I Am Assuming This Is Not A Genuine 11A Plum

The image of this cover isn't the clearest, but some hopeful seller or dealer has called it an 11A Plum. The tiny bit of research that I have done tells me this particular stamp is way too dark, like an eggplant. This is part of a lot I got cheap but with the mail service I probably won't see it for another week or more. Does anyone have experience with 3c stamps that have 'gone purple'?

Casey Magoo, The stamp is very likely not the plum color, but an an oxidized (darkened by exposure to the elements) stamp of another color. If it was a claret or deep claret color originally, that would explain the dark purple look after oxidation.

Some oxidized stamps can be restored to near their original color with hydrogen peroxide, if done correctly, depending on the original ink used.

Here's an example of an oxidized stamp that I treated with hydrogen peroxide to restore it to near its original color.

The cancellation (PM) says Kelloggsville NY, but I have an old directory that says there should only be one G in the name. Maybe the directory from the 1860's had a typo. I was looking for unusual stuff as always. I guess I'll be able to tell if the stamp is oxidized when I see it up close. I will not try to change it in any way. Thanks for the response.

I find the post mark very interesting.

You're welcome. I'd like to see a closeup image of the stamp when you get it, if you wouldn't mine posting one.

It is Kelloggsville, NY with two G's. I would bet that's a DPO.

I would be interested if there's a date marking associated with this cover. Is there content?

I will definitely put this on the scanner and post a better image of it. I am waiting for about 5 things to arrive in the mail here and it's driving me nuts. When it gets here I will see what is on the back or inside.

I got the stuff today! I am writing this now, but to scan I have to unplug my LAN and mess around a bit. I will post all 4 of the 3c Washingtons that came. Two imperfs and a Grille from Sinking Creek VA. Give me a bit of time to check them out. Spoiler - the 'plum' is heavily oxidized and a little disappointing...

Adding images of the bogus plum and 3 others just because I got them all today...












I'm sure they are nothing special. The grill looks pretty small. The last shot is with a microscope and it shows the deep impression the ring cancel left. I can't place a year on half of these which is unfortunate.

Yeah, the so-called plum stamp is definitely oxidized. You can get a sense of the original color of the stamp behind the head of Washington, where the darkened ink was disturbed. It is an interesting and attractive cover. The stamp is from plate 2L or 3.

The stamp on the Providence cover is a plate 1L printing, and the color in the image appears to be rose red.

That's a great CDS on the cover with the grilled stamp.

Here is a certified plum:

Is there any content with the Kelloggsville cover?

No contents in any I'm afraid. Just a few pencil scribbles on the outside. Why anyone would do that is beyond me.

It's a great cover regardless, Thanks for sharing.
And although not plum the stamp is nice also. Should be easy to plate.