Members had a pleasure to enjoy a rich display of varieties of GB stamps flaws and faults, presented by Les Gandy.
A flaw is generally a production-related defect that occurred during the printing or plate-making process, often making it a collectable "variety". Conversely, a fault is physical damage or a condition issue caused by mishandling, wear, or poor storage, which typically reduces the stamp's value.
Philatelic Flaws
Flaws are mistakes made before the stamp leaves the printing facility. They are often categorised based on whether they are repeatable.
Constant Flaws: Defects in a printing plate that result in the same blemish on every stamp printed from that specific position on the plate. Examples include "plate cracks" or the famous "O flaw" on some Penny Black plates.
Transient Flaws: Random, one-time mishaps during printing, such as ink smears, blobs, or "doctor blade" errors (streaks caused by a faulty ink-scraping blade).
Production Errors: Major failures like missing colours, inverted centres (e.g., the Inverted Jenny), or missing perforations.
Philatelic Faults
Faults are physical defects that negatively impact a stamp's condition. These usually occur after production.
Paper Damage:
Thins: Areas where paper has been accidentally removed, often from improper hinge removal.
Creases: Folds in the paper that break the fibres, often visible under watermark fluid.
Tears: Actual rips in the stamp paper.
Perforation Issues:
Pulled Perfs: When a perforation tooth is completely missing.
Short Perfs: "Teeth" that are shorter than intended due to rough separation.
Gum Problems:
Tropicalisation: Brown spotting or foxing caused by high humidity.
Regumming: When a stamp has had its original gum replaced to hide faults or simulate a "never hinged" state.
Flaws are mistakes made before the stamp leaves the printing facility. They are often categorised based on whether they are repeatable.
Constant Flaws: Defects in a printing plate that result in the same blemish on every stamp printed from that specific position on the plate. Examples include "plate cracks" or the famous "O flaw" on some Penny Black plates.
Transient Flaws: Random, one-time mishaps during printing, such as ink smears, blobs, or "doctor blade" errors (streaks caused by a faulty ink-scraping blade).
Production Errors: Major failures like missing colours, inverted centres (e.g., the Inverted Jenny), or missing perforations.
Philatelic Faults
Faults are physical defects that negatively impact a stamp's condition. These usually occur after production.
Paper Damage:
Thins: Areas where paper has been accidentally removed, often from improper hinge removal.
Creases: Folds in the paper that break the fibres, often visible under watermark fluid.
Tears: Actual rips in the stamp paper.
Perforation Issues:
Pulled Perfs: When a perforation tooth is completely missing.
Short Perfs: "Teeth" that are shorter than intended due to rough separation.
Gum Problems:
Tropicalisation: Brown spotting or foxing caused by high humidity.
Regumming: When a stamp has had its original gum replaced to hide faults or simulate a "never hinged" state.
