I have a proof on card of the 1861 24c issue that resembles 70P4 (red lilac) or 78P4 (lilac) but is in the violet shade of Scott #70c or blackish violet shade of #78c. Both PSE and Crowe expertizing services declined an opinion.
I tried to get a good photo, but its lighter than actual. The actual color is a very dark violet, almost black, but definitely a violet or purple hue.
PSE actually had it for over 90 days, apparently stumped and likely sent it around to their expertizing network during that time. An initial reaction is that it’s fake, if not listed in Scott.
However, because both expertizing services did not blatantly state that it’s a fake, leads me to believe it could be some sort of undocumented proof. I’m not sure if this gives it any value or no value. I’m curious to know if anyone else has had a similar experience with an undocumented proof or essay.
Ryan Joneson
APS #224675
I was just checking my Scott Specialized US to try and figure out what this could be. If it were on India paper, this would be a 70TC3. Now some India paper proofs come mounted on card (which would make a cut-down 70TC1ap or 70TC2b a possibility). It’s not entirely crazy that someone might have done this, if the larger piece was toned or damaged in some way. But I’m sure you know what “India on card” looks like and so do the expertizers, so we can assume it’s not that. So I’m just as mystified, except for being able to say it doesn’t look fake, nor like a color changeling.
The person who would have known what this is Richard Champagne (who is still listed online as an expertizer, but in fact passed away last year, at 97). 15 years ago (when I still lived in NYC and Richard still had a stamp show table) I’d bring any weirdo US stuff down to a show for him to look at. He always knew what I had.
Thanks for your response. I suppose it will live in the “O” of EFO collecting for now.
Ryan Joneson
APS #224675
