It seems to be a flat plate printing due to how dark the horizontal lines are. The lines are thick and nearly drown out the white space. This is a sign that indicates a flat plate printing. That points towards a 498.
Definitely need to have a better look. Please learn how to post better pictures. At least crop the photos to just the stamp. Even better, get a scanner.
From what I can tell, it's a 498 with bad centering.
I asked this of you in another post so I'll ask again, have you read basic stamp collecting information/guides?
It seems like you're asking of others to do the work for you. That in itself isn't a bad thing, but you aren't going to get many people wanting to help you if you don't do the basics yourself.
Do you want some references to learn about the variations? I'll gladly point you towards relevant information.
Please learn about the basics. As of now, you present yourself to this community as someone who has acquired an album and is only looking to profit from valuable stamps. That isn't a bad thing, but isn't going to gain you any any friends here.
Some here are more understanding of being new than others. Regardless, please at least show that you have tried to make the distinction yourself.
Please answer these questions: 1. Are you a native English speaker? 2. Do you have access to read and have you read a Scott catalog? 3. Have you spent many hours just learning about how stamps are made and how the different variations happen?
Wow. Thanks for making all of those wonderful assumptions. I learn with every post and response. And yes, I have just acquired a book and I am also reading that. Do I know English? Yes, born and raised in The United States. You, sir have 22 posts on this site at the time of my response. I really don't believe that gives you the right to be the spokesman of this community. It's individuals like you that make one want to leave communitys and collecting. You should really quit attempting to belittle people with your "smart" comments. Have a good evening.
I am not trying to be a "spokesman for the community". I am only trying to understand your position. I do truly want to assist you. I am not trying to belittle you. I asked simple questions under no deceptive motives.
It appears to me that you need to learn more about the basics. I was only trying to figure out what you know and how I could be of assistance.
Please understand that I have very little of an idea of who you are and what you know of the details. I'm trying to understand you.
I'm trying to convey to you how your posts have upset some members. I certainly don't speak for everyone. I'm just giving you my observation.
I only want to further knowledge and to promote the hobby. I apologize if my words have upset you. That was not my intention.
I want to appologize for my previous comments. I kind of just blew up. I just read your previous comments on other posts and I do greatly appreciate your sticking up for me. It's been a little overwhelming for me lately in my learning. I get on a variety or type of stamp and jump to the next without fully resourcing that variety or type. It has also been difficult posting from my phone. I currently only have a desktop at work. All my pics have been through my phone cam. I am fascinated by stamps and varieties. I will definitely try to read and resource better before future posts or questions. Thank you.
Hey maverickx, don't worry. This sh*t isn't easy. Take your time. Learn as much as you can until you hit a point where you can't figure it out better. A few days ago I posted a question that would easily be solved by most, but couldn't figure it out for myself. https://goscf.com/t/39555
Even though not everyone here is trying to be helpful, this community seems to be the most knowledgeable on the web. Most are very helpful. Just make sure to try to help yourself before asking of others.
I have similar frustrations to what you have. Give it time. Never stop trying and never stop learning. The people here will gladly help you when you encounter an issue that is not easy to determine for yourself.
This hobby shouldn't be about impressing others. It's about your own enjoyment. If you make some money doing it, great. I would love to find something rare in my collection to help pay to further what I enjoy.
I do wish you the best in enjoying this hobby and I hope for every one doing it that we can all find a rarity and contribute to the history.
This is not all inclusive. you'll find other sources in the links section on many of these and other sites. Add them to your favorites where you can easily access them as needed. Everyone on this site, whether beginner or 30+year collector is always learning and will share what they know--BUT--some of what you ask can be determine by a bit of your own basic research. If, in your effort to make a determination you need help, don't hesitate to ask. I suggest you get a Scott U.S. Specialized catalogue (if you don't have one now), that is also a very good reference.
For me, it has been a fascinating an rewarding hobby. This site, as well as those mentioned and others, are excellent resources to enhance your experience. Have fun and keep asking questions when you need help.
Al E. Gator, most of your links are corrupted. The commas made it onto the end of the urls. Also, revEnue-collector.com needs that extra E. Thanks for adding links.
Thank you much for the information and sites, Gator. I really appreciate it.
I have picked up a Scotts specialized catalogue. I have a lot of reading to do! I also took the above pictured stamp in to a local coin and stamp expert and he helped show me what to look for with flat and rotary print. Gave me some good pointers, so I feel a lot better about attempting to identify. As crazy as it sounds, he seems to think that the Washington I posted above is definitely rotary, per 11, possibly 545 or 544. He wants to measure the portrait just to make sure but didn't have his measurement tool on-site today. He recommends me to order one of these tools also. He also mentioned possibly checking for the watermark, saying that there is some type of watermark liquid out there? Will that liquid harm a stamp? His hopes aren't high that it is a 544 or 545, but he thinks it warrants measurement. Where should measuring start at on the stamp?
The measurement is of the colored design. Do you have another rotary print to compare it to? I just went through this process myself. Read my thread: https://goscf.com/t/39555
You'll need a ruler that can measure to 0.1mm accuracy, or calipers, or use a scanner and photo editing software to compare it to a known rotary. Start with lining it up with a known rotary or flat plate stamp as is shown in cfrphoto's reply to the post I linked to.
The "Watermark fluid" most recommend here is cheap Ronsonol lighter fluid in the yellow bottle. Here's a good video:
Well, I guess that what I get for using commas. maverickx can just key them in and then save them. Didn't catch the missing "e" when I proofed.
Maverickx,I believe the stamp is a flat plate printing. Look on the back of the stamp. If you see any green ink flecks, dots, part line or design element, any at all, then its a flat plate. #544 and #545 are rotary press stamps and will not have any ink off-set on the back. The off-set occurs when the flat press printed sheets are stacked one on top of the other and usually the ink on one sheet was not completely dried before another sheet was stacked on top of it, hence, ink off-set on the back. Rotary press printing was done in a different manner and ink off-set is very rare on a rotary stamp.
You can purchase a perforation gauge and watermarking tray on-line. You can also use any Black piece of glass or plastic to check watermarks. There is a "special" watermarking fluid you can buy, but most folks just used Ronsonol lighter fluid--its cheaper and works just a well or better. Just be careful--it is flammable. No damage will occur to the stamp using either one that I'm aware of. At some point, you may want to get a Sonic Imagery Labs Precision U.S. Specialty Multi-Gauge. Its a very good tool to use on perforations, etc.
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Posted 09/15/2014 10:10 pm
