Is This A Plate Variety Or Just Ink?

Sorry about the poor images. I'm working on getting a USB Microscope.

In my limited literature, I cannot find a plate variety listed for, 'bottom left block connected to label'. So I'm thinking, what I'm seeing here is just extra ink.

I've included below, what I believe is, a connected block and label (upper left). I have that stamp plated as 6R2L. Of course at this point, I am considering my plating as preliminary due to my inexperience.

You may find it difficult to find a USB microscope capable of getting the whole stamp in one image. They do work great for imaging extreme detail. A 2400 dpi scanner works great for me so far for this issue. The 1851/1857 1c issues often require even finer detail because many of the plating marks are things like incidental scratches.

The 1851/1857 3c issues rely more on plating by intentional recuts. Some of them fade as the plate wears so sometimes extreme detail helps. Regardless, you're usually looking for recuts that match the non-solid lines on Chase's "Parts of the Design Recut" diagram. You're also looking for recuts that started on a non-solid line and went too far. Hence the joining of different areas by a line.



For your "bottom left block connected to label" (top two images), it looks like it is possible that the tops of the lower left diamond block and label could be joined. However, Chase's diagram doesn't show that as a possibility of a recut extending too far. Also, the small bit of ink is below the edge where one one expect it if possible. The bottom of those areas being connected is possible according to the diagram, but I cannot find that as a listed recut variety and don't see any evidence of it on your scan.

I used my internet browser's find function searching for all occurrences of "6" on this webpage: http://www.uspcs.org/the-1851-1860-...amp-plating/

That search lead to two results for 6R2L:
- "Variety #28 – Top Label & Upper Left Diamond Block Joined at Top (10 Positions)"
- "With Top Label Joined to Both Diamond Blocks at Top, and Line Extending from Top of Upper Right Diamond Block to Right Frame Line (1+28+30)"

It's difficult to tell from your scan, but I do see a partial joining of the tops of the top left and right diamond blocks and labels. I also see what could be the "Line Extending from Top of Upper Right Diamond Block to Right Frame Line". Here's 19L2L which is similar except that it has no guide dot in that area:



I still have a lot to learn myself, but I think you're off to a great start.

*Images retrieved from: http://www.uspcs.org/the-1851-1860-...amp-plating/ on October 12th, 2015 at 11:05 A.M. EST

DNA thanks for taking the time to respond!
As for the bottom stamp, I didn't even notice the right side label and block. You are correct...! The label and block are connected and line actually continues and connects to the outer frame line. Luckily this still comes up as a variety of the 6R2L as shown on the USPCS site. The guide dot upper left, makes this a top row stamp...I think. So the position 6 fits.



My scanner only goes to 600. Not good enough as evidenced by the pics above.
I still wonder if the first stamp in question, "lower left label connected", is a scratch or inking issue.