24c Lilac, Printed on Both Sides (78d). Back printed inverted in relation to the front, back of stamp with clear impression of bottom half of stamp split halfway between perforations, other side rich color, tied by bold blue "DPO" cancel on bright orange cover to Heidelberg, Germany, brownish-red "Summerfield Ala. June 1867" circular datestamp with date in manuscript, red "New York Brem. Pkt. Paid 12 Jun. 27" credit datestamp, blue "America Uber Bremen Franco" transit handstamp, receiving backstamp, stamp lifted from cover for display

VERY FINE. ONLY TWO EXAMPLES OF THIS PRINTED ON BOTH SIDES RARITY ARE RECORDED. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED SOUND EXAMPLE AND THE ONLY ONE ON COVER.

Engraved stamps printed on both sides usually have a poor impression on one side and a second, complete impression on the other. They probably occurred when a sheet was printed without proper moistening, which prevented the paper from picking up the ink in the recessed lines of the engraved plate. The inverted impression on back is a result of the sheet being turned 180 degrees before it was put on the press the second time.

Our list of printed-on-both-sides stamps is included as an appendix to this catalogue. Only one other example of the 24c printed on both sides is known (shown below). It has an "1867" manuscript cancellation (matching the year date on this cover), and its backside impression is identical to the stamp offered here. Without question, the two came from the same sheet. The other stamp has a defect at bottom right, while the stamp offered here, with its original cover, is sound.

Ex Isleham, where it was erroneously described as reperfed at left (a subsequent P.F. certificate and our own examination confirms that the perforations are genuine), and ex Drucker. With 1986 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as on cover

For our on-line census of Scott 78d: http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/78d/78d.pdf

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