Questions About Russia

Please read the catalog numbers. The pictures are for #78a and #80a. The inverted ones are 117 and 118

Peter

I assume what is confusing you is that underneath the picture of your stamp, it has the small letter 'a'. What I assume this is referencing is the *type* of surcharge. The left stamp shows an example of surcharge style a and the right stamp is showing surcharge style or type b (I would need to see the whole catalog page to recall for sure - but something to this effect). It is not referencing the catalog number designation of 117a.

The catalog number of your stamp is simply 117. With the correct upright surcharge. If you had stamp 117 with surcharge type a, and the surcharge was visibly upside-down (counterfeits aside), it would be 117a. If there was a distinct doubling of the surcharge, it is 117b.

Here is 117a and 118a courtesy of Cherrystone Auctions:

Nice explanation, stamps101.

Information about varnish stamps from Michel's catalog. Maybe German connoisseurs will translate the text.



I found a 1917 stamp that has this varnish overprint. It is harder to see on used stamps.

I figured that the surcharge wasn't inverted
That's why I said it looks normal to me
Usually in my old book A and B are examples
Of the A or B verity not the style that's covered
By the listing number

Still lookIng for the lozenges
The visual is helpful but sadly still don't see it
Gonna get in some fluid and see if it helps

Ok so to have a better understanding
I Watermark checked a bunch
And think I know what to look for Lozenges
Correct me if I'm wrong (Happens often)

Or is that watermark #171

Your photos are showing the lozenges of varnish. But remember, the link that I sent you also said:

I just wanted to make sure I truly knew what I was looking for

This stamp is on vertically laid paper and has the thunderbolts over the post horns. The groundwork is clearly omitted, unless I am completely blind. Scott Classic 2019 catalog lists this stamp as #57a, but with no value, just dashes which is defined as not having enough information to provide a value. However, Scott 2012 Worldwide catalog lists this as $175.00. So, what's up with this stamp?



It's a shame there are signs of toning and some bad perfs.

Nice find!
According to feht,
this is printing error 4, background missing and quotes around the same price

Thanks. Good to know I'm not blind and it actually has some value. I'm going to mount on its own page.

And just 20 minutes ago, I noticed this one:



I had to tilt my head a bit. The eagle in the center is clearly tilted. No mention of this in Scott. Is this common?

Ya that's Normal, 1/3 the size of the oval center shift is mentioned

I see no mention of the 3 Kon with missing background in Zagorsky. If anywhere has a detailed listing it would be Lyapin.