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All Forums Category: US Stamps and Covers Discussions Forum: US Classic Stamps - As Issued and Used

Official Stamps: Hard Or Soft Paper

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Author

Replies: 7 / Views: 2,513

ddreisba

Valued Member

United States

333 Posts

Posted 10/06/2017 4:15 pm

Are these O100 & O108? I'm clueless at telling hard from soft paper. It just feels like paper to me. I bought them from dealers who advertised them as the latter, American, edition. But the dealer I got the Post Office 3¢ from, East Coast and very big ebay seller whom I've bought from before, does occasionally make errors.

Here's the back.

Thanks for any help.

Don

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wtcrowe

Rest in Peace

United States

652 Posts

Posted 10/06/2017 6:10 pm

Looking at the reverse there is a strong possibility that the 3¢ PO is a Scott O 49 and the 10¢ Interior may well be on soft porous paper (Scott O100), but defective. Not a slam dunk on either. Why not try back lighting both at the same time? If they are soft porous paper they should show a distinctive mesh and if they are the first paper, they should not.

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Eric99

Valued Member

United States

64 Posts

Posted 10/06/2017 7:13 pm

I'm happy that I'm not the only one that finds distinguishing between hard and soft paper almost impossible.

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revcollector

Bedrock Of The Community

United States

10669 Posts

Posted 10/06/2017 7:26 pm

Once you actually see the difference it's not that tough most of the time.

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littleriverphil

Pillar Of The Community

United States

3211 Posts

Posted 10/07/2017 10:43 am

Quote:

I'm happy that I'm not the only one that finds distinguishing between hard and soft paper almost impossible.

Quote:
Once you actually see the difference it's not that tough most of the time.

You just need to see more of them. There is some nice material on ebay, be careful who you buy from. And Know the stamp you're buying! See my post in this thread from yesterday.

https://www.stampcommunity.org/topi...56661#496392

The following photo shows the paper mesh (backlit) of the three papers that officials were printed on. The stamps are O3 hard paper, 03 Intermediate paper and )95 soft paper. Ribbed paper appears hard.

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Edited by littleriverphil - 10/07/2017 11:04 am

ddreisba

Valued Member

United States

333 Posts

Posted 10/09/2017 11:21 am

I did try actually touching stamps I knew were hard paper. Both of the above stamps felt different. I doubt I'll ever be able to decide on just one stamp, but there may be hope for me if I compare with a known example.

Thanks for the advice.

Don

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littleriverphil

Pillar Of The Community

United States

3211 Posts

Posted 10/09/2017 3:59 pm

The paper mesh should show easily just holding them up to bight light. Also look closely at the perf tips, soft paper is more fiberous. Hard paper stamps O19 and O49 are easy to find.

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51studebaker

Moderator

United States

12330 Posts

Posted 10/09/2017 4:03 pm

http://www.stampsmarter.com/learnin...SStamps.html

Don

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Replies: 7 / Views: 2,513

All Forums Category: US Stamps and Covers Discussions Forum: US Classic Stamps - As Issued and Used

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