Value? "Freak" Stamp Error Scott #1480-83 "Boston Tea Party"

Mine doesn't have any color guides that I see but it looks like other stamps around that era didnt have them also? I see some later stamps have color bars along the side, some have several different color plate #s per sheet, and some just changed every color in the single plate # for the colors. The several different colors mean nothing just the 4 colors you mentioned are used only?
IF I make this out correctly, I have 3 different shifts[at least] and still have at least 2 colors in correct position? They must do at least 3 different BLACKs on this printing. So they might have the 3 primary colors and then 3 blacks presses in a row?
Sorry, but this is interesting and I don't have a clue.

Your black and yellow look to be in the right position but with blue and red far out of line. It is hard to accept that those 4 colors can pretty well make up anything imaginable. Its all shades and how 2-3 colors mix to make others. Alot depends on the printing press as well- A sheet press will have maybe only 1 color at a time and 1000's of sheets will be fed through each color then cleaned oot and fed through the next color and so on. On many new stamps you will see specialty colors such as gold/ silver and some are a 7 stage process. Many times no color palete was used but eac plate would have cross hairs in 4 corners and all the printer has to do is make all the X's line atop one another.
In your example is the yellow and black are in correct position based on the lantern light and the text on the outside it will still cause the other 2 colors look like 3-4 shifts. Have to consider that blue and red will create a purple almost black look which may be deceiving how you think there are 2-3 stages of black. If it all lined up it would be a perfect 4 color process. I do know that often black would be done twice -once for the image and a second time for the outside text or values. Very often to get true black it will be done overtop of blue. Even home printers will often use blue and black just to print text unless you shut color off completely. Its an amazing craft really broken down to oil(ink) and water don't mix.

I believe I am understanding what you are saying but I'm not sure. Are you are saying there is only one dark color shift? After looking, I don't think the black has shifted at all. I think there are 3 different blue shades? One is background which appears to be OK? There is another dark blue printing which includes the center mast. Another darker blue printing that inclused the bow mast. My black and white picture[sloppy] shows the center mast shift but NOT the bow mast. Doesn't this mean it is a seperate printing for the center mast?
1. Picture is good stamp - the colors are slightly off on it also.
2. My stamps with shifts.
3. Picture of B&W print of ebay stamps showing only the center mast shift and no bow mast shift.
SORRY, I have to log on first, so Imight not get the pictures for this"reply".

My opinion is it may be quite scarce considering the age of the discovery and $350 is a very strong offer not knowing the risk of other discoveries killing the value. Do you have ten more sheets that are similar, or could more turn up? Going with the theory that it is truly scarce, or unique, it could well be worth $2000 or more, but you have to know that using ebay strategies, as smartly defined here, may not get to the true market value. That could take a lot longer to determine as the market needs full information to be efficient. Information is not complete here and now. A dealer can take these risks if priced in properly, and if it works out could also sell for a much larger number later.
So key is take your time, store it properly, don't tear it up so fast. Learn and explore. If it is still unique in 10 years you will be surprised how much the market may value a block of four. It has great appeal much more than any single stamp freak. If it does get broken, sell the plate block last and at a multiple of maybe 5x-10x what the regular blocks received. Also, buy a regular sheet and scan it too for image "comparison" by others.
Good luck and post how things net out.

Nitro - the 4 color process you described is what is typically used for offset or gravure printing, but sometimes they use a different color or additional colors.
In the case of the particular stamps under discussion, they were printed by a combination of offset and intaglio and there was both an offset black and an intaglio black.

"Should more shifts = more value?"
Value is set by supply and demand. Supply is how many are found. On the demand side, the greater a shift, the more value and if there are multi-color shifts that is better too. In these cases, the more of a mess the result is, the better.

Crouse - just my opinion, but while the PB should command some premium, I doubt it would bring 5x to 10x.

I wasn't sure on the process but it makes sense that black was used for the image in one run and the text as another .
Have to agree about sometimes waiting or holding out can backfire. If a dozen more sheets show up your value plumits. I have a very rare copy of canada 727iii $2 kluane with doublling in the word Kluane. Catalog states only 2 used copies known and I would be the 3rd. I was offered 50% of catalog a few years ago but didn't take it because it was my first true find and not a purchase. I've been constantly waiting for other copies to show up which would kill my value.
You gotta get some scans done (minimum 600dpi but 1200 preffered) and I'll walk you through posting mega high res images plus you'll need them for any sales . Also with the scans you can email some auction houses and see what they say. If this hit a seigals auction with other known EFO's it could go for alot.

Not knowing the hobby, but after 40 years, could a lot of full sheets of such "freaks", suddenly come forth? Maybe there is another person that rediscovers they have a full sheet or more. Possibly some one may read this and look through their old stock and find some full sheets? I would think a collector wouldn't be holding on to a lot of these waiting for something. IF someone has some sheets of these, they should let me do my thing and creat an interest. No value in flooding the market. Could the market suddenly get flooded? I suppose it is possible but honestly, what do I have to loose? They cost me $4, 40 years ago. I'm not as good sales person, but I need to sell and soon. I will try to generate as much interest as possible. I hope they will at least bring better than face value. I have a B&W picture of an ebay block that shows the center mast shift up while the bow mast is unchanged. My stamps have both shifted up. That has to show 2 different dark color shifts not including the red?
, img]https://www.stampcommunity.org/uploaded/crack the sky/20130126_Picture183.jpg[/img] which I believe shows 2 different dark color shifts + the red.

Try the picture thing again

Your error is the result of a hiccup, either of the printing press or its operator. It is unlikely that after 40 years, any more will show up. But there are undoubtedly a couple of dozen miscellaneous errors of various types floating around. Yours is among the most spectacular. And I think the plate block will bring 5x-10x, as there is only ONE, and somebody out there's "gotta" have it. In one sense, it's the centerpiece of a recent EFO exhibit, and there's plenty of deep pockets out there.

I would not bother contacting Siegel or any other auction house, once you decide to sell it yourself. You have a dozen people here who will help you every step of the way. You CAN publicize it in advance by offering a block with a high hidden Reserve, as discussed previously. Specialists will know it didn't sell, and they'll be watching for it.

Under no circumstances do you reveal it came from a full pane, or that you have more. Even though there's only 10 blocks available, anything that suggests "more" hurts your chances of top dollar. It's a good idea to show yours alongside a normal block.

Sorry guys. I'm sure you are getting tired of my ramblings but this is a lot of fun and this forum has been a great help. I'll try to cut back.




I will try to send a comparrison picture from a sheet I just got off ebay. Both are #34225 in lower right.

Sorry, don't know why, but it uploaded same picture. Try again and I will see if I can delete some of my old



these.

No, on the contrary, this is more interesting than many plain-vanilla topics. I send good coins off to a big auction house in New York, but I am undecided how to sell good stamps, especially since ebay invariably takes the part of the buyer.

In a dispute, my 11 years on ebay and my perfect 100% Feedback of 2027 means NOTHING. This is why I hope Gibbons-bidStart are immensely successful, a little competition works wonders.