Scott 11 On Cover - Or Is It Scott 10?

Recently picked up this cover. I've tentatively ID'd it as Scott 11, mostly because of the date of use - 1857.

Two questions for our resident experts.

(1) What plate would this be? It has a recut outer left line.

(2) Is it correctly ID'd as Scott 11. It has only the four outer lines, making it Type I, but that is about as far as my knowledge will take me.

Here's the cover and a higher 600 dpi image of the stamp alone.

I agree it's Scott #11, likely from plate 4. The lightly cut left frame line on #11 is often plate 4.

Allow me to extend and revise my remarks.

A sharp impression from plate No.4. Appears to have a touch of claret, which is why the impression is clearer than most. Most likely a light shade of '57 Brownish Claret.

Type I, Scott #11 from Plate 4. Looks like a pretty typical 1857 printing to me... probably the 1857 rose brown shade.

Woot! Good to know I can get these right once in a while.

Thanks for the plate information and confirmations all.

Regarding the cover itself (which is pretty!) .... what is the writing that is vertically aligned on the right? Is this on the cover itself or is it printing thru from something inside the cover?

Does it say "each" ??

Unhinged,

This is what is called a folded letter sheet. Paper was sold in legal size during the period.

First, you folded the sheet in half. You wrote your letter on page one and both inside pages, if needed.

Then you turned it over so the blank page was facing down and folded the two sides in, you folded the bottom up and then the top down and used sealing wax to hold it all together. Usually, the bottom was tucked into the side folds for added stability.

What you are seeing is the letter, written on the paper which IS the envelope. Yes there is some bleed through on most of these stampless folded letters and stamped folded letters.

Stampman, thought you might find this of interest.