Trying At Plating A US Perforate 1851-60 3 Cent Wash.

And failing.

Here is the stamp I was trying to plate.



I have noted a few rather obvious aspects of the stamp (or rather things I think I know).

Color: A deep rose
Impression: Excellent (early plate most likely).
Type: III (I think)
Other distinguishing characteristics: UR and UL triangles odd. UL triangle with many lines deeply engraved. UR triangle had a line of ink linking it to the UR diamond.

So based on the color likely printed in 1857 or later. It is on cover, but the year in the cancel remains a mystery to me. If it helps the date is December 24. I think. Here is the image of the cover.



Here is a closeup of the cancel.



Resources used: Mr. Chase's book on the matter and the plating guide from the USPCS website.

Guidance welcomed.

I have one from a Sarah R Martin but from down river at Jersey Shore, Pa. Related perhaps? Nice Pick-up! Maybe the research from mine can assist you on finding the date of your cancel or at least narrow it down? Just a thought?

https://goscf.com/t/34233&SearchTerms=Sarah,Martin

Definitely not 1857, probably 1860, less likely but possibly 1861. The stamp is a sixth row F relief (note the guide dot at lower right diamond block), and a wonderful example of one at that. Other than the two framelines, there is no other recutting. I don't know the plate # or position.

Thanks for the information guys.

Sinclair, I take it you are referring to the dot indicated below?

I thought I would also post this 11A since I was at it. The upper right vertical frame line looks recut, and perhaps a bit of the inner frame line as well.



The color on this one also seems rose (or perhaps a claret). The impressions seems pretty good as I can see the engraving in the background of the portrait. The letters at the bottom of the stamp seem a bit indistinct (especially the S in Cents). I am not sure why that is. Perhaps a poor impression from the transfer roll?

Here is the full cover (well reduced actually as you can see by the partial corner card).



The funny thing is that until very recently I had been avoiding classic US stamps as I thought they were "too complicated". Now the complications seem to translate well into fun.

No. The dot is the big blob at the lower left corner of the diamond block. Not all sixth row stamps show a guide dot. You won't find them on stamps from the tenth vertical row and many of the guide dots were probably obliterated by the actual transfer of the stamp design. They are kind of neat when you find them like this.

Your imperf stamp is probably a Plate 5 Late (5L) impression. Color could be yellowish rose red, '56 brownish carmine, or claret. I would say it is '56 brownish carmine if I had to guess. The lower label block on Plate 5L stamps was frequently disfigured by the reentry of Plate 5 Early (5E). There are many mild to moderate double transfers on Plate 5L created by the reentry of Plate 5E.

Ahh, I see it now, bulging from the lower corner, not a seperate and independent dot. Thank you Sinclair.

smauggie,

I plated your #11A to position 98R5L. Nice stamp and cover!

Wow! Thanks CC. Now I just have to figure out how you did it. There is no mention of this particular 5L position that I could find in Chase so I assume there is some other resource you are using. Could you tell me what it is?

Thanks!

smauggie, I used the Chase plating prints. Here's 98R5L from the Chase print overlayed on your stamp. I squashed both down to simulate viewing at a low angle. The right outer frame line bends out very distinctly about a third of the way down.

Fascinating! Thanks again CC.