1994 Bill Pickett Error - Scott 2870

At some point, I'm going to need to get my hands on the Bill Pickett error sheet the USPS put up for sale years ago.

I have a complete set of Looney Tunes imperfs I am planning to use to help fund this venture.

I've seen the Bill Pickett error at some relatively decent prices on ebay, anywhere from $100-$175. They have a 2012 Scott catalog value of $240.

Are there any known forgeries of these sheets that I need to be aware of? Is there anything I should be concerned about besides people trying to pass of 2869 as 2870?

None that I've ever heard of - just be aware of the image that should be on the error sheet. That's about it.


Kurt

Any ebay auctions that have a no return policy, I avoid.

Andy,

My Father was one of the lucky collectors who won a "recalled" sheet in the USPS lottery. The item was sent to him via registered mail and was enclosed in a protective covering. My only advice would be to ensure that the sheet you acquire is in its original, unsealed packaging.

Steve

Nice.

I know I'm bringing up an old thread, but with an updated news article that raises a question.

Here's a December 2014 news article on a stamp club and stamp collecting in general:

http://www.newspressnow.com/life/ar...b55f94e.html

Although there are a few errors in the reporting, this quote had me intrigued:




While no stamp collector in their right mind would use a Recalled Bill Pickett stamp as postage, is it actually true that the stamp is demonetized (i.e. no longer valid for postage, even if one wanted to use it that way)?

I never heard that story before. Although I suppose as a practical matter if one were stupid enough to actually use the recalled stamp for postage today, it would probably be accepted, as no one at the post office would give it much notice.

I'm just curious if the story is accurate or not.

The article says 183 sheets were sold over counter. I doubt they all went to collectors. I'm sure some of them were used on postage at some point.

Well, I question that statement, since Special Delivery stamps cannot be used today for any postage use. I did search the USPS website for confirmation of that story, but could not find any, which of course, means nothing.

regards, Theron

Except for the Bill Pickett stamp itself, how would the USPS know when an individual stamp from the "recalled" sheets was used as postage? Seems like an unenforceable prohibition.

And even if the Pickett stamp were used on cover, what are the odds of it being noticed? Wouldn't that be something, a postally used cover with the erroneous Pickett on it? I would venture that such would be worth more than the entire sheet in unused condition, as it would be much rarer. If I had one of these sheets, and money to throw away, I might even try to see if I could get one through the system. But I have neither, so I just spend my time on the Internet engaged in wild speculations.

Basil

I don't necessarily think it would have to be in a sealed package or be accompanied by a postal letter. My only advice would be to make sure if you do purchase on ebay to make sure it's from a reputable Seller who has an unconditional return policy and a fair offering price. I have several of these sheets, none of which are in a sealed package as most often the sheets have already been removed to place into one's album. As long as you can clearly see it's the actual error sheet as I've seen some offered in which the picture is clearly not the error sheet. Best of luck acquiring it for your collection.

Using an error stamp as postage now would be frowned upon and stupid too. However, a used example paying a proper first class rate in period of the issue being current would be very valuable. Returned to sender in period for non denominated stamp by usps even more valuable. Covers tend to be much less valued when they are not {properly} used.

When buying a sheet, also pay careful attention to the centering of the Pickett error stamp itself. Most often, as in the scan provided, the stamp is Fine to FVF only. However, with patience you can find it XF. The other stamps in the sheet can be off center, but with the error stamp being key, be sure it is XF. Very few people, dealers included, realize this so you can get an XF at a good price with patience. In the future the XF sheets will hold value better. Original papers, envelope, packaging, etc are all pluses... But I have only ever seen one example offered with all the documentation and intact as it arrived in the mail from usps.

Good luck!

For it to be valuable - or at least more valuable than an intact sheet - the use would have to be in period - i.e. within a short time after initial release. A cover with a 2014 postmark on it probably wouldn't be all that valuable to postal history collectors.

My thoughts exactly.




That's true too...and it may be the reason the question will never be answered. You certainly can't depend on the USPS to give the answer: they are almost guaranteed to give two different answers when asked two different times!

There was one purchaser who actually applied (I think sheet, but maybe individual stamps) on cover and received a First Day Cancel of the 'error' stamp. It is possible that a non-collector who made a purchase (of the 183 original error sheets) might have used the stamp prior to the announcement and there is a used (hopefully on cover)stamp out there for kiloware collectors to find.

I understand the "in period" proviso. I just didn't express it very well.

You're right, though, that if an authentic in-period commercial cover surfaced with that stamp on it, that the cover would undoubtedly fetch a good price!