1850-S Catalog U1 Cut Square?

Mike and Dan taught me a few things about stamped envelopes, so lets see if I got it right.

Below is an illustration number U1 and it appears that it may also be a catalog U1. But my "catalog" is nothing more than: The Postal Service Guide to U.S. Stamps. Hey, I can't afford a "real" catalog.

Catalog number U1 has a 13mm wide label; on U4 it is 15mm; U7 is 20mm and U9 is 14.5mm. I don't know about U2, U3, U6, U8 or numbers above U9.
Mine has a 13mm label. However, I could be wrong, because I am assuming that the "label" is the number "THREE" at the top of the design. The full width of the oval is 25mm.

Mike and Dan, do I pass the exam?

It is either U1 with 12 sub varieties, U3 with 2 sub varieties or U5 with 10 sub varieties, ignore the additional 20 sub varieties since your example has the curved lines which those 20 don't.
It is I believe to be U1 Die 1, on buff. No idea of sub variations.
If you look at the chain links that come to the curved line before the "Three"
It appears to end in the middle of a link, U3 seems to be near the end of the link, U5 is at the end of a link.

Mike

I think you and Mike nailed it.

If it's a U1 die 1 on buff, then its catalog number is U2.

Dan

I looked back at by Scott's 1933 the issue would be illustration # E1, Scott #2310 and included a more usefull image to see the difference.
They should have left the illustration number style the same it's obvious the base numbering system had to change.

Mike

Whoa! I may have passed the entrance exam, but looks like I am still in US Stamped Envelopes 101.

Thanks guys,
Marty

Marty, You Passed!!

1933?

It looks like I'm going to have to dust off a credit card and get a new specialized...

Dan

But you passed!

If you want to get into sub-varieties, paper color, how the paper is laid (horozontally or diagonally), manila paper, wove paper and their watermarks have fun!

It's way out of my league!!

Dan

Passed the 1st question that's all and seems to be getting the system.
With envelopes you learn in baby steps.
It is undoubtablily the most frustrating area to collect.

Mike

It has taken me some time to get back to this thread. Sorry.
I appreciate the passing grade from you all. I knew my knowledge of both stamped envelopes and postcards was limited and it appears that I'll be taking baby steps for quite some time to come.


I have less than 100 stamped envelope cut squares so I doubt I will end up in the league. But, I am learning a lot from you all and it is fun at the same time.

Marty

Marty,

Mike really nailed it with that quote! It is an interesting and challenging area -- especially for the early issues.

But it can drive you nuts at times!

Hang in there!

Dan

hi all ,
very new member here.
i just inherited a book of stamps and I have a page with stamps similar to this post...could you please post links of where I could find information about these cut outs.

sincerely
Caleb

You can find these in the Scott Specialized Catalog

Peter