The "Easy Way" US Stamp Identifier

So, I bought this interesting gadget from an auction house in Argentina.


But that's not the interesting part. When mailed in Argentina, it found it's way to Paraguay and then into the hands of US Customs officials. Who opened and inspected the contents. Or as the back of the cover shows, there was a tear. Maybe the US Custom folks inspected for damage....maybe? Interesting none the less.

Anything you order from outside the US goes through Homeland Security. Complements of 9-11


Peter

Never had them inspect anything before. Let alone open the package. Could it just be a random inspection?

May well be, mine are constantly checked into Australia from North America, perhaps 1 in 5?
Interest may have come from a scan, or an alert from man's best friend.
But mostly random.

Interesting Gadget.

I posted the same gauge in this thread http://goscf.com/t/73141#649482
Don

Hi Don. Went to the link you provided, but your graphic didn't load. Might be me, but all other pictures in the thread loaded.

Fixed (link was pointing to the original http address, stupid https does not like having 'mixed' http and https addresses on the same page...grrr).
Don

Thanks Don. I can see your gadget now....! Boy, that didn't sound good!

Interesting post and story, Moyock13!

For me it was nostalgic, too! I owned that red stamp identifier gadget as a child when I first started collecting stamps.

Hi new here I'm John or graphic I was wondering if that is a sort of wonder all device that's good for all stamps or just reds I'm curious none the least?

Welcome aboard GoZoom.

At the time of copyright (1936) this tool covered Washington/Franklin and portrait type regular issue stamps from 1908-1932. Printing on the stamp identifier explains it's purpose and intended usage.

I personally have not used this tool to identify stamps. I've recently found interest in collecting stamp gadgets and perf gauges.

I nearly spilt my coffee over that one !
It's good to start the day with a hearty laugh !

That is a very cool philatelic gadget which I have never seen before and I'd be interested in seeing it in action. I could not help but notice it cost ~1000 Argentine pesos (USD $12.50) just to ship -- and I see one on eBay for around that price including shipping (although not in as good condition as this one)

Perhaps that is why it caught US Customs attention

Incidentally, I have also received mail torn apart and searched by US Customs, including really innocuous shipments like small assortments of stamps from Canada

Well that really sounds handy in a time like today in a life like mine too many presidents and too little knowledge of.

Thanks for the info I'm going to search one for sale and see if I can obtain one myself here shortly it's needed in this double inherited collection I'm going through . If anyone's interested I'm posting more presedents and unopened and opened letters and encelopes today and moving into the mint condition parts of my collections of world wide everything, more than welcomed to attend.

I know not too much of this hobby and love to hear your opinions or helping thoughts.