#1098 Whooping Crane Variation

I am comparing 2 #1098 stamps to remove the duplicate. One stamp has one of the whooping crane chicks with a blue line on top of head, the other does not. Pictures on the internet show some with and some without the blue line. It is always the right side chick.

Which should be kept or is it just a matter of different issues, if so is there a different designation? Does it matter? Whooping crane chicks do not have dark feathers on top of head so I would think it would be more degree of

Without version:
https://www.mysticstamp.com/Product...s/1098/USA/#

with version:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Scott-1098...AOSwCmNZ1FWJ

These are the same stamp. There are differences in inking because of the type of multicolor printing press used, where colors will overlap and run together. Note also that one set of chicks on one stamp have yellow orange bodies overall and the other has blue-tinged legs. There are other differences.

This is common thing for modern US engraved stamps in more than one color.

You have sent me down memory lane here. One of my earliest philatelic memories is of having a discussion with my father and older brother about the various difference in this issue; green chicks, blue chicks, etc.

Thank you for the explanation. I did notice the area below the chicks as being inconsistent too but it was not distinct lines. Some of the stamps that I have viewed have different alphabetical notations that indicated different dies or printings and wanted to make sure I did not label incorrectly. I will put this to good use in other stamps. I will relay to owner to decide if he likes his crane with a yamaka or not. I think I am obsessing on preserving the better of duplicated stamps too much. Thank you immensely.

In case the links above disappear or for those without a catalog handy, here is the stamp under discussion:



I took a look at about 50 used copies I had to survey their inking accuracy.

As noted above, blue low to tinge the head and back of the right chick:


Yellow ink high partially coloring the bottom of the arc at the base of the adult's leg:


Green high to make lower portion of the chicks mostly green:


Yellow very low to make much of the grass yellow:


Interesting? Yes.
Collectible? yes.
Catalog noteworthy? No.

Thanks John,

This will be a good reference for multicolored stamps to come.