Stamp Community Family of Web Sites
Thousands of stamps, consistently graded, competitively priced and hundreds of in-depth blog posts to read








Stamp Community Forum
 
Username:
Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

This page may contain links that result in small commissions to keep this free site up and running.

Welcome Guest! Registering and/or logging in will remove the anchor (bottom) ads. It's Free!

Gum Question On Wash/Frank Rotary Press Coils

 
To participate in the forum you must log in or register.
Author Replies: 5 / Views: 229Next Topic  
Valued Member

United States
69 Posts
Posted 10/27/2026   3:24 pm  Show Profile Bookmark this topic Add photo61guy to your friends list Get a Link to this Message
What is the white line thru the gum called and what causes this on these issues? You do not see it on flat plate coils. It is nothing like the gum breakers of the 4th Bureau printings. Please advise. Thx, Joel


Send note to Staff

Bedrock Of The Community
United States
10893 Posts
Posted 10/27/2026   3:28 pm  Show Profile Bookmark this reply Add revcollector to your friends list  Get a Link to this Reply
It's just a bit of a gum skip, possibly from the space on the roller where it was originally attached. Not particularly unusual.
Send note to Staff  Go to Top of Page
Valued Member
United States
69 Posts
Posted Today  3 Hrs 5 Min ago  Show Profile Bookmark this reply Add photo61guy to your friends list  Get a Link to this Reply
I don't see this gum skip on any of my flat plate coils from this era.
Is this unique to rotary press?
Send note to Staff  Go to Top of Page
Pillar Of The Community
United States
640 Posts
Posted Today  1 Hr 36 Min ago  Show Profile Bookmark this reply Add ioagoa to your friends list  Get a Link to this Reply
Hi photo61guy --

YES -- the gum skip you are seeing is characteristic of Washington / Franklin rotary press coils.

This is discussed in Martin Armstrong's book titled United States Coil Issues 1906 – 1938. Here is an excerpt from page 66 of his second edition:

Regards // ioagoa


Quote:
...The Rotary Press issues were also gummed in a different manner. The old (i.e., flat plate) methods required each sheet to be gummed individually. The rotary press stamps were printed on continuous rolls of paper and fed continuously through a perforator. To cut the rolls into separate panes for gumming would further delay production. Therefore, it became necessary to apply the gum by some continuous means. It was applied through a roller. At first it was flat but later grooves were added to insure that the gum would be spread evenly. These grooves are also known as "gum skips". Rotary press coils in mint condition must show this natural groove in the gum as illustrated above. It will vary at times but will still be present. Vertical coils will show this gum skip about 50% of the time since the grooves were spaced wider than the width of a vertical coil...


Send note to Staff  Go to Top of Page
Bedrock Of The Community
12817 Posts
Posted Today  1 Hr 23 Min ago  Show Profile Bookmark this reply Add rogdcam to your friends list  Get a Link to this Reply

Quote:
Rotary press coils in mint condition must show this natural groove in the gum as illustrated above.


Great information! Worth noting that many people still callout these "skips" as defects when describing a stamp when in fact their presence is natural and a positive indicator of correct ID and original gum.

Edumication is an awesome thing. Thank you.
Send note to Staff  Go to Top of Page
Bedrock Of The Community
United States
10893 Posts
Posted Today  1 Hr 2 Min ago  Show Profile Bookmark this reply Add revcollector to your friends list  Get a Link to this Reply
It is classified as a "gum skip", since the gum was not applied. But it usually does not detract from the stamp unless it is a major gum skip, which only happens occasionally. The bigger problem with rotary coils is that the watermarks are often weak, and sometimes take 5 or even 10 minutes (or occasionally longer) in fluid in order to see them. And since the values can vary greatly, one has to take that time.
Send note to Staff  Go to Top of Page
Edited by revcollector - Today 1 Hr 1 Min ago
  Replies: 5 / Views: 229Next Topic  
 
To participate in the forum you must log in or register.

Go to Top of Page

Disclaimer: While a tremendous amount of effort goes into ensuring the accuracy of the information contained in this site, Stamp Community assumes no liability for errors. Copyright 2005 - 2026 Stamp Community Family - All rights reserved worldwide. Use of any images or content on this website without prior written permission of Stamp Community or the original lender is strictly prohibited.
Privacy Policy / Terms of Use    Advertise Here
Stamp Community Forum © 2007 - 2026 Stamp Community Forums
It took 0.11 seconds to lick this stamp. Powered By: Snitz Forums 2000 Version 3.4.05