Hi Guys and Gals, This Malta Scott 71 KGV has an interesting cancel. It looks to me like a quill dipped in ink. Can anyone give me any suggestion as to what it could be or any information about it?
Josh is likely correct. I've seen many 19th and early 20th century stamps with script cancellations.
It wasn't likely a quill pen that was used. According to Wikipedia, "Quills were the principal writing instrument from the 6th to the 19th century, the best of which were usually made from goose and swan feathers, and later, turkey feathers, However, quills went into decline after the invention of the metal pen, first patented in America in 1810 and then mass produced by 1860."
In my experience, used stamps with revenue cancellations have little market value.
Revenue cancels are pretty common on Malta stamps. It is true that it damages the catalogue value, but that's only a concern if you are reselling (and assuming a person didn't buy it based on the full, used catalogue value).
I can live with the less obtrusive revenue cancels, either pen or machine, and at the steep discounts that are common, I'm a buyer. It helps that I accumulate some revenue stamps, too, so they have a place in any event.
This one sort of looks like it spent some time in water and the chalky paper started to lose a bit of the ink.
I wouldn't hesitate to put that stamp in my album. The spot at the bottom right is the only concern I'd have...making sure it wasn't growing...it probably isn't an issue.
Worried about that spot????? Try soaking it for a few hours in hydrogen peroxide. Mold,fungus,discolored because of iron oxide(oxidation),blood stains,oil deposits from finger tips,coffee stain,anything in those catagories usually disapear or are deminished to a more tolerable condition.
I used this solution on a recent auction purchase,C1,,orange,that was tarnished,discolored,and it turned out quite well.It's now a much cleaner,brighter looking stamp. TOM
You have a nice scan of this stamp, so you can check it from time to time to make sure the spot isn't growing. Without the scan, you could talk yourself into or out of something.
If anyone is interested in concentrating on Malta, it is worth knowing that there is a Malta catalogue published on the island, available online for 15 euros (or so). http://www.sliemastampshop.com.mt/
I am interested in the experience of Malta in the Second World War. A woman who has been attending my wife's fitness class had two brothers who flew Spitfires out of Malta during the war; one disappeared on a mission during the war, and the other, not long ago, stepped off the balcony of his high-rise apartment on the verge of Vancouver's Stanley Park. A book has been written about their experiences -- sorry, can't remember the title.
Anyway -- my fingers aren't moving so well, perhaps a bit too much Southern Comfort! -- today I bid a goodly amount on a December, 1941 cover from Malta. That was right in the middle of the terrible bombing by the Nazis.
Personally, I find the quill pen cancels fascinating. Some of the handwriting is beautifully done. value,shmalue, they're nice looking and have put many in my collection.
(Message edited by Stampaholic on January 28, 2010)
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" I have a burning love for stamps. Lord A'mighty ,feel my temperature risin'! "
Brian, Depends on condition of stamp. A sound stamp ,full strength A stamp in questionable condition,or like the stamp in this thread,a 50/50 solution,half HP and half water. But in any case,do rinse off solution used in bowl of clean,warm water. This stops the action/reaction agent from continuing. I used full strength for the C1 stamp.It was a sound stamp,no tares or thins,just discoloration.
Hydrogen Peroxide Solution is for clenseing minor cuts,scrapes,abbasions and burns,for possible infections.Basically for external use,but in a deluted,50/50 state,it can be used as a mouth wash.A caution,do not swallow.
Tim,if you dont want to try the soaking,,the use of a Q-tip,dipped in the solution and just dabbing that spot will only affect that area.You may need several applications this way to see results,if any. TOM
Keep Postal systems alive, buy stamps and mail often 28 Jan 2010 10:58:47am
re: Maltese Revenue Cancel
I keep looking at this stamp and I get the impression that the "stain" in question could be the beginning of another word continuing onto other stamps. I believe this stamp was part of a series of stamps on a letter ( package ) and there was a continuation of writing. Just a thought! Perry