R54e Cross Hatching

One reference for revenue plate varieties is the 'Shift-Hunter Letters' which you can download from my website.

All of the varieties are represented by line drawings, which I personally find difficult to translate into real world appearance on stamps, so I have (slowly) been working on an online reference to 1st issue plate varieties, using images of actual stamps instead:

http://www.revenue-collector.com/varieties

I have tried to indicate diagnostics where possible and there are MANY more than Scott lists.

I am well aware of the limitations of the Scott catalog.
There is a block of 53 originally owned by CW Bedford, the compiler of the Shift Hunter Letters, and a great collector of plate varieties. It was studied very carefully and only 5 plate varieties were found on it. Undoubtedly using the microscopic methods of today one can find more, but at what point does it become true flyspecking? The R54 is one of those stamps that was in use throughout the first issue time period. Only one plate number is listed, but it is difficult to imagine that they simply kept re-entering it as needed and never created any new ones given how common the stamp is.
There was interest in plating this stamp even in 1932, so I am sure that much work has been done in that direction by now.

stampmaster, I understood the request, although I find that in trying to get information from any thread - the more information you supply - the more you get back. So far you have posted 1 image. That is why I suggested giving a little more from your end first.
The list of things you consider to be flaws is also useful - to know what you are looking at. Sure, all of my few examples show position dots and most have faint layout lines, so prevalent that they are overlooked as unimportant.

John, I have to tease you about making the sort of transposition that I have been guilty of in the past. I think you meant that anomalies on R54 are the rule rather than the exception!

Yes, yes, Thanks for the nitpicking. That's what I get for writing/editing several sentences at once. Above post now edited, so your follow-up post may look odd now.

Just for kicks I scanned the 3 R54ce dups I have. Anybody see anything out of the ordinary? I can't see anything...

I have no personal examples of actual plate varieties on R54c or R54ce. I have some nice margin imprint captures which of course are positional, but nothing in the way of DTs, recuts, plate scratches, or plate cracks (I don't consider the inking anomalies mentioned at the beginning of this thread to be plate varieties).

I owned the Bedford block from the Siegel sale. It was early state and was in horrible shape. If you want to see anything on ultramarine stamps you will need a much better scan. Position 54 appears clean at first (a,b & c) then from around 8/1867 to 1/1868 it showed a vertical scratch from above the lower 50 down through the "CE" of conveyance into the margin. After 1/1868 this position was re-entered and shows the Scott listed double transfer showing a doubling on the letters of conveyance, most notable in the arm of the Y. Position 54 is the collectable position although the silk late state stamps show reentries , they are hard to find.

southpaw, outstanding, I do not see anything on the three you posted. Disproves my theory, I like seeing these very much!

lackemacher, very interesting! Real knowledge like what you have provided is rare. A lot of people, perhaps I'm guilty of this myself only have a little bit of knowledge, you know the old saying, I know just enough to get into trouble.

Again, love the outstanding knowledge, thanks a thousands.

I'm putting this post to bed, it's ran it's course I think. Thanks to the people who have responded with knowledge.

I've been said to be rude sometimes, well it might be true. Difficult to type with one hand, takes a long time just to post something. Then I get tired, but still want to respond, then I take short cuts. Anyway it's my intention to be rude to anyone!

Dave