Postage Stamp Chat Board & Stamp Bulletin Board Forum
 

Does this appear to be the real thing.

I admit it probably isnt the neatest stamp but as an absolute novice I would love to think i have stumbled upon something nice.

I do not yet possess the required watermark testing kit.

Thank you in advance.

Looks OK to me at first glance. Fairly gruesome looking but OK I'd guess. (And beter than being cut to shape)

The issued stamps are on very thick rigid paper - is this?

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It is on thickish paper, appreciate your swift reply. I have never spent so many hours looking at stamps. It is quite fascinating. Obviously I am hoping to come across my retirement fund amongst them

Why not? This is all anyone needs.

One learns something new every day. Stamp face down? Apply just enough to dampen the rear? Hey presto?

Yes to all of the above: stamp face down on a dark surface (plastic is good), enough to soak the back.

You will see the watermark most clearly just before the back of the stamp dries out. This one should read VR in reverse.

Seeing your stamp, I would agree with Glen that it is most likely the real thing. the cancellation looks right.

It is grungy though, but not too bad in terms of margins. I would expect it to be worth between $30 and $40.

How do you "dry" the stamp after it has been tested with the fluid?

The Microwave would be a no-no.

I think lighter fluid actually evaporates in a short time and turns into gas.

Norm

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Geelong, VFA Premiers 1878, 1879, 1800, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1886, AFL Premiers 1925, 1931, 1937, 1951, 1952, 1963, 2007, 2009, 2011, .

Hmm. I have a flask of Walgreens brand that I'll try on a torn KGV head. Thanks!

If it's watermarked VR, it's genuine, if it's no watermark its a cut out from Postal Stationery,

David B.

After using lighter fluid to check for the watermark, just let the stamp dry naturally. It only takes a minute or so to evaporate.

It is indeed watermarked 'VR'.

Always looked OK to me ... good to hear it checked out.

Glen

For future reference.

Below are two stationary cut outs of the 6d.

You can easily tell these apart from the real thing at a glance.

These have the date in circles, below, and left and right of the head.

Inactive image - Link deleted by Moderator

They are later printings, the earlier printings used the same die as the issued stamps without the addition of date slugs,

David B.

Thanks. I know very little about these, apart from them being stationary.

I have seen these make silly money on ebay. Normally with fuzzy photos and vague descriptions, but not always.

Presumably the bidders thought, or were hoping that they were the real thing.