Kansas-Nebraska overprints

The Kansas-Nebraska overprints were an experiment by the US post office as a form of anti-bandit control.

Kansas and Nebraska were the states chosen to test this concept, with a large new printing of current definitives up to the 10c value overprinted Kans. or Nebr., respectively. There were immediate problems since these experimentals were supposed to be usable anywhere but would be sometimes be rejected outside the two states. The black 7c stamp made the black overprint hard to see. Precancels produced by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing still required unoverprinted stamps.

The experiment was considered a failure so the plan to include all the other states failed. File:US 1c Kans.jpg 



Notes for collectors
Kansas-Nebraska overprints have been forged as have their errors and varieties. Since the stamps were done in one large printing, they are recognizable by their rather distinctive shades. Of course, this requires comparison with known originals. Used stamps may have aging or some fading issues.

Mint Kansas-Nebraska overprints can further be recognized by their gum breakers used during their time. There is only one horizontal breaker per stamp, sometimes two showing with one each at the extreme top and bottom edges. There are closely-spaced vertical gum ridges as well.

Collectors are also advised that centering is generally not great for these, and should be willing to pay a solid premium for well-centered stamps with margins all around.

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