eBay

peetah · ‎03-04-2019

Anything special about the cancel on this (space filler) Swiss stamp? Not sure of Scott catalogue number. Previous owner had it as Scott 25 (1855-57) . As to paper thickness I measure it at just under .005 (inch). I'm calling it a space filler because it has a cut at the bottom, which I highlight with several ^^^^.

malolo · ‎03-04-2019

peetah -

The cancel is Altishofen. It would be a Scott 25 if it has a black thread through the paper on the back. If a green thread it's a 36 but print quality looks to good for that. The scan is too pixelated to determine the print quality.

Many years ago the cancel catalogued at 60 Swiss Francs. I have no idea of today's price, other than when you describe it make certain you emphasize the cancel. "A&E-3550 slabstempel".

The cancel is worth more than the stamp. It is nice 4 margins, though!

peetah · ‎03-05-2019

The thread is black. I agree regarding the 4 margins, which is why I picked it up. But, I did not notice the cut from the right side, until I got it home. What does "A&E-3550 slabstempel" mean? Is slabstempel one word? Is it German or Dutch? My research indicates Altishofen is a small village with what must have been under 1000 population in that period.

malolo · ‎03-05-2019

A&E = Andres and Emmeneger, which is a cancel catalogue first published in the 1930's and updated in the 1970's. All Swiss cancel collectors use those numbers. The Swiss are big time "heimat" collectors, which means they collect stamps, postal history, cancels, etc related to the area they call home (heimat). It is always important to write the name of the town or village if selling Swiss used material. One never knows who is out there looking for that last stamp with their home as the cancel,that goes for old and modern stamps!

3550 = the cancel in the catalogue

slabstempel = straightline cancel

German

peetah · ‎03-06-2019

Whenever I have a question about Swiss stamps, I like to pose the questions in here, in hopes you will see it. Thank you for the information and being such a great resource to this site when it comes to Switzerland.

msgtdavid · ‎03-06-2019

You did not relate how you obtained this stamp? If you obtained it in person with a dealer why did you not use the water mark process before you purchased it?

Dave T.

jaywild · ‎03-06-2019

Roger (malolo) is the NE PLUS ULTRA of all knowledge about Swiss philately. He can answer the most obscure questions about the most arcane topic and answer them in great depth while also providing context to make the information as clear as possible and show how it fits into a larger picture. Roger is a national philatelic treasure.

peetah · ‎03-06-2019

The stamp was acquired by one of my Clubs, as part of a larger collection. The Club breaks down collections and offers them to Club members as auction lots. I recognized the stamp as an early one, both for the subject and that it was imperforate and 4 complete margins. While I had not looked at the back to confirm a silk thread, it had previously been described as Scott 25. What attracted it to me was the cancel ( I enjoyed the research of the cancel) as well as the 4 margins. As to the cut on it, I had not noticed until I recently took it out for scanning, to hopefully have Roger, see my post. The silk thread is black, I agree it to be Scott 25. Scott does not show a watermark until the perforates. This stamp does not have a watermark.

msgtdavid · ‎03-06-2019

Using the water marking process is the same as watermarking a stamp, but with the exception of water marking you are looking for flaws in a stamp and or instrument that you are interesting in. I always use the water mark process when looking to buy a stamp or instrument I'm interested in, even if its not watermarked. A good process to find flaws on stamps! Start using this process next time, hope fully you will not find any flaws!

malolo · ‎03-06-2019

You make me blush the color red! ); >)

Actually the is a whole lot I don't know! Primarily pre-1854, post 1940, and airmail!

Here's a chat room I manage which concerns Swiss stuff. Anyone is welcome to come and ask quesitons or just browse. I'm currently trying to post a cover a day, just like the old eBay Stamp Chat days.

https://www.quicktopic.com/51/H/qdRWHrshP637