#2187 On Silk??

Yes, I was sorting the stamps that I had recently soaked off cover and was pulling them out of the drying books and noticed a thread sticking on the back, I tried to brush it off but it wouldn't move. I started noticing blue and red threads all through the paper and believe for whatever reason this is on silk. Can anyone confirm this? I'll post a scan in a few moments for you. -Jay

here is a hi-resolution scan of the reverse of scott #2187.




Edited: added Obverse scan

No one knows huh?

I checked my copies of the stamp. No evidence of any threads, etc., as on yours. In any event, I don't think the term "silk paper" even enters into the equation, as that type of paper was never used on modern US postage stamps.

In checking the Scott catalog, there are 3 or 4 varieties of the stamp listed with various types of tagging, but that shouldn't affect the back of the stamps, I wouldn't think.

The best I can suggest is that the stamp shown was somehow contaminated either in the soaking or drying process that caused the appearance shown. Of course, I could be wrong, but if no one else steps up with an answer, that's the best I can come up with.

Hope it helps.

There are red and blue fibers in the stamps paper. No contamination on my end.