Is It Scott #189? Not Sure

I've mentioned a number of times about a couple of collections I've inherited recently. I found a stamp among these that I can't quite place yet. Someone had written "189" on the back in pencil. I"m not going to automatiically assume that's correct. The image is right for #189...15c Webster...but I'm not sure about the color. I'm not to 50 posts yet so I can't post a scan, but what are the possibilities for this one? Obviously, I'm not assuming I've found anything valuable. Never do. Just want to identify it correctly. I'll try to find a way to add a scan. I see that #163 is also the same image. I can't find another stamp that looks the same. Are those the only two possibilities?

141 , 152, 163, 163a, 174, 189, 199 scott numbers

Ah! Now we'ere getting somewhere. Do they differ at all by perforation or color? Or will it be much more subtle differences?

Paper is the big difference, but the color is also different as well. The 189 is on a soft paper. If you hold it up to the light it should have a kind of mottled appearance where the grain of the paper is clearly visible. It will also be somewhat dark looking. It should not look very bright or translucent; if it does it is a different number, either 141 or 152. When you hold it up to the light look from the back.

Dave, it might be easier if you tell us first if a stamp in question has a grill, what are its perfs, does it have a watermark (and what kind), a rough idea of its color, &c. We'll look forward to the time when you can post images, too.

KGB...I've always struggled with grills. Are they easily visible? What do I look for? I"m going to have to find me some watermark fluid, too. I'm sure I can't see the watermark with just the naked eye. I'm just beginning to accumulate stamps that may have watermarks, even after all these years of collecting.

Dave, You do not have to be at 50 posts to enter a scan!

KGB...I'll post other info later today. I"ll check perfs, etc., when I get home today.

rlm...I don't? I thought I needed 50 posts to posts pics and scans?

You are able to post a scan on your first post.
I was able to, and have seen others as well.

I'll give that a try this evening. Thank you, rlm. I am almost to 50 anyway, so it may be a moot point and I'll get something uploaded anyway.

This stamp will not have a watermark, and all will have the same perfs, 12. Grills can be either obvious or difficult to see.

Grills are only on the very thin paper, so holding it to the light is still the first step.

OK, more dumb questions. Although rev says this one won't have them, watermarks are relatively large compared to the stamps, aren't they? You won't see a bunch of watermarks on one stamps...likely just a portion of a "usps" watermark on a single stamp. Correct? As for grills...if they are there, are they large and obvious? Can you feel them with your finger as ridges in the paper? Are they on the entire stamp or just a portion or the center? After all these years, I guess it's about time I learn these things.

Dave, it`s great to see someone so anxious to learn.

By the way, my earlier comment was directed at identifying stamps in general and not the one at hand.

KGB...isn't that what this is all about? Learning new things? Whenever I nail an odd question on Jeopardy, my wife asks, "how the heck did you know that?" The answer is quite often...it was on a stamp. lol

Yes, I really want to learn these things, and I love finding out that there's so much more that I didn't know about stamps. There's always a new chance to learn something. I really want to make it clear that I'm not a one post wonder looking to get rich on one stamp. I've been collecting for over 40 years, and my desire for knowledge about the hobby is insatiable.