Scott 26A Or Top Row 25?

I looked at the top side frame lines and considered this a 26a. Did some searching of old threads here. One thing that comes up is that a top row 26 will have top frame lines that look like this also.

When I take a closer look, it appears that maybe the left bottom frame line continues past the stamp image.

This is a top row #26. Identification of top row Type III and IV stamps is easy. All of them are the so-called "damaged transfer" variety which was actually caused by a damaged A relief on the transfer roll. The "damaged transfer" on this stamp has not been retouched. Many top row stamps will also have a guide dot at upper right corner like this stamp. Don't be fooled into thinking that all framelines of Type IV stamps end at the edge of the design. Many do not and most people don't understand this. As a general rule, Type III stamps have very straight framelines and Type IV stamps have framelines that are not straight.

Oops, I just noticed my title for this thread is incorrect. I did mean top row 26.
Thanks sinclair! If I may, just a couple more questions based on your response. The guide dot, is that what I'm seeing as a blob at the upper right corner where the frame line ends?
The "damaged transfer" you speak of, where would I be seeing that on this stamp?

One thing that jumped out at me with this stamp is the space between the upper left side frame line and the top diamond. I thought that might represent a crooked re-cutting of the frame line.

Spot on, Sinclair!

Yes, the blob at the end of the frameline is the guide dot. The damaged transfer is composed of two white areas in the tessellated work above the lower left rosette. Both areas are slightly difficult to see in this stamp. ebay item #400536683004 is a good example to look at to see the damaged transfer.

The little crook you see on the left line doesn't count :) You will actually see quite a few Type III's with a crook in that very location.

stampcrow, the damaged area of the transfer is just outside the upper left of the lower left rosette.

I used to have a large collection of retouch varieties of the damaged transfer. I saved some images about 10 years ago, so the resolution isn't very good. Here is a sampling of six different retouch varieties. Some have engraved vertical lines, some have lines and dots or dashes added to fill in the damaged area:

Excellent,I believe I do see the area of damage. It looks something like a scuff mark at first glance. That and the guide dot are both easy to pick up now that I know. Thank you.

Hope it's ok to piggy back my own thread. But it's great for me to have a back and forth like this. It helps me immensely.
This stamp does seem to have a messy or crooked right side frame line.

As you can probably tell I'm trying to fill the 26a spot lol.

stampcrow,as sinclair states:




So the second stamp you posted does appear to be a #26a. However, the most desirable #26a will show indisputable diagnostics identifying the variety, especially visibly broken frame lines at top and bottom. What this means for your stamp is that it does fill the #26a spot, but regarding resale value, it would be a tough sell without a certificate.

26a space filler, inexpensive....learning how to recognize one, priceless! Thanks guys

Sinclair - does the presence of the guide dot always make this a 26 top row vs 26a. The item below also has what appear to be straight frame lines so one would lean towards 26. Thanks for you help/input on the item below.

Those bottom perfs are a hoot.

stallzer, agreed. Any thoughts on 26 vs 26a.

Hobsun013, No. A guide dot at upper right can be found on both Type III and IV stamps. All of the 1857-61 plates were laid out the same way. There are many Type III stamps that don't show the dot. I am not quite sure if any of the top row Type IV stamps actually lack the dot. The framelines on your stamp are not straight. It is a very nice example of a top row, Type IV, Scott #26A, even with the perf issues at top and bottom.

sinclair2010, thanks for the quick reply and details. I was not even thinking of a top row 26a. I do see some variance in the frame lines but in other examples I have seen they have often been more pronounced. I typically assume the least valuable variant and then must be convinced of the alternative. Foregoing the perfs, I like the color and the cancel (to me anyway), adds to the overall appeal. Thanks again for your feedback.

Hobsun the centering is nice also.