1c 1851 Plate 1-Late Stamps

Here is one that was easily narrowed down to two positions. However, these two positions are nearly identical. The stamp is relief A, double recut top and double recut (EC) bottom. The only two positions that match those requirements are 52L1L and 79L1L. Then I noticed the guide dot from the stamp above (42L1L or 69L1L). Looking at these two stamps, it became obvious that the stamp is position 79L1L.

I agree, 79L1L.
The top inner line recut on 79L does not completely cover the P in POSTAGE, whereas on 52L it does.
I agree that the 69L1L guide dot is a give-away.
I had several copies of that position, and its a big dot.
69L1E also shows the big dot.

This stamp is relief A, single recut top and double recut (EC) bottom. Indication of stamp on right eliminates column 10. The only two positions that match those requirements are 53L1L and 72R1L. Looking at position 72R1L, the EC recut at bottom seems to dip low and give more of an angled impression. Position 53L1L has an EC recut that matches better. On 53L1L there are two plating marks between Orns A and B that seem to match the examples shown on Doporto's site (image 2). I would consider this one as a good match for 53L1L.

This stamp is a relief T or relief B. The heavy cancellation makes a quick relief ID difficult. I am leaning toward relief T. Stamp to right eliminates column 10. It is single recut top and double EC recut at bottom. This narrows it down to 16 positions. As I notice the stamp to the right is lower, this eliminates 2nd and 7th column on left pane and 4th, 6th, and 8th columns on right pane. This drops it to 12 positions. As I start checking for plating marks, it becomes evident that the first position that I checked is a match, 6L1L.

Agreed, 6L1L. The degree of incompleteness of Ornament U and completeness of Ornament Z together point right away to Relief T.

Dudley. Do you also agree with the 53L1L?

The 6L1L was a good example to show how to narrow down choices.

53L1L looks correct to me.
I see the dots between ornament A & B.
The EC recut on 72R is more jagged, and does not appear to match.

I agree with 53L1L. The bottom recut does not look like 72R1L.

13R1L with ample margins:



Two dots in G (see doporto for better image)

Beautiful stamp. Clearly has the high recut over PO as well.

Recent auction winning. Position 96L1L

From the same auction. Anyone like 43L ?

I like 43L1L very much.

On the other stamp I believe I recognize the CDS as Washington City, DC.

So today I receive a letter in the mail from the auction firm that I received the 96L1L piece above. I open the cover to find a letter explaining to me that they had thought the certs for the stamp were mailed with the stamp. Obviously they found them and realized they forgot so they mailed them over. I honestly don' even remember certs being mentioned and for a piece like this I certainly don't need one. If the stamp had a hidden fault I'd simply return it.

The certs are kind of strange if you ask me. The first cert here from June of 2004 States "Used, Position 97R1L", and as TX astutely identified the Washington DC town cancel.

Then on the bottom they toss their disclaimer out "it is not possible to identify the plate position"

Cert 1.






It was resubmitted to the PF a year and a half later and they changed it from 97L to 96L which is my choice, although now I have to go back and re-evaluate. I see they also paid to grade and the PF graded it 80. I'm assuming this is due to the tight side margins?

Cert 2









For the record the colored stick on dots which look to be someone's organization method are not mine. And please tell me that the pencil marks aren't PF's expert figuring the cert fee :)

That is an unfortunate choice of words, and obviously not correct.
They email scans to platers now, at least occasionally. I presume that would help mitigate problems where a plater didn't show up on premise while the item was there.

Sheet margin stamps don't necessarily grade well, since all 4 sides matter.