Kansas Nebraska Overprints

Just bought a full set of Kansas Nebraska overprints MNH of ebay. Curious as to what the community think the set should go for. Wondering what the community thinks of them, both from a price stand point of view, and from a authenticity point of view. Picture accompanying.

joe1225us,

Congratulations on acquiring the set (assuming they are legitimate). Can you provide high-resolution scans of the backs of the stamps?

Steve

Upon recipt I will. This pic is the one the seller provided. What should such a set go for, assuming it is authentic and MNH?

I can't tell you what a set should go for but by looking at completed sales on ebay I can offer the following price range: a hinged set recently sold for $192.75, a set billed as lightly hinged went for $259, and a set of NH went for $288 (sold separately/Kansas @ $129 and Nebraska @ $159).

Edit: The 2011 Scott Specialized shows the CV for a Fine NH set of the Kansas overprints at $184.20 andthe Nebraska at $234.80. Again, assuming they are authentic, I think you got a good deal for what you paid.

"Again, assuming they are authentic, I think you got a good deal for what you paid."

Just curious, how do you know what I paid?

"Again, assuming they are authentic, I think you got a good deal for what you paid."

But I think so too, which is why I worry about the authenticity of them.

By my search of the completed listings.




Paul Schmid's book "How to Detect Damaged, Altered, and Repaired Stamps" provides a few indicators to look at. Specifically:

- The overprints were applied using electrotype plates after the stamps were printed but before the gum was applied; therefore, when viewed from the gum side the overprints never appear impressed into the stamp.

- Genuine Kansas and Nebraska overprints measure about 9.25 mm and 9.0 mm, respectively.

- Genuine Kansas-Nebraska stamps always have gum breakers that are 22 mm apart, so most show only one breaker. (Scott Specialized says the breakers are 21 mm apart.)

- They are also known for their ridged gum (while not always a prominent feature, it will be evident in some degree on all genuine stamps).

Steve

Steve,

Thanks for your time and knowledge! When they arrive, I will immediately check and post a picture of the backs.

On these issues (as most are) the pricing depends heavily on 2 things. Centering and whether or no they are hinged, but centering will trump all as these pieces are notorious for small margins and finding well centered pieces usually needs to be done 1 Stamp at a time so you can pick the Plums.