Support the Hobby -- Join the American Philatelic Society 31 Mar 2013 08:43:10pm
I have this stamp, Somalicoast Scott #30, which is an overprint on Obock #54:
It appears, however, that the stamp is printed on thick paper, which differs significantly from the regular paper used for that issue.
I would almost suspect a cut-square from a postal card. Faint quadrille lines are visible however. Question: is there a note in the Scott Classic catalog about a thick paper variety for this stamp or the basic Obock stamp? Someone can check Yvert / Ceres / Maury? I really should get the Maury for my French Colonies in Africa ...
In the mean time, I hope perhaps someone can help out? I don't think it is a fake, but it certainly is not the regular Scott #30 ...
It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light. - Aristotle Onassis 31 Mar 2013 09:50:25pm
re: Question on Obock / Somalicoast
Scott Classic from 2010 does not have a note under Somali Coast about paper varieties. Under Obock it just mentions the quadrille lines printed on paper.
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"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. - Maya Angelou"
Support the Hobby -- Join the American Philatelic Society 01 Apr 2013 08:58:09am
re: Question on Obock / Somalicoast
Thank you both. Why can't this be easy? Just to be sure: the 5 centimes on 30 centimes stamp also has the printed chalk quadrille lines. Due to the thicker paper these just do not show well in the scan.
A cut from postal stationary could be a possibility. The reason why I don't think a stationary cut-out is the most likely explanation, is because the 30 centimes basic stamp would be an odd denomination for French postal stationary of the time. But you never know. Michel lists thick paper varieties for some stamps of the later Somali Coast "Views of Djibouti" set (Scott #6 ff), but not for the earlier set from Obock.
President - West Essex Philatelic Society www.wepsonline.org 01 Apr 2013 09:01:16am
re: Question on Obock / Somalicoast
I checked my Higgins & Gage and did not see this mentioned. I could not find any postal stationary for Somali Coast/Djibouti. I looked at Obock to see if there was even a postal stationary item with this design to overprint. There is an envelope (not postal card) with this design but the highest denomination is 25c. This one is 30c.