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Awww =( I am sorry to hear that! I wonder how many of these freaks are out there.

I agree with Linns (Amos Advantage/Scott). That doesn't make them any less special, as such gum errors would be rather unusal I should think. You might do some research into who printed these stasmps. That might add another dimention to their story.

I bet some US Possession or Phillipines specialist would love to get his hands on them.

You might also contact the US Possessions Philatelic Society for any information they might be able to share (http://www.uspps.net/).

smauggie,

I think it's an incredible error to have in my collection, and started researching and making more contacts to learn more about it. The disappointment of not finding a notable error for Scott's is a minor let down. I may not have done it with this stamp, but I will on my next submission to them, guarantee. My EKU #493 is still pending




I beleive Scott's catalog lists Bureau of Engraving and Printing.


P.S. Thanks for the link, I'm on it!

That's what I thought. How often did the BEP make this kind of printing error? I would say it is quite rare.

I would say that the lack of information I am able to gather, these types of errors are either extremely difficult to find, hard to identify, or just a lack of interest to collectors.

I've posted the same question many times myself.

From the feed back I received when I first started showing this EFO, here, local stamp clubs & dealers were all the same, "It's a fake someone re-gummed it!", "It was from improperly storing them and it's a gum transfer!". I think a majority of collectors feel it's an improbability and therefore don't pay attention to this type of error, Just my opinion though.

smauggie, took your advise and sent an email.

Hi

Congratulations !

It is a production error like: printed on the gum side, displaced colors or perforations, doctor blade's freaks, color omited, etc.
Is very unusual (I had never seen before in others stamps) and therefore should perfectly included in catalog.

What would do Linn or Scott if had found it them ?

Jorge,

I just received an email from Linns and they state,




The gum was actually applied to the front of the stamp over the printing, so it has gum on both sides.

I have made contact with several philatelic foundations in the attempt to gain more understanding with this type of EFO. I'll keep everyone informed, and if there are any other suggestions or questions I should be asking these foundations please feel free to share them with me.

I'm just going to keep adding the response I have been receiving from the multiple Philately committee's, as I hear back from them.
My goal is find any other know examples that replicate this type of oddity. It's a great discussion and my curiosity as to how often this happens is driving my research. It's been a lot of fun, just not very educational, yet.

I found this small blurp on the efocc I found concerning. I wonder if this will hold true for my error stamp?

Ok, I have listed this EFO on my ebay account to see what offers I receive. I know everyone is going to see it. Just read it before you give me slack for it

http://www.ebay.com/itm/330774125649

I love the controversy my ebay listing has been causing.
On top of that, people do not read! I clearly stated I'm not looking for $100k but taking offers. I finally capitalized "make any offer" I used an insane buy it now to draw attention to the listing.

Just an update for anyone interested.

I have been researching my EFO, placing phone calls and emails to many experts looking for advise and of course value. I'm sure anyone that would have discovered such an enigma in their collection would want know. I have spoken with philatelic experts, auction houses & dealers. My Phone bill is starting to look like I started a telemarketing firm. Anyway, every-one's opinions have been identical, not one expert, dealer or auction house has seen or has dealt with a production error, sorry, freak stamp such as this one. Most stamps found with the gum applied to the face of the stamp are debated as having minimal added value for specific reasons. Most "Freaks" like this have primarily been found on foreign stamps and only a few, how ever many the experts mean by a few?, US stamps. In all cases referenced to me by all I have talked with, has been not been large enough or detailed enough to identify where the production error started or stopped on an intact sheet of stamps this large, or to the extent where the gum is perfectly aligned in the selvage from back to front. I was also surprised when almost everyone noted, "specially by the BEP". Though no one was able to place a monetary value there is a consistent conclusion of being scarce. All the information obtained so far has been identical with nothing new to add unfortunately.
I do have the opportunity to list with a couple well known auction houses. I was very surprised considering the caliber of auctions they have held. I guess I'll think about it for now. I have about a month before they start printing catalogs and promote the next auction.