1893 / 1894 / 1895 Two Cent Washingtons

Here we go.. First post !

Ok.. Just getting a handls on separating, organizing, and figuring out all the differences between the different appearances of the many two cent Washingtons I have is challenging ..

So.. Just to get started, here is a "group 1" of one style of the many groups I have separated into similar stamps...

What little I have been able to figure out is that they all appear to be flat plate from either 1893, 94, or 95.

The last two are type 3 based on the way the lines are consistent they way they run all the through the triangles at the top.

Hard for me to tell.. These could fall into either orange/red or carmine in color ?

I guess just to get started, does anything else stand out to anyone..

Oh.. In picture #2 second row first stamp.. Is that considered a noteworthy flaw where the ink at the top which should be from another stamp meaninfull ?

Among all the 19th Century US stamps, I find that the bunch you are working on are the most fun! This isn't just slapping a stamp in a space in an album; this is discovery! Watermarked or unwatermarked; type I, II, and III; and then the color varieties!! Oh, my, such fun! Though I'm by no means an expert on them, the first thing I'd do is purchase some watermark detector and a watermark tray. Some people use Ronson lighter fluid rather than the watermark detector. It also delivers good results. It's just a bit hazardous, but far cheaper.

This is the first cut on your stamp: are they watermarked or not?
Study up on the 191 also called the double line watermark and how they would appear on these stamps. More often than not only partial letters appear. It's quite a thrill to get a complete letter. Once you finished this you'll at least have them divided into either the 1894 or 1895 series.
Next attack the triangle types and finally the color varieties.

Have a great weekend with your Bureau issues

Hello Ipmiller,

First off, thank you for the reply..

from the little bit of reading have done, yes.., these 19th century Washingtons, and Franklins are the most intersting/complex.. The prospect of finding a little diamond in the rough !

So.. What is a watermark detector/tray, and what is the process, and the objective ?

I also have no idea what a 191/double watermark is.. Will Google that and read up on watermark and un-watermark.

Pretty sure I know what you mean by "triangle types"..

Great start ! You have given me some things to read up on !

Elderstamp - I find this site very useful when attempting to identify those Washingtons! http://www.1847usa.com/index.htm

Boy oh boy elderstamp you sure picked a stamp with 86,349 varieties. They are fun to identify but try not to be colorblind as it makes the identification process a nightmare. Check watermarks first, then go after "Type" and then color. Micarelli put out a great book to help with some of the identification of older stamps. Great bunch you have there!

One of my favorite U.S. stamps..but they ain't easy !! I like to collect them on cover also when I find interesting ones !!

jhlovell,

Obviously I am not a collector, but hope and wonder if it is worth all the effort towards determining if there are one or two that are worth a couple of bucks out of the two hundred or so Washington and Franklin stamps that I am going through..




38press,

Thank you for the link !

Elderstamp...Great to have you here. If you have any questions about stamps, I'm sure that someone here will give you the answer..

As a greenpea novice collector, thinking will keep things as simple as possible to start with.. Maybe the collecting bug will give me a nibble resulting in a greater collecting interest in the future !

Units like that Stanley Gibbons and others can be very pricey !

Lots to choose from even just within ebay..
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...ark+detector

So in keeping with "kiss", and having a liking for antique items, ended up purchasing this vintage 2 3/4 X 2 3/4" Nick Carter water tray for now..

Still have not decided upon which fluid to go with..
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw...0.m270.l1313



One question I have is ..

Once the stamp is dipped in the fluid, does it result the watermark being brought out in a way that is perminant and easily viewable even after the stamp has dried ??

I am going to hit the library on Monday to see about some reference books like the Micarelli that jhlovell mentioned, and any others that look interesting !

I think will be able to cut out my own Washington/Franklin template easy enough.. Maybe out of something plastic ? Was not able to find a premade one online anyplace..

The short answer is -No. The fluid evaporates almost immediately and you will really only see the watermark by looking at the immersed stamp on its reverse side against the contrasting black tray. When you are done simply remove from fluid and let it "dry" a minute or so and your done! It's that easy. It's honestly the best method of viewing them as most of the gadgets and trinkets are not getting very high reviews from fellow collectors as I have been looking at getting one but think I may pass and just stick with the tray. Hope this helps out some.
Oh I forgot to mention that watermark fluid (or Zippo fluid or Ronsonol) works on mint stamps as well and the fluid won't bother the gum.

So for the purpose of documenting the revealed watermark, I suppose it is suggested to take a pic while the stamp is wet for the record ? Maybe it helps with any future possible sale of the stamp ?

Bump for opinion ...

My opinion would be to identify it, mount it and place it in your collection. Once you do that, you're 'closing the case' on identifying it. No picture needed.

I agree with others here - these are the most fun. I've just have a pair of green Washington $0.03 pieces that I had to get help on identifying. Going into it, it seems daunting (especially with the size of your set), but with all of the history, special markings and the end result of finally booking the piece, it's a labor of love!

Cardinal Bass

Thank you Cardinal