#231 Broken Hat?

Has 231 been seen with both broken hat and broken frame? I think I just scored one on ebay....

I've always thought of it as a progressive failure. Here are some stamps showing a different amounts of missing hat :

Here is a link to a different thread with lots of pictures

https://goscf.com/t/36919#36919

I don't remember seeing a broken hat and broken frame line, but I am almost positive that it is fairly common as the broken hat was found in many different positions and is also found with double transfer. It might be an interesting example, but don't pay too much.

Hi bluesdoggie, it is not possible for a 231 stamp to exhibit both the broken hat and broken frame line concurrently.

The broken hat always has a full frame line at right. If you have both then either the hat or the frame line are scuffed!

I did not know that. And I do confirm that none of my broken frame lines have the broken hat. Thanks for the info.

By the way, if anyone wants a copy of the Broken Hat stamp, please send me an email with your address. I have lots left from a previous giveaway, and they are just gathering dust.

It is possible for a 231 to have both a broken hat and the major double transfer, however.

Sorry to interrupt guys...My broken hat is a 231 or a 231 (something)..Does anyone have a number for it..Thanks.

Robert

wert, The broken hat variety doesn't have a separate Scott number or even a letter suffix. It's just #231. I think it deserves a letter suffix.

Hi the broken hat variety is a minor plate variety.

Ususally you can find one unrecognized on ebay for very cheap.

Stampmaster

I can see it, a d yes that's a broken hat...Does Scott have it #'d at 231a???

There is no US Scott number 231a. Here's another closeup:

No, broken hat and broken frame line are relief varieties. The transfer roller had raised lines corresponding to lines incised on the plate. If a piece of the roller broke off, the corresponding line on the plate would disappear as in the missing piece of the hat or the missing part of the broken frame line. A relief break on the transfer roller could progress if more of a raised line broke off. Double transfers are plate varieties that may occur if the design of one stamp was entered again if the initial entry was faulty and traces of the original entry remain. The recut frame line variety occurred when the missing frame line was added by hand, stamp by stamp, on the plate.

cfphoto, old habits die hard. In the day we all grouped all varieties into "Plate Varieties" incorrect as you stated.

Just the way it used to be.

Good luck

Stampmaster