Is This A #9 Franklin?

Yes. I was back and forth on this one, but happy I picked it up. Now I've also seen a 4R1L and 10R1L for sale. I think I have a new project, completing that top right row.

4R1L is a good stamp for anybody to have.

After asking about and trying to plate this stamp, I took another look at Ashbrook's / Neinkin's one cent Franklin. They mention the 4R1L being the only position not recut and that "no other combination of types is more sought after than a pair showing a Type II and a Type IV."

I had read this before, but it really sinks in after some hands on experience and another read. The one cent Franklin and 3 cent Washington fascinate me, and I have this community to thank for introducing me to them.

Edit: here is the Franklin mentioned earlier, I think I have IDed correctly as the 4R1L. Ugly cancel for such a desirable stamp...

Pen cancels get too much of a bad rap in my opinion. Yes, there are some ugly ones (and plenty of ugly hand-stamps), and the resale value of pen-canceled stamps is about half of hand-stamps, according to Scott. But I think this stems from a postal-history perspective, since there is no town postmark to study.

Figure 3 on Richard Doporto's site convinced me that this is 4R1L. And the stamp shown has a lovely pen cancel, in my opinion.

You are right, ugly was a poor choice of words. I think what I don't like is how faded they tend to appear, along with the occasional smudging. I would still buy and proudly display this stamp.

Edit: I don't know what this plate position usually goes for, but even with the pen cancel its up to $56.

This stamp with pen cancel would look wonderful in album... Light cancel off the face but symmetry perfect in middle of stamp.
I agree with classic, pen cancels get bad wrap!

I think the 10R1L on ebay was actually a 10R1E. It sold for over $200, but cat's $2000. Anyone on this board the winner?

Not me Tipzi, but I was wondering if that was the case. I couldn't decide if a couple buyers were just hoping it was, or maybe got excited about that full design at top.