#395 Washington Lp

The snow had everything shut down today so, I thought I would continue on with the stamps. We had 14inches here but you folks in the N.E. I can only imagine what yall are dealing with. Anyway; I ran across this today and think it was a pretty good fine. Just trying to label everything for the family in case things go south. Hope yall like. Again my scanner isn't close to being worth anything. It's a dinosaur like me.
Newby

Would you say the centering is decent?

I hear that! That's what I'm starting on as we speak! Nice LP too by the way!

Depending on the watermark it could be a few things; namely -

Newby Stamper, it looks like it has a chance of being genuine, although it would be very helpful to have it scanned at a higher resolution & on a black background (it's very difficult to check the edges based on the color of background you used.) The color of the stamps look OK for a genuine 395, but top-to-bottom looks a bit short to me and I have some questions about the perfs (which the scan isn't good enough to answer.)

I_Love_Stamps, it's not perf 10, so the only possibility would be a perf 8 1/2 Scott 395 coil if genuine (otherwise an altered Scott 346.)

I agree with srailkb that, if genuine, is a Perf. 8.5 coil line pair and not perf. 10. The center perforations appear to be clean and round, so are suspect, but as srailkb mentions, would be better assessed against a black background.

I scanned it at 1200 with a black background. The perfs were 8.5 and has 190 watermark. It doesn't look like it's been trim or perfs added but I am a Newby. That's why I'm hear. I hope it is genuine.
It doesn't look like it scanned at 1200 so I'll try again

I think you have a winner there. The 346 Imperf (which can be made into a 395) is Orange Brown, and though we are looking at a monitor, your version does appear the correct color brown. I am uncertain about the quality of the line to make it a line pair, but I see nothing so far to prevent calling it a 395. I think it is worth your time for sending it to get a cert. Good luck.

There is no imperforate version with a single line (190) watermark to make fakes from. So it must be genuine.

Edit: I originally commented on the joint line being too clean and narrow, then I remembered that we're talking about flat plate coils, not rotary. A look in the Scott catalog even calls them a "guide line pair." With that in mind, it looks 100% genuine to me. It also comes with a hefty catalog value. Very nice!

Would a scan of the back help in any decision?

A personal shout out to each of yall.
ILS-DNA-Partime-orstampman-srailkb. I did notice the hefty price listed. Now to raise money from the wife to send it off

Thanks for the help!!

You're welcome. We love to help!

The perforations are genuine and the pair is genuine. The center line appears to be genuine also. Occasionally someone will try to draw in a center line, usually with miserable results. Either the ink color won't match, or the line will follow the holes instead of a straight line half way between adjacent stamps. Also, ink would be likely collect in some perforation holes. Because perforating took place after printing, drying and gumming, center line ink should not be seen in the side of perforation holes. Finally, coil height of perf 8 1/2 coils can vary significantly. It should also be noted that stripping knives were not added to the outside of the 10 wide roll initially leaving the top or bottom trimming on the roll where the sheet was cut in half as it came from flat plate production. Paste up pairs with a step edge on one side exist for perf 8 1/2 coils, but not perf 10 flat plate coils.

Clark

Clark, it's great to hear confirmation and even further information. Thanks!

That is 100% correct. The 3c,4c and 5c perf 8.5 can not be faked.

And it is a lovely LP and if sound, should absolutely be certified.

Bill Weiss, it's great to hear your confirmation as well. Thanks!

Again thank you everyone DNA, cfrphoto and to you Bill. cfrrphoto I wasn't even close to thinking of stripping knifes. That's why I love this place! You can learn soooo much here. Bill I'm looking on your site right now to see what it would cost. Hopefully I can get it to you. Will keep yall updated.
Again thanks
Newby

It is $35. for a color photo cert. (unless it is NH, which takes it over $1,000.CV, in which case it's $45.) plus return shipping and any insurance you may want is, of course, extra.