Do You Agree With Christopher West On This Illusive Match Stamp?

This is a nice copy of the illusive Wise and Co. match stamp RO 183a. According to Michael Aldrich in his census only 23 are known to exist and only 12 of those were found to be in fine condition. Only 100,000 were issued on February 20,1869. I find this stamp to be an attractive match stamp while Christopher West stated in his book "In appearance it hardly seems to belong with the match stamps for most of the latter are truly works of art while the Wise is a mediocre production on a par with the least attractive medicine stamps." I found having a woman on a match stamp is refreshing instead of all those long bearded men. The owner, Sigmund Wise, in 1873-74 was listed as a merchant at 97 Maiden Lane-maybe the street name was instrumental in the design of the stamp. Let me know your opinions.

I know little of match stamps, but I think I would disagree with Mr West. I think she's absolutely lovely! Small scuff over the E in INTERNAL, but other wise very nice.
Is she yours?

Do you mean "elusive?" "Illusive" means misleading or deceptive.

Although this example appears to be fine, this is a stamp that sometimes comes reperforated on both sides, presumably because it was cut off of a box of matches. I recall seeing 3 examples that way.

Origin of Maiden Lane NYC

There once was a footpath leading to a stream on land in lower Manhattan now the site of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, where young women – maidens – went to wash their laundry in the clean water. Thus the footpath became known as Maidens' Path. By 1664, the path had become a street called Maiden Lane. Over the centuries downtown New York City was in constant change, and the area around Maiden Lane saw many types of businesses come and go. In the late 1800's, the original diamond district was located there and thrived. It became so renown that prominent young brides-to-be insisted on rings from Maiden Lane. The industry was eventually driven out by high rents, and migrated to midtown in the 1920's where it remains today.

There is also an important diamond district on Canal Street downtown.

Definitely elusive, not illusive.

And influential, not instrumental.

I would like to thank everybody for mentioning the grammar mistake I made, if there is a way to correct it will somebody let me know? Yes, there is a small facial scrape at the top label on the Wise stamp. That was an interesting note about Maiden Lane. Pertaining to the Ryder stamp, I read the article about the lake shade that pertained to stamps printed much later, but still very interesting. It is stated in the Revenue Stamps of the United States that the Ryder Match Stamp was printed in the lake shade while Christopher West stated in his Private Die Match Stamp book it was printed in the carmine lake shade. In my opinion, as long as the {lake or carmine lake} Ryder stamp is well centered with minimal defects it is an attractive stamp, otherwise, it can be an undesirable stamp.

Sometimes it's annoying but this was a good grammar lesson.

I think she is lovely as well. I wonder who the model was?

Hi JoNo, You can change any text by way of the edit tab above your post.
As the OP or original poster, you should also have a separate "edit title" icon.
Try not to sweat the editing mode of many of us. Philatelists are a special
breed. Writing can be to some, like math and science are to others.
Very specific. No offense. I read some of your earlier threads and you
write well. I am not a philatelist yet, but enjoy learning something new every day.

Keep the match stamps coming. We have enjoyed seeing them.

Your stamp does have a lovely "maiden" on it!

Edit; Thank you 1typesetter, spelling has never been my best quality.
Math was always my favorite subject. Today, I learned how to spell offense.

rlmstamps2012

offense

rlmstamps2012, thanks for you note. I tried to edit my message but was unable since it has been over 1 day. We Texans, sometimes, have a different way of expressing ourselves. I was hoping there would be other pictures posted on different double transfers on match stamps but no other collectors have come forward with any. So far, I have only had one collector describe others that exist but no pictures of them. I only have a few more to post and they are only minor such as the ones on the Gates and Barber stamps. Many stamps still have double transfers that I have not discovered yet, I was hoping I would get other collectors to examine there stamps and find the ones missing.

JoNo, Many members do not check in to SCF on a daily basis.
There is still a good chance that you will get more responses
once folks come across your thread. I had no experience with match stamps, but was familiar with Maiden Lane NYC, from an earlier thread
of mine.
I do not know if you have come across the search tab, at the very top of each page. It is an amazing tool. You may find threads that are similar to any question that you may have. Then you can post there and see what happens. Try not to get frustrated. Good luck!