Colour Shift on Scott 1701

[alyn]

Just after I started seriously collecting again I noticed what to me was a horribly blurry US Christmas stamp.  The stamp was Scott number 1701.  Below is a close up of the non-colour shifted error:
The stamp issued on October 27th and perforated 11 is based on John Singleton Copley's Nativity painting. 

Even at this extreme magnification you can see that the image is clear.   

[alyn]

Now below is the colour shift error stamp. 




You can see how horribly blurry this image is.  When we look at the bottom of the image there is a distinct orange appearance and at the top of the image you will notice that there is a blue band.  I am fairly certain that when this stamp was being printed that when the blue portions of the stamp was being printed it was accidentally shifted up.  Seen at normal magnification the stamp just appeared blurry.

My 2009 Scott Standard Catalogue doesn't list this as a variety.

[Gordon Lee]

Greetings Mr. alyn
.
I pulled out my dusty "2001 Catalogue of Errors on U.S. Postage Stamps" to see what it sez about your 1976 Christmas stamp. It seems that was a bad era for quality control. Colour shifts were rampant. Stephen R. Datz, the author, does not even mention them, other to say " . . . Color shifts range from mundane to dramatic. Value is generally a function of topical appeal and appearance. Usually, the more visually striking (the more pronounce the misregistration of color) and topically popular an item, the greater its value." He goes on to say, " . . . Color shifts generally range in retail price from $10 to $25 per stamp. Those with slight shifts <your stamp> sell toward the lower end of the range. Stamps with minute or barely discernible color shifts generally command little or no premium." He shows a block of four 1978 owls (Scott 1763a) as an example of the upper range. It looks like there are two owls instead of one on each stamp.
.
Now if you had one of the three hundred pairs of imperforated Nativity by John Singleton Copley stamps you'd be looking at a $90 error.
.
Respectfully,

Gordon Lee

[alyn]

Thanks Mr. Lee,

I figured it would fetch a fleas weight more than the minimum value. Many of the Errors, Freaks and Oddities are more conversation starters in my mind. Now if I had one like Kris, I would treat you to a fine single malt. Thank you for the additional information as I will keep that in mind as I go through my accumulation.

Alyn

[kacyds]

Sept 9, 2013 21:03:53 GMT -5 alyn said:

Thanks Mr. Lee,

I figured it would fetch a fleas weight more than the minimum value. Many of the Errors, Freaks and Oddities are more conversation starters in my mind. Now if I had one like Kris, I would treat you to a fine single malt. Thank you for the additional information as I will keep that in mind as I go through my accumulation.

Alyn

Sounds like after I sell that stamp, I will be buying the first round.............