AZORES Scott unlisted 1888 perf 11½ chalky paper grayish-black unused HR

Item Specifics

Country

Portugal - Azores

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Unused

Stamp Format

Single

Topic

People - Royalty

Year of Issue

1888

Item Description

The Scott catalog doesn't list this Azores overprinted stamp or the Portugal equivalent without overprint. It is grayish-black on enamel surfaced (chalky) paper, perf 11½, and is similar to Portugal #58 5r black.

On the stamp’s face, are small circular areas where the surface coating is missing. They are near the “C” and “S” in CORREIOS, the “C” in CINCO and the “R” in REIS. I don’t know if this was a paper production problem or later damage. The other tiny white specks in that text ribbon are spots that didn’t get inked. There are indications of blue ink in the stamp margins. The stamp has been hinged and the gum disturbed. Gum is missing along one edge and from some bottom perf tips. Grit (for lack of a better term) is stuck to the back of the stamp.

Scott has apparently never listed the AÇORES overprinted black or grayish black varieties of the Portuguese 5r on enamel surfaced paper, choosing instead to list only the “slate” variety (listed as “gray” in the Scott Portugal listings).

The International Society of Portuguese Philately journal, Portu-Info, published a lengthy article by Robert Huggins about the Portuguese 5r stamp in the January-March 2000 issue (#135). The article is titled “PORTUGAL: Notes on the Luis De Frente Issue Designed by Mouchon.” Mr. Huggins reported the grayish-black and black varieties had been printed in 1888 on chalky paper with perfs 11½, 12½ and 13½. He also reported the only reprints of the 5r were perf 13½. One of those was grayish black, printed in 1905, and the others were various shades of gray. Mr. Huggins also identified two different dies for this design and this is Die I with the designer’s name, MOUCHON, printed (unclearly) beneath the king's tie.

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Seller Information

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keesindy (4648)

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04/11/2016

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Item Location

Indiana, United States

Ships To

United States

Shipping Instructions

About 3½ years ago, I stopped selling and shipping outside the US due to new postal rules and rapidly rising costs. The USPS is raising postal rates again in January 2019. Today, December 25, 2018, due to the continuing rise in the cost of postage and associated fees, I am reluctantly raising my general shipping fee for the first time in many years. My sales here at HipStamp involve no additional charge for the purchase of multiple stamps. Shipping is via USPS unless otherwise specified. Be sure to contact me before making your purchases if you have questions.

Returns Accepted

Yes

Returns Policy

All items may be returned unless otherwise stated in the listing. Of course, I cannot be responsible if uninsured items are damaged during shipping. If you are dissatisfied with a purchase, contact me within 7 days of your receipt of the item to make arrangements for returning it. If I have made an error in my listing or the item is not as described, you will receive a full reimbursement plus the pre-agreed-upon cost to return the item.