I found a fairly damaged example of an SG98 with a 'Bistre' overprint. To my knowledge some collectors seem to confuse the SG98 with the SG86 Bistre overprint. I would like to get some thoughts as to whether this might be an added Bistre overprint by a collector, or if this kind of marking might be known to anyone as original?
I am wondering whether some clown was trying to type PIASTRE on it. That, still, would be a fantasy item. It looks like there is more typing lower on the stamp, behind the top loop of the "6" of the cancellation and to its right.
I think the stamp paper has thinned so much that the background shows through. They do look like large white corner letters, making it SG 98 and not 86, if it has the "Emblems" watermark. So, "bistre" is unlikely.
The printing of the "Bistre" and the "9d" are of the same character as the frame lines, and are fairly well-centered in the frame. We are definitely looking through the stamp at the page.
You are both correct, I checked on some other stamps with a light and there's the same background text so this one has just thinned significant enough. They have also placed the stamp in the wrong position of course xD mystery solved!
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Posted 05/28/2026 1:18 pm
