Wash - Frank Perf 12 Coil Edge And Perf Tests

I've been looking at a lot of ebay and known certified W/F perf 12 coils today, using some of the tests we've talked about here. I ran across a certified #350 on Siegel Auction site that does not meet the criteria previously discussed. Specifically, the straight edges are not perfectly parallel (in previous posts it was thought that very slight to no asymmetry was allowed). Also, I've seen from multiple sources that for flat plate coils adjacent rows of perfs should not line up, but this stamp breaks that rule as well.

For these two tests (straight edge symmetry and flat plate perf row asymmetry), does anyone know if this particular stamp is a rare exception to the rule, or are there multiple other certified coils similar to this? Thanks!

The stamp in question is sale #1096:

http://www.siegelauctions.com/lot_g...lledfrom=lkp

http://www.siegelauctions.com/zoom/...wer.php?url=http://www.siegelauctions.com/2015/1096/581.jpg

I dont really like the stamp

Jim6092252,

Thanks for your input.

Jack Kelley

It's a question of printing, cutting, and pasting tolerances. I imagine there are some interesting albeit technical documents hidden away in some file cabinets somewhere that addresses these issues. U.S. stamps seem to be reasonably concerned with quality control.

The stamp is a paste up single. In the image, the perforations appear to be OK. Because Siegel uses or used a camera and a copy stand, the stamp image may be slightly key stoned. Check the width of the top and bottom of the design before making a side by side comparison.

Also, check the PF certificate number. A few certificates from that period were later questioned.

Clark

I see what could be a "scissor mishap" on the left hand, five complete squares up. I would not trust this stamp!

Peter

Peter, what you are seeing is a slight miss-alignment of the paper on the back side of the paste-up. Look closely, you will see it running all the way down to the bottom. There is a "line" showing where the top paper of the paste-up is attached to the bottom paper. You can see the horizontal line of the paste up running across and in line with the bottom of the frame line.

With any stamp if you buy it, you own it and 1 day you will have to sell it. The more they cost, the more carefull you should be. It should be good if its got a cert. but are you gonna be happy if you won it is the question.

Clark....I see no evidence of a paste up tab on the 4c Washington.

Kevin, the stamp was described as having a "paste-up tab at bottom" by Siegel. Even without that description, you can see the edge of the tab jutting out a bit at left. You can also see the horizontal line just below the lower printed frame line, showing where the two stamps meet (the trimmed top stamp with the tab containing the bottom perfs.)

I should also mention that the stamp looks OK to me. Flat plate paste-up items are exceptions for a "Srail test" type analysis. You need to look at other things in order to expertize those.

Not too many crooks bother faking paste-up coil items (demand is very low even for the real McCoys.) In fact, back in the day seeing a paste-up on a flat plate coil was almost a "guarantee" it was genuine! I don't think that's the case anymore, but probably still a good rule of thumb ("innocent until proven guilty.")

BTW, my favorite "crazy paste-up" item is this one:
http://www.siegelauctions.com/2001/836/1912.jpg

I guarantee that the left stamp wouldn't pass a Srail test (LOL), but it too is a genuine Scott 355 coil.

Many, if not most unused fake coils were created by adding perforations to imperforate coils (not possible for 354, 355, 356 and 389). Because single line watermark 1 and 2 cent imperforate coils were fairly common, fakes made from them are abundant. Some horizontal coil fakes were made from later coils from "A" plates, never used to make perf 12 coils. While the coil edges may pass, the perforations may not. In cases where no imperforate coils or imperforate stamps existed, it is fairly easy to detect fakes because the edges, rarely if ever, will be sufficiently parallel or cut correctly. Exceptions exist at perf 12 paste ups and some perf 8 1/2 coils made before an 11th stripper knife was added.

Understanding the Bureau coil production process, as it was reported is helpful in being able to determine what to look for first. Still, there were individuals out there with too much time on their hands. Also, until Kiusalas, no one seemed to understand that perforations were not metric. Some metric perf 12 fakes from Clairborne and others are still floating around in the stamp marketplace.

Clark

cfrphoto, do you have references or sources for where you got your coil production process info? I've only been using free resources thus far, but haven't been able to find anything with the detail you are mentioning. Thanks!

In addition to the Max G. Johl books on 20th Century US stamps, check the on-line archive of the "United States Specialist" on the United States Stamp Society web site. For maximum benefit and to support the site, join the USSS. Dues are $25 and include a subscription to the US Specialist, access to back issues on-line and discounts on many important books. I don't know of any "free" web resource that will describe the production of early 20th century stamps in a coherent way.

Clark

Crfphoto, thanks! I just joined USSS, so I will start looking.