1951 3 Cent United Confederate Veterans Die?

Hello All...... I don't know much (if anything) about stamps or collecting, but I have run across something interesting that I thought you experts might could help me with. A customer brought this in......... claiming he thought it was from the 1850's (WRONG) and wanted to know if I could help him figure out what it is. In my internet research I figured out it has the reverse image of a 1951 United Confederate Veterans Commemorative 3 cent stamp. My guess is that it is some type of die? In my looking I can't find anybody anywhere that has any stamp dies. Any information anyone might could tell me would be greatly appreciated. Looking for opinions of what ya'll think it is and an idea of a value? Thanks in advance.... Ryan

Hello citypawn.....

Welcome to the club.

Without seeing the item I doubt anyone would give an opinion.

sorry....... the pic didn't attach the first time. It's up now. Thanks!

I don't have an answer to your question, but while we're waiting...



From 2007 Scott Specialized

KirkS

citypawn.....


I've seen similar items.......how big is it ?

Aprox. 2" X 3"........... I don't have it in hand, so I can't give an exact, but that's close.

One of our U.S. experts will know..i am not that familiar with the various printing methods..but those stamps were printed in large sheets...would one die work ????

hi folks......

At 2 x 3 it's not for printing stamps........I'm pretty sure it was used as/for advertizing purposes.

I have ended up with this item........ Anyone have any comments? Anybody specialize in these type of things? Thanks!

The actual 1951 stamp is just under 1 inch wide. This is almost 2 1/2 inches. And the plate is thick. Possibly a lead plate for a catalogue/magazine/book image?
Pretty neat though.

Looks to me like a very common photo litho plate for
printing, possibly part of a stamp orientated advert
or magazine.
I have seen them on occaisions adhered to a block of wood
and for glamour or fashion adverts.
Possibly only worth a few cents.

My opinion only.

I doubt very much that it would be lead

Not for printing, anyhows.

Remember the first plate of the Penny Black
was pressed into service so quickly, the printers did
not have the time to harden the plate,
and the plate soon showed signs of wear,
and that was steel!

You may consider, a similar block may have been
employed in printing this stamp.

Ok, probably not. Metal used for cast type was made of a combination of lead, tin, antimony and sometimes copper, but we just called it lead.
But you're right, in this case probably steel.

May have been used to advertise the last encampment which also was one of the purposes for issuing the stamp - jeff

As the others here have mentioned, this die is not for printing an actual US postage stamp.

While I haven't been able to confirm this by searching Google, I believe that dies used by the US bureau of engraving and printing are either destroyed or sent to museums. Dies made for the BOE are government property and not for sale to the public.

In the case of this stamp, it is a very common commemorative, and I would be shocked to even see one of these dies on display ... even by the government.

I would treat this item as a reproduction made for collectors and I would bet you could find a market for it in the philatelic world.

Personally, I'd be willing to pay $20 for something like this. It would be a great cachet on mail I send out!

Brian

Brian