3 Cent 1851 Plating ID Help

Hi,

Perhaps one of you can help me with this stamp. It's been in the family since my father purchased it from Siegel in October 1972 from what was then called the "Distinguished Gentleman" sale who actually was Marc Haas. (Sale 418, Lot 117).

It was identified in that sale as an Orange Brown, position 24L1E. I sent it into the PF to see what they thought and stupid me I didn't ask to have it plated.

It came back as a Brownish Carmine, not an OB but otherwise got a good cert (#519485). It does look rather washed out in the scan, the color is much deeper in person.

It looks like a plate 1 early to me but I am FAR from any sort of expert on these. What say you?



Many thanks in advance,

Bill

I love the green cancellation.

Art

Almost certainly plate 1L (#11). I might be able to check the plating tonight.

Bill,

Your stamp has double guide dots in the lower right corner. Positions 24L1e and 24L1i (both #10) and 24L1L (#11) all have the same double guide dots. What distinguishes the plate 1L position from the earlier states, is the recutting of the inner lines. On plate 1L the right inner frame line is cut higher at the top and lower at the bottom. The bottom of the right inner frame line just touches the upper right corner of the lower right diamond block. This line comes no where close to the lower right diamond block on plate 1e and 1i.

So, your stamp is confirmed to be from position 24L1L, and therefore a #11. Beautiful stamp, by the way! Here is an image showing the plating diagnostics:

CC,

I owe you. Thank you VERY much! If you're going to attend a show in the NY City area, lunch/dinner is on me.

I have a few really nice 10s and 11s, including at least one other from that sale which apparently set a record at the time for a single used 3c 51 if you'd like me to post them.

Bill

Bill,

You're welcome. And you don't owe me. I enjoy evaluating these early imperforates. I'd love to see your other 3-cent 1851s. Images a little larger than the first one would be helpful.