US 572 - Capitol Hill - Something Seems Wrong With This One

Folks - Let me know if this stamp looks alright - Seller claims NH but doesn't offer returns.

The Front scan shows a bend that is not visible from the back scan
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The Plate number fonts seem off
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It looks like a diagonal crease on the back - not mentioned in the sale description
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Plate# ink spreads in the back seem off
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The scanning failure creates the impression that there is a horizontal, post-printing crease on the stamp.

It appears to be careless work by the seller in presenting this image.

The horizontal aberration which runs across above the dome is a shifting during scanning and is not a fault. But based on the diagonal mark on the reverse side, I would not buy it at any price.

Is anyone sure the aberation across the face is a scanning error?

The OP has not addressed it...

Yes, I am sure. Note the image distortion that is occurring beyond the stamps (on the sides). The stepper motor in the scanner double clutched.
Don

Most definitely a typical scanner error.

The diagonal crease is a gum crease, natural and common enough for the issue. It's heavy enough that if it hasn't creased through the stamp already, it will eventually.

Sellers don't point out flaws all the time, especially on eBay. Do you do that when selling your used car or appliance, especially when you don't know a problem is present? At least the seller was good enough to show the back to let the buyer decide. Some education and due diligence is necessary on the part of potential buyers.

Don, I agree with your diagnosis above. Years ago I used to service video printers and have seen that happen. My question: Why did it not show on the other scan?

Peter

PS. I am very well aware of all the weird things that electronics can do. You do not have to answer this question!

Hi Peter,
My first thought was a power issue, a situation where the power glitched during the first scan (i.e. AC power surge, USB power may have hiccupped, etc.). Old scanners used to be belt driven...but these are just guesses. We would have to know the scanner model to narrow it down a bit more.
Don

He may have just bumped the scanner while scanning and didn't notice

The fact that the perforations look too close together on the distorted part of the front picture but not on the back picture points to a scanner imaging problem.

The distorted band seen on front is also on the back image, ending with the same odd perfs, but it is above the plate number.

perhaps its just me, but looks like the plate number has moved from front to back scan? its closer to the edge

The plate number size difference (larger "14", smaller "306") is normal for F14306. All examples from that plate will show this phenomenon.

The plate number on back is an offset, rather common on these flat plate issues.

The "bend" on front is definitely a scanning aberration.

The natural gum crease on back appears to be significant (damaging the paper as well). It should have been described by the seller and will lower the value of the stamp.

Thank you folks...

The gum crease definitely brings down the value of this otherwise nice stamp. Great to know about that Plate Number and Ink Offset variance.