Question Classic US Stamps.

Hi guys,

I got 2 questions from a friend on a Portuguese forum about some American stamps he has.

Question 1:



This Benjamin Franklin stamp has a number of varieties, such as with and without 'grill' or differences depending on the printers (National Bank Note Company for A44 in Scott, Continental Bank Note Company for A44a and American Bank Note Company for A44b).

It seems the stamp above is not A44a because, despite the cancellation, it seems the special identifier mark is missing from this example.

However, he has doubts on whether it is A44 or A44b. The first one, without grill, is quoted as $20 and with the color Ultramarine (Scott 145). The second one, also without grill, is referenced as Grey Blue and quoted at $1 (Scott 206). Which one do you think the stamp is above?

Question 2:



The issue between 1880 and 1893 by American Bank Company includes 2 stamps of 2 cents according to Scott: 219D, with the color "lake", and 220, with the color "carmine".
Although, according to a site he consulted, it seems the stamps were issued in carmine, dark carmine, rose and carmine rose, which are not easy to distinguish.

Can anyone point out if any of the examples above are 219D?

Thanks for your help!

None of these are a 219D. The difference when compared next to a 219 is very noticeable.

The 1 cent is the 1881 re-engraved Scott 206.


Here is an example of the lake 219D

The 2c ones it is very hard to tell colours from a scan but I would say none of them are lake because it is so distinctive the first one I would say is carmine Rose the third one I would say is dark carmine, the last one I would say is a type 3 possibly a 267a because it looks pinkish but the scan doesn't show a lot of detail and the colours might be off

Thanks for the replies so far.

The 2nd question is definitely answered after the explanations above and the scan posted by Russ.

When trying to look up info on the 1 cent Franklin to find images in accordance with Russ' reply, I found this great 'library' of stamp scans: http://www.nystamps.com/library/ind...07&Itemid=75

The difference between 145 and 206 seems quite clear.

145 seems brighter


206 is more pale

AndrewF31,

Scott #206 also comes in ultramarine, dull blue, and slate blue. The major distinguishing feature of the Franklin (A44b) are the lines of shading that have been added to the upper arabesques.



Steve

Thanks for that post tomiseksj, That straightened out a misconception I have had for years. I was looking at the wrong thing and could not understand or see any differences. Thanks again - Jeff