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Pillar Of The Community
United States
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Bedrock Of The Community
United States
10629 Posts |
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At this point it is all but totally ruined; the design is hardly visible any more. I think they are being VERY optimistic in their appraisal of the value. Whoever buys it is buying the story rather than the stamp per se, since it is certainly not the only unique stamp around. |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
527 Posts |
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It never was a particularly "handsome" stamp, but I do wonder if there has actually been any additional damage to it since it was last shown to the world. I'd also suggest that, in the case of almost all the truly unique stamps, half of the purchase price is the story. |
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Pillar Of The Community
United Kingdom
1187 Posts |
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Bedrock Of The Community
United States
10629 Posts |
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There has been a lot of additional damage. The link above contains a scan. |
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Valued Member
United States
440 Posts |
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Rest in Peace
Canada
5701 Posts |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
3218 Posts |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
5460 Posts |
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I was thrilled to see this stamp with my father, also a collector, in Chicago in 1986 at Ameripex. A guard sat across and slightly off to the side. We were able to take our time and examine the stamp closely. It was in much better condition. The ship stood out. The highlight of my philatelic life. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
1225 Posts |
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I wonder how many collectors would just pass it by today if they were to find one in the same condition in a bulk lot? I suspect that I would because the stamp looks like crap. But then again consider civet coffee.
Art |
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A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. (The exact & entire wording of the 2nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution) |
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Pillar Of The Community
3859 Posts |
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When a stamp is unique and the only one existing, condition becomes a secondary consideration as there are no other copies around. There are other unique stamps around, but this one tends to be the most famous. |
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| Edited by jogil - 02/15/2014 08:42 am |
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Pillar Of The Community
United Kingdom
1187 Posts |
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It used to look like this  Black ink is generally the most light fast and enduring of all the pigments. So I wonder what has actually happened to the stamp to bring it to its present poor state. Terry |
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Pillar Of The Community
United Kingdom
1187 Posts |
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Another look at the pen cancel on both scans makes me wonder if an attempt to clean the stamp went wrong.
Terry |
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Moderator
United States
12330 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
238 Posts |
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Quote:
So I wonder what has actually happened to the stamp to bring it to its present poor state.
It appears that it has been exposed to light for a period of time. That is surprising as I thought that du Pont had it locked away in a vault. Another possibility is that du Pont tried to have it cleaned, resulting in some damage. I thought for years that it was an 8 sided stamp...turns out that the wife of the owner at that time (I think it was her anyway) trimmed away the damaged corners. |
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Pillar Of The Community
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Replies: 24 / Views: 4,796 |
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Posted 02/14/2014 06:36 am
