1c 1851 Plate 3 Stamps

Thanks txstamp. I will incorporate those Mark's into the database.

I have this strip as a probable 12-13-14R3. What do others think?

Hi Winston - your strip is 14-15-16L2.

Note the broken oval on 14L2 below STAG per the Neinken mat.

16L2 also has the short ornament N, we discussed here:
https://www.stampcommunity.org/topi...age=7#571261

Shoot! I have to agree. No wonder it didn't really have the Plate 3 look. Thanks for the help.

Here's a nice copy of 23R3 (curl over C). The dark mark in Franklin's hair is a scanning artifact.

dudley - nice find!

I believe this to be 97L3, based on the Doporto image archive and the Neinken diagram of the Warner Strip (97-98-99L3) in his book. A couple of the vertical cracks extending into the bottom margin are clearly visible.

By coincidence, I still have my 97L3.

https://www.stampcommunity.org/topi...age=3#460827

I recall that it has a vertical crack which arcs slightly off to the left - from the mid to lower left side of the design up and slightly left (in left margin). That was a key signature of this position. It can be very very light and hard to see on some copies.

I know my scan at the link is not good quality, and I don't have time right now to study the stamp, but if it doesn't help confirm, I'll look later. The 97L3's I've seen have all shown the crack I mention - even if only slightly.

I agree with your plating. Nice find!

Yours shows the crack at bottom below C well.
Yours also shows the left margin crack.

Yours appears to be the dark prussian blue shade of late 1856.

For many years, there had been 3 recorded unused blocks from Plate 3.

- The Armitage block of 8
- A block of 4 which used to be attached to the Armitage block
- Another block of 4.

Not too many years ago, a fourth block surfaced at a smaller auction company.
This block was 89-90/99-100L3 showing the centerline, at least on pos 100L.

Well, we are now back to 3 known unused blocks.

Note this 100L3 in Siegel sale 1232, lot 1069:
https://siegelauctions.com/lots.php...232-lot-1069

I have a scan of the 4th (former) block, and I can say that I'm positive that this 100L3 came from it, and, obviously destroyed the entire block for this single graded stamp.

I would post the scan, but I do not have permission to post the one I was given.
If I can find the original auction listing scan, I will share it. Might have been Dutch Country? Not sure. A number of years back.

AARGH!!

This was the block - 89-100L3.

From some information received, it sounds like the block may have been broken up during or slightly before 2011.

Also cleaned and right margin reduced to eliminate tear (and also center line).

Wow... how did they get the toned areas to disappear ?
Looks so clean now