209B Disappointment

Hi- I received 3 stamps back from Bill Weiss yesterday- and was tremendously happy with 2 results, and extremely disappointed with another. I have two images posted here-- one from the Swedish Tiger's website, and one of the 209b that I submitted (mine is on the right). I was told that my stamp was "very dark brown, but not 209b". I emailed Bill back, and sent these same two images, and he explained that the stamp on the website was not a 209b, and mine was closer, but not quite black-brown. He also explained that his opinions are always guaranteed and that if I submitted to any other expertizing service and was told his opinion was not correct, he would always refund my payment.

I do respect Bill Weiss-- this gentleman is one of the giants in the business. I wanted to know if there were other opinions here-- and does anyone think that I should submit to PF?

Thanks much for the help-- Ray

Ray, colors from scans/monitors are difficult. It is definitely a very dark color. I would look at the PF database before I would send it in.
http://pfsearch.org/pfsearch/pf_grd...tFirst=First

Russ, thanks much for the link-- I hadn't seen this before and will use it lots......Ray

Just three things---

Clearly, the colors of the two stamp images are not the same.

You are assuming that the image on the left is, indeed, the correct shade. How sure are you of that. While I admire the Swedish Tiger's site, I don't think that it can be taken as the final authority. Just one person's (me) opinion.

I do think that the opinion of William Weiss should be given great weight. Although, he himself, says that it is just that, an opinion, albeit one based on many years of experience.

Please, someone tell me how to get to Bill Weiss. I need professional opinion on a couple stamps.

Here is his website: http://www.stampexpertizing.com/

You can certainly send it in for another opinion, but I think you would be paying twice. IMHO of course - Jeff

Hey rohumpy-- thanks. Weiss said in his email that he has a lot of admiration for the Swedish Tiger, but that he is not an expert. He also said that the 209b pic I posted from the site is definitely not a 209b, and that my copy was actually closer but not 209b. You must have been reading my mind when you posted that one! I didn't spend a lot for the stamp and I won't be returning it. Nice reference material for the price. Thanks for your input-- Ray

SwedishTiger is a regular here -- I'm sure he would be willing to accept constructive feedback about his site/scan.

KirkS

On one point I agree with Bill. The scan you have shown from the Swedish tiger does not look to be a 209b Black Brown. However, and this going out on a limb here, the scan you show as being yours looks like a 209b. Also, I checked the scan from the PF data base and yours looks very similar. Here is a scan of one that I described as a black brown. Now you have me wondering.

Thanks again to all for the feedback. I have used the Tiger's website a lot over the years-- it is a great website to look and DREAM! I'm hoping in August, to get to APS in Columbus, hopefully for part of Saturday and Sunday-- this is one of the stamps I'll bring with me, just for the heck of it.

Other problem is that Scott lists several colors for the 209, but not "very dark brown", so no way to know if there is any value for the stamp, other than for a 209. Too bad.....

Thanks again, Ray

So that there can be no misunderstanding, I was in no way impugning the Swedish Tiger's site. It is an excellent presentation of US stamps. I have enjoyed going through it many times.

I am grateful for all the time and effort he has put into the site. It is an excellent resource.

My 2-cents, I use the PF because it is not just one mans opinion, they have a expert committee to determine the authenticity of a stamp which to me is important when it comes to determining the slight differences with particular shades of a stamp.In one case a bought a #1, described as a 1b orange brown with a Weiss certificate supporting that. I saw more orange hues and believed it to be a 1d brown orange, brought it to the PF and they issued a cert as 1d. As for determining a black brown 209b I would trust the PF for the reference collection they have and use is fantastic and the verdict rests on more than one persons opinion. This in no way is intended to reflect negatively on Bill Weiss, he is a well respected person in the industry, but some shades are tricky and my opinion is that PH opinions are the standard second to none.

I agree with Andy. The PF certificate is the GOLD standard in this hobby. Bill Weiss certificates are the silver standard and about as good as you can get for one professionals judgement. In my opinion, his certificates hold more credibility than any PSE certificate. As you perhaps know, I am not a fan of PSE in as I had a 293 with a PSE cert that was completely off the mark. It didn't identify any of 4 faults on it.

What the heck?
Please everybody look at the Swedish Tiger stamp and then compare it to mine….If nothing else it points out how different scans can change the color. I try to be very careful when scanning and always compare the stamp to the scan to insure accuracy. But the Swedish Tiger is obviously using a copy of a scan and that might explain the difference.

Art, I am NOT a fan of PSE certs, my opinion they are very inaccurate in many cases. As for the Swedish Tiger it is a awesome website but the color pictures seem off a bit. Look at the red orange 1847 1d, first picture is my 1c and is PF certified. Second picture is from the Swedish Tiger website, note the difference.