Margins On Prt Perf And Imperf On Revenues

Can anyone tell me what would be the minimum measurement on a R-15 to be certain that it is a Part perf or imperf and not a regular with the perfs cut off to make it look like a r-15 a or b and secondly with no values in Scott can anyone estimate values of R-15a or b? Thanks

Unless it is from an error sheet, there is no reason for an R15a or R15b to exist. The stamp was not issued until October of 1864, long after any officially sanctioned imperf or part perf stamps. The perforations on first issues vary so much that even a single with large margins cannot be proved as genuine, even with a sheet margin (sheet margins were often not perforated on first issues).

The facts about the origin of R15 noted by Bart show us that these varieties are improbable unless an error occurred later. However, the imperfs could be manufactured (forged?) from a cut square of the imprinted revenue (RN-I2), the exact same design of R15 that was imprinted on checks and receipts. From such a cut square, perfs could be added to produce a part perf. An examination of the relevant papers would be a valuable part of any attempt at the authentication of such an imperf or part perf.

Ron Lesher

While that is certainly correct, a person would have to be ignorant indeed to cut one of those items up, they are far more valuable then either an R15a or R15b and would be easily proven.

The poster also asks about valuation, so the only copy of R15a I remember was in the 1991 Joyce sale lot 1344, it sold for $ 320.00 plus 10%. So say 350.00 in 1991 Dollars. Further review has determined this stamp when sent to the PF was determined to be R15TC with the cancel removed/lightened.You do not see this one to often, so I would bet its cut down.

To further the discussion - so you need to know when a revenue stamp was issued. But what about stamps that were issued at the time that imperfs and part perfs were released? Is there any way to be certain whether a single stamp (not from a pair or block) is in fact a genuine imperf or part perf? Can the Certification companies reach a definitive conclusion or is it always going to be at best a knowledgeable opinion?

Scott lists but does not price both R15a and R15b. Supposedly this means there has been at least one certed example reported to Amos Press.

The PF has certfied at least one R15b:

http://pfsearch.org/pfsearch/pf_grd...lledfrom=lkp

Note, however, that it is an early cert and that the pair is the wrong orientation to prove part perf. More likely a misperfed margin pair that was trimmed.


Speaking of the 1991 Joyce example, I have something similar, an R15P4 card proof that was seemingly used, although the cancel could have been added after the fact... although why you would, I have no idea. Bonus is that it is the T15 double transfer. Interesting oddity, if nothing else.

Bart,

Why would someone create a cut square out of an example of RN-I2? I've asked myself the same question. While I do not know the answer, I have owned for many, many years such a cut square! Perhaps the way to answer the original question is with another question. Why would anyone create a cut square out of a 90¢ postal stationery item? I think the answer to both questions is the same.

There was a lot that just closed on ebay in the last few days that had a R15b. It was interesting but I just assumed it was a trimmed c. Took a little time to find it, but here's the lot:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Revenue-Mix...p=true&rt=nc

It's not an alleged R15a or b, but what's the opinion regarding this supposed R3b? I'm assuming it's a fake, but is there something (shade, dates of Ruth & Fleming cancels, etc.) that makes this obvious?

Ruth & Fleming was a Baltimore oyster canner. The tax on canned goods was initiated in late 1866 and the tax on canned oysters was only in effect about 5 months. Once again, this is too late for the "authorized" part perfs. This offering on ebay has been listed now at least three times without being sold! Strike one.

Remainder sheets of the Ruth & Fleming were broken up into six blocks of 35. Nary a hint of part perfs in any of those blocks. Strike 2.

The individual who is offering this item has been offering a lot of philatelic forgeries of the $1 silver tax. The overprint is slight tilted; the T on the second line is not aligned properly with the letters on the first line; and the underlying stamp is the wrong color (dark green as opposed to yellow green, which was the available stamp when the stamps were overprinted in 1934). When I wrote to the invidivual, he never responded, so I filed three complaints regarding these stamps with ebay. No response from ebay and the individual in question has now barred me from responding or purchasing any of his material.

Buyer beware!

The seller 'gnmexstmps' has been widely reported on Stamp Smarter for various listings, mostly for misidentified stamps. When Bill Weiss was alive and would communicate with him, he would promptly update or remove the listings. However, none of the rest of us have had the same success. He has also blocked communication with some of the Stamp Smarter members.
Don
APS #094826

Thank you for the info on the "R3b" and on the seller.

It appears that nobody noticed the double transfers in "U.S." top and bottom and "TWO". When I purchased the huge R15 Plate 2B plate study from the George Turner auction, there were at least 10 R15 singles that had adequate margins to be called part perforated horizontally. There were several other stamps that could have been trimmed to look like a horizontal part perforations; but I cannot recall any vertical stamps that could be trimmed. The top margins on the top row and bottom margins on the bottom row with large margins could easily have been modified to look like a part perforated stamp. With so may of the R15 printed you would think the person perforating the sheets could have let one sheet slip through or rushed and only perforated in only one direction. They stated no plate number existed of the R15 existed but I had a bottom right corner strip with a lone plate number in the collection. As you all have found out by now strange thing have happened in the business of stamp collecting. Since I now only collect nice Match Stamps, it would seem impossible, with over 283 million issued, that the only multiple of the STAR MATCH Co., that I have seen is a horizontal pair that is for sale for $500.00

JoNo: Star Matchs were apparently never sold in packages large enough to require multiple stamps, or none have survived if they did so.
I am aware of if memory serves me correctly of being told of two? sets of pairs and either a set or single block of four (paper unknown) of the Star Match stamp.
I am aware of several singles with the left or right selvage attached and of a watermarked paper block of ten (2x5) without gum but with a vertical Bureau guideline in a private collection.
At least five types of double transfers exist on these and I would not be surprised here of more. Shades range from full black to a washed out gray and all manor of steps in between. Copies exist from sharply printed to badly worn.
Eric Jackson or Richard Friedberg would know more about what is currently out there or what they have seen.

I have owned three different horizontal pairs of the Star Match on watermarked paper, one of which was imperforate horizontally.