Show Your US 1851-57 Imperforate Stamps

I believe this is a 1200 scan and may be helpful. There has been some improvement and I was pleasantly surprised with the ease of uploading!

Hi Chipshot,

The scans of your stamp on the Philadelphia cover are borderline quality for plating purposes. I downloaded your most recent scan and straightened it by rotating it about three degrees. I find that ensuring a stamp is straight on the scanner before scanning so it doesn't have to be rotated digitally helps.

After straightening the image and resizing it vertically, I saw what looked like light recutting of the left inner line. This indicated plate 5L to me, so I checked and found a matching position on plate 5L.

If you would please email me a 1200 DPI scan I should be able to absolutely confirm it.

Hi Chipshot,

Thanks for emailing the 1200-DPI scan. I confirmed the position is 76R5L.

p.s., The adjoining stamp on the left shows recutting of the right inner line, stronger than the inner line recuts on 76R5L.

Found this type II at a local auction for $20. Hope it was worth the price.

Stallzer -- That's 21R2E -- Scott #10A. Really nice margin copy -- shows the classic doubled center line characteristic of plates 2E / 2L. If you got this for $20 -- you got a bargain. // ioagoa

edit to fix spelling error

I just spent $18+ on a wrap and a coffee.
I've thought it would be nice to collect the entire 1st row of the right pane showing the center line and or the last row of the left pane.
Alas.., I have not.

TY, appreciate your help. It was described as a 10A but I take this auctioneer's identification with a grain of salt.

Public Service Announcement regarding Color Study of the Three Cent 1851–1857 Imperforate and 1857–1860 Perforated Issues


I received the following this morning from a member of my 1851-1857 3c study group who asked me to pass it along to the SCF Community...

For anyone planning to attend BOSTON 2026 who has an interest in 3c color, I wanted to let you know that the Chase Master Color Chart will be on display in the Court of Honor throughout the duration of the show. This is the seminal chart created and updated by Dr. Chase over 50+ years that then was used by Bill Amonette over another 50+ years in his extensive color work and expertizing. If you know of a stamp friend not on this forum that may be interested in seeing the chart, please feel free to pass on this information.

Regards to All // ioagoa

That's great, but, I hope its not left out under the lights too long ...

Possibly more than any other philatelic item, it should be kept in the dark as much as possible.

Number 34 and 35 written on the back of this pair suggest possible plating positions. It might be referring to 34L2 and 35L2. Type II seems sure, but not so sure about the plating. How does it look to the experts?

Certainly not a match for 34-35R

The short right plume does match 34L

I think 34-35L2 is correct. Mark in A of POSTAGE on 35L2. Also, the guide dot above 34L2 matches 24L2.

Here is my
Used 3 strip
Scotts US
33-32-33


*** Edited by Staff - Correction at poster's request. ***

Margin copy of 100L3.