Interesting Paper Color

It is not clear whether you are referring to the stamp paper or the envelope paper. Also, some information about the paper color would be helpful, if you are looking for feedback/information.

Im talking about the stamps, the paper looks darker. But im unaware of Scott 300 using any different paper.Maybe the water damage has changed the appearance of the paper the make it look darker.I posted the lower one to compare it too.Also the printing has issues ether extra ink or double printed.

First, remember, the paper you are looking at is between 109 and 118 years old on the covers. Second, a stamp's paper color should never be judged from the front side. Cardinal rule of stamps: The paper color of a stamp should only be determined from the backside (gum side) of the stamp, due to ink bleed, face exposure to light, and more.

Like people, paper is natural substance and ages over the years. It absorbs not only printing ink...it absorbs room dust/dirt, body oils from handling, liquids from a tongue when applied and paper and like skin, does not take kindly to exposure to light sources over time. The "white" in paper is not a natural color - it's created~! Stamp paper is made up of wood fiber, natural fibers (wool, cotton, etc.), minerals and chemical bonding agents with a top finish coating that will naturally gray and/or oxidize.

One final factor: paper quality standards for the early 1900-period should not be confused with today's modern paper making "whiteness" and "quality" standards which ONLY came into place in the after the Korean War in the mid to late 1950s.

The BEP (Bureau of Engraving and Printing) accepted many paper types, with different %s' of wood pulp to natural fibers (wool, cotton, etc.), finished with different clay-top brightness'; several different paper grades from more than one mill were used to print this issue. The only thing the BEP was interested in was a top face finish/brightness characteristic (grade) was met at a bottom bid price.

One final cover TIP: When looking at stamps on cover, if you notice Brown residue Perf edges and/or gum residue along the stamp where the stamps' applied -- well, that's a good sign a smoker applied the stamp!

Hal

Thank you Hal. Should I remove the stamps from the cover?

No. Once removed, the stamps become just another couple of Sc# 300 among the millions of other off cover 300s.

Off cover value of stamps is zero. On cover it's postal history.

richar babcock The answer is No. Listen to littleriverphil and stallzer -- they are absolutely correct. Off cover the Sc# 300 the used stamps shown on your covers are virtually worthless. Now, consider this…

The Treasury "Penalty" cover is an interesting usage. The government employee did not follow procedure in mailing this cover; it was used for "Private" purpose, based on the pair of the Sc# 300s. Government employees were allowed to use "Penalty Envelopes" for "Private Mailing" providing they paid for all postage and covered the indicia in the upper left corner card reading, "OFFICIAL BUSINESS - Penalty For Private Usage $300". This is a good item and something that would end-up in an exhibit of Sc#300 Postal History, Treasury Department Postal History and Penalty Envelope Postal History, etc.

So, this is why you avoid soaking stamps off covers.

Happy Holidays!
Hal

Thank you Hal Happy Holidays