Stitch Watermark Question

I would like to know which Canadian stamps have had the 'stitch watermark' variety. I have only seen some scans of them. Is there a list to go by? Have any been spotted with small queens?

Regards,
Norm

Stitch watermarks in my mind are the hardest to locate. I've checked 1000's of potentials and yet to find one. There is potential in some small queens and even into the victoria leaf and numerals. Even though the majority are not super high value I personally consider finding one a holy grail. Of course if you find one on the 1/2cent (forget wether its small or large queen) Its a major jackpot. If anyone has pics please post for educational purposes.

Nitrolures,

Thanks for the post and info. So is there documented proof of Small Queens and Victoria Leaf issues with them??

Would the stitch watermark go totally from top to bottom / left to right or could there be a partial stitching?

I realize you haven't found one yourself, but hoping you have info to share.

Thanks,
Norm

Nodeli, if you have access to the Unitrade Specialized Catalogue of Canada, page 51 of my 2010 catalogue gives an example of the two types of watermarks on the "Large Queens". The "E. & G. Bothwell, Clutha Mills" watermark appears on some paper used for all values in the "Large Queens" issue except 5¢. Those stamps that have a watermark will only have one or two characters. The "Alexr. Pirie & Sons" script watermark is used on the 15¢ Large Queen. I checked the Queen Victoria "Numeral" issue and see that the following might have the horizontal stitch watermark: #74, #75 & #77. I may or may not have missed others.

mhc99,
My specialized catalogue is a 2006 which does not show the stitch watermark. Time to update. On pg. 42 shows the E & G BOTHWELL watermark, but no others.

I did see a U.S. stitch watermark on internet. I have a pic of it to show:







Is this the same as the Canadian stitch watermark?

Ok theres a lot of options with the stitch watermark- Unitrade number 4 3d beaver, #5 6d Prince Albert,#7 10d Cartier, #8 1/2d (one half penny)both vertical and horizontal options (imperf), #9 7-1/2d Queen vic, #12 3d perf beaver, #13 6d princ albert perf, #14 1 cent vic, #17 10cent price albert lilac, #18 12-1/2cent , #21 1/2 cent large queen (vert stitch) (also note with bothwell watemark mint F is cataloged at 25,000, , #23 1cent large queen yellow orange (vertical stitch), #24 2 cent large queen (vertical stitch),#25 3cent lrg queen (vertical), #27 6 cnt large queen (both vertical and horizontal), #36 2cent small queen (both vert and horizontal), #74 1/2cent victoria numeral (horizontal), #75 1 cent vic numeral (horizontal), #77 2 cent carmine vic numeral (horizontal), #90 2cent carmine King Ed VII. That should pretty well cover the options and with the quantities printed of the last few theres alot of looking to be done.
Personally I have only used lighter fluid to test and with the abundance of lines on cancels detecting the stitch would be a challenge . Even the pic in unitrade of the watermark is very weak and I've only ever seen one captured on an ebay listing and that was a tough call. I don't believe the stitch pattern ran constantly through the paper and as it was explained to me once before it only occurs every X number of inches apart . I still have many to check but have put it on the back burner. Some of the catalog values are not high so it must be somewhat availiable but personally I've categorized it with the "G" spot as unknown ;-}

Excellent pic and yes that would be it! Great example . Didn't realize it was also on the US so now I'm just going to . Whos got a list of US options for the little devil?

Now I'm wondering if there could be a stitch running through a Grill???

nitrolures,
Thanks for digging up all the possibilities. All the way into the Edwards does mean allot of searching. I have a SAFE SIGNOSCOPE to help, but you are so correct about the cancels. Still not 100% sure what I am trying to spot, hopefully one will jump out at me. Now, about that G spot...................................

nitrolures,
Thanks for digging up all the possibilities. All the way into the Edwards does mean allot of searching. I have a SAFE SIGNOSCOPE to help, but you are so correct about the cancels. Still not 100% sure what I am trying to spot, hopefully one will jump out at me. Now, about that G spot...................................

How do you find the signoscope? I generally lay out 6-12 on black background with the ronsonol and can vary drying speeds and give myself time to look but probably not as closely as I should be. I've tried to do scans on obvious marks when wet but I think that is a major timing issue. Probably had as much luck with high res scans of the backs then the fluid method. The example you posted shows when dry but I believe it is only obvious because of the wet picture as well. Now you got me wanting to pull out some more possibilities and start hunting again.

I picked up the signoscope secondhand on Kijiji for about $90 with shipping. I find it much easier to examine for watermarks. There is no time frame involved, can adjust the light to contrast against the stamp and watermark. Can only do a couple at a time. I have a fair amount of older NZ stamps. The watermarks are all over the map i.e.- inverted, sideways, reversed, and a combination of all above. Comes in quite handy indeed.
I agree about the wet picture, it really shows up well. So, I don't know how well the signoscope will pick up the faint stiching. All I need is to find just one, only then can I say it can do the job.

I do not know what I am looking for when looking for a stitch watermark.
Is the little corduroy road moving horizontally across the stamp's back and the top of Washington's head the watermark?

Confused. Thanks. Have to look in the newer catalogue in the library.

Puzzler- That is the tricky little devil. That one is quite well shown where even the example in Unitrade shows only what looks like single lines but running vertical. Depending on location on the stamp you can imagine how difficult these can be to detect. Surprised to see on the US issue so curious to find out more about that.

where even the example in Unitrade shows only what looks like single lines but running vertical

Saw the 2011 Unitrade in the library today and the stitch watermark is very hard to see in the picture they have in there. Fascinating to look for though.

Honestly the pic provided here of the 3 cent washington is by far the best example to use for comparison and I'd recomend saving that pic to file for reference. It would be great to get a description of the paper itself that is used such as wove , soft, thin ect.... that would help eliminate suspects . I know with the lighterfluid , once its soaked into various papers it looks different with different paper types. However the above soaked pic makes paper type a tough call.