It is not often we see an error in the production of Modern GB stamps with the quality control applied, but we have recently obtained such an error that occurred in the printing of the GB Xmas 2016 issue.
A misfeed has occurred in the production of the 1st Class 'Robin', which has resulted in quite a striking error (as shown below). You can see that the red tape from the reel join has gone through the press and then been die-cut and stripped along with the face paper, producing the error shown to the top left stamp.
Illustration: the error stamp (top left) showing the red tape misfeed
It is many years since we have seen an error similar to this. The red tape from the reel join — used to splice rolls of stamp paper together during printing — has passed through the press and been die-cut along with the face paper, producing a stamp with a striking red band across it.
"It is many years since we have seen an error similar to this."
About the Error
Production errors in modern GB stamps are genuinely rare. Royal Mail's quality control processes are rigorous, and the vast majority of errors are caught before stamps reach the public. When one does slip through, it represents a significant philatelic rarity.
This particular error — a misfeed causing the reel join tape to be incorporated into the finished stamp — is the kind of dramatic, visually striking variety that collectors prize. The contrast between the error stamp and its neighbours in the sheet makes it immediately obvious, and the story of how it occurred adds to its interest.
Originally Offered on eBay
We were pleased to offer this rarity for sale via eBay at item number 263008167384. Items like this are why we maintain close relationships with our network of collectors and dealers — so we can bring genuine rarities to market quickly.
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