I'm at a dead-end trying to plate this Scott #24. It has marks that should make it readily identifiable (arrows), but I'm unable to do so. Perhaps one of our resident experts could help. My process so far:
I identify this as Relief B based on the shape of the outer frame line segments, the dark blur over the TAG of POSTAGE, and the "interstitial" bruises under the EN of CENT, which thanks to David Zlowe's original research as published in the Chronicle I can identify as characteristic of the B/C Relief transition. There is no evidence of the right-side Relief B scratches so this could be a Type Va, but it is a somewhat worn impression and the cancel in the right margin could be covering evidence of the scratches. In any event: Relief B.
None of the photos or drawings of Relief B positions available in Neinken or the Doporto Archive provides a match for the marks indicated with arrows (only 13L10 seems to even be in the ballpark). A search of the Siegel archive, including the complete or near-complete panes from Plates 7, 8 and 9, was likewise negative. Between Neinken and the Doporto Archive only three Relief B positions from plates 5-10 are missing: 18R8, 17L9 and 17R9. I have an example of 18R8 in a vertical strip of three (8-18-28R8): no match. The complete left pane of Plate 9 in the Siegel archive does not indicate a match between my mystery stamp and position 17L9. Could this be 17R9? Does anyone out there have an example of 17R9? Comments and critiques welcome.
Posted 10/20/2018 1:26 pm
