544 From Italy

Probably got burned on this one, seller has sold a couple of these stamps on ebay, Waiting to get the stamp and check it out. Anybody want to weigh in?

I vote 498.

No scan of the back?

my guess, 498, but for identifications always provide back scan, it helps.

Here's what I know. There are 2 sellers on ebay from Italy, dolcebessy and manc-ylen. Dolce has sold 3 stamps as 544, one of them mine. Manc-ylen has sold 10 stamps as 544. After I placed my bid, which was probably a wrong thing to do, I did an advanced search and found out that dolcebessy had sold the same stamp I was bidding on earlier in Jul, I e-mailed dolce and asked if the stamp pictured in my auction was the actual stamp that I would receive, never got a reply, Manc-ylen has terrible reviews except for the 544's he sold, either they don't know there not 544 or there too embarrassed to call it out. when I get the stamp I will take photos of the back. How can you tell the difference between a 498 and a 544, is it the color, 544 bing a dull green? If theres a strong possibility that this is a 544 I'll send it out to have it authenticated, where's the most reasonable/affordable place to send a stamp for certification? I do not want to misrepresent any stamp in my collection.

Hope this helps other people out, maybe the sellers are on the up and up, however I think something stinks in Italy. Maybe not.

File a significantly not as described (SNAD) complaint with ebay. Also file with PayPal. If you used a credit card to pay, have them do a charge back. PayPal hates this, but it will get their attention. If you return the stamp, use the ebay return procedure which should give you a prepaid label (expensive) to Italy. I know that you are supposed to take only one bite out of the apple, but eBay/PayPal/credit card issuers is a study in lack of coordination and finger pointing.

On another note, I have yet to see any of a number of "foreign" sellers of US rarities to sell anything legitimate. A stamp like the 1 cent perf 11 rotary press sheet waste, Scott 544, should be accompanied by a recognized certificate.

Clark

sshowell99,

The flat plate 498 will have some residue coloring on the back. My guess is that the seller did not provide a picture of the reverse side because you then would have seen that it is a flat plate stamp. Just a guess on my side.

Jack kelley

Thanks Clark/Jack. Will investigate after I receive stamp. What's the difference between the 498 and the 544? thanks again.

The 544 is a rotary print that is different than a flat plate print in a few ways. They have the same design width, but are taller by about the width a frame line or more. As mentioned previously, they very rarely have ink on the back. Their lines are finer and have much more detail. In the image below, the left stamp is rotary and the right is a flat plate print:


On flat plate prints, the areas pointed to with red arrows is typically solid color. You can see detail there on rotary prints.


I agree with everyone else that it is a #498 and that you should only pay at #498 prices unless it has a valid #544 certificate.

Great information, Historical DNA! Thank you for sharing with all of us! Have many 1 cent George and will review them as well..

blazenstar,
Using a template is by far the easiest way to identify rotary prints when you have the stamp physically in front of you. There is a third type, offset, as well. Read through this whole thread: https://goscf.com/t/40718&whichpage=1

Note that the link in my post has changed. It is now: http://www.stampsmarter.com/1847usa...gmethods.htm

Be sure to read LarryBruce's link too: http://www.kenmorestamp.com/flat-vs-rotary

Wow, now I see the difference. Thanks, this stamp will be returning to Italy. I appreciate your time and expertise. Scott

sshowell99, here is an example of a #544

https://goscf.com/t/41355