Scott 11 - How To Describe Best It's Inking Issues

I have tried to ID the plate# for this one and am guessing at 2R6, but strictly a guess. How would the irregularities in the appearance of the top label best be described...over-inking? It almost appears the tessellated work is encroaching on the top label.I'm leaning toward the 2R6 due to the faint top and bottom frame lines based on the photo in the Plating Project web page. Any help would be appreciated.

Hi, Caper. Your stamp's position is 2R7, vice 2R6.

The poor impression could have been caused by a combination of factors such as over-inking and the paper being too wet when the inked plate was applied to it. The paper was dampened before the plate was applied to aid in ink bonding. Poor ink quality could be another factor. Finally, the paper could have slipped sideways as it was being separated from the printing plate. I would guess a combination of over-inking and wet paper.

It's messy lookin'. I love it. Nice margins all around.

Since it doesn't appear to be a plate wear or wiping problem, it might be a problem with ink viscosity, I.e., the ink may have been a little too thick to lay on the plate properly. And, as Classic Coins said, if the paper was too wet, or too dry, that would make the problem worse.

Classic Coins, you nailed it! I fell for 2R6 as the photo in the Plating Project library for 2R6 appeared to have many of the same inking issues as on mine and in the same places!

Thanks stampcrow, it's strange appearance is what drew me to it in the first place.

And thanks bookbndrbob for the inking education!

Here's a stamp (11A) with similar inking issues, including a close-up:





For a really dramatic inking on #11, see my earlier post:

https://goscf.com/t/48725#48725