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The word "abnormal" in the philatelic context refers to the British
"abnormal" stamps. Among them are Scott #59-65. These stamps were
issued using several unique plate numbers different from production runs in
non-standard shades and colors. The plate number is a tiny number, usually in a
circle, that can be seen on the face of the stamp.
Very few of these stamps exist, as only a handful of sheets were printed for
retention by the British Archives. They were not supposed to be available to the
public, but some made their way to post offices and used. Others were obtained
through bureaucratic friends. Over the years these stamps became among the rare
and most valuable stamps of Great Britain. Many used stamps have been
identified, but others are possibly in collections of unknowing collectors.
This is where my story begins. I was about 8 years old, back in the early 1930s,
when I began collecting stamps. I would save my pennies until I had a quarter,
then rush to the "Five and Dime Store" and buy the largest packet of
used stamps I could find. Arriving home I would quickly sort and mount them the
best I could. As years passed, I bought better albums and remounted the stamps,
correcting any errors I had made earlier.
About 10 years ago, I read an article in Linn's Stamp News written by Donna
O'Keefe describing these British abnormals. She mentioned each of the stamps by
their Scott number, plate numbers and color. I checked my stamps as I usually do
when I learn about something new. In every case I had the more common variety.
Then my luck changed. The last one I checked had the correct plate number, but
the stamp came in two shades; chestnut and rare pale chestnut. Of course I
couldn't tell which shade I had. So every time I saw this particular stamp and
plate number advertised, I would buy it. They only cost a couple of dollars each
and if damaged, less. I found that the 10 stamps I purchased were all the same
shade of chestnut, but my original stamp was without a doubt a much paler shade.
By now my hopes were really riding high. A good stamp collector friend of mine
from England who visits our country regularly was in town. We got together and
talked about this possible abnormal and he agreed that it may be an abnormal. He
suggested that I let him take it back to England and get an opinion there. A few
weeks later he called me and said the experts at his club identified it as a
bonafide rarity. He asked me if I wanted to sell it, but it has more than
monetary value to me.
Linn's Stamp News wrote a story about my lucky find. I received several offers for this stamp, but
I decided to keep it in my collection. The moral of this story is that the more
knowledge you acquire, the greater your chances of finding a valuable stamp,
however remote those chances are. If I didn't read the story about the abnormals,
the stamp in my collection would have remained undetected. Educating ourselves
does pay off and I'm proof that miracles still happen!
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