A Severely Bleached Precancel

I just came across this example of a severely discolored stamp. When scanned next to a normal example, it really stands out. Must have been exposed to chemicals or bleach or exposed to sunlight to have completely discolored the stamp as shown. Interestingly, the precancel overprint remains unaffected.

Any ideas as to what would have caused this? Was it intentional? I know the color of this issue does lends itself to fading, but never have I seen such a dramatic "gray" effect:

Interesting that the paper doesn't look any lighter than original. I would think if chemicals did that much lightning the paper would also have lightened up. Can't see it being let through from just low inking but we've all seen some strange things get past the printers eyes.

Ultra-Violet light from the sun.

Warrehouse hit the nail on the head. This is one of the reasons why the Federal Reserve pulls old bills out of circulation to be destroyed. Most dollar bills have a very short life and I've seen many color washed bills in circulation that looks like it won't make it through another day. Unlike stamps that are handled on a daily basis, constant exposure to UV light (as well as wear and tear) will take a toll on currency in short time. Your stamp looks like it was exposed for a long time to have this effect.

Frankie

Thanks. If that can happen to stamps, imagine what can happen to the human body if constantly exposed to UV light.

I guess Grover Cleveland should have worn some sunscreen!

How about this one? Bleached to the point of no ink left at all. No idea how that was achieved, whether it's a true albino (almost albino, to be exact) or somehow manipulated. Whatever it is, nothing happened to the overprint ink, just the stamp ink.

Ryan