Check Out What I Didn't Realize

About a month ago, I posted in the inherited forum and showed the box of stamps that my 74 year old neighbor gave to me. His friend was a stamp collector and died and his brother gave my neighbor the stamps.
I went through a bunch and haven't put a dent in it. I became discouraged because one, I couldn't find anything that wasn't common and two, there were too many versions of the same looking stamp.
So I quit for a while. But decided to go through them again but with a lot more knowledge than I had before.
I found some good stamps, some from 1860's etc but one thing I didn't pay attention to was the back of the stamps. His collection of good stamps got mixed with the rest and as a collector, he wrote the Scott number on some of them. Here's just a sample.

Someone else's Scott number is a good place to start, but I have found them to be mistaken as often as not, especially when perforations and watermarks are concerned.

I have acquired collections and find errors. I am moving stamps from a British Commonwealth collection and clear someone did not know watermarks well.

Yeah, I looked them up last night after I posted. The one in the top right corner says 594 11x11 (Franklin) and another one is 267 (Washington). Especially the 594? I'm not going to get my hopes up but it's worth doing the research. I deal in other collectibles and have hit the jackpot before so there is always a possibility.

my theory: anybody who is dumb enough to write id numbers on the back of stamps is dumb enough to mis=id them.

Many old-time collections have catalog numbers written in pencil on the back. I've also seen dealer stocks that have this as well. Obviously it's a bigger deal on mint stamps than used.

And another issue is that over time, catalog numbers often change.

As an occasional stamp scribbler, I'd be more concerned that the previous owner has marked some of these with what appears to be ink or indelible pencil.

What is worse: pencil marking or hinging?

In my opinion, pencil marking
Don

I often see Cat Values penciled in under stamps in the collections I buy. 9 out of 10 times the Cat Values are wrong (and usually on the high side}.

Do not like pencil marking and often wrong.

I don't mind light pencil (soft lead) markings.

These look like they were done with a heavy hand...and some look like they were done with indelible pencil.

Hinge remnants should not remain on used stamps. Faults or other problems may lurk.

I never believed in hinging or marking stamps. Stamp collecting is not just about diligence, caring for the stamps is as important.