Is It Scott #189? Not Sure

Grills on these large banknotes can be faint, but they do not cover the entire stamp. Here's an example from a Scott #141 taken at random from a respected dealer on the web:

Welcome Dave,
You might want to spend some time on this site, it will give you more background on watermarks, grills, and IDing US stamps.
Don
APS #094826

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

Don...I'll check that site out for sure. thank you!

Dave,

I hope you are enjoying the list.

re. watermarks: since watermarking starts on US stamps with the Bureau (BEP) in 1894, you don't have to deal with that for any of the early classics through the Banknotes. The only exceptions to this are rare experimentals you are not likely to encounter. That said, watermarking of the classics is more often done as a way of checking for flaws during stamp grading.

re. grills: do a search on this forum (search box on first page) on the word "grills" and you will find several threads in which the subject is discussed and illustrated, including a primer I put out on Banknote grills to help folks like you understand them.

I routinely watermark classic US stamps, primarily to look for faults but also look for "laid" paper varieties in the 1861 issue or "stitch" watermarks.

Clark

Ok, looking at the stamps at home now. Unfortunately, the scanner will not cooperate, so I don't have a scan yet. It is indeed perf 12 all around. Color: light orange, or maybe a yellowish orange. I'll keep working on the scan. Holding it up to the light...not sure what I see. I'm not sure if I see the grains of the paper or not. I can't readily see any grills either, but I won't rule them out yet.

By the way, it's in an envelope with another stamp. A blue 1c Franklin with "206" in pencil on the back. Unused, gum on the back still...but an unfortunate light hinge mark. Also, it's not very well centered. So, nothing special there.

Ok, I think I've uploaded the stamp. Go ahead, blast me for a poor image. I'm working on it! Lol

I'm guessing 152, but it's only a guess. I don't have enough experience with the design's secret mark--or lack of one--and I'm guessing, too, that one would have to see the stamp in person to judge the paper.

The one cent is indeed a #206. The design is the giveaway.

The fifteen cent looks like it is on soft paper to me. If so, it is a #189.


BTW you can use Ronsonal lighter fluid for checking watermarks. Search this forum for "Ronsonal", or for "watermarking"

essayk...So what's the giveaway about the design on the 1c? I wish it was better centered. It's now the oldest unused stamp in my possession. And I wish someone in the past hadn't hinged it. Lots of gum still on the back, but it's been disturbed a bit by that hinge. So it's probably worthless now. But it'll still go in my album in a mount. As will the #189.

Dave,
http://www.stampsmarter.com/1847usa...kNote01c.htm
Don
APS #094826

Wow! Thank, Don! I'm gonna need a much better magnifying glass to see those secrets marks on my stamp.

Ok, actually..maybe not! I think mine is the American Printing re-engraved design. But I admit I'm looking at a blow-up of the image I posted and I could be wrong.

Look at the arabesques in the upper half of the design. In the original design these were empty. Now notice the rougher character of the background shading lines; especially how the vignette shading has a tendency to mass into something almost solid. Note too the lack of detail in the shading of Franklin's hair.

We can always wish for something better.
What is better is to enjoy what you have without regret or apology.
Then one can wish for nothing better.

Don

That is a great website!
We need to have a topic on just links to informational sites like that one.
I bookmarked that one. Will have to remember it is there.

Rick

The 15 cent stamp is unlikely to be anything other than an American Bank Note Company soft paper printing, Scott 189. Cancels like the oval New York cancel came into use at about the same time as the transition from hard to soft paper. Absent any other evidence, stamps printed on soft paper are cataloged as American Bank Note stamps.