so why not if you are looking for 5 figures? If you are looking for $10,000 (or whatever) why not start the bidding at $10,000? Why start the bidding at such a tiny fraction of the reserve. And then, sure the major auction houses get their pound of flesh, but they know the people who have 10,000 burning through their pockets... why ebay?

In this day of saved scans, you have to wonder if that stamp is now damaged goods? (Assuming it is legitimate in the first place.)

"I'd be a fool to buy it here...everybody I know will know that it didn't sell on ebay at $3,800."