Chile 1911 Shifted Center

This 1911 Chile issue of Manuel Bulnes shows a definite shift in the center. Scott only lists normal and inverted center, no mention of shifts. Is there any information out there about a shifted center? Thanks in advance for all info.



Tony Vella

interesting looking stamp. don't know anything about a shift but really like the early Chilean stamps particularly the bicolor 1910 Independence Centenary issue.

Join the club, my friend!

Scott does not list shifted centers/colors unless it is completely shifted off the stamp, thereby producing a color-missing error. Otherwise, it is only considered a printing freak.

In your Chilean stamp, the normal "centered" portrait is almost sitting at the base of the oval. Slightly misregistered stamps decrease the value, but then the value goes back up with increasing misregistration. Your shift, while noticeable and collectible as EFO because it crosses the oval, will only have a minor premium. My estimate of typical retail to an active EFO buyer would be 50c-$2.

Sometimes small misregistrations can command a higher premium when a "funny image" is produced (e.g., 2-tailed cat) or when innovatively-promoted (e.g., fast/slow plane).