After all the overprint discussion...what is a overprint?

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Posted By: whitehse

I asked this in the overprint thread but it seems to have been lost in all the discussions. I have to ask what might be a real dumb question.

These overprints are what? Are they not nothing more than someone taking a rubber stamp to them at some time and stamping the backs of these cards or are the overprints done at the time the cards were printed? What makes the cards more valuable with the overprints on them? (or should I say collectable) It seems to be contrary to everything I have ever seen in this hobby in that anything "added" to the card after the initial printing process will de-value the card. What am I missing here?

I apologize for the dumb questions but I have been reading about overprints for a long time on this board and nobody ever explained what they actually were and why they are collectable. If I am left to my own assumptions I usually get myself into alot of trouble!

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Posted By: leon

Overprints are just another form of advertising. Myself and many other collectors like them and will pay a premium for them. They were generally put on after the initial mfg and distributed as such.....
Why are misprints often worth mulitples of what a normal card would be? It's all about the demand.....Value for collectibles is only determined by what someone is willing to pay for something...It's as easy as that.....Hope this helps...and it's not a dumb question at all...best regards

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Posted By: leon

here's a W554 with an overprint (stamp) on the back. I think it's neat so I paid a premium for it....if this is a $20 card then with the stamp it's probably an $85 card....or somewhere in that range....Again, they aren't for everyone but I really like them.....If anyone has any cards with neat stamps like this, that they want to unload, please email me.... heck, I might as well get a plug in after all of the jabbering I am doing ....

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Posted By: Anthony S.

Think of it this way. You just paid $20 to get into a club. They stamp your hand at the door. In about 90 years your hand will be worth about $85.

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Posted By: Adam

Is the red line at the bottom here also considered an "overprint," or would you call it something else?

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Posted By: leon

I am sure one of the T206 guys will help but I do think that is considered an overprint....

I spoke with Rob Lifson a few minutes ago about these E94's. He is always very careful and didn't go as far as saying anything unequivocally about the Overprint in question...though he said he would have at least a concern. He doesn't feel for sure especially since it is somewhat of an elaborate stamp...... He too is hoping SGC will give a definitive opinion upon re-inspection. He also said it might be worth having David R do a test on it, depending on cost etc......(he didn't say anything about cost I just threw that in as if it would cost more than the value of the card it probably wouldn't be worth it). He absolutely said the overprints in general are legitimate and he has found some in virgin collections when folks had no idea about them...going 30 yrs back. He also said provenance is a good thing....and sent over this overprint Newsboy...I think it will be in his next auction....