U1 With Inking Flaws

I have a new cover with a U1 embossed indicium with flaws on Washington's face. Where the white embossed area is there are spots where the pinkish area shows thru. Have you ever seen anything like this on early stamps? The Watermark is 1 as well, die type U1.


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That's a U9, not a U1.

Thanks paper history someone at the APS Quick ID sent this to me and it cost $5.00 to have it identified, I am going to ask for my money back!

After careful review of pictures of both u1 and u9 I must at this time retract my previous reply to Paper History because I can not say that it is u9! So I will get it graded/expertized to determine exactly what I have and repost the determination.

I agree with paperhistory. U9, not worth expertising.

Here is a U1 for comparison. The easiest places to look are at either side of the labels at top and bottom with "three" and "cents". U1 and U2 have virtually no space beyond the text; U9 and U10 have a bit more.

If you are dealing with entire, U1 and U2 frequently (but not always)have a red Nesbitt circular logo on the backflap. Those don't occur on U9 and U10 so that is a good diagnostic when present.

Sign me up for a U9 vote.

Also, to the OP's question. With embossed stamped envelopes there are several ways for the occurrence of those color splotches on ole George's bust. The inking mechanism is not perfect and an excess of ink applied to the die can result in some ink getting into the shallow parts of the die. Once ink gets into the shallow places, it can dry (possibly mixed with paper dust), building up to the point where it can take ink from the inking mechanism. And, as the die wears down, it creates more of these shallow places.

This site will help with the identification of stamped envelopes.

http://dubinweb.com/envelopes.html