Scott #173 Library With "Bent" Spire (Retouch)?

I was testing my scanner on this somewhat common stamp and noticed it had a "bent" spire. I have seen the "broken" and "missing" spire variety, but this is a new one for me.

It looks to me like a retouch on the spire (note the line is thicker, not just bent). What do others think?

Could you please post a scan of a normal one?

Peter

Thanks rod222, saved me the trouble.

When I look closely, the spire looks like an afterthought,
Perhaps the original picture, from which the engraving was made,
lacked the spire? or was faint.
The line on the normal stamp does not appear to be aligned true.

Having said that, this is "extreme" fly specking.

Good eye 3Dadeo !

You would think that every variety would have been found on stamps issued so long ago.

There is always something new to know about on this forum.

I think that you have a normal spire that looks like it is slightly bent due to the small white spot at the base of the spire. Here is a closeup of one of mine (two others were similar).

What I know about this stamp is that more than one position had wear on the spire. In other words, there is more than one position with the "broken spire" variety. (the "white spot" therefore would be where the spire ended before the retouch).

I have also read that as the plate wore over time that there were intermediate stages of this spire wear.

I wouldn't call it "extreme" flyspecking because there are other stamps with (hard to spot) retouches listed (eg. the "weeping princess" stamp is listed both with the "tear" and the "retouched tear")

So my question is, was this a retouch of a weakened/broken spire position? If so, then another example needs to be found.

I think it is thicker than normal and definitely more "bent". Still, the more opinions the better.

3Dadeo..If this was a retouch, then common sense dictates there are more out there..You can only wait till some one comes up with another..Hope some one posts another.

Good eye.

Robert

I agree wert. That was the main reason I posted this.
Hopefully, another will be found.