Over Sized 552? Perhaps Something Else?

Sorting through some common stamps and ran across this over sized Franklin perf 11. Initially I just assumed it was a flat plate 552 with nice color, especially with the ink on the back. It seemed a bit large so I measured it and it's not even close to my other 552's which measure 19x22 on the nose for the most part. This stamp is 19.35 x 22.35. So now I'm puzzled as to what it really is? Hate to see a 594 or 596 slip through my grasp.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

the green ink remnants on the back insure that is SC 552 flat plate printing

Beautiful stamp... positively *love* the balanced perfs...

Very new at this -- Looking through a vast collection (at least to me) of my grampa and dad's that were left in my care. I am just thrilled to have such a cool collection to learn from. So - question - I have several of these 1 cent perforated Franklin stamps and these particular stamps kinda jumped out due to color, size and perforations. Any thoughts? Thanks so much!









I have more and sure to discover interesting things in the several stock books I have. How would I go about figuring out what I have? Is the Scott book series online?
Thanks again!

Chaulkdust, reference source measurement are not exact, they are to the nearest .5mm. When actually measuring your stamps you may find some variances. 19.25+x22.25+ still makes yours a 552 I believe. I have 552s measuring from 19,19.25,19.50mm to 22.0 and 22.5mm.

toofar2travel, Read through this web site. It will help you understand a lot about the stamps you have posted. If you do not have one, you need to purchase a Scott Specialized Catalogue for U.S. Stamps. If you have W/W, there are Scott catalogues for those too. Also, your local library may have them in their reference section for you to use.

http://www.stampsmarter.com/1847usa/index.htm

Yes, I kind of thought it was just over sized. Does the size also work the same way smaller. 19 showing as 18.75,18.5 for example. If not why not? Makes it difficult to ID things with such wide variances. Or does this logic only apply to certain stamp series? Just curious. I do have a specialized catalog, but if design dimensions are only a guideline it doesn't help much, but I guess it's better than nothing.

Thanks for the advice! I'll have to go to the library and use their reference. I did see a perforation gauge in the front of the old stock book. Guess I have my work cut out for me

Chaulkdust, yes it can work the other way, that why the references state 18.5-19mm and 22.5+mm in the references section. It has to do with the paper and how it shrinks in drying etc. Perforation measurement isn't recommended as your only method for determining what your stamp is. You have to use all the factors that come into play--flat plate, rotary, offset, color variations, design size etc.

Good luck toofar2travel, I've been at it for a long time and I'm still learning! Come back here when you have questions, after giving it a try in the catalogues and the site I gave you.