by Bob Dumaine The 2005 duck stamp, RW72 has provided collectors with a major stamp variety apparently lost in the mini-sheet excitement. The water-activated stamps have been discovered both with and without outside frame lines around the design. Some stamps have frame lines on three sides, top, right and bottom, while others are totally without any lines. PSE expertizer Steve Rosen discovered the existence of three frame lines on some stamps and none on others. Since the stamp being examined belonged to me, Randy Shoemaker, PSE Senior Expert, called and inquired about the two types, and which was normal. These major plate differences caught me flat-footed, and apparently all others except eagle-eye Rosen, since the two types have gone unreported since their June 30, 2005, issue date. At this point, which is “normal” seems to be questionable. I examined sheets Press Proof sheet of 80 stamps, and found all stamps on the two right panes had three frame lines, top, right, and bottom, whereas those on the left side are plain. It then seems possible that the wateractivated mini-sheets were produced from the same plates, and would also have two types. I only had a few to look through, and all were the frame-less variety, as were all PSA dollar-bill size stamps examined. My conclusion is that perhaps only the normal water activated stamps show the different types, but then again, my sample was very limited. Collectors should examine their stamps to determine which type they own, and if they find a PSA stamp with frame lines. A mini-sheet with three frame lines would seem to be extremely desirable at this time. The Press Proof sheets tell the story that equal amounts of both types probably exist, since the sheets are equally divided between the two types. If this breakdown holds true, then equal amounts were produced; however it would not be an indication of how many were actually sold. Of the approximately one million water-activated stamps produced annually, only 100,000, or 10% have been actually sold. The PSA type was introduced in 1998, and over a million sold annually since they became the main type distributed to hunters. Robert Williams, Manager, Stamp Development and Marketing, Federal Duck Stamp office comments: “The lines on the edges of the stamps on the right side of press sheets do not appear on the stamp model approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. According to the printer, the lines on the edge of some stamps are computer-generated holding lines. All of the lines should have been deleted when the offset printing film was processed. Some lines remain as a result of a process error in making the offset printing film.” Williams also states: “The lines do not impact the functionality or security features of the stamp. Therefore, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will not issue a recall.” Jim Kloetzel, Editor of the Scott Specialized Catalogue advises; “We have decided to list type I and type II varieties. The type I variety will be the stamp as it was meant to be issued, without frame lines. Type II stamps are those with the frame lines at top, right and bottom. The type II stamps with frame lines will receive a lettered minor Scott number, RW72c. A footnote will describe the varieties and indicate that they appear in equal quantities.” If equal amounts were distributed, then the value of each should also be equal in theory. Time will tell which type are scarcer, and if significant, the market will reflect the price.