Changes in PACIFIC 97 Red Triangle Stamp
When I saw the initial U.S. Postal Service press release and color transparencies showing the two new triangle stamps marking PACIFIC 97, I was excited. The blue stamp showed a ship and will join the section of boats on stamps in my exhibition of Transportation on U.S. Stamps. The red stamp would go in my exhibit's section of stagecoaches on stamps--but it also qualified to be part of boats on stamps. Can you tell why? Unfortunately, the vignette of the actual stamp was changed in at least 11 ways from that of the preliminary design--including one that strips the red stamp of its boat connection.
In addition to differences related to printing an engraved plate (note differences in sky--lines on original design, dots on final stamp--and the uncertain detail above the horse's tail on the final stamp), there are at least 11 differences in the vignette between the original design and the actual stamp. Can you identify what they are?
Original Design |
Actual Stamp |
| 1. Man's hands are black or are in gloves | 1. Man's hands are white |
| 2. Top of hat is flat | 2. Top of hat is rounded |
| 3. Top of hat or cap is flat | 3. Bowler hat (?) with round top |
| 4. Chinese passenger's hat is flying in the wind | 4. Hat is missing |
| 5. Passenger has no hat | 5. Passenger has hat |
| 6. Driver is clean-shaven and smoking pipe | 6. Driver has long beard and no pipe |
| 7. Only far back part of horse's flank is shown | 7. Entire horse's flank is shown |
| 8. Woman appears seated looking forward | 8. Woman seated looking toward rear |
| 9. Panel next to door has two open areas | 9. Panel has only one open area |
| 10. Door design shows 2-stack river boat with smoke | 10. Design appears to be a butte or other formation |
| 11. Portion of front wheel disappears behind banner | 11. Entire stagecoach is flatter, missing banner entirely |