US #10/11 - Things You Can See On Unworn-Plate Printings With Quality Ink

Many of the 1851 3-cent imperforate orange browns are known for their rich ink quality and excellent impressions. However, while examining some 1855-56 yellowish rose reds I was impressed by the clarity of of the finest-detailed parts of the design. I looked through most of my 3-cent imperforate collection, and I noticed that my orange brown/yellowish varieties showed similar clarity. No other colors in my 3-cent collection showed the clarity that these two colors did, even on early printings.

Below are some annotated 4800-DPI scans - the first three are from the same yellowish rose red stamp, and the fourth is from an orange brown/yellowish. In the first image, vertical shading lines are discernible in Washington's eye. These vertical shading lines can be identified on some stamps, but typically without clear separation.



The second image shows the two curved lines and two vertical lines in the lower right triangle that were transferred from the transfer roll to the plate (no recutting). These lines can be seen in the triangles on many 3-cent imperforates, but typically with less clarity.



The third image shows a line extending into the white oval above the lower-left rosette. I've seen this on 5 to 10 specimens, but I only checked less than half of my stamps. It's possible this only exists on A-reliefs.



The fourth image, from the orange brown/yellowish stamp, shows three arcs of shading at the lower-left edge of the button. These lines are somewhat discernible on better printings, but rarely with much detail.



I'd appreciate reading about anyone else's observations on these details or others.

Are you seeing this with specific plates?

The "two vertical and two curved lines in triangle" I have noticed most. Probably due to more time spent peering at the triangles looking for recuts. I had named the one you show, Avengers Triangle...seriously. As you already know, I'm a bit over the top with this issue of stamp.

I'll start noting the other areas you show.

What I hypothesized in my post is that certain ink formulas provided the clearest impressions, as compared to other early impressions from an unworn plate with different ink formulas. The first three images are from a single plate 8 stamp. The fourth image is from a plate 1e stamp. Too small of a sampling to say the clearest printings are from certain plates.

I should have asked a more narrow question, are plates 2L, 3 and 5L to worn by 1855-56 to see these images?

Another, do you believe that if one of these details can be seen on a stamp they all should be present? Or is it to soon to tell and that's what we need to learn?

Plate 5 was taken out of use not because of wear, but probably due to the plate cracks. It was cleaned and touched up before being put back into use in 1855, and it produced some high-quality impressions. I don't think the same can be said for plates 2L and 3.

These details on some stamps may not be visible on most due to a variety of reasons, especially plate wear.

That and Plate 2L and 3 missed the YRR period during what has been hypothesized as a cleaning.

There are some gems from Plate 8 in the YRR shade. The ones I like are the very yellow ones... very beautiful and very hard to find.

Sinclair, I agree that the very yellow YRRs are very beautiful. And in my experience as well, they've been very hard to find. Here's the stamp that the first three closeups came from. It also was featured in the recent "Possible Jackson Depot" covers thread (later identified as Atkinson Depot by John Becker). I spotted this in a recent ebay lot and my eyes went wide instantly!

I find these type of posts incredibly interesting and at the same time feel incredibly uneducated. Could someone please give a quick explanation of how to determine the various plates that are used for this? Or direct me to a place when I can learn much more about it? Thanks Paul.

Incredibly interested is a necessary first step. Please go to the USPCS website. There is loads of info there. You can also download for free a copy of Dr. Carroll Chases' book on the 3c stamp of 1851-61. The book will start you in the right direction.

Thanks going to download now.

Wheelman, this issue has quite a cult following! Here is the direct link to the page with info on identifying the plates:

http://www.uspcs.org/stamps-covers/...2%a2-plates/

Thanks classic coin. Very interesting. Looks like I may be a cult member in training.

CC, I will certainly stay aware and note these areas. I only have one YRR identified in my collection. These details might help identify others.

Following up on stampcrow's question, the first three closeups shown at the top of this thread are from a plate 8 yellowish rose red. Here is a plate 5L yellowish rose red that also shows the fine details well. This was printed from a part of the plate with rust damage (spots near upper left and lower left corners).

I'll try to show a high-quality claret printing later today.

Here is a plate 5L claret. It's the clearest claret printing I've found in my collection so far, and it seems to fall a little short of the clarity of the fine detailed lines of the orange brown/yellowish and yellowish rose red specimens posted earlier. However, there are some engraved lines in the eyelid that align with the dashes in the nose that didn't come through well on the other stamps. The line in the oval wasn't discernible on the claret stamp.