Great Grandfather's US Stamp Collection

what is the brown weirdness at the top left?

It appears to be staining of some sort.

I'd say the whole top left corner was torn off and reattached with an underlying piece of paper that turned brown over time (acidic paper/glue?)

Here's the rear for further anaysis

I completed another first for me, which was participating with one of the big auction houses (Kelleher Auction 808 in this case). It was an interesting experience, I bidded by telephone for a used Scott 243 $3 Columbian that I won. I looked at the 244 and 245 but the ones available in auction quickly exceeded my remaining budget so I had to pass. I was happy enough to walk away with the one stamp, and there is no huge rush to complete this set. I got the shipment this morning.

Great stamp Oiman. Very well centered, good color, and a terrific light cancel that allows the entire design to be seen. Very nice, congratulations.

You caught the bug, bad!

I'm returning to the hobby after a hiatus, and seeing new members fall in love with the hobby is refreshing.

My granddaughter turns 8 next month, and I'll be putting a starter collection together for her birthday. It's my hope my progeny will take an interest in stamp collecting, and take over my collection with the same fervor you have shown after I am gone.

Congrats on purchasing such a beautiful collection! I look forward to seeing more in the future!

Brian

very attractive $3

Thanks all!

The lot was described as minor faults, which is probably in reference to a split perf on the right margin, and a possible small thin on the bottom margin below the print, which for all purposes doesn't detract from the stamp appearance and is only visible in specific lighting from the rear. I am quite happy with the purchase for the hammer price (325).

I've recently also started going through a shoebox's worth of Washington Franklins to learn more about identifying them via perfs, watermark, etc. This is the most stamps I've purchased so far as an accumulation, but there's some neat cancels I've seen so far. I've started with some of the higher denominations first, and through the sorting so far there is one guy I'll keep my eye on the far left example of a #510. It is a slim possibility (and I haven't seen a real example in person), but if the hue is deep enough and it's not oxidized it might be treading on brown yellow territory.

I was on vacation and took a mini break from stamps, but I'm getting back to it since returning last week from abroad. During today's RIPEX I got a few items and did some chatting with people.

There was a Scott #447 coil stamp in my collection, but I suspect it was trimmed. I got this used example with a cert from Miller Stamps.


I also wanted a bluish paper reference, so I got this Scott #358 (also from Miller).


Finally, I got a nice example of a Penny Black from another dealer at the show with four margins. I don't currently collect GB seriously, but that could always change!

I managed to find a nice 4 margin penny black with my initials

Wow! When I discovered this post, several months ago, I found it really wonderful. We don't often see people inheriting beautiful collection AND the new owner wanting to learn about it as much as possible, don't want to sell it, and wanting to buy more to complete the collection and getting an EVEN better one.

This is pure fun to look at the stamps you own and to see you completely passionate by stamps and learning so quickly. I'll definitely be looking at each new post that'll be posted here, and follow your beautiful adventure with your stamps discoveries. This is a really precious thread for the forum.

Oiman, I'm not an expert on perfs, but on your 447, the perfs on the upper right don't look like the perfs on the left side of the stamp. Especially the 4th perf from the top on the right.

Did you get a cert on the stamp? The flat plate coils are notoriously frauds, and again I'm not an expert on fraudulent perfs, but I thought I'd shout out on this one.

Thanks, Ray

On Washington-Franklin coils (other than rotary prints) having the perfs on the right side align evenly (as with a level) with the perfs on the left side, as your 447does, that is a red flag for me. I am always skeptical of their authenticity. Usually flat plate coils do not line up evenly side to side. Its not impossible for that to happen I suppose, but I think its not normally seen on authentic coils. As ray.mac said, I'm no expert either, but I've been dealing with W/Fs for a while but I still have plenty to learn.