Unknown Line On A 3d Wilding

Hi,
Im not sure what line this is on the back of a wilding 3d (purple), the line seems to be blue, I thought graphite lines were only black? its only in the middle of the stamp also, ill upload a picture within 10minutes,
Turbo

In theory it could be a "mis-placed" graphite line as, after the graphite experiment ended, some surplus graphite lined paper was used to print some 3d stamps. Not being part of a cylinder block or being able to identify the cylinder used makes identification impossible... and , anyway that is just one possible explanation. The colour of the line indicates it is NOT graphite... all graphite lines are black and vertical. Your line is slightly skewed. The possibility arises that the stamp picked up some ink from what it was attached to. Test it by floating it on some water...float not submerge. If the line dissipates or goes...it is not graphite for sure.

Hi Scotzm,
Thankyou again for the invaluable knowledge given, in time I want to be an expert in the wildings field, I have never seen one of these before hence the reason for the post, Soon I shall be a master at this, (one day....until then please feel free to help me all the way)ill float it later on when the family are settled in (they are staying due to the Easter long weekend)ill post my findings probably tomorrow Thankyou again,
Turbo

Hi Scotzm,
I have managed to float the stamp and the line is still as it was erlier, I tried to 'help the line disappear by rubbing it gently' but the line is still 100% as it was erlier before the soaking took place, I just thought to update you and ill be back to reply to this topic later on tonight or tomorrow, Take Care,
Turbo

Your photo is very clear ...but... always try to use a black or white background (white printer paper or black card for instance) as this is very useful in assessing some details, colours etc. A coloured or patterned background tends to shine through. Your stamp line does seem to have some characteristics of being printed, though.

Hi Scotzm,
I only have a few minutes on the computer now, thankyou for the information given, in future I will try my best to always put it on white or black background so people can see it more clearly, so do I class this stamp as 1 of my 'Finds'? Take Care
Turbo

I cannot think of or find any philatelic explanation for the line.
I'd certainly keep it for further research but I doubt it can be a graphite line misplacement.
1. it is not black as far as I can see from your photo.
2. I think the line is too narrow. Have a look online or in catalogs to see actual graphite lined stamps. My view is that real graphite lines occupy a space equal to a perforation width and your stamp line is around 25% less.
Only reasonable explanation is that it was transferred to the stamp from what was underneath. Remember the line has been on the stamp probably since the late 1950's and perhaps the type of ink makes it now a permanent fixture.

I only have a few "graphite line" issues in my collection. They do appear thicker and darker than the OP example:



Edit. These are the 2d, 1 1/2d, and 1d respectively.

The third stamp of Partime shows the "misplaced graphite lines" variety. If it had been a 3d stamp the S.G. catalog value would be around £350 but as it is a 1d stamp the value is around what a normal is. The variety comes from the use of left-over graphite lined paper.

I've not seen one, but could it be a phosphorescent line? Scott 358p

I'd guess it's simply a transfer of a blue line from the envelope the stamp had been attached to. If so, it's probably from a registration blue cross, either printed or hand drawn on the envelope.

Hi all,
Finally I can get back on here as the majority of the family are in bed now, thankyou all for the input and for uploading the graphite line pictures, so should I keep it and put it in my 'finds' tin? please bear in mind that my 'finds' tin has only 2 stamps in there at the moment and the 2 stamps must feel alone, I have never seen phosphorus line stand out like this in normal light conditions, Happy Easter all,
Turbo

I'm sure we can eliminate graphite line and phosphor band in regards your stamp, Turbo. So it is not very special, I'm sorry to say. It has picked up the blue line from what was printed underneath... as mentioned already it could be from a registered envelope.
Only thing left is to identify the watermark as some varieties only exist with certain watermarks. Partime's 1d stamp, for instance, is a misplaced graphite line variety of a S.G.588 printed in 1961 and only exist on Crown watermarked surplus graphite-lined paper. Your new S.G. Concise will have a mention

I'm sorry to be disapointing; but my first thought when I saw your stamps was "a transfer from the blue line of a registered mail envelope". Ussually, the easiest ideas are the most likely...

Hi Scotzm,
thanks for the input my friend, Ill watermark test it with Ronsonol later on, (always remember to do watermark testing with Ronsonol in a HIGHLY ventilated place) about 1 week ago I watermark tested over 2000 stamps in 1 go without ventilation measures in place, after I finished I couldn't remember what I was doing it for....I took a nap and had to redo them all, also I have left my new concise book at a family members house, I will get it tomorrow I will post a reply as to what watermark it has, Take care,
Turbo

Scotzm,
I have just done the watermark check and I believe it is the multiple crowns watermark,hope this information is of some use to you
Turbo