THE FAMOUS 10c COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION REGISTRATION STAMP: Full gum, no SE scarce!

Item Specifics

Year of Issue

1893

Item Description

10c COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION Registration Stamp: WITH GUM; 10c stamp in Brown, huge margins, NO SE and with original gum (both of those factors being quite unusual on this stamp), crease visible both sides (does affect the gum to the point where it is difficult to call it NH - though truly it is), perfs OK, tough, intriguing stamp, VF

Many theories have been put forth as to the purpose of this stamp. Some say it was used for lockers where you kept parcels and souvenirs while you perused the Fair (like a parcel check ticket). That theory was published in Mekeel's in 1894. Despite the age of that hypothesis, there has never been any real evidence produced for that idea. It also makes little sense that the label would be inscribed Registration. Others say it was designed for a souvenir book and the 10c paid for the "registration" of your copy (in your name). That seems likely, and the number of no gum examples lends some credence to that theory. Such royalty or trademark stamps were, at times, used in books. Still, if that is so, why has no one ever seen a book with the adhesive in it? There are other theories, but the stamp remains unexplained . . .

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4120

Seller Information

Seller

OddityMan (3112)

Registered Since

12/16/2008

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Store

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Item Location

Pennsylvania, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

Yes

Returns Policy

14 days. Email first, please.