Is This Scott 533?

I'm having difficulty distinguishing the different types of the offset imperf Washingtons on the basis of the drawings provided in the Scott catalogue. I think I've got it right, but I'd appreciate confirmation. Is this a Type V?

Thanks for looking!

My guess would be SC#409 with Schermack perforations, CV 0.50 in my 2006 specialized. [type 1, flat plate printing, looks like SC409 color, not SC482].

Thanks, chasa. It seems you're right. Clearly, the colour is a very good guide in this case!

JJ2-
Best way to determine between 409 and 482 isn't color-- 409 has a SL watermark, and 482 does not.

Is it offset? I can always tell if it's in front of me, but not blown up on a screen. Remember that the offset is a stamp that was NOT engraved like flat or rotary-- so no piles of ink on top of the stamp.

If you take your tongs and lightly go over the top of a known flat plate stamp you'll feel the ink of the stamp. If you then go over this one, and it feels "smooth like a baby's butt", it's an offset, and can't be 409 or 482.

Best way to "approximate" the offset types is to look at the left "2".
If the center line of the "2" (where the curl at the top meets the straight at the bottom) is incomplete, it's IV, V, Va. VI and VII are complete with VI wider and VII with extra dots added in the scalp.

IV is the easiest, with the "DID" in the toga button (1st D is backward).

V or Va both have the following:
- toga button with 5 vertical lines
- toga rope is complete and strong with all shading lines

Differences between V and Va
V- design is not square. Top frame is slightly wider than the bottom
Va- design is narrower and shorter than V
Va- 4th shading row on nose from the top, is incomplete, containing only 4 dots

Basically, you ID Type IV, Va, VI, VII and anything else is V

Stamp attached has a complete "2", can't be IV, V, Va
Also the toga rope isn't complete, so not V, Va
Doesn't look like VI or VII

Probably is flat plate, so then check for a watermark.
If there's a watermark = 409
If not = 482

Hope this helps! Ray

I agree the watermark check is best, but lacking those tools, color is 95% reliable.

ray.macc, thanks for the information. It seems necessary to give some more details about the stamp. First, it has no watermark. Second, it has red frame lines on the back, meaning that it must be a flat plate printing (right?). Third, it has a toga button with 5 vertical lines. I hope these details help.