1c 1851 Plate 12 Stamps

I can see part of the line on the perfs at right near the top.
What a shame. I have never considered a natural straight edge as a fault.
In fact, I would pay more for a stamp with the center line than one without.
I think by adding perfs at right, they lowered the value and desirabiity of that 10c stamp.

Here is that #20 that I posted earlier.
Much better resolution. Now I can try to plate it.
Perfs matched all around.

Narrowed it down to 54 positions and did not find any good matches. I stared at them for hours last night until my eyes would not stay open any longer. There are 3 positions with no plating marks or unknown info on. I found a couple of light plating marks but they did not match anything shown by Nienken. I will try again tonight. It is a good sharp image.

While I was looking over the old photos by Ashbrook, I ran across a photo of a partial sheet (62-70 -- 72-80 -- 82-90 -- 92-100)(missing column 1) of plate 12 left pane. I colorized the image. This is what I found. The actual image is approximately 600dpi.

Here is one that I just purchased that I am trying to plate.
I am thinking that it may be a "C" relief, #18? Hard to tell.
Any thoughts?

It is a bit odd. There may be some "artwork" at the bottom - a little hard to be sure.

The only two reliefs that qualify assuming no artwork would be:

- plate 11 T relief
- plate 12 C relief

Between those two I'd go with the C since there is burnishing at the top, which wouldn't happen on a top row T.

edit: probably worth trying to rule out 10L/10R11 first since no guide dot - in case its plate mottling and not burnishing.

This stamp was purchased as a #20.
I will have to wait for it's arrival for a better image. I cannot seem to plate it yet.

I have still been unable to plate the single #20 at the top of the page, even with the extremely close spacing to the stamp above.

In my effort to try to plate the two plate 12 stamps shown above, I have tried to complete a full sheet of the left pane of plate 12. I am missing 3 positions, 31L12, 43L12, and 52L12. I will try the right pane next.

Here is an interesting stamp that I bought cheap. It was sold as a #9 but I knew it for what it is, a plate 12 stamp with perfs removed, #20. It is very difficult to plate with the close cut edges. I have a lot more searching to do but so far, my best guess so far is 51L12.

Here is a better image of the one I posted on 12/30. It finally arrived. Taking a close look, I think that I may have plated it as a double transfer on plate 12, position 63R12. I showed an enlarged image of the double transfer at the bottom and the Neinken drawing for that position. Feedback welcomed.





Here is Nienken's comments on the position:
"... a drawing of a Type I double transfer which shows strong traces of the re-entry in the lower part of the stamp. Parts of both right and left plumes are missing on this stamp, due to erasures. The position is 63Rl2."

Very interesting stamp.

First things first - I think that you definitely have a double transfer. Comparing the die proof to what you have - the obvious area is at the bottom of the vignette. The line that is supposed to be solid and contain the bottom of the vignette from above about E in ONE and above all of CENT is key. On the die proof, no part of the bust/vignette area leaks out below that line. Furthermore, after looking at a lot of #18's from Siegel, they don't either, so its not that way on the transfer roll. That tells me this is a DT.

That line does appear to match the 63R12 drawing pretty well.

The outer right part of the LR plume on yours is a bit bigger/longer than the drawing. Plate wear, and the transient nature of plate 12 printings could explain that difference.

The blurring of the lettering in the lower label does remind me of 63R12 per the drawing, so I suspect you are going to be correct here in your plating. I'd like to see a 63R12 scan to be sure, but in the absence of one, I'd say yes that's very likely what it is. Good job - its a neat double transfer.

jaxom100 ----- !!!! WOW !!!!

Plate 12 double transfers are very cool, and in appearance often more subtle than those of the imperforate plates. Good find, jaxom.

I'm trying to plate this one and am finding precious little reference. Jaxom, do you happen to have a scan of 42L12 and or 52L12? My best guess so far is 42L12 with a bit of the lower stamp showing. I settled on that based on the lower piece, not the stamp itself!

Caper, I do not think it looks like 42L12. I do not have a copy of 52L12. It is one of the 3 positions I am missing on plate 12 left. I will need a little time to see what I can come up with for this stamp. I will get back to you on this one. Take a look at 85R12. That one needs a closer look and might be the one.

Here is 42L12: