Expert: Jim Forte - 2/18/2008

Question
Jim - I have three 1892 4 cent columbus commemorative stamps that were purchased by my father in the forties.  They are uncirculated, in blue ink and the ink is smudged on all three stamps.  He indicated in the envelope that contains them that these are "error" stamps.  Do you have any estimate of value for a single stamp with these characteistics?  Thanks - Salli

Answer
The issued color of the 4c Columbian is ultramarine. There is an error of color, in which the color is described as blue.

A normal 4c Columbian has a Scott Catalog Value of $87.50 if hinged, $225.00 for never hinged. These prices are for stamps in very fine condition. Most stamps do not make very fine.

The blue color error catalogs $16,000 hinged and $32,000 never hinged. The same condition comments apply.

Ultramarine is a shade of blue. You can not assume a stamp is the blue shade unless it is given a certificate from an expert committee. Here is one:

http://www.stamps.org/Services/ser_aboutexpertizing.htm

The overwhelming odds are that your stamps are not blue, but ultramarine. It will cost you several hundred dollars to find out. Before investing the money try to determine if it possible that your grandfather could have obtained the error stamp. Did he spend thousands of dollars on his stamp collection? The color error was just as rare and proportionally expensive in the 1940's. If he spent real money then, then there is a chance. On the other hand, if this is the only stamp, to the best of your knowledge, your grandfather every owned, then the odds of the stamp being the color error are infinitesimal.

If you want more expert committees to contact, let me know. Good luck.

Jim Forte