Scott 594 Or Something Else?

Clark, this is a dilemma in my world. I have hundreds of covers that I simply put aside as I don't know where to start other than the obvious perforation measurement.

Questions on separating.

1. Is it best to start the cover separation by year or by perforation.
2. Many W/F are determined by watermark which is difficult when on cover
How do I cross this bridge ?

I'm sure for many these are academic, but not for me.

stallzer,

I would sort covers by date. Make use of the date issued and the earliest documented use (EDU) or first day of issue, it should be possible to rule out some possibilities. Then check the design and then the perforations where necessary. In a few cases stamps like the perf 11 single line watermark 461 can be identified by a 1915 or 1916 date and the perforations. In some cases, making an exact identification will make no difference in value. In other cases, the difference will be dramatic. Also, covers with Bureau perforated, imperforate coils or private vending machine perforations worth searching for. Coil waste stamps were not issued until 1919 and the earliest documented use for the sheet waste Scott 544 was not until 1922. The perf 11 two cent 1908 issue stamp was not released until 1917. Finally, one cent post cards or covers from Washington, DC with a 1909 date should be checked carefully for bluish paper.

Clark