Reprint

A reprint is a posthumous print run of a stamp. This is normally done to satisfy collector demand. It may use the original printing plates or newly created ones.

Official reprints are ones created by a post office department. There can be an attempt made to be able to identify reprints from originals, otherwise there have been efforts by philatelists to tell the difference. A number of classics have had several reprintings.

Unofficial reprints are ones created by private individuals. These are made using discarded original printing plates, that may or may not be defaced, or may or may not be repaired. For classic stamps, worn impressions sharply printed makes such reprints somewhat obvious. Major gouges defacing designs are another tipoff that a reprint is in hand.

This is also used to describe imitations created as stamp show souvenirs, etc., that are only vaguely similar to the original. Then again, if you never seen a genuine original, you could be fooled.

Clandestine reprints are ones that went out the back door of a printing plant that printed or were printing the originals. Then, these are forgeries. 



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