US Scott 3137 And 3138 - Bugs Bunny Perforations

What's up doc?

Can someone tell me the difference between US Scott 3137 and 3138?

Thanks!

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Thanks Moonbird.

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Updated topic title.

what country?????

USA

According to Scott US Specialized, #3137 is for the pane where the "die cutting does NOT extend through the backing paper"; #3138 states the the "die cutting extends through the backing paper".

A further notation in the listing states: "Used examples of #3138a are IDENTICAL to those of #3137a" (the "a" suffix defining the used single rather than the entire pane of 10.)

Thanks, wt1, for clarifying that. So all used copies are 3137a.

As far as I know, you are correct, as the Scott Catalog only lists a "used" value for 3137a.

I think we're all saying the same thing; if so, forgive me for restating the obvious.

Both stamps in question are a pane of 10 with die-cut perfs thru the left 9 stamps. It's the single stamp on right side that is in question. On the 3138, the one at right is imperforate. It was an error and commands a significant premium over the 3137.



KirkS

Looks like the same thing happend with Sylvester and Tweety (US Scott 3204(a) and 3205).

To answer your question Kirk, it is not that the stamp is imperforate, but that for Sc#3138 the die-cutting that cuts the paper the stamps are printed on, the cutting goes all the way through the stamp and the backing paper, whereas in 3137, the die-cutting only goes through the stamp and does not go through the backing paper.

Taken from an 2002 Scott Specialized...(the notes may help explain this better than I can):

The real error is for Bugs Bunny imperforate. They were less printed with the diecut error compared to all the other stamps in the series. All the other Looney Toon issues had the diecut version and an imperforate version for the single pane issued officially by the USPS, if memory serves me correct. I've always wanted that modern error sheet, but the cost exceeds my budget. Much like the Legends of the West error sheet that was auctioned off my the USPS via lottery.

If Elmer Fudd collected stamps, he might say," Shhhh! Be vewwy vewwy quiet! We're hunting wabbit perfs!"

Apologies to those who haven't seen a Bugs Bunny cartoon.

Dan

Too funny Dan.

Since I collect only singles, I'll just put all of the 1997 pane-contained stamps on one page. No panes, no problem.

Incidentally, mint singles (still on the backing paper) from the two panes are not entirely identical due to differences in the backing paper. On 3138a, there is a hemispherical horizontal die-cut/slit (not sure die-cut is the correct term in this case) on the back side to assist in removing the backing paper from a stamp. Not so for 3137a. In addition, the die-cuts on 3138b (pane of 9) go all the way thru the backing paper as well as extend to the edges of the pane. Again, not so for 3137b.

I also collect only singles. However, stamps on these souvenir sheets get into use for sending stuff and are thus available on ebay and from many dealers. What I do is put that sheet into my album and a blank sheet after it, containing the singles.