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Scott Number: R3c Collection Reference No. for Communications: 5742

Denomination/Type: 1c Proprietary, red, perforated

Because this is a counterfeit/forgery, the catalog value does not apply. However, it may have value as a reference item.

Estimated Retail Value: $ 150.00 What is this?

Cancel Method: Handstamped - Ornate/Complex

Cancel Color: Black

Cancel or Company Type: Druggist, Pharmacist, or Patent Medicine

Company: C. O. Benton

City: Cleveland

State: Ohio

Counterfeit Benton's Pine Tree Tar Troches pictoral cancel, first discovered and written about in 1997. In addition to the relatively coarse impression, there are several design differences between this and the real cancel, most notably (1) the word TREE at right runs right into the 68, whereas on the real cancel there is a large amount of space between the two design elements, and (2) the right stem of the second N in BENTON's is much longer than on the real cancel. Even as a fake cancel, it is quite scarce, with less than 10 examples known.

If you have any information or comments about this cancel or stamp, please email me.