Scott # 281 Watermark

I found these in my collection that had been identified by my Dad as Scott # 281, perf 12, Wmk 191.

And if I'm reading the Scott Specialized 1998 catalog correctly they would have to have the watermark as either horizontal or vertical but none were Unwatermarked.

I decided to confirm the watermark using a scanning method mentioned on one of these posts back in December. It mentioned using the Paint Shop Pro program which I have the 6.02 version. Further instructions were to use the Channel Splitting to CMYK feature which would clearly bring out the image using one of the layers, and the example they gave was amazing.

I however have had no luck with this feature. I've tried scanning in various DPI settings as well as gray scale, black and white, etc.

I then resorted to the old fashion method of using some Super Safe fluid, and I still can't seem to see any watermark.

So now I'm really confused.

Would it make difference scanning with a white background?

White background would probably make it harder to see, you could use lighter fluid. Some might disagree but I have used it many, many times and it does not hurt the Stamp.

is that picture of it in the fluid? I don't think so..
Put it in a watermark tray with the fluid then shoot a picture.. sometimes the watermark will be along the edge or show only a partial.

The Scott 281 is not known without watermark. Below is a scaled drawing of wmk 191. Depending on the alignment with the plate stamps can have just a very small amount of the watermark on them.

The right stamp, bottom left. Is that a single-line "S"?

Never mind. It cannot be single-line, but it does look like a watermark.

Puzzler--
I did think of scanning with lighter background, however the example used on the other blog was with black and his outcome was truly amazing.

Stampvirgin--
The scan taken of of a dry stamp, but I may try your idea.

Bankruptcollector--
What you are seeing is the cancellation coming though on the back side.

Russ--
I suspect your scan has clarified my dilemma. Their is probably only a small portion of the watermark visible along the edges which is making it almost impossible to confirm.

thank you all,

Here is the final scan @ 300 DPI, 48 bit color, with solution.

The upper right corner of the stamp on right looks like a watermark, however it doesn't seem to fit into any of the possibilities given on the watermark template drawing. Of course this is assuming that the drawing given in the Scott catalog is absolute accurate. I also scanned using a white background with no better results found.

yukoncat,

There are eight possible orientations for the watermark. Check out the templates at this link.

http://www.1847usa.com/Watermarks/D...LineUSPS.htm

Steve

Edit: For the stamp on the left, compare against the "reversed rotated right" template. For the one on the right, try the "rotated right" template.

I do not think that is the cancellation. Your updated scans have the cancellation in a light yellow-orange color, while the "s" shape is clearly visible in a darker shade at the bottom left. The other stamp seems to have something top center and right, in a similar color where no cancel exists.

bankruptcollector,

Good observation, I agree.


tomiseksj,

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