1c 1857-- I.d.???

I don't pretend to be knowledgeable with images, saving uncompressed files or whether the scanner isn't made to go over a certain res, Don. Bottom line, you're trying to see small, very small plate marks that won't show up at 300 or 600....that's all. Sometimes they'll be distorted but one can definitely see minute marks at higher res than you can at 600 dpi

Best to read the "How this is done" from Doporto's 1c Plating Archive site, and one gets a real appreciation of what he's had to go through.

Winston was absolutely correct when he mentioned about Neinken's book not having details when they do exist. It just took higher res scans that neither Neinken or Ashbrook had at the time.

But, you still need the book to understand the story and the big picture.
Thanks, Ray

Don and Ray, you both highlight pertinent issues. According to Richard Deporto (slingshotvenus 1c Franklin image archivist) 4800dpi is the best minimum resolution for stamp scans. File types regarding compression might be an issue. Most pertinent is that scanner optical resolution should at least be 4800dpi. To determine your scanner's capabilities, look at the specifications which are usually at the end of your user manual. Specifically look for the "optical resolution" of the scanner head.

I have just spent dozens of hours comparing actual images of plated stamps versus the diagrammed stamps depicted in the Ashbrook/Neinken book of the 1851 1c Franklin series. The images on slingshotvenus are invaluable. I can now identify plating marks based on appearance. Plating marks are very distinct and are very different than what one would expect from reading the reference book. I encourage everyone interested in learning this series to compare images from the slingshotvenus site to the Ashbrook/Neinken plating diagrams.

The result of all of that effort is that I believe that I have definitively identified my stamp as 32R8. It is listed in the book as having no identifying marks, yet the slingshotvenus site does detail it. Confirmation or not of my identification will be well received.

Overall, I encourage everyone interested in this stamp's series to read the reference book and to compare the plating diagrams with every image possible on slingshotvenus.

Read the Ashbrook/Neinken book then stare at the images at: http://www.slingshotvenus.com/Frank...hv_Main.html

The Ashbrook/Neinken book is available for free in pdf form at: http://d2jf3tgwe889fp.cloudfront.ne...okmarked.pdf

Of course, please consider joining or at least donating to the organization that provides such great resources for free.

Those Epson Perfections are excellent scanners. We had one at our shop in Hendersonville. Optical resolution up to 6800.

Ryan, a few of the markings of 32R8 match up perfectly with your stamp, particularly the smudge in the "E" and the scratch in ornament L/M. Looks like it's definitely 32R8....congrats!

Southpaw-- Jack Daley suggested this scanner to me, and it's great that it comes with the Photoshop Elements software. Very happy with this scanner....thanks!

Ray