File copy stamp
 

Why did newspaper agencies put their file copy stamp in the most random places. I see all these great photos but the stamp is either over someones face or the key part of the photo. Smh

If I'm understanding what you are asking, I've never seen anything like that - please post a few examples.

I have a great image of speaker with a big red stamp across it .
I know some marks can be removed from glossy paper tho . It's a shame when it ruins a great image
Matt

Ya ive seen some like that too. The file copy is more of a watermark. Its a shame many of them are put over the players face

The file copy is not really a watermark, it's physically embossed into the photo itself. I have this one.

1924 gehrig
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...-1924Swing.jpg

Ya youre right mark..i just looked at mine again. Love that 24 photo!

Thanks, but I wish that stamp wasn't there. I'm not sure why they would do that to the photo as I assume it would make it unprintable.

I suppose that was the point
 

Just a wild guess looking at the facts. If the photos were intended as "file copies" and they did not want anyone to remove/use them, what better way than strategically placing a stamp in a place on the photo that would make them unusable?

Right. They had the negative, the file copy was just a placeholder of sorts. If it was in perfect shape, some employee would be more likely to swipe it for their kid.

But didnt they realize years later guys like us would be pissed that they ruined a perfectly good and valuable photo...lol..damn them

The true irony
 

Ironically if they hadn't "ruined them", they would likely not be in the collectors hands in which they reside today as they likely would have sold for much greater sums. I suppose you could also spin it that the images with the file copy stamps are much rarer (1of1's?) than those without. It is a connection between the photo and magazine/newspaper publisher!

very true!

Yes, without those stamps, those photos might have been stolen.

Or not.

I hope nobody gets the bright idea......
 

Of copying the file copy stamps to try to create "rare" one of a kind photos with file copy stamps :D