Errors, Freaks, and Oddities
Apr 29, 2017 15:33:55 GMT -5
MikeC99, crazyquilter, and 5 more like this
Post by kacyds on Apr 29, 2017 15:33:55 GMT -5
Stamps are not always produced perfectly. When a stamp varies in one or more ways from the intended norm, it falls into the category called EFOs or Errors, Freaks and Oddities.
Errors are complete and major production mistakes, which are repeatable. For example, a stamp without any intended perforations, an invert, or a color that is completely missing is an error..
Freaks are partial production mistakes caused by some unusual circumstances and not likely to be exactly repeatable. For example, paper creases, misperforations, color shifts, and partially missing colors are freaks.
Errors will sometimes be found within freak pieces. For example, a paper fold (freak) may result in a miscut booklet pane containing a pair of stamps which are imperforate between (error). Or perhaps an ink fountain on a press runs dry, depositing a minimal amount of ink on one row of stamps (freaks) and none on the adjoining row (errors).
Oddities are a broad category of unusual, often consistent, and curious variations that may arise from a variety of sources. For example, plate varieties, private perforations, design errors, and pre-first-day cancels are oddities.
The above information is from page 543-544 in "Encyclopedia of United States Stamps and Stamp Collecting" by Rodney A. Juell and Steven J. Rod, Editors. Copyright 2006. If you dont have this book, I would highly recommend it.
Errors are complete and major production mistakes, which are repeatable. For example, a stamp without any intended perforations, an invert, or a color that is completely missing is an error..
Freaks are partial production mistakes caused by some unusual circumstances and not likely to be exactly repeatable. For example, paper creases, misperforations, color shifts, and partially missing colors are freaks.
Errors will sometimes be found within freak pieces. For example, a paper fold (freak) may result in a miscut booklet pane containing a pair of stamps which are imperforate between (error). Or perhaps an ink fountain on a press runs dry, depositing a minimal amount of ink on one row of stamps (freaks) and none on the adjoining row (errors).
Oddities are a broad category of unusual, often consistent, and curious variations that may arise from a variety of sources. For example, plate varieties, private perforations, design errors, and pre-first-day cancels are oddities.
The above information is from page 543-544 in "Encyclopedia of United States Stamps and Stamp Collecting" by Rodney A. Juell and Steven J. Rod, Editors. Copyright 2006. If you dont have this book, I would highly recommend it.
