Double Impressions Of SC #529 And 530

Several questions for the experts here:

1. Is there such a thing as a triple impression, and is this one. It is easiest to see looking at the left number '3'.



2. How does one go about grading one of these? Due to the double impression it may not be centered. Also, is the extent of the clarity of the double impression critical? Take this one for example:

hello,

if it's about an offset stamp, this link may help you:
https://goscf.com/t/50415

There are triple impressions, they are listed in the catalog. This one appears to only be a double. There are only two sets of framelines.

Thanks rev. This one makes my eyes go crazy. Still think both numeral 3's are tripled - the rest is so confused it's difficult to see.

This is not a true double/triple impression. This is referred to as a "Kiss Print" See the link Stamperix posted. Not necessarily unusual on off-set printings

This is what the listed offset double impressions look like. As long as both impressions are complete it will be called a double impression. It might have been caused by the explanation in the other thread or it might not. I just showed a used example to a well known expert yesterday and it was called a double impression. Mint examples are not particularly scarce, but used examples are.

I gave the explanation in the referenced thread. Please keep in mind that offset presses of the period fed paper through set of rollers, nothing like a flatbed press where each sheet of paper is manually laid on the press before a roller forces dampened paper against the plate to pick up ink from the plate. It is unlikely that casual contact with the plate would create much of an impression. It is much more likely that if the paper is not flat on the plate that it could shift resulting in a second impression as the roller flattens the paper. Creating a paper fold is more likely.

Now, back to the offset press. A double impression would require feeding a printed sheet through the press a second time. The second impression would not be lighter. More likely is the explanation I offered before:




While in high school, I had a part-time job that included operating a similar offset press to print the local newspaper. I am familiar with the types of errors seen on offset stamps and how they were produced. I would mention over inking as a contributing factor, but printers try to avoid it because the paper could adhere to the blanket and end up in contact with the ink fountain at the top of the press.

It would be helpful to pay some attention to the technology of printing in the period to understand what is possible or likely and what is not.

The problem is that stamps such as this one have been called double impressions all this time. Based on this explanation, a true double impression would be very rare indeed, but these are not at all scarce mint, hence the low cat value. Unless Scott is going to add "kiss print" as a variety and explain how to tell the difference, it seems unlikely to change. Either way they are very scarce used, since collectors apparently saved any they found.

caper: just took a "normal" 530 from Siegel images and made a double impression in Photoshop out of it (copied once andoverlayed). Looks very similar to yours, the three is wider than one may think and this is why it appears as a triple impression.



but about the term definition of this area in the US, this is something I also never understood. "double printin" vs. "double impression" vs. "kiss print" is something that is not really defined consistently by Scott and some organizations.

examples:

USSS says:
"Double Impression
a stamp on which the design, or a portion of the design, is doubled. This occurs when a sheet slips against an offset blanket, or when the press is stopped, relaxing the tension on the web. Double impressions are freaks. A double impression is not the same as a double printing or double transfer."

Siegel says:
"Most double impressions occur when the first impression is made and found to be inadequate."

(all those are sold as double impressions: https://siegelauctions.com/lot_grd....wwin=p3ry4c)

Scott says:
"double impression
- a second impression of a stamp over the original impression. This is not to be confused with a double transfer."

So it would be interesting to know if there is a correct definition of double impression and double printing and kiss print, and if one of those is perhaps only relevant for offset printing. But even if there is a correct definition the organization will continue using their own wording...