Opinions On A Scott #147

Do you fine folks think this is printed or possibly a transfer from another stamp?

I am not a specialist in these, but it appears to be offset from the stacking of the newly printed sheets.

That's what I was thinking at first but I'm not sure now. It's obviously only a portion but if it was transfer I wouldn't think it would be one nice and straight portion of it. But then again, if it was printed, I believe there would also be more of it.

It must be set-off because it is in reverse.
If it were printed, then it would be "correct".

It is a reverse side "setoff." Note that the image on the stamp reverse has the bottom half of the numeral "3" at left facing in the wrong direction. That is the tipoff for a "setoff" (sometimes called an "offset" which multiplies confusion).


Added: John beat me to it.

So then the same for this?

That is correct. However, having such a complete reverse image makes for a desirable item in its own right.


Added comment: these stamps were printed about 1870-73, and they were stacked in full sheets right off the press, on their way to being perforated. The ink was still wet to a greater or lesser extent, and setoff transfers were not at all uncommon. What we see today is the remnant that has survived the decision making of generations of collectors. Most wanted clean stamps.

Yes. This was called "offset" for over 100 years, and over the last few years some collectors have decided to call it "setoff" instead. I guess they didn't want to confuse it with offset printing.

I'd account for the small portion of set-off with straight edges by assuming that the straight edge of an object like a ruler was accidentally pressed on the stack of damp sheets.

There are also some green blotches around the lower left of the white oval on the front. Is this plate corrosion or smearing of wet ink? If it's a smear, is it connected with the set-off on the back or not?

pjr wrote:




Presumably you are referring to the reverse of the 3c green being shown.

The bottom straight edge of the setoff design was simply the bottom end of the design. The top straight edge could have been created in more than one way, but I suspect that the most probable cause here was due to the outside edge of the sheet laid upon the sheet whose printing we are seeing as the offset. In other words, there was a sheet on angle between the source of the reverse side print and the paper that received it.

essayk: Your explanation is simpler than mine and therefore better.

Stamp education at its best! Appreciate the shared knowledge! Thank you!