Which Christmas Seal Is This Wx12 Or Wx12A?

I don't understand the description "open curl filled in red or green"?

Fascinating. I am not an expert but you got me interested. It looks like there is a lot of confusion among the ebay listings, and even among presumed experts.

This is my understanding of the two types, II and IIa, with curl filled in green or red:



Seems pretty clear the first image has the bottom curl filled in green and the second image has the curl "open" and filled in red.

However the second photo is from PF Certificate 596993 that was submitted as WX12a (in a block) but PF decided that it was not WX12a but "rather all examples are WX12".

Furthermore, the top photo is from the web site of Christmas Seal dealer William J Kozersky where he has photos of what looks like (to me) both type II and IIa listed as type II WX12.



I am confused. Hopefully an expert here or someone with Greene's catalog can chime in and straighten this out.

Based on this, yours looks like WX12a, unless I have interpreted the types backwards. Too bad it is not tied.

ZebraMan

I agree with your determination. I think part of confusion might lie in the addition of Type IIa to Scott's listing.

I own a 1975 copy of Green's TB Catalogue and I think part of the confusion is that this version of Green's only shows Types I, II, III and IV. There is no type IIa listed in my version of Green's. Possibly a later version would align more with the current Scott's. By the way earlier versions of Scott specialized that I checked (1963, and 1991) also show only Types I, II, III and IV.

In my version of Green's:
Type I is listed as : Poinsettas in side panels and green circles around crosses at either side.
Type II is listed as : As Type I but poinsettas have been cut away leaving green circles around crosses.
Type III is listed as : As Type II but green circles have also been cut away leaving no green design in side panels.
Type IV is listed as : Similiar to Type II but slightly smaller with green dotted lines between seals instead of roulette. (Under listing of 13-4 it notes a very good copy of Type II but slightly smaller with green dotted lines between seals. Red and Green 35 x 21 1/4 on heavy manila ungummed imperf.)
Types I, II, and III printed by American Bank Note Company. Type IV printer unknown.
I checked essays, proofs and specimens listed. Only E8a is perf 12 with description : sames as issued seal of Type II but no shading on ends of ribbons.
So although no help in defining Type IIa vs Type II just a little background on why there might be some confusion on the issue. It would be interesting to note what year Scott added Type IIa.

3193zd, yours is a Scott Number 12A, a type11a design with the ribbon loop filled-in in red.

Additionally the rules for seals was they were to be applied to the back of the mail item. Not always followed, especially on postcards. Thus, yours appears to be a correct on cover use. That said:

Handle this item with care AND sent it in for a certificate, APEX or PF, It will come back as good or no opinion. I don't see it coming back as bad from the illustration you posted. If it comes back as no opinion, that will not be a bad thing. Be aware this item 12A (type IIa) lists on cover as $1500.00. It is only exceeded by the WX14 (type IV) which stands at $2000 for on cover. The most expensive stamp is the WX 11 (type 1) which was not used on cover and if found thus, it is an add-on fake. Only one press sheet, not sold to the public, was believed made which explains the $1400.00 price for the mint version single.

FYI, I chase the versions of this design as a nice combination with the Parcel Post Stamps on cover. Which is why I can add there is a version which was printed locally for use (I believe, I am not going to look it up now) in Chicago. It besides, minor design differences, has a union printed label in the bottom white space between the design and the perforations. it is not Scott listed.

This design would make a striking single frame exhibit with all the varieties, essays and proofs. However, it would be extremely challenging and expensive to assemble.

Edited: For one letter here and there.

Thanks Parcel post guy! Yes an interesting cover and stamp. I live in the Chicago area so I will keep my eyes open for the that variety.

Here is the local issue:

This trades at about $75- $100 which is a cheap way to get the poinsettia image.


And for fun, two precanceled examples of Scoot listed versions of which there are more towns but I have no idea how many:

226301652958, a WX 13 Sheet of 100, closed today on ebay for $339.32 with free S&H. I was not the buyer. I tried a little bit, not much, to buy it as I already have a sheet.

Here is a jpeg and two webp images: