Precancel

Does the precancel on this stamp make it more or less desirable. I have several US stamps from the same era with a lot of different precancels. Most are very bold. (The "gunk" is on the page, but not the stamp.)

Thanks!




*** Moved by Staff to a more appropriate forum. ***
*** A Better Title Wouldn't Hurt Either ***

Hi Paul5043! I think it all depends on what one collects. To a precancel collector it would be more valuable with the overprint on it. But to a regular collector it is more valuable to have an un-overprinted stamp.

Peter

Many precancels of the W/F era are very valuable and upgrade the value. Not this one. There is a new reference book from the Precancel Stamp Society that prices them all: http://www.precancels.com/publications/

Chasa,

I just want to comment that the PSS publication descriptions are somewhat confusing. The descriptions of the content are not sufficient for someone starting out to determine what to purchase. Hence, I walk away each time I go to that page. Maybe the fault is mine.

What does one buy to have a complete catalog of US precanceled stamps? Is it sufficient to buy the Town & Type Catalog and the Bureau catalog or does one also have to purchase the Classic Precancel Catalogs? Do any of these also include the Silent Precancels, the Double Line Electros, and City Type Coils or do I need to purchase these also? What is the overlap of these catalogs if any?

[I actually have the Town & Type and Bureau catalogs, so maybe I should just read some of the introductory material there.]

Thanks for the info, guys. Much appreciated.

HFS: It is impossible to acquire a complete catalog of US precancels [there are an estimated 2 million different denominations]. However, it is possible to describe what is out there catalog-wise. To answer some of your specific questions:
The PSS Town & Type will list each recognized PSS type for each town. It will give one catalog price for each type which means that it will not tell you what denominations come on each type or relative scarcity of different denominations. It does give a basic minimum value for bureau issues. Silent precancels are not included. It lists over 40,000 different types from over 20,000 different towns. It comes with an optional database that can be used for searching, checklisting, and album making.
The PSS Bureau catalog will list all 9,000+ different bureau printed denominations with pricing for each denomination. It also has an associated database.
The Silent precancel catalog only lists precancels that have no town name on them [mostly 19th century]. It lists what denominations are known but it has prices for each type for on and off cover [not denomination pricing]. No database.
The PSS DLE catalog lists all known denominations for the standard Double Line Electroplate styles [PSS 241-249] - over 13,000. It prices each denomination and has a database.
The PSS Classics catalog comes in three parts and lists known denominations and prices each - Part 1 is pre-1908, Part 2A is 1908-1922 states Alabama to Montana alphabetically, Part 2B Nebraska to Wyoming. It has a database.
There are other overlapping catalogs, examples Apple Greens [Scott 513 only], and state catalogs like my Alabama and Montana which list all denominations known but not individually priced.
Summarizing, if you have the Bureau and T&T catalogs, you have a good start and they are complete. If you plan to specialize in popular areas there may be good supplemental data in other catalogs.

paul.. make sure you check the perfs with 1917-19 flat plates with precancels..rare finds.... perforated 11 could find sometimes perf 10 on top OR bottom of stamp with precancels instead of both 11..(ones that have lines in back)..1 cent green,3k violet type2 ,6 c red orange,8 c olive blister,9c salamon red,11 cent lt green,12c claret brown,15 cent gray,20 cent light ultra,30 cent orange red,50 cent violet.
Also check with 1922-25 perf 11's with top or bottom being perf. 10 ..with 2c carmine,,4 cent yellow brown, 5 cent dark blue,10 cent orange, 25 cent- 10 perf on one side)..

Also suggest to look at usphila.com that shows photos of these stamps sold in auctionsin past. I hope you find one looking threw your precancels! Best Wishes..

Pre cancels that I mentioned can be very valuable. Please make sure you check the information given before including the following to check when assessing your precancel stamps..
The 423a.Wmk. 190..12x10 perforations.1 cent green.. There are 20 cancels Quincy ill, very scarce, or Chicago..sometimes inverted.
423c..5 cent blue..Tampa Florida,(2)and Rahway, NJ (1)..or the 1914 Wmk. 190 10x12,423d 1 cent green..there are 32 examples of precancels..Dayton Oh29 stamps, Buffalo NY (2) and Elkhart IN(1)..haveto be sound stamps..

And of course, the well known famous "KANSAS CITY. MO".. bold..not small letters..the 596 perf.11 1 cent green..

If you find any of these in your advenutures..please get them checked by specialist..

Scott cat. them in the thousand dollar range or way above..people really should look at precancels with their preforations..can be very positive outcome.

Chasa, thanks for the info on the catalogs.