Here is the link for this auction, but the iPad app description for the set has the words "Reperfed and Regummed Stamps". The main description on the Ebay website shows that verbiage as a link to a blog entry.
re: Auction for Kansas Overprint Set - Scary Description from Ebay iPad App
I saw that in the description, but it's kind of funny that the iPad App concatenated the description to where it looked like the stamps were reperfed and regummed.
I didn't realize links like that in descriptions were not legal per EBay terms and conditions. But, that does make sense.
re: Auction for Kansas Overprint Set - Scary Description from Ebay iPad App
Hi Everyone;
@ Stan;
If you are interested in the Kansas/Nebraska overprints, beware! I have a horizontal pair, one with missing overprint.
It has been said by some that fakes of these abound. I have a pair and the one with overprint, doesn't match the image
of the Scott's overprint. The letter forms (font) look significantly different, and the spacing between the last letter and
the period is too far.
Type set printing is made by using cast letters with kerning pairs (variable spacing) between letter pairs. This means that
a lower case 'a' may have different amounts of space depending on what letter is going to be following that letter. For example
the pair 'ao' will have different spacing than 'al'. These letter pairs are pre-cast for common pairs that occur in English text.
The type setter grabs the pairs plus individual letters to spell the overprint. The result is very precise and distinctly
different letter spacing.
What does all this matter and why should we give a @$@$#@$? Pay particular attention to this spacing appearing on stamps as
compared to Scott's illustration. My stamps show very different spacing, altho small but distinctly different, and probably
made with a typewriter. It is also possible to override the typewriters mono-spacing by moving the paper carriage with your
left hand while striking a key with your right hand. I'm sure there are criminals out there who know this too. So don't
just observe the spacing, but also the exact letter forms or shapes (font styles).
re: Auction for Kansas Overprint Set - Scary Description from Ebay iPad App
Thanks Ken. That is very good information considering that I'm wanting to get the Kansas and Nebraska overprints to continue filling in those pesky empty spots in my album. But, I do want to get the authentic ones and not the fakes.
re: Auction for Kansas Overprint Set - Scary Description from Ebay iPad App
That particular seller is, in my opinion, one of the best, if not the best, on Ebay. He is scrupulously honest, and if he is selling it, it can be relied on. I have bought many items from him over the years and have never been disappointed. Fyi - I don't personally know him, nor am I related to him.
re: Auction for Kansas Overprint Set - Scary Description from Ebay iPad App
Hi Everyone;
@ Theron;
Thanks for the link about Kansas/Nebraska overprints. The only point I find not very useful is comparing the actual
overprint was a last resort to detection. Probably the author did not fully understand the study of letter forms (fonts).
His methods were fine except for used stamps. Then he resorted to color differences. Stamps that are that old could
have experienced some color variations. these variations could be the original inks, which in those days were not
very scientifically controlled, like the more modern Pantone color matching systems. Or there could be exposure to
environmental chemicals or fumes that could alter or fade a color.
My approach to this challenge would be to purchase a MNH cheaper stamp, with the gum breaker ridges intact. The
cheaper ones can be had for under $5 and are very unlikely to be faked. I would then use a Hi-res scan of the
actual letterforms (font) and a comparison scan of a suspect stamp. Unless the criminal is a typesetter by trade,
they are not likely to know how to, or bother to get a perfect match.
Still I found the article to be very helpful and informative, so again thank you for posting the link.
Keep on stampin' safely...
TuskenRaider
PS; I did work for a couple years as a typesetter and graphic artist, and have an education from community college,
on digital publishing and graphic arts as a form of technical communication, for catalog publication.
re: Auction for Kansas Overprint Set - Scary Description from Ebay iPad App
"My approach to this challenge would be to purchase a MNH cheaper stamp, with the gum breaker ridges intact. The cheaper ones can be had for under $5 and are very unlikely to be faked. I would then use a Hi-res scan of the actual letterforms (font) and a comparison scan of a suspect stamp. Unless the criminal is a typesetter by trade, they are not likely to know how to, or bother to get a perfect match."