So What Would You Do With A Possible Strip Of 3 J59 On Cover?

So this cover either has a strip of 3, J52 or J59. Perf. 10. Is there a chance these are J59? I took a picture of the stamps with stamps laying face down on a back lit table. then adjusted the contrast and brightness to see a water mark. Any other ideas? this cover is either worth under $50 or over $1500.

looks like your cover is missing a stamp.

Hey good eye! I missed that. thanks!

I'd keep the cover as is but I'm an avid postal history collector.

What if the stamp fell off in transit resulting in the postage due charge? Just a thought.

A valid point to examine. The 1913 Postal Laws and Regulations, which would have been in effect in 1918 cover missing stamps in paragraph 2:





So clearly another stamp was on the envelope when it went through the canceling machine. Likely a 1 cent stamp, this being the 3 cent war rate period, 1917-1919.

However, I think in this case, the letter was double weight (note the irregularity to the wavy lines to the right of the stamp likely caused by a bulky letter), paid 3 and still due 3, and the absent stamp lost after delivery. Had the stamp been missing (torn off by the machine, for example), there should have been a notation by a nixie clerk of "postage ok, 1 rate" or something to that effect as part of the postage due rating process. The absence of such markings is why I conclude the stamp was a 1 cent stamp lost after delivery.

Thanks John! I was trying to figure out what the stamp was and why the postage due. Anyone still think this would be worth sending to get expertised? The color of these postage dues match the PF data base colors for J59. I know color shades are very difficult to match due to color settings on monitors. But I also have 279Bc color plates to help identify shades with. I couldn't see any watermarks so far and you would think something would be identifiable on a strip of 3.

3193zd

It looks like the last stamp has a "P" watermark to me.

Here's another cover for the Hotel Gayoso. While it doesn't have anything to do with your question, I thought you might appreciate the cover.

Thanks John, I reckon you've hit the nail on the head, and I learned something about the application of Postage Due charges in the USA.

By the way Stampman2002, I think those illustrated covers are just lovely.