Same Stamp But Different Stamp

In 1900, when the stirrings of nationalism began in Europe, it was decided that Finnish stamps should have a Russian appearance. From Facit, "In accordance to an imperial decree 4th May 1900 Russian stamps in Finnish values were allowed from 14th January 1901. These, nos. 48-66 were valid only within Finland."

The 5 penni stamps shown here were issued in accordance with the decree, but they are different stamps from different series. The first stamp, Facit #48, is interesting because it is the only value printed by typography from locally produced plates. It was printed to fill the need for stamps in distant locations, and It is referred to as the "emergency issue."

The second stamp, Facit #49, is also a temporary issue. It was printed by lithography, because suitable printing plates for the designs could not be produced in Finland.

The third stamp, Facit #56, was printed by typography from plates produced in Berlin. The stamp was not issued until December 18, 1901.

All of these stamps are comb perforated 14 1/4 x 14 3/4 on unwatermarked paper. The first two stamps show a very narrow distance between the frame lines. The "emergency issue" shows frames lines touching and details are not precise.

The $10 Tequila Mexico Exporta stamps show varieties on color shades, paper type, and image size. In this post the upper two stamps have narrow image, whereas the lower two stamps have wide image.

Mexico Exporta $2 Abalone (!979): narrow design 36.5 mm (left) and wide design 37.1 mm (right).

Mexico Exporta
80c Cattle: perforation 14 (left) and perforation 11 1/2 (right)
$100 Coffee: perforation 14 (left) and perforation 11 1/2 (right)

Estonia's 1999-2004 definitive series features values which were re-printed and re-dated over the years of use. On some of them, the colors remain the same, and on others the colors change slightly or very slightly.

In the case of the 30 senti values, shown here, the stamps were given 2 different catalog numbers by Scott. The first and second stamps are cataloged as #s 372 (dated 1999) and 372a (dated 2001) and described as light blue and dark blue. The "a" designation signifies a different perforation (13 3/4 x 14). No mention of date and color change is given for the 372a stamp.

The third stamp, #373, is described as blue and slate blue, with the 2003 issue date and perforation as 13 3/4 x 14 given. Note that the date moves upward on this stamp.

Here are the 4.40 kroon values from the Estonian set as shown above. The 2001 stamps (Sc. #s 379-80) wide printed with both narrow and wide spacing between the year date integers.

The China Second Customs Dragon Issue (1885) was printed on white paper imported from England, watermarked with a Tai-Chi emblem. There are four configurations of the Tai-Chi watermark: normal, inverted (flipped vertically), reversed (flipped horizontally), and inverted-reversed (rotated 180 degrees). This post shows three 1-candarin green stamps with different Tai-Chi watermark configurations.

Egypt issued a set of definitive stamps on June 2, 2002. The 110FT stamp (wooden bust of the wife of Sheikh el-Balad) is known to have color varieties. The stamps were printed by the Egyptian National Postal Organisation.

France 1937
Descartes
Sur la and de la

France issued a special Salon du Timbre - Paris 2014 sheet which contains 20 stamps of the Cérès 1849 design. These stamps were printed in typography (based on the original design by Jacques-Jean Barre) and in recess (engraved by Elsa Catelin).

The Madeira 2017 EUROPA Fortress of São João Baptista stamp, with conventional gum and perforation, was re-issued in 2020 as self-adhesive stamp with die-cut perforation. The two stamps have different values (0.80€ vs E20g).

Finland's 1980-92 "coat of arms" definitive series was mainly recess printed. The stamps may be differentiated as two different types depending on the shading of the numerals of value. They may also be printed on either yellow or white phosphor-coated paper.

Two values, however, were printed by both recess and offset. They are the .30 mk. and the 1.30 mk. booklet stamps. Oddly, these offset booklet stamps were included with recess-printed stamps on the same booklet panes.

The offset-printed stamps appear almost identical to the recess-printed stamps, but they reflect light and are smooth to the touch.

The Poland 1996 Zodiac Signs definitive stamps were printed on two types of paper. Under UV lighting, one paper shows blue fluorescence whereas the other shows green fluorescence.

New Zealand's black, 1 1/2d KGV typographically-printed definitives (1915) were all printed in Wellington. Some of these stamps were printed on locally-made plates (S.G. #436) and some were printed on plates made by Perkins Bacon (S.G. #437).

There are many minor differences in the lettering and frame ornamentation, but the differences in the portrait (hair and face) are more clearly visible.

The France 2010 Stamp Festival - Water issue:
Left - sheeet of 50 stamps printed in offset lithography
Right: booklet stamps printed in photogravure