15c Large Queen Colors Help!

okay - I finally decided to tackle properly identifying my large and small queens. The most I have of the large queens is of the 15c denomination, and what a color range. The first one here gauges at 12 x 12.25. The rest are spot on 12 x 12. Looks to me like 30b, 30b, 29b, 29, 30iv, 30? Opinions? Whats with the 12.25 on the first one? Thanks for your help, I'm a newbie here!

For the most part the small queens are much tougher but with the 29's and 30's things get really tricky. I also have a couple that perf at 12.25- one on 2 sides and the other all 4 . I've yet to figure that out. Most of my copies are put away until I move in may but I plan on getting into papers and more soon. The recent Bingham auction had a lot of 29's-30's (lot 516) http://stampauctionnetwork.com//BG/bg126.cfm#27
that has 55 color variations so depending how in depth you want to get the water can be deep.

Oh my Nitro. Thanks, figured I'd cut my teeth on the large queens before I tried the small queens.

Southpaw, Your color identification appears to be correct of course the colors may show differently from computer to computer depending on settings and there are numerous shades. The normal catalogs don't list minor 1/4 count perforation varieties but they exist. They do list 11.5 X 12. If you want to get picky on perforations get a Kiusalas gauge it is really precise and you will find many varieties. Then you have to consider the 10 different papers and three different watermarks (E.& G. BOTHWELL CLUTHA MILLS, script watermark: Alexr. Pirie & Sons, and stitch watermark). Not to mention plate flaws and re-entries. If you want to do an intense study. This issue poses a major collecting opportunity. You could collect the Large Queens for a life time and never have a complete collection. Have fun and enjoy what you find. Note my avatar is one of only three reported copies of 2 cent LQ's on laid paper.

It's a gray rainy day here in western NC. Perfect day for spending some quality time with the collection! Thanks so much for the help. Can't wait to get to my stock pages of low denomination small queens. Question: has anyone done a concise "if-then" series to lead us though the ID process? Do you check for colors, perfs, or marks like guide dots first? What's the best path?

John Hillson, THE SMALL QUEENS of CANADA, London: Robson Lowe Ltd., 1981. Is a good source for information. There may also be more current works.

For your small queens take your time and break things down slowly. The 3c are crazy with colors especially since alot can oxidize. There are alot of plate varieties to hunt as well but better seperating first. Guide dots on 37's are helpful but many poor perf alignments won't show them plus the dots were only on 90 of 100 per pane. There are a ton of good threads on here that can help along the way.
I use a computer perf gauge that works awesome but have never had the Kiusalas gauge to work with.

Southpaw
Where about in western NC? I live in Hendersonville.
Don

Nitrolure, what comp perf gauge you suggest?

Your ID looks correct though it is a combination of shade and paper type that determines its subtype. Your 30iv looks a perf 11.6 x 11.9 to me, so a 30a. Check for the script watermark as it is likely the Pirie paper to my eye. Your 29 needs to be checked, could be either an 1890s shade or possibly Bothwell from 1868, to a scan the shades can be similar But paper is distinctly different. Best, G.A.

Gilles, I'll email it to you . As long as you are using a photo editing software like photoshop and can scan at 600x600 it is amazingly precide. Its not a high tech auto perf but rather you make the scan and then drag the gauge overtop and adjust . Had it verified so many ways and it is far better than relying on manual ones and eyesight.

Don - I live in Zirconia, worked in downtown Hendersonville for a decade till last year. My wife is a teacher at the Mountain Community School. You and I have probably crossed paths. Small world. Will you be going to the Asheville stamp show last weekend in March?

Thanks for the tips GA, I'll check them out. I just downloaded a perf gauge, it is at 600 dpi so it may be the same one NitroLure spoke of.

Southpaw,
I actually live in the south side of Hendersonville and almost exclusively use the Zirconia PO when I mail things. In fact back around 1975 I frequently went to the old Zirconia PO (when it was still in the wooden frame house just east of the railroad tracks) since the postmaster there was so helpful to a young collector like me. She often would save me plate blocks and even was willing to sell me things like postage due plate blocks.

I might go the Asheville bourse; haven't discussed any possible 'funding' yet with my wife! I collect worldwide but also enjoy US, US Back of Book, US Christmas Seals and Great Britain. Like most collectors I have a large amount of 'extra' material, if you ever want to trade some stuff let me know!
Don