1861 3 Cent Curiosity

I ran across this curious stamp while going through my US collection the other day. The design is that of the 1861 3 cent stamp (Scott 64, 65). It is imperforate, the color is too faded or washed out to tell what it originally was and it appears to be postally used.

My first thought is that it might be a trial color proof or plate proof, perhaps a 65TC or 65P variety or even a 66TC6 imperf variety.

Any thoughts?

I have read of Albino stamps where the ink has run out but I do not know if that is one or not.
If it is it is highly collectible.

That is George Washington looking to viewers left.

I do not believe it is anything special other than a lot of environmental damage.

Peter

On both the front and reverse views, I see what appear to perforations running along the top.

Is this a "thinned all over" stamp mounted on paper?

My opinion is that it is a margin copy of a 1861 3 cent 'imperf' stamp which has seen a very, very hard life. I would be suspect of the possible mold on this stmap and keep it well away from my other alboms and stamps.
Don

The perfs visible on the back appear to be something stuck on there as they run across near the top at an angle and then down far in from the edge. The "perfs" visible on the front run at a different angle and in a different location.

Don, is there an 1861 3 cent imperf stamp that was regularly issued? It definitely has seen a hard life!

That is good advice Don about keeping it away from other stamps. I certainly would not want any other stamps "catching" what this one has!

Sorry, I was being snarky. Margin examples in this era can be huge, giving plenty of room for a 'imperf'. I think the left hand side is a natural edge.
Don

the "perf" marks are possibly the outline remains of selvage used as a hinge at sometime in its hard life.

Any thoughts about the vertical line of ink coming down from the upper left corner? Is that something that would typically be found at certain positions along the left sheet margin?

I really feel sorry for this poor stamp...

The line at the top left of your stamp indicates that it was position one of the right pane of 100 of a sheet of 200. The printers used that line as an indication as to where the two panes were to cut apart. On some issues it shows as an arrow and on others just a line. There is usually one at the bottom of the sheet as well.

This is an interesting stamp with an unusual color as well, and the impression is sharper than you would expect from such a damaged stamp. I would keep it.

I would definitely consider giving it a bath in distilled water, though. That may remove some of the dirt and material staining the stamp. I would not use any soap or other additives though.