Postage stamp error

Postage stamp error

A postage stamp error is any of several types of failure in the stamp printing process that results in stamps not having the intended appearance. Errors include use of the wrong colors, wrong denominations, missing parts of the design, misplaced or inverted design elements, etc. The term "error" is typically reserved for obvious failures in the production process that (potentially) replicate over many stamps; unique errors or poor quality known as "freaks" or "oddities" (see errors, freaks, and oddities). Printing plate flaws, such as cracks, wear, or even constant flaws, and plate repairs, such as re-entries, are also not considered errors.

Genuine errors are uncommon or even rare; postal administrations have several layers of quality control and inspection, and most printing problems are addressed before the stamps ever reach the public. A particular error may only exist in a few dozen copies, and some well-known errors, such as the Treskilling Yellow, are unique (so far as we know). They are prized by collectors, with some fetching prices thousands of times higher than the normal stamp of their type.

Errors are known at every stage of production, starting from design, to engraving, to replication of the die, to printing itself, and to perforation. (In theory gumming errors are possible, in practice used stamps have no gum, so any error would become undetectable).

The following is a list of the major types of errors.

* Design error: The picture may be of the wrong subject, maps may show wrong borders, the inscription may be factually wrong, text may be misspelled, etc.

* Value error or substituted subject: A die composed of multiple elements has the wrong elements mixed together, as for instance a low-value denomination being used on a design intended only for high values.

* Omission error: Part of the stamp's design is missing.

* Invert error: Part of the stamp is printed upside-down.

* Color error: Stamp is printed in the wrong color(s).

* Paper error: Stamp is printed on the wrong type of paper which, e.g., may have a different watermark or color than intended.

* Imperforate error: Perforations are missing on one or several sides.

References

* L. N. Williams, "Fundamentals of Philately", chapter 7

External links

* [http://www.edbmb.net/stamps/index.html Errors on stamps]
* [http://www.linns.com/howto/refresher/errorsandfreaks_20010813/refreshercourse.asp?uID= Rick Miller, Errors versus errors, freaks and oddities]
* [http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/exhibits/2f1a_inverts.html Inverts] National Postal Museum
* [http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/exhibits/2f1_rarities.html The Rarities Vault] National Postal Museum


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Postage stamp design — is the activity of graphic design as applied to postage stamps. Many thousands of designs have been created since a profile bust of Queen Victoria was adopted for the Penny Black in 1840; some considered very successful, othersless so.A stamp… …   Wikipedia

  • Postage stamp design error — This Philippine stamp of 1932 is captioned Pagsanjan Falls, but actually depicts Vernal Fall; compare the photo below …   Wikipedia

  • Postage stamp — A postage stamp is an adhesive paper evidence of pre paying a fee for postal services. Usually a small paper rectangle or square that is attached to an envelope, the postage stamp signifies that the person sending the letter or package may have… …   Wikipedia

  • Postage stamp reprint — A reprint of a postage stamp occurs when the stamp issuing authority makes additional printings of a stamp after its normal period of usage. A reprint may or may not be valid as postage.While it is common for a postal service to add print runs as …   Wikipedia

  • Postage stamp separation — For postage stamps, separation is the means by which individual stamps are made easily detachable from each other. Methods of separation include: # perforation cutting rows and columns of small holes # rouletting small horizontal and vertical… …   Wikipedia

  • postage stamp — WikiB The appearance of a black border all around the picture, usually in error, when 4:3 material is converted to 16:9 and then back to 4:3 before broadcast …   Audio and video glossary

  • Error (disambiguation) — Error may refer to: *Error, a mistake. *Error coram nobis, a type of writ. *Postage stamp error *Error coin *Error, a character from cience*Approximation error, error in scientific measurements *Standard error (statistics) *Errors and residuals… …   Wikipedia

  • Stamp collecting — is the collecting of postage stamps and related objects, such as covers (envelopes or packages with stamps on them). It is one of the world s most popular hobbies, with estimates of the number of collectors ranging up to 20 million in the United… …   Wikipedia

  • Postage stamps and postal history of Mexico — One and two reales stamps, 1856, with Morelia overprints and Pátzcuaro cancellation Mexico s postal system has its roots in the Aztec system of messengers which the Spanish adopted after the Conquest. During the 18th century, Spain established a… …   Wikipedia

  • Postage stamps and postal history of Baden — The postage stamps and postal history of Baden refers to the postal history and postage stamps of the German state of Baden from 1851 to 1871.Pre stamps periodThe dukes of Thurn und Taxis had great influence on Baden s postal development. From… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”