Into the Deep Blue
As outlined in Cuba Update A, I added a Cuba collection to my already substantial Cuba Deep Blue (Steiner) pages, and so let's see how Cuba 1878-1888 looks now (Update B).
Here are the 1878 stamp issue in Deep Blue now.
I added a 1p carmine to the collection (CV $25).
The present 1879-1882 Deep Blue page. Missing are the high value Scott 83 ($75), Scott 89 (CV $125), and Scott 95 (CV $50). Scott has a note that "forgeries exist" for Scott 83, and Scott only has listed "unused" for Scott 89 & 95. Clearly, if I was interested in completing this page, I would need to seek out these stamps individually, and probably not rely on finding them in a collection.
Added was Scott 87 ($25).
I also added the 1882 1c green (CV <$1). Of interest, I had the other five stamps of the 1882 issue already: some with higher CVs.
It is also of interest that the 1882 issue and the 1883-86 issue exists in the original state for the "Alfonso XII" portrait and surrounding medallion, and then some stamps are found in a "1st retouch" and a "2nd retouch" state.
The 1c green 1882 stamp above shows the original state.
Original State: "The medallion is surrounded by a heavy line of color of nearly even thickness, touching the horizontal line found below "Cuba"; the opening of the hair is narrow and pointed."
Showing part of the 1883-86 issue - specifically looking at Scott 121 1c green.
This stamp shows the "2nd retouch" state.
2nd retouch: "The opening of the hair forms a semicircle; the lock above the forehead is nearly straight; the white line is much broader than the 1st retouch (below the lock)."
I will show a "1st retouch" stamp in a bit.
Here is the Deep Blue (Steiner) 1883-88 page.
The issue of 1882 was surcharged or overprinted in black, blue, or red for 1883 (16 stamps). The overprint pattern is found in five types (Type a,b,c,d,e).
Above is an example of type "b" Scott 110 (CV $10) which I added to the Deep Blue collection.
Here is a type "c" Scott 114 (CV $60) that was added.
Finally, a Type "e" Scott 119 (CV $12) space was filled.
Looking at the 1883-86 spaces, the 5c gray blue (CV <$1) - a "1st retouch" example - was added to the collection.
1sr Retouch: "The line around the medallion is thin, except the upper right, and does not touch the horizontal line above it as much as the original state does; the opening of the hair is slightly wider and a trifle rounded; the lock of the hair above the forehead is shaped like a broad "V", and ends in a point; there is a faint white line below it."
Out of the Blue
The more complicated an issue is (Original - 1st retouch-2nd retouch), the better I like it. ;-)
Comments appreciated!
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