29,32,33 Cent Imitation/Replica US Stamp Labels ??

The full size image can be seen at http://jsa.viewimage.net/temp/stamp...p-labels.jpg

These two small "sheets" contain 29, 32, and 33 cent U.S. stamp replicas / imitations, with the denominations covered by a black "X". They are self-adhesive, with large serpentine die-cut separations. The replica images are about 2/3 size of the issued stamps. There is no printing on the back of the sheets.

My question is: Who created these and for what purpose? Was this from some kind of USPS promotion/advertising, or from a toy, or some other commercial item?

Thanks.

Jay,

I've never seen them before. My offhand guess is that they were "dummy" or "testing" or "demonstration" stamps. But I have only ever seen one example where a denomination is crossed out. Most dummy/test stamps have either no denomination or "OO" which is the same. There are two places you can consider contacting. One is the United States Stamp Society which has a committee that specializes in these, and I'm sure you can find contact info (the "chairman" of that group is, I believe, Terry Scott) on the USSS website. The other is Bill Langs (forgive me....) who has the largest inventory of these. I'm sure that if he would believe these are listable (by Scott) as Test Stamps, he would make you a solid offer (then ask 5X that amount!).

If you CAN get Terry Scott to say that he believes they are Test stamps, and then get them listed by Scott, if no others are reported, yours will be pretty valuable - like over $1,000. each IMO. Now if there are lots more, then the value, of course, would be in line with quantity known. If you can get them Scott-listed and no more are reported, you can also consign them to a public auction (where WL will then likely be willing to pay 3X what he offers directly).(:>)!

Good luck!

Bill

Bill W: Thanks for the ideas. I had not thought about them being test/dummy stamps. I guess that possibility did not occur to me because of the mixed denominations, crossed-out denominations, bizarre format, and smaller-than-issued size. I suppose it could be a demonstration format for some type of vending system.

I know Terry well and will check with him. (I professionally have a specialty in Scandinavian test stamps in case anybody has an interest in or questions about those.)

My pleasure Jay. Any time.

I have never seen anything like these sheets - interesting, but they don't appear to be test stamps (although that wouldn't stop BL from trying to market them as such).

I've warned Terry you will be contacting him.

The die cutting is a bit "odd", but the image quality is not bad - perhaps as good as real stamps.

Is there any printing on the back?