Help With A 1 Cent Franklin, Is It A 21?

I was looking for help verifying this stamp as a # 21.

I see the blue area on the back. I can also see it from the front.

Is that from a hinge being removed?

back is probably a stain from tape that was used as a hinge long ago

Difficult to say for sure what the type and Scott# are for this one. It is a Relief E from Plate 4; most of these examples are Type IIIA (Scott #22), but a few are Type III (Scott #21) and even Type Ic (Scott #19b). I am unable to plate this example precisely to position based on the photo, but to me the bottom frame line appears to be unbroken, which would rule out Scott #21. Unfortunately, some of the bottom ornaments are cut off. However, the odds are that this is Scott #22.

Thank you chasa, I agree. The first time I saw the blue on the back, I thought, could it be printed on both sides? Then I woke up!

dudley, Thank you for time spent in looking at this stamp.

Would a higher resolution of the bottom frame lines help at all?

I scan these at 4800, which is about what Richard Doporto has his photographed at. If you did that, and then house the image at Photobucket, and then link to that address, it may work.

Agree with Dudley. We need to see the plumes to see if they're complete, but to be a Type 1c, it would also need to have complete scrolls, and they don't look to be complete. Really looks like it's a IIIa.....Ray

Thank you Ray, I have never worked with "photobucket".

A dear friend of mine own's a commercial printing co. He has offered me his IT staff any day, anytime! They have helped me with real estate issues for years.

I would be happy if it is a # 22. We will see. At least I hope to learn something. I should have an image up by tomorrow PM.

The stamp is from position 88R4, a Type IIIa, Scott #22.

Yes, sinclair! I missed the plating mark by the lower left plume. Well done! Here's the image of 88R4 from the Doporto archive.

Thank you Winston, you saved my morning.

I will look forward to learning more about these stamps.

The next time I am asked to provide an image by way of photobucket,
I will not have an excuse. I will learn how.

Thank you all for sharing your knowledge.