Used #65's

Of the 4 stamps pictured, I believe 2, 3 and 4 are Scott #65. However, I have a question about the first stamp given its bolder color. Although hinged with partial gum, someone penciled in on the back "56", which Scott Specialized notes the number to have been redesignated to the Essays or Trial Color Proofs section (but I'm not 100% sure that's accurate).



Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

I may be speaking out of turn, but would essays or trial proofs have had gum? If you look in older catalogs, the stamps that have now been transferred to proofs or essays, were at one time called first designs. Clearly they were thought to be stamps issued for use. There is still one listed in the main body of the catalog-62B. It is the 10 cent value.

On the 3 c value, the difference between the now Proof and # 65 is in the upper corner ornaments. Your scan is small, so it is hard to see, but the corner ornaments seem to be that of # 65.

I will look forward to being corrected on this.

very nice variations....

Let me answer my own question. For the stamps in this grouping they are called "Premier Gravures" and were indeed issued with gum. I suppose that is why for years Scott considered them regular issue stamps, albeit rare. The difference on the 3 cent is in the corner ornaments.

so, is it a 65?

Thought these scans might be a bit better to help ID the first stamp in question. Note the pencil mark on the reverse showing the suggested Cat. No. (not made by me).

Before I receive comments about what looks like a pinhole at the top of the reserve side of the stamp, it is not a pinhole, merely a piece of debris. While it is far from a perfect stamp, I didn't want to risk disturbing the stamp further by trying to remove it.

Will appreciate any additional help on the ID of this particular item.

Thanks.

wt1,

My Scott US Specialized is a 1983 edition so I can't tell you much from it other than that it listed six color variations for Scott 65: rose, bright rose, dull red, rose red, brown red, and pale brown red.

I checked the National Postal Museum Collection at the Arago site (http://arago.si.edu) and it reflects that the former Scott56 is an essay with the Scott Catalogue designations of 65E##_.

This image from the collection is described as 65E15h (red brown) -- there are at least a half-dozen other images of the essays at the site.



As you can see, the ornament on the corners of the essay differs from that on #'s 64, 65, or 66 -- so I think it is safe to rule out it being a former #56, despite the penciling on the back.

Given the number of color variations for this 3c Washington, your only option to identify the stamp may be to have it expertised.

Steve