U429 Type

I don't collect Envelope Stamps, but Grandma had a few. Here is an odd paper fold, or some other type that I can't find in my catalog. Any help on identifying this variety? The line between the E and N of Cents is duplicated on the back of the envelope cut. Thanks.

Small varieties, especially mechanical errors like this paper fold, are not cataloged, as they tend to be one of a kind, and of limited interest to collectors.

The line on the U429 is called a "die pinch crease". It is a result of a die on a rotary press, where the die is curved, pinching the paper as the die is impressed into the paper starting at the top of the die and moving down through the image. The head is actually a hollow space on the die and the paper tends to be moved into that hollow space as the cylinder turns. As the head is finished, there can be an excess of paper brought towards the center and the only thing that can happen is for the paper to fold over upon itself. The result is a die pich crease.

You won't find these errors on U429 dies that were used on flat bed presses (dies 7 & 8).

Thanks Doug and Thomas. Definitely some sort of crease. I will notate in my collection and go on to the next problem.

I agree with doug2222 at a macro level. This error type doesn't get catalog treatment, is probably considered a fault by main stream stamp collectors, and even most EFO collectors sniff at the thought of assigning any value to them. However, . . . there are some EFO collectors who pay attention to them.

When pawing through dollar boxes, I will grab all but the most unattractive examples. If a nice one appears on ebay - nice means large crease, or multiple creases, or creases on catalog entries where they are seldom seen - I will bid. I have gone as high as $15 before. Not huge bucks, but not valueless, either.

But, then, I'm an EFO freak.