What happened to this card?

[Georj]

I was wondering if anyone had any insight or information as to how this card has the text printed on the front and the back. I have seen this before but was wondering how it could happen. The text on the front is a mirror image of the text on the back. Does anyone have any information on how or why this happened? Is there any value to this kind of card?

[mckinneyj]

Transference of ink from another Garver card placed on top of it?

[Bestdj777]

Originally Posted by mckinneyj

Transference of ink from another Garver card placed on top of it?

My thoughts too.

[Exhibitman]

It is a print flaw that varies in degree. It can be from the cards being stacked with wet ink. We usually call them "ghosts". They vary in clarity and are known with most issues:




I've seen some super-clear T206 ghosts.

If the card is actually run upside down, you get the back print in a non-mirrored form:

[steve B]

That's the most likely thing. It's not uncommon during production if the ink hasn't dried enough and a decent amount of pressure gets on the stack of sheets.

It can happen post production, and telling the difference can be difficult.

This stamp (a card proof) was last printed in 1894. The one on the right is a different stamp of the same style bought at the same time and shipped together in the same holder. It didn't have the offset transfer when I bought it, the seller had very nice front and back scans.

So the offset transfer seen here happened in transit between England and the US over a century after the stamps were printed! Whatever the formulation of the ink, it apparently never really dries.