Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
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You are correct, when stamps were stacked the ink transferred to the other stamp and is called 'setoff'. This is common and can range from a few specks of ink to an entire, reversed image.
A reversed imaged can also occur if the paper is very thin and the front side image can be seen on the back. The easy way to test this is to hold up stamp to strong light and see if the designs align
I Photshopped the image above to demonstrate the orientation differences between setoff and how a 'printed on back' stamp might look. True 'printed on back' errors are rare and often command substantial premiums.
Don
Note; some folks use the term offset instead of setoff. Setoff is the term that most printers and trades people use. Additionally offset is also a type of printing (i.e. flat plate, rotary, offset) so I recommend the term setoff. Others may disagree.
I would add that setoff is most often seen on flat plate stamps since they are stacked as they came off the press (often with ink still damp). Offset printings, like your stamp, were not stacked this way and setoff is not usually (ever?) seen. I would check to see if this is the front design coming through to the back.
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51 Studebaker:
I was sure it was not the printed on back, but unsure just how to interpret it. Holding the stamp up to light looking at back shows it is precisely aligned, so I think your interpretation of ink seeping through is correct. I have just never seen this phenomenon quite so strong in a stamp, that is why my first take was, it is from contact with other stamps during production to produce the reverse image.
This looks like a valuable sight for discussing stuff like this, I will check in regularly.
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02:02:40pm
I have a Scott #529 with image of stamp on back, but reversed. I have always assumed this is an impression picked up from contact with other stamp sheets during production, and NOT the printed on back variety, all pictures of which I have found online are NOT reversed. Can anyone comment on this? I am uploading an image of the back of the stamp. (P.S. I just found this site while searching online, and the discussion forum seemed active, so I signed up.) Obviously there would be tiny bit of difference in value between a regular stamp and the printed on back.
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re: US Scott #529 Question, Image on Back of Stamp
You are correct, when stamps were stacked the ink transferred to the other stamp and is called 'setoff'. This is common and can range from a few specks of ink to an entire, reversed image.
A reversed imaged can also occur if the paper is very thin and the front side image can be seen on the back. The easy way to test this is to hold up stamp to strong light and see if the designs align
I Photshopped the image above to demonstrate the orientation differences between setoff and how a 'printed on back' stamp might look. True 'printed on back' errors are rare and often command substantial premiums.
Don
Note; some folks use the term offset instead of setoff. Setoff is the term that most printers and trades people use. Additionally offset is also a type of printing (i.e. flat plate, rotary, offset) so I recommend the term setoff. Others may disagree.
I would add that setoff is most often seen on flat plate stamps since they are stacked as they came off the press (often with ink still damp). Offset printings, like your stamp, were not stacked this way and setoff is not usually (ever?) seen. I would check to see if this is the front design coming through to the back.
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02:52:40pm
re: US Scott #529 Question, Image on Back of Stamp
51 Studebaker:
I was sure it was not the printed on back, but unsure just how to interpret it. Holding the stamp up to light looking at back shows it is precisely aligned, so I think your interpretation of ink seeping through is correct. I have just never seen this phenomenon quite so strong in a stamp, that is why my first take was, it is from contact with other stamps during production to produce the reverse image.
This looks like a valuable sight for discussing stuff like this, I will check in regularly.
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