Plating? How Can You Tell?

I've seen mentioned on some threads lately about plating. I've heard this term before, but don't know exactly what it means (which plate is used? position on plate?)
Can someone explain plating a stamp to me?
thanks
James

The term plating normally refers to reconstructing a pane of stamps with each stamp from a specific plate in its proper position.

The Great Britain Queen Victoria penny red issue of 1864 (Scott #33) is popular to work on because the exact position of each stamp can be determined by the 2 letter combination in the corners of the stamp design, and the exact plate number is incorporated in the scrollwork on both sides of the stamp.

The plate/position characteristics of other older stamps, including some US, are also well documented so that the plate/position can also be determined and the pane reconstructed if you have enough patience and deep enough pockets.

Some collectors will occasionally use the term "plating" more loosely as follows (but these are technically not correct usage of the term):
-- identifying the plate number and pane position of a stamp
-- collecting an example of all the plate numbers for a stamp
-- collecting all the plate numbers by number and position (sometimes called collecting matched plate blocks)

Thanks khj.
I've seen the little numbers incorporated into the artwork of penny reds.
It's the US issues I can't figure out. How people know where on a plate the stamp was located. Are there secret marks on them as well?

For U.S. the 2 most plated issues are the 1 cent and 3 cent issues of 1851-1860. Most of the hard work of the original plating has be done. Chase did the 3 cent and Ashbrook did the 1 cent. Most plates are done there are some positions and plates that are still unknown. The first step in plating is to get the books with the plating diagrams (some partial plating archives are online).

The second step is to learn how to identify the stamp types, which is relatively easy.

The third step is to learn how to identify the transfer reliefs

The fourth step is to understand the plate wear patterns as the plating details, and sometimes even the type, can change with plate wear.

With that done you are ready for the frustration involved in trying to identify the often very minor scratches, marks and differences associated with each position's transfer. But also the exhilaration of getting the plate/position right.

This is not an activity for those who are easily discouraged or frustrated.

Here is a link that has posed here many times, it is truly helpful when trying to plate the 1 blue Franklin's. As you look at the site pick any plate number and you will the menusha detail required when undertaking assigning a position to a stamp. Probably, Russ and the stamp virgin are some of the best at doing it, personally, it just drives me nuts.
All the best
Ron
http://www.slingshotvenus.com/Frank...hv_Main.html