A Very Scarce Complete Vertical Set Of The "Medallion" Flaw

Disclaimer: I don't want this to be taken as a criticism of either the stamps in question or the price paid; it's not intended as such.

In my experience, the market and valuation for plate varieties and "flyspecking" items is VASTLY different for British Commonwealth material than what we are used to for U.S. material.

Seemingly minor (in terms of size or dramatic visual appeal) varieties are valued at amounts leaps and bounds above what similar U.S. items would be valued at.

In my area of specialization, U.S. revenue stamps, there is a direct correlation between how large or dramatic a plate error is, to its appeal and market value, even if in terms of population numbers an item is incredibly scarce. Things like the stamps here, the "man on mast" on the Canadian Bluenose, some of the Roo varieties posted on Stampboards, etc. would be relegated to the level of minor varieties or printing anomalies were they U.S. items. Maybe a slight premium above normal stamps, but not the orders of magnitude that British Commonwealth varieties appear to command for such minor visual disparity.

I'm not criticizing it; it's just a completely different philatelic ecosystem, presumably because flyspecking and hunting for plate varieties has a much longer history and more widespread acceptance than with collectors of U.S. material.

revenuecollector

Understood. In my opinion flyspecking is interesting to those who find time to look for minor imperfections. I've been collecting rare stamps since 1976, and I can assure everyone I do not flyspeck or will buy a flyspeck variety.

The medallion flaw is a major variety and both the scarlets are scarce, these stamps are recognised in the ACSC (Australian Commonwealth Specialists' Catalogue).

It seems that the US glossary of philately is quite the opposite to the Australian glossary of philately. I do not collect revenue stamps (at the moment), if a variety can be seen by the naked eye and is catalogued in the ACSC then it is good enough for me to purchase the stamp at the cost it carries.

With the Canadian Bluenose showing the man on the mast, if it is in perfect condition and MUH I would consider buying it and considering the price is right.

And with American stamps in Australia, they may be incredibly scarce in the USA but will scarcely rate a mention in Australia unless it is worth 6 to 7 figures.

As I expected. However the broke red circle is also listed in the Scott US Specialized Catalog. That alone drive much of the $3.95 with free shipping price. A normal example trades at face or less in bulk MNH.

Sounds like there is more demand for flyspecks in the British and thus Australasian areas.




Now that is a premium for a plate variety (flaw). You don't ever see that in a USA plate variety flaw. Even the 5 cent stamp entered on the 2 cent plates does not command that level of price premium for a single 5 cent stamp printed in the incorrect color.

As to your other comment about your large block with three varieties, I understand such interest in a block, BUT we were discussing a single flaw, not multiple flaws. Me, I have been looking for four decades and a year for a sheet of stamps which shows a progressive transfer roll flaw, be it any of the four pane positions of the press sheet (US Scott QE-4, Special Handling, Plate #17103, any but especially LL and LR. Heck even finding a multiple of the stamps with flaw is near impossible except for the plate blocks of six. Likely the stamps were split appear to sell them at the small premium addition for the flaw. Even today MNH (MUH) examples with the flaw are $100 and under.

Would a double blob be worth twice as much?

rogdcam

I have no idea, I'll have to wait and see if one ever turns up.

Very nice set of constant positional varieties.

I think one of the reasons that Australian varieties can add so much value is the quality of the research material available. From an SG listing (the 'medallion' flaw is in my 'Commonwealth and British Empire' catalogue to the old 'Stamps of the Commonwealth of Australia' and the more modern 'Australian Commonwealth Specialists' Catalogues on to the Kangaroo and KGV monographs by value, detailed information is readily available.

This makes for easier identification and collecting and stimulates demand.

I presume the medallion flaw was short-lived.

As an comparison, I thought the US Colombian series would make a nice specialist study but I could not find reference material easily.

The lack of easily accessed documentation is likely a function of low interest in such in the USA. The 2 cent Columbian alone has hundreds of plate flaws and varieties known to specialists (each confirmed with normally three examples). Yet the last award winning exhibit on the 2 cent was last shown in the very early 1970s. That was purchased intact by the current subject specialist who does not choose to publish his work.

How do I know? He is a member of one of my stamp clubs.