I have a copy of what, on the surface, appears to be Russia Offices in China - Scott # 22...only it has horizontally laid paper rather than the vertically laid paper it is supposed to have. I have compared it to the correct copy, which I also have. Does anyone have any idea of what the correct catalog number should be? I don't find a horizontally laid paper variety listed anyplace.
Thanks!
Dave
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"Author: The Standard Catalog of Russian and Ukrainian Local Stamps (1992-1995)"
re: Russia Offices in China: unlisted stamp? real?
I don't have my catalogs available where I am right now. However, Scott has moved many of the minor varieties from the Standard Catalogs to the Scott Classic Catalog (need to justify the catalog not being just a copy of the Standard Catalogs). Have you looked there? Also, Scott doesn't list alot of minor varieties. Stanley Gibbons has a decent Russia Catalog that lists many more minor varieties than Scott.
re: Russia Offices in China: unlisted stamp? real?
Michael,
No, I don't have a copy of that catalog..just the plain Jane variety Scott Volume 1. I have looked back a number of years though...and haven't found it in any of them. I did check my 1993-94 Michel catalog and it's not listed there either. Has me wondering...you know?
Thanks,
Dave
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"Author: The Standard Catalog of Russian and Ukrainian Local Stamps (1992-1995)"
re: Russia Offices in China: unlisted stamp? real?
Dave, you presented us with an interesting opportunity to study the catalog! Can't say I have looked at this Russian BOB stuff recently.
According to Scott, Russia #54 (your "base" stamp) is not included in the First China Offices set with the CHINA overprint, where it would belong. While catalogs DO make errors, and leave things out, it seems that in a clear-cut case like this, 99% of the time they are right.
So, my highest probability scenario is that the overprint is fake, and was applied by a careless faker who probably didn't care about getting the correct underlying stamp. Check to make sure that the overprint is not on top of the cancel.
Second, much lower probability, is that you actually have a lovely copy of a stamp that is not cataloged. The only solution in this case is to get the stamp into the hands of a Russian expert (i.e. at a stamp show) who has seen hundreds, both good and bad, in order to verify your opinion.
Roy
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re: Russia Offices in China: unlisted stamp? real?
P.S. the other responses came in while I was writing my own. I was using the 2011 Scott Classic Specialized -- the one mentioned above.
Secondly, there IS an overprinted set with horizontal laid lines, it's just that the 7r is not included. This means the 7r with a genuine overprint would be a major listing, not a minor variety.
Roy
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re: Russia Offices in China: unlisted stamp? real?
Hi Roy,
That's a real possibility. I did take a close look at it just now under a high power magnifying glass and the overprint is definitely under the cancellation. I'll take your advice though..and have a Russian expert look at it just to make sure.
I appreciate the info and the advice!
Thanks,
Dave
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"Author: The Standard Catalog of Russian and Ukrainian Local Stamps (1992-1995)"
re: Russia Offices in China: unlisted stamp? real?
Hi Nigel,
It looks like the overprint is at a 45 degree angle measuring from corner to corner. I think the leaning letters is the scan...they aren't leaning on the stamp itself. It would figure...darned technology! I am thinking that maybe I will contact the APS and see if they can refer me to an expert for an opinion. It's probably fake..but you never can tell. I have a block of 4 of the Philippines Japanese Occupation Food Production semi-postals proofs on cardboard. The APS won't even discuss those....but the Philatelic Foundation issued a certificate with no problem. I guess you never can tell.
Dave
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"Author: The Standard Catalog of Russian and Ukrainian Local Stamps (1992-1995)"
re: Russia Offices in China: unlisted stamp? real?
Using my screen protractor (available free) I measured 50.8 degrees plus or minus 0.5 degrees.
I tried to get a screen shot of it in operation, but it's an "always on top" application, and my screen capture function ignored it. Maybe I'll figure out a way some other time.
The plot thickens ...
Roy
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